Uzbekistan Adopts New International Environmental Review Rules

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan's State Center for Environmental Expertise under the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change held a press conference at the Media Content Center under the Presidential Administration to explain the practical implications of Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 234 of 11 May 2026, "On Measures to Introduce New Environmental Impact Assessment Mechanisms."

The event brought together representatives of government agencies, media organizations, bloggers, environmental specialists, project organizations, the business community and experts.

Environmental review system enters a new stage

Opening the press conference, representatives of the National Committee said that ensuring environmental security, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources and reducing environmental impacts have become key priorities of state policy in recent years under the leadership of the President of Uzbekistan.

They said the establishment of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change and the adoption of the Law "On Environmental Expertise, Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment" marked important milestones in the country's environmental reforms. Resolution No. 234 was adopted to implement the law and establish a modern environmental regulatory system based on international standards.

Officials said the new framework was developed after studying the experience of Japan, Germany, the Republic of Korea, the European Union, Canada, the United States, Türkiye, Georgia, Singapore, Russia and Kazakhstan. Experts from the World Bank, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the Korea Environment Institute also contributed to the development of the new mechanisms.

What will change

The resolution introduces a comprehensive modernization of the state environmental review and environmental impact assessment (EIA) system.

Projects will be assessed according to their potential environmental impact. For the first time, the national system will introduce international screening and scoping procedures to determine at an early stage whether an environmental impact assessment is required and the scope of environmental studies that must be conducted.

The reform also introduces:

• assessment of carbon footprints and greenhouse gas emissions;
• consideration of the cumulative environmental impact of multiple facilities;
• application of best available environmental technologies;
• broader public participation in environmentally significant decision-making;
• the introduction of public environmental reviews;
• the introduction of strategic environmental assessments for government programs, development concepts and territorial development plans.

The resolution also strengthens the responsibility of both project developers and organizations preparing environmental documentation.

Full digitalization of procedures

One of the key reforms is the transition of the state environmental review process to a fully electronic format.

Documents will now be submitted through the Unified Portal of Interactive Public Services, reducing review times, minimizing the human factor and improving transparency throughout the process.

The classification of projects by environmental impact has also been simplified. The number of categories will be reduced from four to three, making the system easier for businesses to understand and use.

New opportunities for businesses

The resolution places particular emphasis on creating more favorable conditions for entrepreneurs and investors.

The updated system provides for:

• electronic submission of all documentation;
• requirements tailored to the environmental impact level of individual projects;
• fewer administrative procedures;
• lower administrative costs and shorter processing times;
• a public rating system for organizations preparing environmental documentation;
• greater transparency in public services.

According to officials, the main objective of the reform is not to create additional barriers for businesses but to introduce modern mechanisms for preventing environmental risks and improving the quality of investment decisions.

Center chief comments

Addressing the participants, Gairat Mukhamedov, Director General of the State Center for Environmental Expertise, said the adoption of Resolution No. 234 marks a new stage in the development of Uzbekistan's environmental review system.

"Today, environmental expertise is no longer merely a permitting procedure. We are building a modern environmental risk management system based on international standards, digital technologies and the principles of transparency. The new mechanisms make it possible to identify potential environmental consequences at the project planning stage, which is critically important both for environmental protection and for ensuring the country's sustainable economic development," Mukhamedov said.

He added that the reform introduces screening and scoping procedures for the first time, improves the public hearing process, establishes a public environmental review mechanism, introduces qualification requirements for experts and organizations preparing environmental documentation, and creates a rating system to assess their performance.

"All of this will significantly improve the quality of environmental documentation, ensure the objectivity of expert conclusions, reduce administrative procedures and create maximum transparency for both investors and society," he said.

Balancing economic growth and environmental protection

Officials said the new mechanisms are designed to balance economic development, investment attractiveness and environmental protection.

According to the organizers of the press conference, the reform will strengthen the implementation of environmental policy, improve the quality of public services, enhance oversight of compliance with environmental review requirements and bring Uzbekistan's environmental impact assessment system into line with international best practices.

They said the environmental review system is evolving from a regulatory tool into a modern environmental risk management mechanism that supports sustainable development, protects public interests and contributes to a favorable investment climate.