The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has commenced the 4th Environmental Performance Review (EPR) of Uzbekistan, marking a significant step in the country's commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
From 19 to 23 May, the UNECE EPR Team is in Tashkent for the country review mission of the 4th EPR of Uzbekistan, assessing the country's environmental performance over the past five to seven years.
This review will feature an even more integrated approach than usual, with four comprehensive chapters:
Environmental Pollution: Evaluating the impact of key economic sectors on air, water, soil and biodiversity, and assessing measures to control pollution.
Green Development: Reviewing the greening of the tax and tariff system, subsidies, financial systems and investments in environmental protection.
Climate Change: Analyzing the economic and environmental impacts of climate change, greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation and mitigation measures.
Nature-Based Solutions: Assessing the implementation of solutions to address biodiversity loss, desertification, water scarcity and climate resilience.
In addition, this review will assess the country’s progress towards relevant targets and indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The review team will examine how the Goals are being adapted to the national context and how the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is put into practice, whether the necessary resources have been allocated and responsibilities are clear, what obstacles have been encountered when targeting the SDGs and what concrete results have already been achieved.
Integration of gender mainstreaming in environmental policy, addressing environmental human rights issues, circular economy practices, eco-tourism and activities under the Belt and Road Initiative will also be addressed in the review.
Progress in implementing the 99 Recommendations of the Third EPR (2020) will also be reviewed.
This is the 62nd EPR since the establishment of the Programme 29 years ago. UNECE Environmental Performance Reviews offer a comprehensive tool to help countries identify key environmental challenges and establish concrete recommendations to improve environmental sustainability across all sectors.
The EPR process is voluntary and conducted at the request of the country under review, demonstrating Uzbekistan's proactive approach to environmental governance. The review will provide valuable insights and recommendations for policy design and implementation, promoting the integration of environmental policies into sector-specific economic policies such as agriculture, energy, transport and industry. It will also enhance public accountability and strengthen cooperation with the international community.
The UNECE Environmental Performance Review Programme allows countries to receive an expert external assessment of their environmental performance. This is made possible by financial support from Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland and in-kind help from UNEP, for this EPR.
The EPR team, composed of international experts from UNECE and UNEP, will work closely with national experts, civil society, and the international community to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive review process. Their expertise and insights will be valuable in identifying areas for improvement and best practices that can be adopted.
For more information about the UNECE EPRs, please visit https://unece.org/environmental-policy-1/environmental-performance-revi…
Photo credit: Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan