On May 1, Deputy Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change Jusipbek Kazbekov received an Austrian delegation consisting of Deputy Federal Minister of Finance of Austria Andreas Reichardt, Executive Director of the Austrian Association of Mining and Metallurgy and the Federation of Non-Ferrous Metals Roman Stiftner, Executive Director of the Austrian Technological Association Tino Terraneo, and Austrian experts.

During the meeting, J. Kazbekov noted the steady growth of cooperation between the two countries and discussed new points of growth in relations in the fields of economy, ecology, and environmental protection.

The guests were informed that in recent years, Uzbekistan has become a center of environmental diplomacy and that such significant events as the 25th session of the UNWTO General Assembly, the 21st session of the Convention to Combat Desertification (CRIC21), and the 14th meeting of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Animals (CMS COP14) were held in the country in which representatives of Austria took an active part.

Information was also provided on the establishment of the Central Asian University for the Study of the Environment and Climate Change, "Green University", founded to address local and regional environmental challenges, strengthen regional cooperation in the field of ecology and environmental protection, introduce innovative ideas, practices, and technologies by training highly qualified specialists, and realize the scientific and intellectual potential of Uzbekistan and the region as a whole.

The parties expressed hope for the implementation of joint projects in the fields of environmental protection, waste recycling, water resources management, air quality monitoring, and other environmental areas, and noted the importance of realizing the existing potential for cooperation in all areas in the field of ecology and environmental protection.

At the same time, the issue of creating a situational center for air quality monitoring using Austrian technologies and a management system was discussed.

Following the talks, the prospects for further development and expansion of bilateral cooperation were considered, and the importance of a phased transition to a "green" economy and achieving sustainable development goals was noted.