Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 17 January, two international biodiversity conservation projects were presented at the Central Asian University for Environmental Studies and Climate Change (Green University) in celebration of the "Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy."

The projects are being implemented by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and are funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for a total of $6.5 million. The projects are set to run until 2030.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Ecology Iskandar Kutbiddinov, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan Akiko Fujii, Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Oliver Avramovski (online), as well as representatives from ministries, agencies, international organizations, academic circles, and civil society.

Iskandar Kutbiddinov read a message from the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov, highlighting the importance of the President's initiative to declare 2025 the "Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy."

The Minister expressed confidence that the implementation of the new projects aimed at biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration in the Western Tian Shan, Nuratau, and Kugitangtau, as well as the development of the National Strategy and Action Plan for Biodiversity Conservation, will bring significant results.

One of the projects, "Comprehensive Program to Support the Renewal of the National Strategy and Action Plan for Biodiversity Conservation (NSAPBC) and the 7th National Report," is part of a global initiative being implemented in 69 countries. It will help Uzbekistan update its national strategy in line with the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Akiko Fujii, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan, emphasized the importance of Uzbekistan's steps toward biodiversity protection and restoration, expressing confidence in the success of collaboration between the government, civil society, and international partners in achieving a "green" future.

The project "Integrated Management of Protection and Restoration of Particularly Valuable Landscapes" aims to create favorable conditions for ecosystem restoration through the development of inclusive policies, the introduction of innovations, and ensuring effective and sustainable financing for biodiversity conservation measures. A key partner in the project is the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), whose regional office opened in Tashkent in 2024. The pilot areas selected for the project include the landscapes of the Western Tian Shan, Nuratin Mountain Range, and Kugitangtau.

The project covers 10 districts in 6 regions of Uzbekistan:

• Tashkent Region: Parkent and Akhangaran districts
• Jizzakh Region: Farish district
• Samarkand Region: Koshrabad and Payarik districts
• Navoi Region: Khatyrchin and Nuratin districts
• Kashkadarya Region: Dehkanabad district
• Surkhandarya Region: Boysun and Sherabad districts

Expected Results:

• Restoration of 53,000 hectares of forests and pastures
• Improvement of the management system for 200,000 hectares of state forest fund land
• Improvement of the management system for 142,278.4 hectares of protected areas
• Positive impact on the lives of approximately 30,000 local residents through the development of ecotourism, improved pasture management, and diversification of income sources related to natural resources
• Strengthening of the national protected areas system and alignment with global best practices
• Development of new mechanisms for sustainable financing of ecosystem restoration.