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Uzbekistan to Launch “Eco-Active Citizen” Project for a Greener Future

The Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Technologies, has announced plans to launch the “Eco-Active Citizen” project by June 1, 2025. This initiative is part of the nationwide “One Million Green Families” movement and integrates with the “Healthy Lifestyle” platform. It is outlined in the draft Presidential Decree “On the State Program for the Implementation of the Strategy ‘Uzbekistan – 2030,’” which places significant emphasis on environmental protection and fostering a “green economy.” The project seeks to promote an ecological lifestyle and enhance environmental awareness among the population. Citizens will be encouraged to take actions such as planting trees, using public transportation, walking 10,000 steps daily, reducing waste, and transitioning to electric vehicles. Additional recommended measures include installing solar panels, utilizing energy-saving materials, and conserving electricity, gas, and water. Active participation in public environmental activities will also be key. Participants in the “Eco-Active Citizen” program will qualify for public service discounts, lower interest rates on consumer loans, and may even receive environmentally friendly vehicles such as bicycles or scooters. Families in which all members achieve “eco-active” status will be recognized as “Green Families” and will have the opportunity to participate in an annual lottery to win an electric car. Neighborhoods (mahallas) with over 50% of households classified as “Green Families” will earn the title of “Green Neighborhoods” and will receive additional environmental benefits, such as designated waste collection sites, tree planting initiatives, and green public parks. Cities or villages with more than 50% “Green Neighborhoods” will be officially recognized as “Green Cities,” “Green Villages,” or “Green Auls” (fortified villages). The Ministry of Ecology underscored the environmental impact of individual actions. For instance, one car emits an estimated 4.6 tons of carbon dioxide annually, whilst walking 10,000 steps per day can prevent up to 1.5 tons of waste. Additionally, conserving 100 cubic meters of natural gas can prevent 2 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. These efforts aim to establish sustainable “green cities” while promoting environmentally responsible tourism. In a related development, The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Uzbekistan is preparing a draft national program to reduce plastic pollution for 2025-2027.

Navoi Green Transition Funding green projects

One Billion Points for Planting Trees: Payme Users Helping Green Navoi

By allowing users to donate their accumulated points to good causes, the Payme app, part of the Payme Mahalla, has, since its launch in December 2022, funded projects for schools in Uzbekistan and Karakalpakstan, including the purchase of computers, sports equipment and stationery. Users of the Payme payment service have collected a billion points to support the project to turn Navoi green, a scheme initiated by ecoactivist and blogger Mutabar Khushvaktova (urikguli). Thanks to this action, more than a thousand trees were planted on the territory of Navoiazot JSC in November alone. The project began in October, when Khushvaktova announced a fundraiser for tree planting on her blog. Initially, the collection progressed slowly, but since Payme connected its users through the Mahalla loyalty program, in just a few days the required amount was raised, confirming that thousands of people are willing to support environmental initiatives. The trees were planted under the guidance of biologists and soil scientists. Garden elms, ideally suited to the climatic conditions of the region, were selected for the project. The site for planting was coordinated with the local authorities, with Navoiazot JSC taking care of the trees.

Industry Germany Green economy Funding green projects International investment COP29

Uzbekistan and Germany Partner on Green Industrialization with €3 Million Grant

On November 13, at the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan's capital Baku, Uzbekistan's Ministry of Economy and Finance signed a memorandum with the German International Cooperation Society (GIZ) to secure additional funding for a project aimed at supporting the private sector in green industrialization. As part of the initiative, Germany has allocated €9 million to help Uzbekistan’s private sector transition to a green economy. The project is designed to assist the Uzbek government in implementing economic reforms and fostering sustainable economic development, focusing on enhancing the capacity of both the public and private sectors to adopt green industrialization practices. The initiative will also provide technical expertise in measuring and certifying greenhouse gas emissions, supporting Uzbekistan’s participation in international carbon trading mechanisms, and aligning with the European Union’s Cross-Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Additionally, it aims to promote resource-saving and sustainable production by encouraging the private sector to adopt green technologies, including circular economy practices and green industrial park models. To further bolster the project, a €3 million grant was approved during the conference. This funding will complement the ongoing initiative, titled “Support to the Private Sector and Advice on Economic Policy in Uzbekistan.”

Investment Projects Saudi Arabia International investment Funding green projects Bilateral Cooperation Foreign Investment

Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Ties: $2.5 Billion Investment Expected by Year-End

On November 11, Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met Saudi Arabia's Minister of Investments, Khalid al-Falih, during the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit currently being held in Riyadh. Cooperation between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia has rapidly developed in recent years. The volume of mutual trade, the scope of cooperation, and also the number of flights between the countries are increasing. By the end of this year, Saudi Arabian companies are expected to attract about $2.5 billion worth of investments in areas such as “green” energy, healthcare, transport infrastructure modernization, heat and water supply, agriculture, housing, and communal economy. Mirziyoyev also met with Muhammad bin Salman Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Mirziyoyev noted that effective cooperation has been established with the leading company “ACWA Power,” which is modernizing Uzbekistan's energy sector through direct investments and advanced technologies. Emphasis was placed on developing wind and solar power plants across various regions of Uzbekistan and accelerating projects to produce “green” hydrogen. Additionally, an agreement was reached to engage Saudi Arabian companies and consultants to localize production and improve energy efficiency in Uzbek enterprises.

Funding green projects Public health Tree planting Ecology Government Environment

Kazakhstan Set to Plant Two Billion Trees

The government's press service reported that about 970 million saplings have been planted across Kazakhstan since 2021, and the country plans to plant over a billion more by the end of 2027. Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nysanbayev said this at the October 8 government meeting on measures to expand the area under forests in Kazakhstan. Over the past five years, the area under forests in Kazakhstan has increased by 267,000 hectares. At the meeting, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said: "The head of state has set the task of planting two billion trees, which will increase the forest area in the country to 14.5 million hectares. The expansion of forests and parks and the preservation of biodiversity for future generations are some of the priorities for improving the environmental situation. This is a very complex and long-term work. We need to make every effort to increase the area under forests and preserve the existing forests." The meeting focused on measures to protect forests from fires and illegal logging. Large wildfires in the past years have shown the forestry services' unpreparedness to counteract them. In this regard, the government is working to equip them with firefighting machinery and equipment. This year, 52 billion tenge ($106 million) has been allocated to purchase 1,384 pieces of firefighting equipment. Today, the early detection system of forest fires covers more than 900,000 hectares of forests. Its effectiveness has been proved by the example of the Burabay (Borovoye) National Park, where the average area of forest fires has been reduced 50-fold. According to Nysanbayev, another important issue is planting forests on the dried bottom of the Aral Sea. Over the past 30 years, trees and shrubs have been planted on more than 600,000 hectares of the former Aral Sea bed, including 413,000 hectares over the past four years.

Partnership Government Renewable energy Green Energy USAID Funding green projects

USAID Launches Green Solutions in Kyrgyzstan

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced a new U.S. government-sponsored Green Solutions Activity. This five-year initiative backed by a $24 million investment aims to empower small and medium enterprises in Kyrgyzstan to adopt innovative green solutions, enhance energy efficiency, and increase the supply of renewable energy, the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek reported. “This investment marks a pivotal moment in the U.S. government’s commitment to building a greener future in close partnership with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic. USAID will partner with local businesses and offer grants to adopt green solutions and technologies. Importantly, we will also work with local banks and financial institutions to advance green finance initiatives,” USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Änjali Kaur stated at the launch event in Bishkek. The launch event occurred at Kyrgyzstan’s first rooftop grid-connected photovoltaic solar plant at the Kyrgyz State Technical University. Developed with USAID support and officially inaugurated in December 2023, the 80-kilowatt solar power installation can generate 143,037 kilowatt hours annually. It not only powers the university but also enables it to sell excess electricity back to the grid, effectively helping to offset operational costs and modeling a more sustainable energy future for the region. USAID is supporting the Kyrgyz government’s green economy initiative to diversify its energy sources into various clean energy forms. The regional Power Central Asia activity focuses on energy sector connectivity and decarbonization, energy security and resilience, and expanded cross-border electricity trade. Additionally, the USAID Future Growth Initiative and USAID Agro Trade Activity promote green production.