Uzbekistan Launches Project for Integrated Management and Restoration of Valuable Landscapes

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 25 November, during the 20th Conference of the Parties to the CITES Convention (CoP20), Uzbekistan’s National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change, together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), launched the GEF-8 project “Integrated Management and Restoration of Valuable Landscapes in Uzbekistan (EcoLand).”

The initiative is financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the grant agreement signing ceremony took place today.

With a total budget of US$6.1 million, EcoLand aims to implement and scale up innovative approaches to ecosystem restoration and conservation, creating conditions for transformative changes across three key clustered landscapes in the country.

Speaking at the launch, Deputy Chairman of the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change, Jusipbek Kazbekov, emphasized: "Uzbekistan is committed to restoring its valuable landscapes and protecting biodiversity for future generations. This project represents an important step forward in our ongoing environmental reforms."

UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan, Akiko Fujii, highlighted the country’s growing role in environmental sustainability: "Uzbekistan is taking serious steps to protect and restore its rich biodiversity. UNDP is proud to support the country’s efforts to contribute to global biodiversity goals. Cooperation between the government, civil society, and international partners will deliver transformative results and lay the foundation for a greener future for Uzbekistan’s youth."

IUCN Director General, Grétel Aguilar, stressed the importance of scientific approaches and community involvement: "IUCN is proud to support Uzbekistan in scaling up restoration efforts, combining scientific knowledge with active community participation so that nature conservation benefits both ecosystems and local populations."

EcoLand is implemented within the framework of the Integrated Global GEF-8 Ecosystem Restoration Program. Its activities aim to address the causes of land degradation and biodiversity loss through four interconnected components: sustainable land management, biodiversity protection, climate change mitigation, and inclusive participation of local communities.

The project covers six regions and ten pilot districts, encompassing Uzbekistan’s most valuable and diverse natural landscapes:

Tashkent Region: Parkent and Akhangaran districts

Surkhandarya Region: Baisun and Sherabad districts

Kashkadarya Region: Dehkanabad district

Navoi Region: Khatynchi and Nurata districts

Samarkand Region: Koshrabad and Payarik districts

Jizzakh Region: Farish district

EcoLand lays the groundwork for long-term restoration of natural areas, enhances ecosystem resilience, and contributes to the achievement of national and global environmental objectives.