Agency for Increasing Forests and Green Areas and Combating Desertification

Modernisation of Industry and Reduction of Harmful Emissions

The President noted that, in order to mitigate the environmental impact of industrial activity, a USD 100 million credit facility will be made available to large enterprises. These funds will be directed toward the installation of modern filtration systems, treatment facilities, and monitoring stations to control harmful atmospheric emissions.
Particular attention was given to greenhouse operations in Tashkent and the Tashkent region, where approximately 2,000 greenhouses are currently heated using coal and gas. It was emphasised that coal-fired boiler houses operating without filtration systems will be gradually phased out. Such facilities will be relocated beyond the capital, while heating will be provided through centralised boiler systems. To support this transition, agricultural clusters covering at least 200 hectares will be established, and targeted subsidies will be offered to greenhouses that choose to join these clusters.

Promotion of Environmentally Friendly Transport

The Address also announced the introduction of an environmental sticker system for motor vehicles. It was noted that traffic congestion not only complicates everyday life for citizens, but also causes significant environmental harm. Drawing on international experience, vehicles will be classified according to their emission levels and environmental stickers will be issued accordingly. Access for high-emission vehicles to the capital, regional centres, and cities will be restricted.
State support measures will be provided to owners of such vehicles. In particular, when replacing outdated vehicles, a portion of the interest rate on auto loans will be subsidised. Drivers willing to install emission-reducing filters will also be eligible for subsidies covering part of the associated costs.
The development of public transport in Tashkent and other major cities has been identified as a key priority. Plans include expanding dedicated lanes for buses and taxis, as well as introducing intelligent traffic management systems based on smart traffic lights in Tashkent, Samarkand, and Namangan.
A separate section of the Address focused on encouraging the use of electric vehicles. A five-year programme will be implemented to increase the number of environmentally friendly vehicles nationwide. Under this programme, auto loans for domestically produced electric vehicles will be offered at an interest rate of 12 percent, while loans for imported electric vehicles will be available at 16 percent. Entrepreneurs establishing charging infrastructure will receive concessional loans at 10 percent and will be granted the opportunity to acquire land plots through auctions at half the market value. The portion of electricity costs for charging electric vehicles exceeding 300 soums per kilowatt-hour will be compensated from the state budget. Additional incentives will also be provided for citizens offering taxi services using electric vehicles.

Expansion of Green Spaces

To prevent dust storms, a “Yashil Makon” green zone covering 10,000 hectares will be created in the Surkhandarya region, while an 84-kilometre “Yashil Devor” (Green Wall) will be established in the Syrdarya region. In the Republic of Karakalpakstan, as well as in the Khorezm, Bukhara, and Navoi regions, trees and shrubs will be planted across a total area of 250,000 hectares, including 115,000 hectares of the dried seabed of the Aral Sea. Each region will also establish botanical and dendrological gardens, along with at least 20 shaded pedestrian avenues.

Capacity Building and Environmental Education

The President underscored the importance of developing qualified professionals and strengthening environmental education. Efforts will be intensified to build institutional capacity, improve training programmes, and foster environmental awareness, ensuring sustainable development and ecological responsibility for future generations.

The President emphasized that the introduction of environmental standards at enterprises over the next five years will require the training of at least 30,000 environmental managers. In this regard, “green” technical colleges will be established in every region starting in 2026. Operating under a dual education model, these institutions will train up to 10,000 specialists annually. In addition, the activities of the Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies (Green University) will be expanded, comprehensive laboratories for assessing air, water and soil quality will be established, and research will be conducted to enhance natural ventilation in urban areas.

Overall, allocations totaling 1.9 trillion sums are planned for the development of the environmental sector in 2026.

Comprehensive Measures for Water Resource Management

The Head of State also addressed water resource issues, noting that water scarcity is becoming an increasingly pressing global challenge. In 2026, 3.3 trillion sums will be allocated for the implementation of water-saving technologies. Plans include the concreting of 1,300 kilometers of main canals, which will make it possible to save up to 500 million cubic meters of water annually. A separate program will also be adopted to convert open drainage and collector systems into closed systems.

To expand "green" spaces in the capital and other cities, the need to rehabilitate irrigation and drainage infrastructure was emphasized. Under a USD 160 million program, 150 kilometers of closed drainage networks will be constructed in Tashkent, 197 kilometers of canals and collectors will be rehabilitated, and 63 kilometers of new canals will be built. These measures will help create a cooler and more comfortable urban microclimate.