Mirziyoyev approves "green" development concept for Samarkand

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has reviewed proposals for implementing "green city" principles in Samarkand under the environmental sustainability framework model "Green Samarkand." The project outlines a comprehensive set of measures aimed at reducing environmental impact, developing modern urban infrastructure, and driving the climate agenda forward.

A key focus of the initiative is the ecological modernization of industry. Within a dedicated "green industrial zone," plans are underway to phase in best available technologies, Zero Visible Emission systems, and digital solutions for real-time environmental monitoring. Existing industrial zones will be surrounded by protective "green belts," while eight category I and II facilities—whose environmental impacts pose a potential threat to public health—will be relocated outside the city limits.

The project also details the creation of a brand-new "Green City Samarkand" district spanning a 300-hectare territory. This area will see the development of residential, office, public, tourist, service, and infrastructural facilities, all constructed in strict compliance with international green urban planning standards.

In waste management, the "Zero Waste Samarkand" concept will be introduced. It features a waste sorting and recycling framework intended to drastically reduce the volume of trash heading to landfills. To support this, a digital photo and video monitoring system will be launched to geo-reference and map illegal waste dumping incidents.

Under climate policy goals, target indicators for carbon emission reductions up to 2030 and 2035 will be formulated. Additionally, authorities will approve a "Carbon Neutral Samarkand" roadmap aimed at steering the city toward total carbon neutrality. To fund these environmental and climate initiatives, a "Green Samarkand Climate Finance Facility" platform is slated for creation, while project supervision and data transparency will be handled through the "Green Samarkand Dashboard" digital platform.

A separate package of initiatives focuses on tourism development and biodiversity conservation. The plan includes marketing the "Green Samarkand" brand, introducing a "Green Hotels Samarkand" rating system, formulating a "Samarkand City Biodiversity Index" methodology, rolling out an "Urban Biodiversity Samarkand" pilot project, and launching a volunteer program titled "Save Biodiversity."

The implementation of these extensive measures is expected to transform Samarkand into a major hub for ecotourism and sustainable urban development, while laying the organizational, financial, and practical foundations to position the historic city as the "capital of green investments and innovation in Central Asia."