Project on Integrated Management and Restoration of Valuable Landscapes Launched
2025-11-25 16:10:00 / News
Background: The EcoLand project, with a total budget of USD 6.1 million, aims to scale up innovative integrated approaches to ecosystem restoration and conservation, driving transformative changes across three key landscape clusters in Uzbekistan.
Highlighting Uzbekistan’s commitment to environmental reforms, Deputy Chairman of the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change Jusipbek Kazbekov stated:
“Uzbekistan is committed to restoring its valuable landscapes and protecting biodiversity for future generations. This project is an important step forward in our ongoing environmental reforms.”
Akiko Fujii, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan, emphasized that the initiative reflects the country’s growing role in environmental sustainability:
“Uzbekistan is taking significant steps to protect and restore its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems. UNDP is proud to support the country’s commitment to global biodiversity goals. Collaboration between the government, civil society, and international partners will deliver transformative outcomes and lay the foundation for a greener future for Uzbekistan’s youth.”
Grethel Aguilar, Director General of IUCN, highlighted the importance of combining science and community engagement in restoration efforts:
“IUCN is proud to support Uzbekistan in scaling up restoration efforts, integrating scientific knowledge, and ensuring that nature conservation benefits both the environment and local communities.”
Within the framework of the GEF-8 Integrated Global Ecosystem Restoration Programme, the project will address the drivers of ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss through four interconnected components that integrate sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and inclusive participation of local communities.
Background: The project will be implemented in six regions and ten pilot districts representing the country’s most valuable and diverse natural landscapes: Tashkent region (Parkent and Akhangaran districts), Surkhandarya region (Baysun and Sherabad districts), Kashkadarya region (Dekhkanabad district), Navoi region (Khatynchi and Nurata districts), Samarkand region (Koshrabad and Payarik districts), Jizzakh region (Forish district)