History of the center for state ecological expertise
State environmental expertise in Uzbekistan has evolved from a specialized mechanism for controlling specific types of pollution into a modern environmental assessment system aimed at preventing adverse impacts before the commencement of economic activities.
Establishment of the System
State environmental expertise was established in Uzbekistan in 1980 as part of the Environmental Pollution Control Center under the Committee for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Control. At the initial stage, its activities were primarily focused on air protection issues.
With the establishment of the State Committee for Nature Protection, a comprehensive environmental expertise system began to develop, covering the assessment of the impact of economic activities on various components of the environment.
An important milestone was the adoption in 1992 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Nature Protection,” which established state environmental expertise as a mandatory environmental protection procedure preceding decisions on the implementation of economic activities.
It was during this period that environmental impact assessment (EIA) began to develop actively, based on the principle of early identification and prevention of potential environmental consequences of a project.
In 2000, the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Environmental Expertise” was adopted, and in 2001, Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 491 established the procedure for conducting state environmental expertise.
A unified system of expert divisions was subsequently formed, comprising a central body and territorial structures in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the regions, and the city of Tashkent.
Development of State Environmental Expertise
As the country's economy developed, the scale and complexity of projects subject to environmental assessment increased.
State environmental expertise became an important part of project design, environmental regulation, and decision-making concerning the siting and implementation of industrial, infrastructure, and other major facilities.
The number of projects reviewed increased significantly. While in the late 1980s and early 1990s the number amounted to only several dozen projects, by 2007 the number of reviewed facilities had exceeded 12,000.
The materials submitted for environmental expertise covered major industrial and mining facilities, oil and gas complexes, railways and roads, main gas pipelines, tunnels, bridges, reservoirs, and water management facilities.
Particular attention was paid to the introduction of low-waste and resource-saving technologies, reduction of emissions and discharges, rational use of natural resources, and reclamation of disturbed lands.
As a result of environmental expertise, many project decisions were substantially revised.
For example, during the review of the Kyzylkum Phosphorite Complex, a decision was made to carry out the beneficiation and purification of raw materials directly at the deposit. This made it possible to reduce the transportation of barren rock, decrease waste generation at processing facilities, and use part of the materials for the reclamation of quarry areas.
Environmental requirements were also taken into account in the design and modernization of the Bukhara Oil Refinery, the Shurtan Gas Chemical Complex, the Kungrad Soda Plant, and other major industrial facilities.
Environmental Regulation and Methodological Development
The development of environmental regulation became an important area of work.
Within the state environmental expertise system, unified approaches were developed for establishing standards for pollutant emissions, wastewater discharges, waste generation, and waste disposal.
At the same time, the methodological framework was strengthened and the professional qualifications of experts were improved. Specialists participated in seminars, internships, and practical training sessions. The quality of expert opinions was analyzed, and recommendations were developed to improve expert procedures.
This made it possible to gradually establish a professional environmental assessment system and unified approaches to the review of project documentation.
A New Stage of Development
The modern stage of development of state environmental expertise is associated with the transition to a more comprehensive and preventive model of environmental regulation.
An important step was the adoption of the new Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Environmental Expertise, Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment.”
The law brought state and public environmental expertise, environmental impact assessment, and strategic environmental assessment into a unified system.
These mechanisms were further developed through the adoption of Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 234 of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated May 11, 2026, which established modern procedures for conducting environmental impact assessment, state environmental expertise, public hearings, public environmental expertise, and strategic environmental assessment.
The main principle of the modern system is to prevent environmental risks before the implementation of a project, rather than eliminate their consequences after construction or the launch of production.
Modern Environmental Impact Assessment
Today, environmental impact assessment is regarded as a comprehensive process for assessing the potential consequences of planned activities.
The assessment covers the project's potential impact on:
- air quality;
- surface and groundwater;
- land resources and soils;
- flora and fauna;
- public health and living conditions;
- waste generation;
- the use of natural resources;
- potential accidents and emergency situations.
The consideration of alternative siting options and technological solutions is also of great importance.
Modern environmental assessment should answer not only the question of whether a project complies with established requirements, but also the question: Can the project be made more environmentally safe and efficient?
Public Participation
One of the key elements of the new system is the expansion of public participation.
For specified types of activities, public hearings are held, allowing the population and other interested parties to review project materials, obtain information about potential impacts, and submit their comments and proposals.
The institution of public environmental expertise is also being developed.
This increases the transparency of environmentally significant decisions and makes it possible to take public opinion into account before a final decision is made on a project.
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has become a new instrument.
While EIA applies to specific facilities and projects, SEA makes it possible to assess environmental consequences at the stage of developing programmes, concepts, spatial development plans, and other strategic documents.
This makes it possible to identify environmental constraints in advance, assess alternatives, and take environmental protection requirements into account before specific investment projects emerge.
Digitalization
The modern state environmental expertise system is actively transitioning to a digital format.
Since September 24, 2026, applications for obtaining state environmental expertise conclusions have been accepted through the Unified Interactive Public Services Portal, my.gov.uz.
Electronic interaction makes it possible to reduce paper-based document management, increase procedural transparency, and ensure the traceability of project material reviews.
The next stage is the development of a unified digital environment for environmental assessment.
Promising areas include integration with geographic information systems and government information resources, the use of environmental monitoring data, and the automated verification of project solutions.
Artificial Intelligence and Analytical Tools
The development of digital technologies creates new opportunities for environmental expertise.
Artificial intelligence tools can be used for the preliminary analysis of documentation, identification of inconsistencies, verification of the completeness of source data, comparison of project solutions with environmental requirements, and analysis of large volumes of information.
At the same time, artificial intelligence is regarded as an auxiliary tool for experts, helping to improve the quality and efficiency of analysis.
The final decision must be based on professional expert assessment.
Best Available Techniques
Another important area is the implementation of the principles of Best Available Techniques (BAT).
Modern environmental expertise should take into account not only whether an enterprise complies with environmental standards, but also the level of technologies applied, the energy and water efficiency of production, waste generation, opportunities for resource reuse, and the potential to reduce the environmental burden.
This approach makes it possible to gradually move from pollution control toward pollution prevention directly within the production process.
This is particularly important for large Category I and Category II facilities in terms of their environmental impact.
The New Role of State Environmental Expertise
Today, state environmental expertise is no longer limited to reviewing project documentation.
Its role is to ensure comprehensive environmental risk management, including:
- early identification of potential adverse consequences;
- analysis of alternative options;
- assessment of technological solutions;
- verification of the effectiveness of environmental protection measures;
- rational use of natural resources;
- public participation;
- promotion of environmental modernization of enterprises;
- use of modern digital and analytical tools.
The main focus is shifting from eliminating the consequences of pollution to preventing them.