Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 6 June 2024 - The Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), are conducting a validation workshop as part of a new joint project being developed, to be supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), aimed at the restoration and sustainable management of natural ecosystems in Uzbekistan.

The project, named “Integrated Management of Landscape Protection and Restoration,” is designed to respond to the growing challenges associated with ecosystem degradation, interdepartmental coordination, and financing activities for the restoration and conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems. The project strategy is built on ensuring coherence of action, cross-sector collaboration and innovative approaches to financing and technology aimed at restoration and sustainable management of ecosystems at the landscape level.

As part of the project development process, on 6 June 2024, a workshop is being held in Tashkent to validate the project strategy and its key elements, timed to coincide with World Environment Day, celebrated annually on 5 June. 

The main purpose of the event was to discuss the main components of the project with key partners and other stakeholders. The workshop was attended by both national and international stakeholders, which made it possible to summarize the results of the consultations and discuss the opportunities this project opens for the development of the environmental sector in Uzbekistan. The project is expected to be approved by the GEF at the end of this year.

By promoting unified efforts to preserve Uzbekistan's ecosystems, the project integrates a gender-sensitive approach to natural resource management and ensuring sustainable development for future generations.