Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 7 September, a regular meeting of the Assembly of the Environmental Rehabilitation Account (ERA) for Central Asia was held in Tashkent.

The event was attended by the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov, Chairman of the Assembly of the Environmental Rehabilitation Account (ERA) for Central Asia Adrian van der Meer, representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), UN Development Programme, representatives of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Ecology Aziz Abdukhakimov noted that the elimination of old uranium mines and chemical residues is a priority.

“This project is aimed at regulating environmentally hazardous areas in Uzbekistan. We are striving to liquidate old uranium mines in these areas and improve their infrastructure,” said A. Abdukhakimov. “We agreed to implement projects in other directions,” the minister added.

At the meeting, participants were informed about planned and ongoing activities related to the reclamation of former uranium mines. Goals for the coming year were also discussed.

It is worth noting that Uzbekistan is a beneficiary of the ERA, and there are plans to reclaim former uranium mines in the Tashkent and Namangan regions, which are designated as priority sites in the Strategic Master Plan.

As part of the event on 8-9 September, representatives of the European Union countries, as well as the heads of diplomatic missions of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Latvia, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Great Britain and the USA will get acquainted with the reclamation of former uranium mines and visit the cities of Angren and Yangiabad.

In order to green the environment, protect trees and shrubs, as well as expand green spaces, as part of an event on the territory of school No. 42 in the city of Angren, tree seedlings will be planted.

It is also planned to visit former uranium deposits in Yangiabad, get acquainted with the work being carried out at the reclaimed construction sites of uranium facilities, the radiation situation at workplaces and the impact of work on the environment.

In accordance with the Order of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change has been appointed as the authorized government body responsible for organizing work within the framework of the ERA. A grant agreement “Reclamation of the Yangiabad and Charkesar-2 uranium deposits” was signed between the Ministry of Environment and the EBRD, within the framework of which the reclamation is carried out. It is expected that the site reclamation work will be completed by 2025.