FAO and Uzbekistan Strengthen Cooperation to Prevent Forest and Land Degradation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A meeting of the Steering Committee for the project “Sustainable Management of Forests and Pastures in Arid Ecosystems of Uzbekistan” was held in Samarkand, accompanied by the signing ceremony of an Operational Partnership Agreement between FAO and the Agency for Afforestation and Increasing Green Areas.

The project is being implemented by the Government of Uzbekistan in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and aims to combat land degradation, strengthen sustainable forest management, and achieve national targets for land degradation neutrality (LDN).

The meeting was attended by FAO representatives in Uzbekistan, the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, the Ministry of Agriculture, relevant agencies, project experts, and partner organizations.

Uzbekistan consistently implements policies to achieve land degradation neutrality, ensuring the restoration and sustainable use of natural resources.

The 2019 report on degradation trends was based on global methodologies, and the current project supports the implementation of corresponding national approaches and tools.

Key components of the project include:

Defining LDN indicators and baseline values;

Implementing monitoring systems and degradation-recovery balance;

Restoring forest landscapes and improving pasture resilience;

Enhancing water use efficiency and biodiversity in pilot areas.

Pilot activities continue in the Jondor District of Bukhara Region and the Nurata District of Navoiy Region, where the most effective models for managing forest and pasture landscapes are being tested.

The meeting reviewed achievements, challenges, and proposals for further improvement.

Steering Committee members supported a no-cost extension to allow the project to fully achieve its objectives.

Particular attention was given to strengthening interagency coordination and expanding practical measures for sustainable land management.

Following the meeting, FAO and the Agency for Afforestation and Increasing Green Areas, together with the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, signed an Operational Partnership Agreement.

The agreement formalizes roles and responsibilities between the parties and aims to enhance the effectiveness of project implementation and ensure its long-term sustainability.