BY OJO SAMSON AYOMIDE
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan jointly announced that the Eighth GEF Assembly and Associated Meetings will convene in the historic city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan from May 30 to June 6, 2026.
Building on the momentum of previous gatherings, the Assembly will bring together ministers, heads of international organizations, business leaders, civil society advocates, Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth from the GEF’s 186 member countries to chart an accelerated path toward global environmental goals.
“The Eighth Assembly comes at a pivotal moment,” said Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, CEO and Chairperson of the GEF. “With just four years left to honor the promises of the 2030 agenda, we must unite governments, the private sector, and civil society around a single Nature–Climate–Pollution framework and set in motion the large-scale, inclusive action our planet demands.”
Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, added: “The Eighth GEF Assembly will mark an important step toward consolidating efforts, attracting investment and sharing knowledge aimed at strengthening resilience and preserving nature. Building on the far-reaching reforms initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan is steadily transforming into the environmental hub of Central Asia. It is a great honor for our country to welcome participants from around the world to Samarkand — an ancient city with a millennia-long history, where harmony between humans and nature has always been deeply valued. We are confident that GEF Assembly will become a symbol of partnership, solidarity, and shared responsibility for the future of our planet.”
Uzbekistan and the GEF: a 30-year partnership
Since joining the GEF in 1995, Uzbekistan has benefited from a diverse portfolio of national and regional grants that have helped conserve unique landscapes, phase out ozone-depleting substances, establish the first bus rapid transit corridor to promote low-carbon transport systems, and build capacities to address environmental challenges. The partnership has helped foster cross-border ecosystem management and climate resilience through initiatives such as the Central Asia Transboundary Biodiversity project and the Aral Sea Basin programs. With support from the GEF, Uzbekistan is meeting its obligations under the conventions that it is party to and is participating in the Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Impact Program and Ecosystem Restoration Integrated Program.
Overall, $98.8 million in GEF grants and $773.8 million in co-financing have supported Uzbekistan’s environmental agenda, laying a strong foundation for the country’s leadership role at the forthcoming Assembly.
A forum built for solutions
The Assembly will highlight how the next funding cycle (GEF-9) will strategically invest in environmental action to accelerate progress on biodiversity conservation, land restoration, chemical pollution reduction, and climate resilience through the transformation of key economic systems for sustainable and lasting outcomes at scale.
It will also showcase successful projects and innovations financed by the GEF across various regions, highlighting how collaborative funding can deliver impactful, scalable solutions for environmental sustainability.
Eight high-level roundtables will generate actionable technical and political recommendations and build momentum and alignment across stakeholders feeding into a final ministerial plenary:
- The Role of Conventions and International Agreements
- Blended Finance & Private-Sector Leadership
- The Future of Official Development Assistance
- Maximizing Impact of Critical Investments
- Leaving No Country Behind — SIDS, LDCs & Fragile States
- Leaving No One Behind — Civil Society, Women & Indigenous Peoples
- Leading from the Ground — Recipient-Country Action on Policy Coherence & Resource Mobilization
- Policy Coherence and Mobilization of Resources, from all sources
Quick facts
- The Assembly, the GEF’s highest governing body, meets once every four years.
- The GEF-9 funding cycle (2026-2030) will focus on an integrated Nature–Climate–Pollution agenda designed to spur systemic transformations.
- Assemblies gather ministers and senior officials from all 186 GEF member countries, alongside leaders from business, philanthropy, academia, and civil society.
- The GEF serves as a financial mechanism for six multilateral environmental conventions.
- Samarkand—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—offers a unique backdrop for forging new partnerships and commitments.