Center for State Ecological Expertise

Today, climate change, diminishing water resources, land degradation, and desertification have become pressing environmental challenges across the region. These processes directly affect the sustainability of agriculture, food security, public health, and the economic development of territories.

Approximately 80 percent of Uzbekistan's territory consists of desert and semi-desert areas. Soil salinization, shifting sands, dust storms, and hot dry winds pose serious threats, particularly to the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the Bukhara, Navoi, and Khorezm regions, as well as certain districts of the Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, and Jizzakh regions.

The desiccation of the Aral Sea has further intensified these processes. The dried seabed has transformed into the Aralkum Desert, while airborne salt and dust spread across vast territories. In response, consistent efforts have been undertaken in the Aral Sea region to establish green cover and plant saxaul and other desert vegetation. Over the past several years, more than 2 million hectares of new forests have been created on the dried seabed of the Aral Sea.

Large-scale greening initiatives are also being carried out under the nationwide "Yashil Makon" (Green Nation) project. More than one billion tree and shrub seedlings have been planted throughout the country, increasing the national greening rate from 8 percent in 2020 to 14.3 percent in 2025. Green belts and protective forest plantations continue to be established in the Aral Sea region, border areas, and other arid zones.

During the presentation, proposals were considered for advancing desertification control efforts to a new stage during 2026–2030. In particular, plans include afforestation and forest restoration across 1.27 million hectares, as well as the establishment of 16,000 hectares of protective forest plantations in desert, mountainous, and foothill regions.

It was also proposed to establish green cover on 10,000 hectares in the Surkhandarya region, create an 84-kilometer "green wall" in the border areas of the Syrdarya region, introduce terrace-based tree and shrub planting in mountainous and foothill areas, and test advanced agricultural technologies on degraded lands.

The Head of State emphasized that desert territories should be viewed not only as an environmental challenge but also as a source of new economic opportunities. In this regard, he stressed the importance of developing the concept of a "desert economy" by creating sustainable sources of income on unused and saline lands, expanding seed production and nurseries for desert plants, cultivating halophytes, increasing pasture productivity, developing livestock farming, promoting ecotourism, and strengthening scientific research.

Accordingly, proposals were made to establish desert plant nurseries in Karakalpakstan, organize scientific expeditions to the dried Aral seabed, develop pistachio plantations in the Babatag area using modern technologies, and expand the network of halophyte gardens. Discussions also covered the establishment of a regional bank of drought-resistant plants and seeds, as well as attracting international funds and private investment.

Particular attention was devoted to strengthening environmental cooperation among the Central Asian countries. It was emphasized that desertification and land degradation are transboundary challenges requiring a unified regional approach, scientific collaboration, data exchange, and technology transfer.

In this context, initiatives were put forward to expand the activities of the Central Asian Regional Research Center on Combating Desertification and Developing the Desert Economy, increase the number of practical projects under the regional "Green Shield" program, and develop a regional strategy to combat desertification through 2040.

Taking into account Samarkand's historical and cultural heritage, its role along the Great Silk Road, its potential as an international tourism center, its strategic geographical location, and its existing water and transport infrastructure, plans were presented to transform the city into a model environmentally sustainable, climate-resilient, and modern Green City of Central Asia.

Within this framework, the "Green Samarkand" model was presented as a comprehensive approach to ensuring the environmental sustainability of urban development.

By 2030, the project aims to achieve a number of measurable environmental targets. These include preventing emissions of 51.2 thousand tons of potential atmospheric pollutants, reducing PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 50 percent through the installation of advanced dust and gas treatment equipment at industrial and energy facilities, decreasing construction dust by 80 percent, cutting vehicle emissions by 50 percent, reducing landfill volumes by half, and increasing the average share of green spaces in populated areas to 30 percent.

To implement the project, the "Yashil Samarkand" (Green Samarkand) Project Office will be established jointly by the Samarkand Regional Hokimiyat and the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change. The office will coordinate all activities related to urban planning, ecology, transport, construction, tourism, industry, and public utilities within a unified management system.

A special ecological and urban planning regime will be introduced in Samarkand, making compliance with green building standards mandatory for all new construction and reconstruction projects. These requirements will include the use of energy- and water-efficient technologies, waste sorting and recycling systems, improved resource efficiency, and the prohibition of commissioning facilities that fail to meet environmental standards.

In the transport sector, Samarkand will transition to an environmentally friendly mobility model. Fifty modern high-capacity electric buses will be purchased, 150 new traffic lights installed at intersections, and measures taken to convert all public transport and taxi services to electric vehicles by 2030. In addition, a "Park & Ride" system will be introduced, green tourist zones prioritizing pedestrian movement will be created, and private vehicle access to the city center will be gradually restricted.

To strengthen water and green infrastructure, at least four artificial lakes and reservoirs will be created in Samarkand, with at least one additional water body established in each district center of the region. Ten new fountains will be built, existing fountains modernized, and a total of 319 kilometers of irrigation canal (aryk) systems constructed or restored.

To establish a protective green infrastructure surrounding the city, a 102.7-kilometer green belt covering 3,532 hectares will be created along the New Outer Ring Road. This green belt is intended to reduce dust and hot air flows, improve air quality, create a natural protective zone around the city, and strengthen climate adaptation measures.

Urban development plans also include the establishment of "Green City Samarkand" on an area of 300 hectares. Residential, office, service, tourism, and public infrastructure within this zone will be developed according to internationally recognized green city standards.

To reduce the environmental impact of industrial facilities, the green industrial zone will gradually adopt Best Available Technologies (BAT), Zero Visible Emission systems, and digital environmental monitoring. Green belts will also be created around existing industrial areas, while eight Category I and II industrial enterprises posing significant risks to public health will be relocated outside the city.

In the field of waste management, the "Zero Waste Samarkand" concept will introduce integrated waste sorting, recycling, and waste reduction systems aimed at minimizing landfill disposal. A digital information system will also be launched for mapping and photo and video documentation of illegal waste dumping.

As part of the city's climate policy, carbon emission reduction targets for 2030 and 2035 will be developed, together with a "Carbon Neutral Samarkand" roadmap. In addition, the "Green Samarkand Climate Finance Facility" will be established to finance green and climate projects, alongside the "Green Samarkand Dashboard" digital platform for transparent public monitoring and reporting.

In the areas of tourism and biodiversity, initiatives will include the "Green Samarkand" brand, the "Green Hotels Samarkand" rating system, the "Samarkand City Biodiversity Index" methodology, the "Urban Biodiversity Samarkand" pilot project, and the volunteer program "Let's Preserve Biodiversity." These initiatives are expected to position Samarkand as a regional center for ecotourism, green investment, and sustainable urban development.

Overall, the project will establish the organizational, financial, and practical foundations necessary to transform Samarkand into the "Capital of Green Investments and Innovations of Central Asia."

The President approved the proposed initiatives and instructed the responsible authorities to ensure effective implementation of measures aimed at combating desertification, promoting the rational use of land and water resources, strengthening environmental requirements in urban development, and creating a healthier living environment for the population.

If you need this translated into an official presidential press release style (as used by the Presidential Press Service or international organizations), I can also produce a more polished diplomatic version.