What is the Aarhus Convention? Who knows about it?
The Aarhus Convention is a treaty of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) on access to information, public participation in decision-making, and access to justice in environmental matters. It was adopted on June 25, 1998, in Aarhus (Denmark) by 38 countries. A total of 48 states have joined the Convention. Among the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are parties to the Convention.

What is its goal? The Convention is a key international legal instrument that guarantees the right of every person to live in a healthy environment.

Taking into account the rapid pace of economic growth and infrastructure development in Uzbekistan, the Third United Nations Environmental Performance Review recommended the country to accede to the Convention.

Key Activities on the Path to Accession

1. June 1–2, 2024 – International Roundtable in Tashkent

To study the benefits and opportunities provided by the Aarhus Convention, an international roundtable titled “Aarhus Convention: Effective Public Participation in Sound Environmental Governance and Sustainable Development” was held in Tashkent with the support of UNECE, the OSCE, and the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ).

Goal: To inform stakeholders about the advantages and prospects of Uzbekistan joining the Convention.

Participants: 60 representatives from the European Union, Central Asian environmental agencies, eco-activists, and international financial institutions.

Discussions included:

• Establishing an Aarhus Center in Uzbekistan;

• Preparing an analytical guide on accession to the Convention.
  International experts highly praised the country’s environmental policies, especially the article on environmental protection introduced into the Constitution of Uzbekistan.

2. June 13–15, 2024 – UNECE Meeting in Geneva

During the 12th meeting of the Working Group on the Espoo Convention and Strategic Environmental Assessment in Geneva, the draft of the new version of the Law “On Environmental Expertise” was discussed with international experts.
An agreement was reached with the secretariat to refine the draft law in accordance with the requirements of the Espoo and Aarhus Conventions.

• 3. June 26–28, 2024 – Bilateral Meetings in Geneva

At the 27th Meeting of the Parties to the Aarhus Convention, the delegation of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change held bilateral negotiations with the Convention’s secretariat on accession.
The participants expressed support for:

• the draft national environmental report,

• the review of environmental activities for 2020,

• and the initiative to open Aarhus Centers in Uzbekistan.

4. December 11–12, 2024 – Joint Session in Geneva

A joint meeting of the parties to the Aarhus Convention was held in Geneva to discuss the integration of the Convention’s principles into national legislation, particularly the draft new edition of the Law “On Environmental Expertise.”

Legislative Reforms and Implementation

The Ministry of Ecology received proposals regarding the feasibility of joining the Convention and establishing an Aarhus Center under the Ministry. A new version of the draft law “On Environmental Expertise, Environmental Impact Assessment, and Strategic Environmental Assessment” was developed with the support of experts from the World Bank, UNECE, and the OSCE.

This draft includes specific provisions based on the Aarhus Convention, such as:

• procedures for conducting state environmental expertise;

• list of objects subject to environmental expertise;

• requirements for submitting project documentation;

• rights and responsibilities of parties during public and state hearings;

• procedures for conducting public environmental assessments and hearings.
  
  Note: The draft law was submitted for legal review to the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Ecology has been officially notified of this.

• December 11, 2024 – Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis adopted the Law on Accession to the Aarhus Convention;

• February 22, 2025 – the Senate approved the Law;

• March 11, 2025 – the President of Uzbekistan signed the Law;

• March 28, 2025 – Uzbekistan officially became the 48th Party to the Aarhus Convention.

This confirms the country’s commitment to the principles of openness, public participation, and environmental justice.

Accession to the Aarhus Convention opens new opportunities for:

• enhancing environmental transparency,

• strengthening civil society participation,

• and improving mechanisms of environmental governance in Uzbekistan.

The Ministry of Ecology will continue to promote the values of the Aarhus Convention in support of sustainable development and environmental safety for the benefit of current and future generations.