National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The new initiative aims to strengthen national capacities for the environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste, while supporting Uzbekistan in fulfilling its obligations under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).

It was noted that persistent organic pollutants remain one of the most serious threats to the environment and public health. These substances can accumulate in ecosystems, adversely affect biodiversity, and pose long-term risks to sustainable development.

The project will support the strengthening of monitoring systems and laboratory capacities, the improvement of mechanisms for managing hazardous chemicals and waste, assistance in the identification and management of contaminated sites, as well as the enhancement of technical expertise and interagency cooperation.

It was emphasized that effectively addressing the challenges posed by POPs requires not only regulatory and legal measures, but also modern monitoring and control systems, a strong scientific and technical foundation, institutional sustainability, and coordinated action at both national and regional levels.

The signing of the Statement of Intent reaffirmed the shared commitment of UNDP and the Government of Uzbekistan to work together to ensure environmental safety, protect public health, and promote the sustainable management of chemicals and waste.

The implementation of the project is also expected to create additional opportunities for knowledge exchange, technical cooperation, and the strengthening of regional collaboration among Central Asian countries in the field of environmentally sound chemicals management.