President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on April 30 reviewed a presentation on environmental protection, sustainability, waste management, and development of protected areas.

In 2025, over 59,000 environmental violations were recorded (up from 47,000 in 2024). Due to inadequate fines, it is allegedly cheaper for enterprises to pay penalties than to fix violations. Authorities propose revising sanctions to align with international standards.

Sanitation coverage has reached 88 percent, with a target of 90 percent by 2026. By 2030, the number of landfills is to be reduced by 50 percent.

Six waste-to-energy plants worth $933 million are under construction in six regions. Once operational, they will process 3.6 million tons of waste and generate 1.6 billion kWh of electricity annually. Five more plants worth $633 million are planned.

In Navoi region, the first integrated hazardous waste management platform in the CIS will be created ($260 million, 330,000 tons per year).

The Ugam River and adjacent areas are proposed to be declared a state hydrological natural monument. Construction and earthworks in coastal zones will be restricted.

This year, Samarkand will host the ECO EXPO Central Asia 2026 international exhibition and the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility, with 2,500 delegates from 186 countries.

Source: kun.uz