Uzbekistan Life & Culture - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 211 - 216 of 228

Uzbekistan’s senators amend legislation to improve environmental safety

During a meeting on January 20th, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis introduced amendments to legislation aimed at improving environmental safety. The amendments are aimed at reducing the negative impact on the environment. They will also contribute to increasing the responsibility of state bodies. The amendments establish clear mechanisms and procedures for responding to threats to the life and health of the population. According to the senators, the increase in construction, production and urbanization leads to increased emissions of pollutants into the environment. Urbanization is often accompanied by the expansion of production capacity, construction of factories, enterprises and infrastructure, which leads to an increase in emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere. In Uzbekistan this takes place due to the active development of industry, construction of new infrastructure facilities, increase in motor traffic, and poor quality of waste treatment systems. In accordance with the proposed amendments, the legislation now provides for the possibility of limiting and temporarily suspending the operation of facilities that have a negative impact on the environment for a period of up to 10 working days, in order to prevent possible emergencies, epidemics and other threats to people’s health. According to the senators, these changes contribute to improving the environmental situation and protecting enterprises, as well as fighting corruption and increasing the responsibility of government agencies. However, Senate chairwoman Tanzila Narbayeva expressed doubts and noted that environmental laws should not contain ambiguous norms that can be interpreted and applied differently. "In practice, such a situation can cause various problems, misunderstandings, discontent and, worst of all, cases of corruption. From this point of view, these amendments are very important. Because the level of industrialization in our country is growing every year. Under such conditions, the scale of environmental impact will increase. Especially today, in our big cities, such as Tashkent, such clear legal norms are very important for prevention of exceeding the level of air pollution." Due to this, additional changes are possible in the future, which will more precisely justify the laws "On Nature Protection", "On Atmospheric Air Protection" and "On Environmental Control".

Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Life & Culture

UAE Opens Borders to Tourists from Uzbekistan, Abolishes Visa-Regime

Uzbekistan's ambassador to the Emirates, Abdulaziz Akkulov, and the UAE Deputy Foreign Minister, Khalid Abdullah Belhoul have signed a protocol exempting citizens of both countries from visas requirements. As of February 16th, citizens from Uzbekistan will be able to enter the United Arab Emirates without the need to obtain a visa for up to 30 days, according to information reported on Podrobno.uz. The agreement follows an increase in the number of tourists from Uzbekistan visiting the UAE -119,500 in 2023. A considerable amount of money - $9.2 million was spent obtaining visas to the emirate. In this context, the agreement on increasing visa-free travel can be seen as an impetus for further development of tourism potential between the two countries. Citizens from Uzbekistan can now visit 29 countries without the need of a visa - significant progress for the power of the Uzbek passport. Thanks to this latest addition, Uzbekistan now holds 71st position in the Global Passport Power rankings.

Uzbekistan Life & Culture Uzbekistan Features Uzbekistan Business & Economy Uzbekistan Life & Culture

Markets Should Attract More Foreign Tourists in Uzbekistan, Says President

On January 9th, the President Mirziyoyev attended a presentation of prospective designs for new tourism facilities. Mirziyoyev had earlier spoken about the need to effectively harness the country’s great tourism potential and increase the number of tourist sites and accommodations. At the presentation, the head of state examined projects developed in accordance with these objectives. It was stated that the picturesque mountain landscapes of the Shakhrisabz district of the Kashkadarya region and the Parkent district of the Tashkent region attract numerous tourists, especially in the spring and summer seasons. In order to expand amenities to attract tourists, it is planned to build modern recreation centers in Miraki, Shakhrisabz, Nurobod, and Kumushkon in the Parkent region, and to construct hostels on the Maydanak plateau in the Kashkadarya region. Markets, or bazaars, are one of the nation’s main attractions, but today some lack the national flavor necessary to entice foreign tourists, the President had earlier stated when instructing relevant departments to develop a project of complexes which reflect the national culture. The presentation reviewed draft proposals for transforming the markets of historical cities into complexes attractive to tourists. “Markets should be turned into a ‘calling card’ of the country, preserving their unique features. Food, clothing, jewelry stores, gastronomic and entertainment establishments should harmoniously complement each other and attract buyers and tourists,” Mirziyoyev said, noting the importance of studying the experience of Turkey and Arab countries and attracting foreign specialists to design markets. The presentation also provided information about the markets which are slated for construction in such tourist centers as Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, with Mirziyoyev emphasizing that each should reflect the colors of its given region.

Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Life & Culture

Introduction of Separate Collection of Household Waste to Begin

Starting this year, a system for the separate collection of household waste will begin in Tashkent and several other regions. Residents will be provided with free packaging for the sorting of waste, and a system of rewards will be introduced for recycled materials. In accordance with a decree issued by President Mirziyoyev on January 4th, this will be implemented in stages from 2024 to 2026 at garbage collection sites (SMEs) near multi-story buildings in Tashkent, Angren, Andijan, Bukhara and Termez, as well as in the Tashkent district. According to the decree, by July 1st, sanitary cleaning enterprises must provide residents of these territories with free garbage bags with a QR code of three types: transparent for recyclable solid waste, black for non-recyclable solid waste, and brown for food waste. The decree also states that sanitary cleaning enterprises will purchase recyclable household waste at garbage collection sites. It is expected that this decision will lead to an increase in recycling, and a decrease in waste.

Environment Uzbekistan Environment Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Features Uzbekistan Life & Culture Features

Air Pollution in Tashkent Reaches “Very Harmful” Level

The level of air pollution in Tashkent rose to “very harmful,” with an increase in the concentration of toxic substances in the atmosphere. According to the latest information from the international service IQAir, at 18:00 on January 3rd, Tashkent recorded an air quality index of 223, placing the capital second in the world in terms of cities with the highest levels of air pollution, between Delhi (273), and above Dhaka (220). According to data from this time, the concentration of particulate matter PM2.5 reached 173 μg/m3. Air quality in the city was rated as "very unhealthy." The highest level of pollution was recorded in the Yunusabad district of the capital. The situation is fluctuating wildly, however, and by 18:00 local time on the evening of January 4th, Tashkent had dropped to number 37 on the rankings, with an air quality index of 67.

Uzbekistan Life & Culture Features Uzbekistan Life & Culture

President Promises Support for Youth and Business in Uzbekistan in 2024

In his New Year address, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that the outgoing year had been successful for the country and its people, emphasizing the importance of peace and tranquility, and an atmosphere of inter-ethnic friendship and harmony in the country. “For the first time in our history, in a nationwide referendum, we adopted a new version of the Constitution of the country. We have begun to implement the Uzbekistan 2030 strategy, which determines our development for the future,” Mirziyoyev said. The Uzbek leader stated that the country had ensured sustainable rates of economic growth, and that high-tech industrial enterprises, modern logistics and infrastructure networks, kindergartens and schools, cultural and sports facilities are being built. Mirziyoyev said that 2024 has been declared the Year of Support for Youth and Business in Uzbekistan. “In the new year, we will intensify the attraction of foreign investment and the creation of broad opportunities for entrepreneurship and private property. We will pay special attention to the development of science, innovation, the IT sector, and the creation of green and digital technologies,” he said. The focus will be on creating new jobs and increasing the income of the population, Mirziyoyev said, promising to raise the development of the social sphere to a new level.