Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 26 December, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan signed a grant agreement for the implementation of the project “Reliable management of hazardous chemicals”.

The tripartite document was signed by Deputy Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Jusipbek Kazbekov, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Uzbekistan Charlotte Adrian and Deputy Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Uzbekistan Sherzod Umarov.

“This project is part of a large program to support the transition to a green economy, for which more than 10 million euros have been allocated. The cost of the project itself is almost 4 million euros. The idea is to expand the capabilities of the Ministry of Environment in this area, as well as improve coordination in the field of hazardous chemical waste,” said Charlotte Adrian. “In Uzbekistan there is a need and desire to improve work in this area. This potential is linked to several UN Conventions. With this, the country demonstrated its will to move forward towards a green transition and growth. Therefore, we are ready and happy to support this aspiration,” added the Ambassador of the European Union.

The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Environment together with FAO with financial support from the EU between 2023 and 2027. Following its completion, it is expected that the country’s institutional capacity in the field of rational management of hazardous chemicals will increase, which will allow the formation of a better database on hazardous waste. This will also make it possible to develop a National Waste Management Strategy and move on to the phased creation of hazardous waste processing facilities with appropriate standards.

“This topic is very relevant for Uzbekistan, because agriculture accounts for 27% of the country’s GDP and in order to have good yields, Uzbekistan is actively working in the field of moderate use of chemicals, pesticides and growing agricultural products. The main goal of the project is to develop skills in this area of the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, farmers and other interested parties. And, of course, the implementation of the project is the fulfillment of the obligations of 4 UN conventions,” noted Sherzod Umarov.

Importantly, the project will help expand the promotion of sustainable practices in agriculture, which will reduce the risks of pesticide use for farmers and consumers. Much attention will be paid to raising awareness among institutions and the general public about the risks associated with the use of hazardous chemicals.

“The project aims to improve the management of hazardous chemical waste and its efficient use. Within its framework, the necessary measures will be implemented to reduce the use of hazardous substances in agriculture and switch to substances that are less harmful to soil resources. At the same time, it provides for the development of a National Strategy for the Management of Hazardous Chemical Wastes,” said Anvar Tursunaliev, a representative of the Ministry of Ecology.

It is planned that the implementation of the joint project will improve the efficiency of mechanisms and tools for managing harmful chemicals and related waste, as well as reduce the use of hazardous pesticides in agriculture, including the introduction and promotion of alternative methods in agriculture that involve replacing pesticides and reducing their use. Particular attention will be paid to raising awareness among farmers about the need to reduce the use of pesticides. At the same time, the project will make it possible to understand the scale of existing problems associated with the use of harmful chemicals, including the volume of outdated pesticides that lead to soil pollution.