Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) -- Timurlan Aytmuratov, Deputy Director General of the State Environmental Expertise Center under the Ministry of Ecology, participated in the 14th session of the Basel Convention Open-Ended Working Group on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, held in Geneva, Switzerland.

The purpose of the event was to review technical guidelines on electronic waste, used lead-acid batteries, and used and waste pneumatic tires, as well as to discuss the Basel Convention’s cooperation program.

Uzbekistan acceded to this Convention in accordance with the Resolution of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan from 22 December 995, No. 188-I "On Accession to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal."

At the event, a meeting was held with the Executive Secretary of the Basel Convention, Rolph Payet, where opinions were exchanged on measures being taken in Uzbekistan for managing plastic waste and future plans. Additionally, attention was paid to further developing international cooperation under the Basel Convention. Advanced international practices in hazardous waste management were also studied.

As a result of the session, the following measures are planned in Uzbekistan:

- Based on the technical guidelines and recommendations adopted at the Basel Convention conference, the Ministry of Ecology will develop proposals to amend existing national regulations, including aligning them with international standards.

- Conduct research on the generation of plastic waste in Uzbekistan, review national legislation with the involvement of local consultants to prepare a report on the current situation, issues, and measures needed for plastic waste management.

- Develop an action plan to establish interdepartmental cooperation for handling plastic, worn-out vehicle tires, batteries, electronic, and medical waste.

- Enhance environmental awareness and mindset regarding waste management, and establish a system for informing about changes in this field within educational systems.