ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are pursuing a bilateral Clean Air initiative aimed at tackling persistent air pollution in their major urban centers, following high-level talks between Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Bukhara on April 11.
The initiative, proposed under the joint patronage of both heads of state, would mobilize government action and encourage local authorities and private-sector actors to adopt more responsible environmental practices. Kazakh President Tokayev framed the proposal as a response to pressing air quality challenges affecting populations in Almaty and Tashkent, calling for urgent and coordinated action from both governments.
"I believe this would be well received by both our societies and the international community. This initiative can achieve a great deal and encourage both local authorities and businesses to act more responsibly in protecting the environment," Tokayev said.
The Clean Air proposal emerged as part of a broader push to deepen bilateral ties, which both leaders described as reaching an unprecedented level. Tokayev reaffirmed that Uzbekistan remains a reliable strategic partner for Kazakhstan, emphasizing the absence of political disagreements and the consistent execution of existing bilateral agreements.
Economic collaboration dominated much of the discussion, with both sides agreeing to intensify intergovernmental coordination to achieve measurable outcomes in trade and industrial cooperation. The presidents highlighted the need for systematic support for business communities and increased economic activity across multiple sectors.
Key areas identified for joint development include the extraction and processing of rare earth metals, transport and transit connectivity, water and energy cooperation, and the expansion of the IT industry. These sectors reflect both countries' interest in diversifying their economies and building industrial capacity beyond traditional resource extraction.
Uzbek President Mirziyoyev described the Bukhara meeting as an important step in strengthening what he termed a "centuries-old friendship" between the two nations. He welcomed the ongoing reform trajectory in Kazakhstan and pointed to improving economic indicators as evidence of effective transformation.
Speaking to Tokayev, Mirziyoyev outlined the logic behind Uzbekistan's own economic strategy, emphasizing the interconnection between reforms, investment, and sustainable development. "Despite a challenging global environment, the economy has exceeded $300 billion," Mirziyoyev said, highlighting the growing share of the non-resource sector in GDP. "The share of the non-resource sector in GDP is growing, and small and medium-sized businesses now account for nearly 40%," he added, describing this as evidence of a coherent long-term strategy rather than isolated initiatives.
Mirziyoyev credited Tokayev's approach to economic transformation for its depth, saying the reforms demonstrate a systematic understanding of how structural changes drive sustainable growth.