The event dedicated to the launch of two international projects carried out in collaboration with the UN Development Program's office in Uzbekistan by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change was held at the University of Environmental and Climate Studies of Central Asia, in connection with the "Year of environmental conservation and the “green” economy”. The Ecology Ministry reported about this event.
The projects will be implemented by 2030 through grants amounting to 6.5 million US dollars from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
During the event, representatives of international organizations presented new “green” initiatives. One of the projects is a comprehensive program to support the update of the "National Strategy and Action Plan for Biodiversity Conservation and its 7th National Report", which is part of a global project being implemented in 69 countries, including Uzbekistan. It supports the countries in preparing national strategies for biodiversity and action plans, as well as the 7th National Report. Within the scope of this project, it is expected to prepare an updated National Strategy and Action Plan in line with the global biodiversity foundations and the new national goals developed based on them in Uzbekistan.
This project is aimed at forming a long-term state policy in the field of the conservation, preservation, and restoration of biodiversity, requiring active collaboration of all parties: government agencies, business communities, and the public.
The second major project – “Comprehensive management for the conservation and restoration of high-value landscapes of Uzbekistan” has been thoroughly developed and aims to create conducive conditions for ecosystem restoration through inclusive policy, apply innovations in ecosystem restoration processes, and develop and test effective and sustainable financing for biodiversity conservation. One of the main partners in the implementation of this project is the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which officially opened its regional office in Tashkent in 2024. The project's pilot areas include the Western Tien Shan, the Nurata ridge, and the Kyzylkum landscapes.
The projects encompass landscapes in 10 districts across 6 regions: Parkent and Ohangaron districts of Tashkent region, Forish district of Jizzakh region, Qo’shrabot and Payarik districts of Samarkand region, Khatirchi and Nurata districts of Navoiy region, Dehqonobod district of Qashqadaryo region, Boysun and Sherobod districts of Surxondaryo region.
Main expected outcomes:
— Restoration of 53 thousand hectares of forests and pastures.
— Improvement of the management system of 200 thousand hectares of state forest fund lands aimed at ecosystem restoration and conservation of biological diversity.
— Improvement of the management system of 142278.4 hectares of protected natural areas.
— Approximately 30,000 local residents will benefit from these activities, including through the development of nature-based tourism, improved pasture management, and better living conditions based on natural resources.
— Strengthening and further aligning the national system of protected natural areas of Uzbekistan with advanced international experience.
— Developing new sustainable financing mechanisms for ecosystem restoration
