Presentation of the publication Second Environmental Performance Review of Uzbekistan took place in the capital within the ecology week.

It was prepared by the UN Environment Program, Economic Commission for Europe, the leading experts from France, Finland, Germany, the United States and other countries, Uzbek scientists and specialists. A team consisting of national and international experts during 2008-2009 took a thorough study of the effectiveness of environmental activities in our country.

The Second Environmental Performance Review of Uzbekistan was published under the UN auspices in the Uzbek, Russian and English languages. It details the outcomes of socio-economic and ecological reforms in environmental protection, which were carried out starting from 2001, since the release of the first edition, as well as the economic foundations of environmental protection, the results of monitoring of land, water and natural resources, energy policy, and national capacity in addressing climate change challenges.

“The ongoing reforms are an important factor for nature protection and ensuring of environmental sustainability,” said Nairman Umarov, Chairman of the State Committee for Nature Protection of Uzbekistan.

“A consistent work on mitigation of the negative impact of environment on human health and development of the society is underway. It has formed a solid legal and institutional framework for environmental development. The national movement plan empowers the phased work on ensuring the protection of land, water, air and other natural resources, and mitigation of the negative impact of environmental problems of global and national scales.”

As a result of this work the emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere reduced twice and sewage discharge into the water - three times. The work on protection of rivers and groundwater, expansion of areas of nature reserves and protected areas, stabilization of ecological situation in the Aral Sea is effective as well.

Uzbekistan fulfills all the requirements of international conventions signed. The Second Environmental Performance Review of Uzbekistan suggests a detailed analysis of the outcomes achieved in this direction and tasks for the future. (Source: “Uzbekistan Today” newspaper)