On April 25, took place the 4th meeting of the Russian-Uzbek Working Group on the implementation of the Agreement between the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation.

The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, chaired by Deputy Minister of Ecology Zhusipbek Kazbekov, representatives of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation, headed by Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Climate Change Ivan Kushch, heads of the Center for State Environmental Expertise, Information and Analytical Center for the Development of the Russian Water Management Complex and others.

During the meeting, the priority areas of bilateral cooperation, the Program of cooperation in the field of environmental protection for the implementation of the interdepartmental agreement for 2024-2026, as well as the dates and venue of the 5th meeting of the Uzbek-Russian Working Group were considered.

During the negotiations, representatives of the two countries discussed such priority areas as protection, management and rational use of water resources, environmental control and environmental education, environmental impact assessment (EIA), implementation of the principles of best available technologies (BAT), advanced training in the field of industrial ecology and BAT, waste management, conservation of biodiversity, exchange of experience on the implementation of the provisions of the CITES Convention, interaction of environmental protection and customs authorities in the field of regulation of customs control of import/export of species of wild fauna and flora.

The parties heard reports on the current state of affairs and expressed interest in developing cooperation and sharing experience in these areas.

The Uzbek side expressed interest in the participation of students and youth in the Russian Open Youth Water Competition. At the same time, the initiative of the Russian side to organize joint volunteer activities to clean the shores of water bodies through a teleconference was supported.

In turn, the delegation of the Russian Federation proposed to work out the issue of joint preparation of a comprehensive package of organizational and technical measures for the period up to 2030 in the field of implementing a pilot project to create an integrated waste management facility in the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan using Russian technologies and equipment.

"Today we are discussing the main areas of cooperation that are important for the interaction of our countries. First of all, it is the exchange of experience in the field of legislation in the field of ecology, conservation of biodiversity, environmental control, etc. A huge block of discussion is the fight against waste, as population growth leads to an increase in waste and, consequently, environmental pollution. We have experience in this and we are ready to share it", said  Ivan Kushch.

An agreement was also reached to hold an Uzbek-Russian seminar on state environmental expertise and environmental impact assessment in 2025.

In the field of biodiversity conservation, the Parties welcomed the development and implementation of projects for the study and rescue of rare and endangered species. In particular, it was recognized the importance of continuing the implementation of the "Flight of Hope" project - the restoration of the endangered Siberian crane population using trikes. To this end, an agreement was reached to implement work on the creation of an alternative wintering ground for Siberian crane in the floodplain of the Amu Darya in the Surkhandarya region.

On the second day of the visit, on April 26, representatives of the Russian delegation visited the Central Asian University for the Study of the Environment and Climate Change ("Green University"), where they were provided with detailed information about the university's activities. As part of the nationwide program “Yashil Makon”, delegates took part in the planting of tree seedlings in the Green University garden. 

The parties agreed on their intention to develop cooperation on landscaping in cities and suburban areas, in particular on the creation and management of forest park protection belts around cities (green belts). In order to provide scientific support for forestry activities, the parties expressed their intention to strengthen cooperation between industry-based scientific and research organizations, as well as educational institutions.