Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 24 September, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree to combat dust storms and improve air quality.

The President approved a national program to fight dust storms, set to run until 2030, with the goal of reducing their impact by 50% over the next four years.

To achieve these goals, extensive greening of regions is planned. Starting in January 2025, automatic atmospheric monitoring stations will be installed throughout Tashkent. By 2026, an air pollution alert system will be operational, utilizing street information boards.

As part of the program, greenhouses will receive subsidies to install dust and gas filters in their heating systems, aimed at reducing emissions from more than 1,200 greenhouse farms in the suburbs of Tashkent.

Additionally, from 2025 to 2030, Tashkent and its surrounding areas will see the creation of "green belts" and parks covering a total area of 441 hectares.

From 2028, restrictions will gradually be introduced on the use and sale of fuel below Euro-4 standards, and by 2030, the use of fuel oil for heating in Tashkent and its region will be banned.

In terms of international cooperation, a concept will be developed to create a regional climate center and a "green" fund, in coordination with neighboring Central Asian countries.