Proposals Reviewed to Combat Desertification and Introduce Green City Principles
Uzbekistan
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals aimed at combating desertification, developing a desert economy and introducing green city principles.
Climate change, declining water resources and land degradation are becoming serious challenges for the region. Around 80 percent of Uzbekistan’s territory consists of desert and semi-desert areas. Soil salinisation, shifting sands and dust storms pose a particularly serious threat to the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the Bukhara, Navoi and Khorezm regions, as well as a number of southern areas.
The drying of the Aral Sea has further intensified these processes. The Aralkum Desert has formed on its dried seabed. In recent years, more than 2 million hectares of new forest plantations have been established there. Under the nationwide Yashil Makon project, more than 1 billion trees and shrubs have been planted across the country, while the level of greening increased from 8 percent in 2020 to 14.3 percent in 2025.
For 2026–2030, it is proposed to establish and restore forests across 1.27 million hectares and create 16,000 hectares of protective forest plantations. Plans include creating 10,000 hectares of green cover in the Surkhandarya region and establishing an 84-kilometre “green wall” in border areas of the Syrdarya region. The use of modern agricultural technologies on degraded land is also envisaged.
The President stressed that desert territories should be viewed not only as an environmental problem but also as a source of new economic opportunities. The development of a “desert economy” has been proposed, including seed production and nurseries for desert plants, the cultivation of halophytes, improved pasture productivity, livestock farming, ecotourism and scientific research.
Plans include establishing desert plant nurseries in Karakalpakstan, conducting scientific expeditions to the dried seabed of the Aral Sea, developing pistachio plantations in the Babatag area using modern methods and expanding the network of halophyte gardens. The creation of a regional bank of drought-resistant plants and seeds, as well as the attraction of international funds and private investment, was also discussed.
Particular attention was given to regional environmental cooperation. It was proposed to expand the activities of the Central Asian Regional Research Centre for Combating Desertification and Developing the Desert Economy, increase the number of projects under the regional Green Shield programme and develop a regional strategy to combat desertification through 2040.
The presentation also reviewed the Green Samarkand model, which is designed to transform Samarkand into an environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient green city of Central Asia.
By 2030, plans call for preventing the release of 51,200 tonnes of potential air pollutants, reducing PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 50 percent, construction dust by 80 percent and transport-related pollutants by 50 percent. The volume of waste sent to landfills is expected to be halved, while the average share of green areas in populated localities is to reach 30 percent.
A Yashil Samarkand project office will be established to coordinate the initiative. A special environmental and urban planning regime will be introduced in the city. Green construction requirements will become mandatory for new and reconstructed facilities, including the use of energy- and water-saving technologies, waste sorting and recycling, and improved resource efficiency.
Samarkand is planned to transition to an environmentally friendly transport model. Fifty modern high-capacity electric buses will be purchased and 150 new traffic lights installed. By 2030, public transport and taxis are expected to be fully converted to electric vehicles. A Park & Ride system will also be introduced, green tourist zones prioritising pedestrian movement will be created, and access for private vehicles to the city centre will be gradually restricted.
As part of the development of water and green infrastructure, at least four artificial lakes and reservoirs will be created in Samarkand, 10 new fountains will be built and 319 kilometres of irrigation canals will be restored. A 102.7-kilometre green belt covering 3,532 hectares will be established along the New Grand Ring Road to protect the city from dust and hot air flows.
A Green City Samarkand development is planned on an area of 300 hectares. Residential, office, service, tourism and public infrastructure facilities in this area will be built in accordance with international green city standards.
In the industrial sector, plans include the introduction of best available technologies, Zero Visible Emission systems and digital environmental monitoring. Green belts will be created around industrial zones, while eight Category I and II industrial enterprises that may pose a potential threat to public health are expected to be relocated outside the city.
Under the Zero Waste Samarkand principle, systems for waste sorting and recycling, as well as the digital detection of illegal waste dumping, will be introduced. Carbon emission reduction targets for 2030 and 2035 and a Carbon Neutral Samarkand roadmap will also be developed.
In addition, the Green Samarkand Climate Finance Facility platform will be launched to finance environmental and climate projects, along with the Green Samarkand Dashboard digital platform for transparent monitoring and publication of results.
In tourism and biodiversity, the Green Samarkand brand, the Green Hotels Samarkand system, an urban biodiversity index and dedicated environmental projects will be developed. In the long term, Samarkand is expected to become the “Capital of Green Investment and Innovation in Central Asia.”
The President approved the proposals and instructed officials to intensify efforts to combat desertification, ensure the rational use of land and water resources, strengthen environmental requirements in urban development and create a healthy living environment for the population.
The drying of the Aral Sea has further intensified these processes. The Aralkum Desert has formed on its dried seabed. In recent years, more than 2 million hectares of new forest plantations have been established there. Under the nationwide Yashil Makon project, more than 1 billion trees and shrubs have been planted across the country, while the level of greening increased from 8 percent in 2020 to 14.3 percent in 2025.
For 2026–2030, it is proposed to establish and restore forests across 1.27 million hectares and create 16,000 hectares of protective forest plantations. Plans include creating 10,000 hectares of green cover in the Surkhandarya region and establishing an 84-kilometre “green wall” in border areas of the Syrdarya region. The use of modern agricultural technologies on degraded land is also envisaged.
The President stressed that desert territories should be viewed not only as an environmental problem but also as a source of new economic opportunities. The development of a “desert economy” has been proposed, including seed production and nurseries for desert plants, the cultivation of halophytes, improved pasture productivity, livestock farming, ecotourism and scientific research.
Plans include establishing desert plant nurseries in Karakalpakstan, conducting scientific expeditions to the dried seabed of the Aral Sea, developing pistachio plantations in the Babatag area using modern methods and expanding the network of halophyte gardens. The creation of a regional bank of drought-resistant plants and seeds, as well as the attraction of international funds and private investment, was also discussed.
Particular attention was given to regional environmental cooperation. It was proposed to expand the activities of the Central Asian Regional Research Centre for Combating Desertification and Developing the Desert Economy, increase the number of projects under the regional Green Shield programme and develop a regional strategy to combat desertification through 2040.
The presentation also reviewed the Green Samarkand model, which is designed to transform Samarkand into an environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient green city of Central Asia.
By 2030, plans call for preventing the release of 51,200 tonnes of potential air pollutants, reducing PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 50 percent, construction dust by 80 percent and transport-related pollutants by 50 percent. The volume of waste sent to landfills is expected to be halved, while the average share of green areas in populated localities is to reach 30 percent.
A Yashil Samarkand project office will be established to coordinate the initiative. A special environmental and urban planning regime will be introduced in the city. Green construction requirements will become mandatory for new and reconstructed facilities, including the use of energy- and water-saving technologies, waste sorting and recycling, and improved resource efficiency.
Samarkand is planned to transition to an environmentally friendly transport model. Fifty modern high-capacity electric buses will be purchased and 150 new traffic lights installed. By 2030, public transport and taxis are expected to be fully converted to electric vehicles. A Park & Ride system will also be introduced, green tourist zones prioritising pedestrian movement will be created, and access for private vehicles to the city centre will be gradually restricted.
As part of the development of water and green infrastructure, at least four artificial lakes and reservoirs will be created in Samarkand, 10 new fountains will be built and 319 kilometres of irrigation canals will be restored. A 102.7-kilometre green belt covering 3,532 hectares will be established along the New Grand Ring Road to protect the city from dust and hot air flows.
A Green City Samarkand development is planned on an area of 300 hectares. Residential, office, service, tourism and public infrastructure facilities in this area will be built in accordance with international green city standards.
In the industrial sector, plans include the introduction of best available technologies, Zero Visible Emission systems and digital environmental monitoring. Green belts will be created around industrial zones, while eight Category I and II industrial enterprises that may pose a potential threat to public health are expected to be relocated outside the city.
Under the Zero Waste Samarkand principle, systems for waste sorting and recycling, as well as the digital detection of illegal waste dumping, will be introduced. Carbon emission reduction targets for 2030 and 2035 and a Carbon Neutral Samarkand roadmap will also be developed.
In addition, the Green Samarkand Climate Finance Facility platform will be launched to finance environmental and climate projects, along with the Green Samarkand Dashboard digital platform for transparent monitoring and publication of results.
In tourism and biodiversity, the Green Samarkand brand, the Green Hotels Samarkand system, an urban biodiversity index and dedicated environmental projects will be developed. In the long term, Samarkand is expected to become the “Capital of Green Investment and Innovation in Central Asia.”
The President approved the proposals and instructed officials to intensify efforts to combat desertification, ensure the rational use of land and water resources, strengthen environmental requirements in urban development and create a healthy living environment for the population.
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