The official launch of the GEF SGP in Uzbekistan took place on 26 May 2008. At the launch, participants openly discussed the Country Programming Strategy of the GEF SGP which was then approved by the National Steering Committee.

"Now we can gladly announce about the start of the projects’ application acceptance. Submitted projects should be in the respective thematic areas defined by the Country Programming Strategy and comply with the criteria outlined in the Strategy", the website said

The GEF SGP will receive and examine project applications according to the approved procedures that are also described in the Country Programming Strategy. The deadline for the application submission is 31 December 2008.