Waste management and circular economy development agency

Ester Harlander, Deputy Director of the Nuclear Safety Department and Head of the Environmental Remediation Fund of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), paid a visit to the town of Yangiobod in Tashkent region. She was accompanied by Aziz Abduhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Sharifbek Hasanov, Director of the Agency for Waste Management and Circular Economy Development.

The delegation reviewed the progress and results of rehabilitation works carried out under the EBRD-supported project on the remediation of former uranium mining sites.

It should be noted that rehabilitation works in Yangiobod began in March 2023 and were completed in August 2025. Prior to the commencement of the project, consultations were held with local residents and industry experts.

According to Vadim Korolyov, Head of the Project Management Group, the project included geodetic surveys, construction of access roads, demolition of obsolete facilities, creation of a landfill for decontamination of polluted waste, installation of drainage and infiltration systems for mine waters, reinforcement of riverbanks, and installation of pipelines for water discharge.
Particular attention was paid to occupational safety, technical and radiation safety standards, as well as consideration of local residents’ proposals throughout the process.

During the visit, Minister Aziz Abduhakimov emphasized the importance of ensuring further landscaping, eco-tourism development, and creation of recreational infrastructure following the completion of remediation activities.
Plans include planting shrubs and greenery, building pedestrian walkways, cleaning and beautifying surrounding areas, and installing online surveillance cameras to detect environmental violations and ensure transparency.
These measures aim not only to preserve the results of rehabilitation but also to transform Yangiobod into a safe, green, and attractive area for both residents and tourists.

In turn, Sharifbek Hasanov, Director of the Waste Management and Circular Economy Development Agency, noted that during the presentation to the President of Uzbekistan on August 14, 2025, special instructions were given to establish a dedicated directorate under the Agency responsible for preventing environmental damage from former uranium sites and improving the management of hazardous waste. Relevant regulatory documents are currently being prepared, and permanent monitoring of such territories will be established.
Areas with low radiation levels will be returned to natural use, while public outreach and youth awareness campaigns are actively being carried out in these regions.

For reference, the Environmental Remediation Project was implemented under a €9 million grant agreement between the EBRD and Uzbekistan.
The funds were allocated for rehabilitation activities at Yangiobod (Tashkent region) and Charkesar-2 (Namangan region) sites.
Earlier, in August 2024, the works at Charkesar-2 were fully completed, implementing a comprehensive set of measures to eliminate the environmental consequences of past uranium extraction.

The rehabilitation of former uranium mines aims to eliminate radiation hazards, create a safe ecological environment, and improve the well-being of local communities.