Uzbekistan Discusses Development of “Green” Economy with World Bank

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 4 November, the First Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan, Ilkhom Norqulov, held a meeting with a World Bank delegation led by Gayane Minasyan, Head of the Environment and Social Development Practice for Europe and Central Asia.

During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for cooperation between Uzbekistan and the World Bank in the areas of environmental protection, transition to a “green” economy, and the development of social infrastructure and urban planning. It was emphasized that initiatives supporting ecological reforms, improving energy efficiency, modernizing transport infrastructure, and enhancing air quality are crucial for achieving the country’s sustainable development goals.

Special attention was given to ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan, including the transition to clean energy, the development of a “green” economy, the establishment of a carbon market, and projects aimed at improving air quality in Tashkent, the creation of a Green Economy Fund, and the development of a long-term low-carbon strategy.

World Bank experts expressed their readiness to support projects in Tashkent focused on expanding public transport, building bicycle lanes, and increasing green spaces in accordance with international standards. The meeting also covered joint projects under the Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS), which encompasses the energy, transport, industrial, and agricultural sectors, as well as waste management.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties agreed to accelerate ecological reforms, promote a socially inclusive “green” economy, and jointly develop new initiatives with the World Bank’s support in both technical and financial aspects.