The Rio+20 Conference is planned for June 2012 in Brazil where world leaders from all over the world will gather to mark the 20th Anniversary of the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro and the 10th Anniversary of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg. The Rio+20 will focus on how to move the world towards a global green economy and the institutional framework needed for sustainable development.

The round-table in Tashkent is a preparatory session for representatives from ministries, committees, agencies, and other partners to review the achievements and progress of sustainable development in Uzbekistan, to discuss steps that need to be taken by Uzbekistan ahead of Rio+20 and actions to take in order to move towards a green economy and beyond. The event includes plenary sessions with expert introductions, interactive debates, and breakout sessions devoted to case studies of successful experiences, partnerships, and initiatives.

Increasing population and economic activities make countries vulnerable to environmental problems, particularly related to damage of the fragile ecosystems and limited access to drinking water resources. UNDP Uzbekistan’s Environment and Energy Unit provides assistance by building institutional capacities and promoting effective and sustainable approaches in the conservation of biodiversity, achieving sustainable land management, piloting the renewable energy technologies to increase the awareness of and access to affordable energy services and mitigating the consequences of climate change at policy level and selected local communities.

The UNDP “Supporting Uzbekistan in transition to a low-emission development path” (LED) project supports reduction of energy consumption and environmental pollution associated GHG emissions. This is done through the evolution of policies that are conducive to energy efficiency by public and private users and assistance in harnessing potential financing and clean technology transfer opportunities. The LED project supports the Government in achieving its long-term sustainable development goals through assistance in developing sound policy, strengthening the institutional and legislative framework in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and carbon finance mechanisms.

Within the last decade the Republic of Uzbekistan has been undertaking significant efforts towards sustainable development through development of legislative and institutional framework for rational usage of natural resources, environment protection, modernization of the economy, promoting energy efficiency, transfer and introduction of environmentally friendly technologies, adoption of internationally accepted standards and etc. In close cooperation with the donor community the Government of Uzbekistan has been undertaking various projects aimed at enhancing national capacity towards implementation of its commitments under the Global Conventions.