The cities of Fergana and Kokand in Uzbekistan have officially been integrated into the Coalition of Sustainable Cities in Central Asia. This expansion brings the total number of participating urban centers in the network, established in 2025, to ten, following the inclusion of localities from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

The announcement was made during the second regional dialogue on urban resilience held in Tashkent, which ostensibly aimed to foster cooperation in preparing for climate threats and natural disaster risks while supporting local communities. The event was organized by the Uzbek Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Officials claim that the initiative operates under regional projects supported by the Japanese government, with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) also backing specific pilot cities. However, observers point out that rapid urbanization continues to outpace risk management capacities across the region, leaving housing stocks and infrastructure structurally fragile.

Additionally, national seismology institutes from the participating countries supposedly agreed to strengthen cooperation regarding earthquake preparedness. A newly signed memorandum is intended to facilitate the exchange of scientific knowledge, though tangible outcomes remain subject to verification against ongoing regional challenges.

Source: www.gazeta.uz