The need to strengthen cooperation on environmental protection, combating desertification and reducing the adverse effects of climate change was discussed during a meeting between Bahodur Sheralizoda, chairman of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan, and Batmunkhin Batsetseg, president of COP17 and Mongolia’s foreign minister, in Ulaanbaatar.

According to the National Information Agency of Tajikistan “Khovar,” the meeting was held Aug. 17 on the sidelines of the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, or UNCCD COP17, which is being held in Ulaanbaatar through Aug. 28.

The sides emphasized the importance of global initiatives put forward by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on water and climate issues, including the upcoming United Nations Water Conference, scheduled to be held in Dushanbe in 2028.

On the sidelines of UNCCD COP17, Sheralizoda also met with Aziz Abduhakimov, adviser to the president of Uzbekistan on environmental issues and chairman of Uzbekistan’s National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change.

The sides discussed joint initiatives to protect ecosystems, promote the sustainable use of natural resources and strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation under international environmental conventions.

During a meeting with Tsendin Sandag-Ochir, Mongolia’s minister of ecology and climate change, the sides discussed bilateral cooperation on climate change adaptation, glacier protection and preventing land degradation.

Following the meetings, the sides agreed to strengthen joint efforts to combat desertification, prevent land degradation, mitigate the effects of climate change and glacier melt, and enhance cooperation under international environmental conventions and regional environmental initiatives.