During a meeting with Masao Yahara, Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the parties discussed prospects for cooperation in environmental protection and public health. The Uzbek side highlighted the interlinkages between air and water quality, dust and sandstorms, pollution by heavy metals and pesticides, and their impact on public health, as well as food security. In this context, it was proposed to consider a joint “Climate and Health” project in Uzbekistan aimed at assessing and mitigating the impact of climate and environmental risks on the population. The parties also discussed the development of an integrated air quality and climate monitoring system using Japanese technologies, as well as expanding cooperation with Green University and Japanese companies in scientific research and laboratory development.
At a meeting with Mohammad Abunayyan, Chairman of ACWA Power, Vision Invest, and the Saudi–Uzbek Business Council, particular attention was given to a project on the treatment of hazardous industrial waste, which has entered the implementation phase. The parties discussed the establishment of a modern, full-cycle hazardous waste processing complex in Navoi region, with an estimated cost of USD 260 million. The project предусматривает processing of up to 330,000 tonnes of waste annually, the production of RDF fuel and the creation of 250 jobs. Discussions also covered the attraction of grant financing and investment to develop early warning systems for dust and sandstorms and to enhance meteorological infrastructure.
A separate meeting was held with Nobumitsu Hayashi, Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). The Japanese side was briefed on nationwide environmental projects currently being implemented. The parties discussed prospects for establishing credit lines to support the adoption of green technologies in industrial enterprises, developing advanced systems for monitoring air and water quality and setting up research laboratories at Green University in cooperation with Japanese partners.
In addition, negotiations were held with Mohamed Mansouri, Deputy Director-General and Director of the Investment Centre of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The parties explored opportunities to leverage FAO’s expertise and investment capacity to support environmental initiatives in Uzbekistan, develop new projects in climate change, sustainable natural resource management and green development, as well as mobilize additional grant resources.
Following the meetings, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to further expanding practical cooperation, advancing joint environmental and climate projects and strengthening international partnerships in the field of sustainable development.
https://gov.uz/en/eco/news/view/162816