Environmental reforms in Uzbekistan: a new stage of sustainable development
Currently, issues such as climate change, desertification, and land and water resource degradation are emerging as global threats. These processes also pose a serious challenge to Central Asia, particularly Uzbekistan. Therefore, environmental protection and ensuring environmental sustainability have become a priority for state policy in our country.
An analysis of reforms implemented in recent years shows that work in this area is being conducted systematically, purposefully, and based on a long-term strategy. The declaration of 2025 as the "Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy," the inclusion of environmental sustainability as a separate priority in the "Uzbekistan 2030" strategy, and the inclusion of specific indicators in the State Program for 2026 demonstrate the strengthening of the institutional framework for this policy.
Within the framework of the national projects "Yashil Makon" ("Green Space"), "Ecoculture", "Bio Heritage", "Clean Air" and "Waste-Free Territory", the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change is carrying out systematic work to improve the environmental situation.
Science and education in environmental reforms
Strengthening the scientific and educational base is becoming an important element of sustainable development. In this regard, the Central Asian University of Environment and Climate Change (Green University) plays a key role, creating a modern platform for training personnel, conducting research, and implementing innovative solutions.
The university's structure includes four specialized research institutes: the Research Institute of the Environment and Nature Protection Technologies, the Research Institute of Forestry, the Research Institute of Hydrometeorology, and the Research Institute for the Development of Desert Economy and Combating Desertification.
Furthermore, regional centers have been established within Green University to facilitate practical and international cooperation. These include the Central Asian Joint Research Center for Ecology and Environment, the Aral Sea International Innovation Center, and the Regional Center for Artificial Precipitation.
Particular attention is paid to the development of laboratory facilities. The university operates four integrated laboratories for the analysis of air, water, soil, and waste quality, a specialized atmospheric research center, a laboratory for the study and protection of lake ecosystems, a hazardous waste laboratory, an in vitro research laboratory, a laboratory for the development and implementation of environmental solutions based on artificial intelligence and digitalization, as well as a department and laboratory for the analysis and modeling of glaciological processes.
The creation of such a multi-level scientific ecosystem allows not only to conduct fundamental and applied research, but also to quickly implement their results into environmental management practices.
The environmental education system is also being consistently developed: the republic plans to establish 14 "green" technical schools focused on training mid-level specialists in environmental protection, sustainable nature management, and the green economy. This will help build a sustainable workforce and ensure practice-oriented training in line with modern environmental challenges.
Greening: Analysis of Scale and Effectiveness
One of the most important areas of environmental policy in Uzbekistan is expanding greening efforts. The nationwide "Yashil Makon" project, launched in 2021, has quickly grown into a large-scale movement.
Specifically, in 2025, more than 266 million trees and shrubs were planted across the republic, bringing the forest area to 4.7 million hectares. This figure is important not only from a quantitative standpoint but also from an environmental perspective. At the same time, 6.1 million saplings were planted around large industrial facilities, helping to reduce the industrial impact by creating "green belts."
In 2026, this process accelerated further. The plan to plant 75 million seedlings was fulfilled by 106.2%, with 79.6 million actually planted. The even distribution of results across regions (for example, 6.7 million in Kashkadarya, 6.6 million in Samarkand, and 6.8 million in Tashkent Region) demonstrates the consistent implementation of environmental policy from the center down to the regions.
These indicators indicate that greening has become not an occasional measure, but a systemic environmental tool.
Combating Desertification: A Systems Approach Using the Aral Sea Region as an Example
Desertification is one of the most pressing environmental issues facing Uzbekistan. Mitigating the environmental crisis associated with the drying up of the Aral Sea is of particular strategic importance.
In recent years, green spaces have been created over a total area of 251,300 hectares. Specifically, 115,000 hectares have been greened in the Muynak district, 58,100 hectares in the Bukhara region, and 61,600 hectares in the Navoi region.
In 2026, the work was continued consistently: in Karakalpakstan - 50 thousand hectares, in the Bukhara region - 22 thousand hectares, in the Navoi region - 22 thousand hectares.
These measures help reduce sand and salt dust storms, protect atmospheric air, and stabilize the microclimate in regions, which, in turn, has a positive impact on public health and economic activity.
Forestry: Resource restoration and institutional development
Currently, the republic's total forest area is 12 million hectares, of which 4.5 million hectares (10%) are covered by forests. Systematic measures are being taken to increase this figure.
In 2025, work was carried out to create and restore forests on an area of 256 thousand hectares, 3,296 hectares of protective forest plantations were created, and forests were established in terraces on 500 hectares in mountainous areas.
The seedling cultivation system has also developed significantly: nurseries have been established on an area of 1,423 hectares, 127.8 million seedlings have been grown, and a seed reserve of 1,535 tons has been accumulated.
In 2026, 129 million seedlings will be grown on an area of 1,326 hectares, with an additional 600 tons of seeds harvested.
These indicators indicate a strengthening of the industry’s resource base and an increase in the level of self-sufficiency.
Urbanization and “green infrastructure”
To improve the urban environment, special attention is being paid to the development of "green infrastructure." As part of the "My Garden" project, 88 "green gardens" and 68 public parks were created by 2025, based on 156 projects.
In the city of Tashkent, in the Mirzo-Ulugbek district, the "Astronomy Park" has been created, projects for dendrological and botanical gardens have been developed on areas of 181 hectares and 81 hectares, and new dendrological gardens are also being created on areas of 250 hectares and 108 hectares.
These initiatives contribute not only to the environmental stabilization of the urban environment, but also to the creation of comfortable living conditions for the population.
Socio-economic effect
An important aspect of environmental policy is its social impact. Specifically, over 25,000 hectares of forest land have been transferred to over 10,000 citizens, providing them with employment. The area of medicinal plant plantations has increased to 5,890 hectares, over 10,000 tons of products have been produced, and initial results have been achieved in terms of exports.
These indicators indicate that environmental reforms are becoming a factor in stimulating economic activity.
Conclusion
The analysis shows that environmental reforms in Uzbekistan are not a collection of isolated measures, but a systemic process based on a holistic strategy. Initiatives promoted by the President are a key driver in this area and are bringing the country to a new stage of sustainable development.
As a result, Uzbekistan is proving itself not only as a state responding to environmental issues, but also as one of the leading countries in the region shaping a "green" development model.