Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – The European Union (EU), together with its partners European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and representatives of the Governments of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, organised, alongside the EBRD Assembly of Contributors Meeting of the Environment Remediation Account (ERA) of Central Asia that took place on 7 September in Tashkent, a two-day site visit to Yangiabad, the largest uranium mining legacy site in Uzbekistan.

The participants included resident and non-resident Ambassadors and other diplomatic representatives from Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Latvia, the Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States, amongst others.

Yangiabad uranium legacy site has seven mines spread across the mountainous area that had been exploited for 40 years during Soviet times until the 1980s when the mining was ended. Mining has created environmental pollution that resulted in heaps of radioactive and toxic waste as a consequence of open pit mining and underground leaching. The remediation works aim at closing the mines, demolish derelict facilities and re-cultivate selected waste rock areas. Once remediated, this area will be environmentally safe to allow the development of local economy and tourism industry. The EU is the biggest donor for the remediation works, while contributions have also been made by Belgium, Lithuania, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and the US.

“Uranium site remediation efforts are critical initiatives aimed at addressing the environmental and public health risks associated with past uranium mining, processing, and disposal activities. These efforts involve the clean-up and restoration of contaminated sites to reduce the spread of radioactive materials, prevent further environmental degradation, and protect nearby communities. We are happy to support Uzbekistan on this important challenge and it is good to see the high commitment to advance the works. By implementing comprehensive remediation strategies, we can mitigate the long-term impacts of uranium contamination, promote sustainable land use, and ensure a safer and healthier future for both the environment and local communities”, stated Charlotte Adriaen, the EU Ambassador to the Republic of Uzbekistan.

During the site visit, the high-level participants were also briefed on the EU-funded bilateral project implemented by UNDP and OSCE for the benefit of the local communities. The UNDP component of the project includes small-scale, community-led investment projects to support the socio-economic development of the area. The OSCE component is focused on communication with local communities, environment awareness, the dangers posed by uranium legacy sites.