Uzbekistan Delegation Participates in 13th Meeting of the Working Group on EIA and SEA in Geneva

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 1–3 December, the 13th meeting of the Working Group on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is being held in Geneva under the Espoo Convention and the SEA Protocol.

The Uzbek delegation is participating under the leadership of Gayrat Mahamedov, Director of the State Environmental Expertise Center of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change.

The Espoo Convention, adopted under the UN Economic Commission for Europe, ensures that environmental impact assessments are conducted for potentially hazardous projects, including cases where impacts may extend across borders. The Convention was signed in 1991 and entered into force in 1997. According to its requirements, environmental assessments must be conducted at the early stages of project planning.

The Uzbek delegation presented information on ongoing environmental reforms, the implementation of modern EIA and SEA mechanisms, digitalization of processes, and expanded public participation. It was noted that Uzbekistan is actively strengthening international cooperation in environmental protection.

During the meeting, participants are discussing experience sharing in environmental assessment across the sectors of energy, climate, biodiversity, and regional entrepreneurship, improving compliance monitoring mechanisms under the Convention, developing subregional cooperation among Central Asian countries, and using digital technologies and artificial intelligence tools.

Special attention is being given to developing work plans for the upcoming period, creating methodological materials, and educational programs.

Uzbekistan’s participation in the Working Group provides an opportunity to showcase national achievements in environmental regulation and expand international partnerships to enhance environmental protection effectiveness.