Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan

On the final day of the Tashkent International Investment Forum, organized in coordination with the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, one of the central topics remained the country’s investment potential. In particular, the panel session titled “Investing in Earth: Harnessing British Expertise and Capital for Soil Health and Aral Sea Restoration” focused on preserving Uzbekistan’s soil fertility and improving the efficiency of land use.

The session addressed the environmental crisis caused by the disappearance of the Aral Sea. Its depletion, the result of decades of mismanaged water resources, has led to desertification, public health problems, and socioeconomic instability across Uzbekistan and neighboring countries.

Deputy Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan Jusipbek Kazbekov emphasized that sustainable development and green growth lie at the heart of Uzbekistan’s national strategy.

“This is the core of our national policy. We are also implementing wide-reaching national programs, including the Yashil Makon initiative, which aims to plant 200 million trees annually. Most recently, a Presidential Decree established the National Climate Change Center and the National Climate Council under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan,” explained Kazbekov.

British Ambassador to Uzbekistan Timothy Smart highlighted the importance of the session and the UK’s long-term partnership with the region.

“This is a vital conversation. We are discussing the future of this land, the people who live here, and the climate that affects all of us. The Aral Sea has long stood as a vivid reminder of what happens when nature is pushed beyond its limits. But it can also become a symbol of hope, a place where we work together, apply new approaches, and invest in restoring both the land and the lives connected to it,” noted Smart.

The purpose of the session was to explore how UK financial institutions, development organizations, and sustainable innovation initiatives can contribute to the restoration of the Aral Sea region and the promotion of regenerative agricultural practices across Central Asia.

Lord Waverley, Crossbench Peer in the UK House of Lords, noted that the Aral Sea disaster has become a symbol of environmental tragedy. For Uzbekistan, it is a matter of national identity. The dried seabed, contaminated with salt, pesticides, and agricultural runoff, has become a source of toxic dust storms.

“To its credit, Uzbekistan has not turned away from this challenge. The government has made restoration of the Aral Sea region a national priority. Uzbekistan is working to find a delicate balance between the needs of agriculture and the environment by ensuring water reaches the remaining river deltas and supporting sustainable agriculture. This is laying the groundwork for long-term environmental and economic recovery,” he said.

Lucy Rahal, Executive Director for the Public Sector at Standard Chartered Bank, shared that Agrobank had received a green loan of 250 million US dollars. The funds are being directed toward agricultural projects, particularly for drip irrigation systems, which are modern and innovative water-saving technologies in farming.

“Why do I mention this? Because if we want to redirect water toward the Aral Sea without harming the agriculture sector that surrounds it, we need to ensure that this sector has access to efficient technologies. This deal was structured as a direct loan from Standard Chartered Bank and other participating banks,” she added.

The panel session placed particular emphasis on soil health, climate-resilient investments, and cross-border cooperation. It also underscored the important role of the United Kingdom as a partner capable of offering nature-based and finance-backed solutions to one of the most pressing environmental challenges in the region.