Uzbekistan assigns a big part to protecting environment and public health, improving the ecological situation in the country and in regions. Expansion of international cooperation in environmental protection is one of the priorities of the Ecology Movement of Uzbekistan. In recent years, the Ecology Movement and its deputy group in the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan have taken significant efforts to strengthen and develop international and inter-parliamentary relations. During 2010-2011, the Ecology Movement established partnership with the UN General Assembly, the World Bank, OSCE, European Union, UNEP, WHO and other international organizations. The cooperation has greatly contributed to the support of Uzbekistan in addressing cross-border issues by international organizations of developed countries. The Ecology Movement held a meeting this week with a delegation headed by Jan Dusik, Acting Regional Director of the UNEP Office for Europe, the United Nations Environment Program, who came to Uzbekistan to learn about the environmental situation on the spot. During the meeting the foreign guests were informed about the program goals, objectives and activities of the Ecology Movement, the legislative work of its activists to address transboundary environmental problems in Central Asia, particularly related to the project of building the Rogun HPP, as well as negative impact of industrial wastes of SUE Talco on environment and health. “We know that the Tajik aluminum company causes serious harm to the health of the population of certain districts of Surkhondaryo region,” said Jan Dusik. “I think that prevention of environmental problems and mitigation of the harmful impact on the environment requires cooperation and synergy.” On September 6, 2011, representatives of the Ecology Movement handed over to the UNDP Office in Uzbekistan an Appeal of residents of Surkhondaryo region to the UN General Assembly and some other international organizations with more than 750 signatures. The appeal expresses the public opposition to environmental pollution and to the damage to public health caused by Talco State Unitary Enterprise and the just claims for greening of the production process. During the meeting the sides exchanged views on further development of ties between Uzbekistan and the UNEP in ecology, specifically in mitigation of the effects of the Aral Sea problem, reduction of its negative impact on the gene pool of population, flora and fauna, and enhancement of cooperation in addressing the negative impact of the Tajik Aluminum Company on the Surkhondaryo environment. The UNEP delegates supported the position of the Ecology Movement and expressed satisfaction with the development of strong partnership. (Source: Uzbekistan Today Newspaper)