Prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation with the EU were discussed

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 15 September, a meeting was held between the Minister of Ecology of the Republic of Uzbekistan Aziz Abdukhakimov and the Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Uzbekistan, Charlotte Adrian.

During the negotiations, prospects for further development and expansion of bilateral cooperation were considered, and the importance of a phased transition to a “green” economy, ensuring a healthy and safe environment, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting environmental education and culture, increasing institutional and personnel potential taking into account foreign experience were discussed. 

The commitment of the EU Delegation to strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation with the Government of Uzbekistan and supporting socio-economic and environmental reforms was highly appreciated.

For information, the European Union has initiated a number of environmental programs in Uzbekistan, such as EU4Environment Week, eco-challenge #BeTheWave and WECOOP.

Proposals for the comprehensive strengthening of mutually beneficial ties were also considered, and priority areas of interaction were identified.

“The widespread introduction of innovative projects in the field of green energy, the development of strategically important programs to prevent climate change and consistent work carried out on environmental education will be important for expanding mutual cooperation,” Aziz Abdukhakimov noted at the meeting.

The Ministry expressed hope for the implementation of joint projects worth 4 million euros and programs with the EU related to chemical conventions by the end of 2026. The importance of realizing the existing potential for cooperation in all areas in the field of environmental protection, as well as hazardous chemical and industrial waste, was emphasized.

Thanks were expressed to the EU Delegation in the nationwide initiative “Yashil Makon” to plant 27,000 trees in Karakalpakstan and at Angren city school No. 42. During the conversation, the field visit of the ambassadors to the cities of Angren and Yangiabad in the Tashkent region on the liquidation of former uranium deposits, which took place on September 8-9 of this year, was highly appreciated.

For information, work on the remediation of former uranium mining sites in Uzbekistan continues with the support of a €9 million grant provided by the Environmental Remediation Account for Central Asia (ERA), an initiative of the European Union (EU) and managed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Also, the Ambassador of the Delegation was informed about the creation of the Central Asian University of Environmental Studies and Climate Change “Green University”, created to solve local and regional environmental challenges, strengthen regional cooperation in the field of ecology and environmental protection, introduce innovative ideas, practices and technologies, through training highly qualified specialists and realizing the scientific and intellectual potential of Uzbekistan and the region as a whole.

At the end of the meeting, hope was expressed for the implementation of various joint projects and programs with the EU, such as the Global Methane Pledge, put forward within the framework of the international initiative of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Erasmus+ educational program, which made a significant contribution to fundamental transformations in the field of higher education in Uzbekistan.

The EU delegation highly appreciated the initiative of the Republic of Uzbekistan to hold a global event on the topic of desertification (UNCCD CRIC-21), migratory species of wild animals (CMS COP-14) and the 25th session of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and also expressed its readiness take an active part in these events.