From June 2 to 4, Eco Expo Central Asia 2026, organized by Uzbekistan’s National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. As a side event, OISCA, in collaboration with JICA, organized a seminar to introduce initiatives aimed to improving livelihoods through desert greening In the Aral Sea region. On the day of the event, Dr. Satoshi Togashi, OISCA Expert, participated online from Japan. He provided an update on the current state of desertification in the Aral Sea region and explained OISCA’s saxaul afforestation efforts, which are being carried out in cooperation with local forestry agency and other partners.
In conjunction with the Expo, Mr. Yasuaki Nagaishi, Vice President of OISCA International, visited the host country and exchanged views with relevant government agencies. At the Forestry Agency, he met with Mr. Erkin Mukhitdinov, Director of the Agency for the Expansion of Forests and Green Areas and Combating Desertification.
Following a proposal from the Director, who had gained a deeper understanding of OISCA’s afforestation efforts, he signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding cooperation on afforestation activities in that country. OISCA members from Japan were also attending. They presented technologies for producing water from the air and aquaponics systems that utilize this technology, techniques that are particularly useful in arid regions, which drew attention of the director.
OISCA Uzbekistan Chapter, which is exploring partnerships with Japanese member companies possessing such advanced technologies, organized a business matching event
with seven representatives from six Japanese companies participating. As Uzbekistan continues to expand its international cooperation to diversify its economy and develop its industries, the Chapter plans to actively pursue further collaboration with member companies.