Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan is continuing work on a draft of a new Environmental Code aimed at consolidating existing environmental legislation into a unified legal framework, improving environmental protection mechanisms and promoting the rational use of natural resources.
The draft was discussed at a seminar organised by the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the committee reported.
Participants included Iskandar Kutbiddinov, deputy chairman of the Ecology Committee; Akiko Fujii, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan; members of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis; and representatives of the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the Global Green Growth Institute, government agencies and international organisations.
Speaking at the seminar, Kutbiddinov stressed the need to take international experience and expert recommendations into account when preparing the Code. Fujii noted that economic development and environmental protection are closely interconnected.
The draft provides for the consolidation of existing environmental legislation, improvements to environmental protection mechanisms and measures to ensure the rational use of natural resources. The document is also intended to provide a legal basis for fulfilling Uzbekistan's international environmental commitments and achieving sustainable development goals.
Seminar participants reviewed international practices in biodiversity conservation, reducing the adverse impact on natural ecosystems, compensating for environmental damage and restoring natural areas.
Representatives of international organisations presented proposals and recommendations for improving the document.
According to the committee, almost all recommendations previously submitted by UNDP have already been incorporated into the draft Code. At the next stage, the document will be revised to take into account comments and proposals made by seminar participants.
The adoption of the new Environmental Code is expected to improve Uzbekistan's environmental governance system in line with modern requirements, strengthen legal mechanisms for preserving natural resources and protect the environment for future generations.
