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

The consultation meeting was organised as part of the project “Strengthening the Resilience of Communities and the Healthcare System in Termez to Sand and Dust Storms and Air Pollution through Nature-Based Solutions”. Japan is providing financial support for the initiative. UNEP, the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, the Termez City Administration, the Agency for Hydrometeorology and Green University are partners in the project’s implementation. The project is being implemented from April 2026 to March 2027.

The opening session featured remarks by Thomas Marques, Regional Coordinator of the Sub-Programme on Chemicals and Pollution Action at the UNEP Europe Office; a representative of the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change; Kenji Hirata, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Uzbekistan; and Katja Loven, Head of the Air Quality and Energy Group at the Finnish Meteorological Institute. The speakers emphasised that air quality is directly linked to public health, urban resilience, the sustainable use of natural resources, and adaptation to climate change. This issue is particularly important for Termez and Surkhandarya Region, where the impacts of SDS occur alongside local anthropogenic sources of pollution. Effective measures should be based on reliable data, scientific analysis, and coordinated efforts by government authorities, scientific institutions and local administrations.

UNEP presented an overview of the work carried out to date under the project, as well as its objectives, expected outcomes, implementation timeline, and mechanisms. The Finnish Meteorological Institute presented the key findings of the document review conducted by UNEP and FMI, along with the planned technical activities and the data required. The discussion highlighted that air pollution in Termez is influenced by a range of sources. SDS can cause sharp increases in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations, while the winter heating season, transport, agriculture and small industrial sources also contribute to particulate matter pollution.

One of the project’s key areas of focus is a comprehensive assessment of SDS and their impact on PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations. This will involve combining satellite and ground-based observations and examining pollution sources, seasonal patterns, and other important factors. National experts will also receive practical training on data integration, modelling, and forecasting. This work will support the development of a prototype early warning system with defined risk thresholds and a public information mechanism based on a “traffic light” approach. As a result, government authorities, healthcare services, and the public are expected to receive timely and accurate information, along with practical recommendations.

As part of the project, a national SDS monitoring plan, including cost estimates, will also be developed. The plan will link ground-based, upper-atmosphere, and satellite observations, establish requirements for data quality assurance and control, and define the responsibilities of the organisations involved. Opportunities to incorporate nature-based measures, including ecosystem restoration, greening, soil stabilisation, and dust reduction, into local action plans will also be assessed. Experts will further support the development of concepts for follow-up projects aimed at mobilising international financing for measures at the national level.

Participants discussed the roles of stakeholders, coordination mechanisms, designated focal points, required data, and the immediate steps for project implementation. The consultation meeting laid the groundwork for further technical cooperation between UNEP, FMI, and Uzbekistan’s national and local partners. Given the regional and transboundary nature of sand and dust storms, the approaches being developed in Termez are expected to contribute to future data sharing, joint forecasting and efforts in other vulnerable regions of the country.