On the sidelines of the Eighth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in Samarkand, the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of Uzbekistan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched a new initiative, “Supporting Implementation of the Stockholm Convention through the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste in Uzbekistan,” aimed at strengthening the country’s capacity to manage hazardous chemicals and waste and reduce risks from persistent organic pollutants (POPs), UNDP Uzbekistan reported.
The launch was accompanied by the signing of a Statement of Intent between the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change and UNDP, reaffirming a shared commitment to advancing implementation of the Stockholm Convention and strengthening cooperation on chemicals and waste management.
Persistent organic pollutants are among the most hazardous chemicals released into the environment. They can remain in ecosystems for decades, accumulate in food chains, and pose serious risks to human health, biodiversity, and sustainable development.
The new GEF-funded initiative will support Uzbekistan in strengthening monitoring and laboratory systems, improving the identification and management of contaminated sites, enhancing regulatory and institutional frameworks, and promoting environmentally sound management of hazardous chemicals and waste. The project will also contribute to stronger implementation of Uzbekistan’s commitments under the Stockholm Convention and related international environmental agreements.
“Today’s signing marks more than the launch of a project. It reflects a shared commitment to sustained and ambitious action on chemicals and waste management, helping translate international commitments into practical results that protect people, ecosystems and future generations,” said Akiko Fujii, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan joined the Stockholm Convention in 2019 and has since taken important steps to strengthen its policy and institutional framework for managing hazardous chemicals and waste. The new initiative will help accelerate implementation of the Convention’s National Implementation Plan while supporting broader national priorities on environmental protection, public health, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
