Ziyo Forum and United Nations in Uzbekistan Convene Youth for Live Screening of UN Secretary-General’s Speech on Clean Energy Transition

Ziyo Forum and the United Nations in Uzbekistan jointly hosted a live screening of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s speech, “Moment of Opportunity,” spotlighting the global shift to clean energy and the urgent need to accelerate climate action.

The event brought together more than 40 participants, including university students, members of the Youth Parliament, media representatives, and UN agencies, underscoring the importance of youth engagement and multistakeholder dialogue in addressing the climate crisis.

The Secretary-General emphasized that we are at a turning point: 2024 was the first year the global average temperature exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This is not the end, but a warning — and an opportunity. Limiting warming below 1.5°C is still possible and vital to reducing human suffering and protecting the most vulnerable.

He also reflected on progress since the Paris Agreement, outlined remaining barriers to faster climate action, and stressed the urgent steps needed to accelerate a clean energy revolution that ensures affordable energy for all.

For Uzbekistan and the Central Asia region, climate change is already a lived reality. Temperatures are rising twice as fast as the global average, with increasing water scarcity, more frequent extreme weather events, and mounting pressure on agriculture, health, and rural livelihoods.

Recognizing the urgency, the Government of Uzbekistan has declared 2025 the Year of the Green Economy, reinforcing its commitment to link climate action with sustainable development, economic growth, and job creation. The country has already made notable progress — from reducing CO₂ emissions to submitting an enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) that raises ambition across key sectors. 

The Secretary-General’s message reframes climate action as an opportunity — not just a cost. The clean energy transition is already generating jobs, driving innovation, and attracting investment worldwide. For Uzbekistan, it presents a chance to unlock inclusive growth while protecting its natural resources and communities for future generations.