Environmental performance reviews united nations

 
 
UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE
ENVIRONMENTAL
PERFORMANCE REVIEWS
UNITED NATIONS
New York and Geneva, 2010
UZBEKISTAN
Second Review
ECE/CEP/156

ECE/CEP/156
UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATION
Sales No  E.10.II.E.8
ISBN 978-92-1-117003-0
ISSN 1020-4563
 
NOTE
Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters combined with figures. Mention
of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document.
The  designations  employed  and  the  presentation of  the  material in  this  publication do  not  imply  the
expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal
status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or
boundaries. In particular, the boundaries shown on the maps do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by
the United Nations.
The United Nations issued the first Environmental Performance Review of Uzbekistan (Environmental
Performance Reviews Series No. 14) in 2001. 
This volume is issued in English and Russian only.
Environmental Performance Reviews Series No. 29

iii
Foreword
Environmental  Performance  Reviews  (EPRs)  for  countries  in  transition  were  initiated  by  Environment
Ministers at the second Environment for Europe Ministerial Conference, held in Lucerne, Switzerland, in 1993.
Subsequently, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Committee on Environmental
Policy decided to make the EPRs part of its regular programme. The first cycle of reviews, of 23 countries from
the UNECE region, began in 1994 and was carried out until 2004.
At the fifth Environment for Europe Ministerial Conference (Kiev, 2003), the Ministers affirmed their support
for the EPR Programme, in particular as an important instrument for countries with economies in transition,
and decided that the Programme should continue with a second cycle of reviews. This support was recently
reconfirmed at the sixth Environment for Europe Ministerial Conference (Belgrade, 2007). This second cycle,
while assessing the progress made since the first review process, puts particular emphasis on implementation,
integration, financing and the socio-economic interface with the environment.
Through  the  peer  review  process,  EPRs  also  promote  dialogue  among    UNECE  member  States  and  the
harmonization of environmental conditions and policies throughout the region. As a voluntary exercise, EPRs
are undertaken only at the request of the countries concerned.
The studies are carried out by international teams of experts from the region, working closely with national
experts  from  the  reviewed  country.  The  teams  also  benefit  from  close  cooperation  with  other  organizations
in the United Nations system, for instance the United Nations Development Programme, as well as with the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and other organizations.
This is the second EPR of Uzbekistan to be published by UNECE. The review takes stock of the progress made
by Uzbekistan in the management of its environment since the country was first reviewed in 2001. It assesses
the implementation of the recommendations contained in the first review (annex I). This second EPR also covers
nine issues of importance to Uzbekistan related to policymaking, planning and implementation, the financing of
environmental policies and projects, and the integration of environmental concerns into economic sectors, in
particular the sustainable management and protection of water resources, land management, energy and climate
change.
I  hope  that  this  second  EPR  will  be  useful  in  supporting  policymakers  and  representatives  of  civil  society
in  their  efforts  to  improve  environmental  management  and  to  further  promote  sustainable  development  in
Uzbekistan, and that the lessons learned from the peer review process will also benefit other countries of the
UNECE region.
Ján Kubiš
Executive Secretary
Economic Commission for Europe

v
Preface
The  second  Environmental  Performance  Review  (EPR)  of  Uzbekistan  began  in  February  2008  with  a
preparatory  mission.  During  this  mission,  the  final  structure  of  the  report  was  discussed  and  established. A
review mission took place from 20 to 29 April 2009. The team of international experts taking part included
experts  from  Finland,  France,  Germany,  Kazakhstan  and  the  United  States  of America,  as  well  as  from  the
secretariats  of  the  United  Nations  Environment  Programme  (UNEP)  and  the  United  Nations  Economic
Commission for Europe (UNECE).
The draft EPR report and its translation into Russian were submitted to Uzbekistan for comment and to the
Expert Group on Environmental Performance for consideration in September 2009. During its meeting on 19
October 2009, the Expert Group discussed the report in detail with expert representatives of the Government of 
Uzbekistan, focusing in particular on the conclusions and recommendations made by the international experts.
The EPR recommendations, with suggested amendments from the Expert Group, were then submitted for peer
review to the sixteenth session of the UNECE Committee on Environmental Policy on 20 October 2009. A high-
level delegation from Uzbekistan participated in the peer review. The Committee adopted the recommendations
as set out in this report.
The  Committee  on  Environmental  Policy  and  the  UNECE  review  team  would  like  to  thank  the  Government 
of Uzbekistan and its experts who worked with the international experts and contributed their knowledge and
assistance. UNECE wishes the Government of Uzbekistan further success in carrying out the tasks involved in
meeting its environmental objectives, including the implementation of the recommendations contained in this
second review.
UNECE would also like to express its deep appreciation to the Governments of the Netherlands and Switzerland
for their financial contributions; to the Governments of Finland and Germany for having delegated their experts
for the review; and to UNEP and the United Nations Development Programme for their support of the EPR
Programme and this review.

Team of experts for the second EPR of Uzbekistan, 2009

vii
LIST OF TEAM MEMBERS
Mr. Antoine NUNES
ECE secretariat
Team Leader
Mr.  Yaroslav BULYCH
ECE secretariat
Project Coordinator
Mr. Jyrki HIRVONEN
ECE secretariat
Introduction
Ms. Mary-Pat SILVEIRA
United States of America
Chapter 1
Mr. Vadim NI
Kazakhstan
Chapter 2
Mr. Mikhail KOKINE
ECE secretariat
Chapter 3
Ms. Barbara RUIS
UNEP
Chapter 4
Mr. Jose PALACIN
ECE secretariat
Chapter 5
Mr. Matthias SCHREPFERMANN
Germany
Chapter 6
Mr. Martti Tapio POUTANEN 
Finland
Chapter 7
Mr. Benoit RAUZY
France
Chapter 8
Mr. George G. GEORGIADIS
ECE secretariat
Chapter 9
Mrs  Stefanie  Christmann  participated  in  the  fact  finding  mission.  She  contributed  to  and  was  involved  in
drafting some parts of the report.
The mission for the project took place from 20 to 29 April 2009. The peer review was held in Geneva on 20 
October  2009.  The  ECE  Committee  on  Environmental  Policy  adopted  the  recommendations  set  out  in  this 
document. 
Information cut-off date: 20 October 2009
UNECE Information Unit
Phone: [phone]
Palais des Nations
Fax: [phone]
CH-1211 Geneva 10
E-mail: [e-mail]
Switzerland
Website: http://www.unece.org

viii
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
National contributors
Senate of Oliy Majlis  
Mr. Hayrulla Ibragimov
State Committee for Nature Protection   
 
Mr. Nariman Umarov, Chair
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Bory Alikhanov, Former chair
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ms. Nadejda otsenko 
Mr. Sodirzhon Dzhakbarov
Mr. Alexander Grigoryants
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Islam Hushvaktov 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Sahib Isambaev 
Mr. Mirzamurat Jumaev
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Rakhmatulla Khabirov
Mr. Maggio Khodjayev
Mr. Avaz Khudayberdiyev
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ms. Nina Korolyeva
Mr. Mohammadi Mamanazarov
Mr. Mirzaahmad Mamedov
Mr. Arthur Mustafin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Murod Nasirov 
Mr. Evgueniy Peregontsev
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Yuriy Ponomarev 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Kamaliddin Sadykov 
Mr. Sergey Samoylov
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Ravshan Sotivoldiev 
Ms. Zulfiya Suleymanova
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Victor Tarasov 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ms. Ella Thaye  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Timur Tillyaev 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Nodir Yunusov 
State Board for Environmental 
Certification, Standardization and Norms
Mr. Nigmat Karimov
Samarkand City  
 
 
 
 
Mr. Sherali Husanov
Ministry of Economy 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Bahritdin Muradov
Ministry of Finance  
 
 
 
 
Mr. Pulat Jusupov
Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management
Mr. Abbos Akhadov
Mr. Abduvahid Ahmedzhanov
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Boris Dyakin
Mr. Nozimzhon Ernazarov
Mr. Rustan P. Ibragimov
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Uchkun Idriskhodjaev
Mr. Avazhan Sultanov
Ministry of Public Education  
 
 
 
Mr. Hasan Buriev
Ministry of Education  
Ms. Guzal Salikhova
Ministry of Health  
 
 
 
 
Ms. Svetlana Alieva
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ms. Tatiana Li
Ministry of Health 
 
 
 
 
Ms. Rosa Madkarimova 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Saidmurod Saidaliev
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ms. Natalia Sharipova 

ix
Ministry of Culture and Sports  
Mr. Abdusafi Rahmanov
Ministry of Internal Affairs
Mr. Sandjar Sattihodzhaev
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Sardor Sobirov
Ministry for Emergency Situations
Mr. Avaz Dzhuraboev
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Mukhtar Muhitdinov
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Bakhtiyor Shaykulov
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Alisher Usmon
Ministry of Justice
Mr. Farrukh Turahodzhaev
State Committee on Statistics    
 
 
Mr. Farkhod Ganiev
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ms. Elena Kiyatkina 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Zuhriddin Shadmanov
State Tax Committee 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Benjamin Ten
State Committee on Customs  
Mr. Bakhtiyor Abduganiev
State Committee on Geology and Mineral Resources
Mr. Rasulzhon Begmatov
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Vladimir Kupchenko
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Timur Movsyanov 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Vyacheslav Oparin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Ilkhombay Turamuratov
State Committee on Land Resources, 
Geodesy, Cartography and State Cadastre
Mr. Avaz Alimov
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Shuhrat Bobomurod ov
Mr. Ramadan Kuziev
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Abdullaev Tulkin 
Academy of Sciences    
 
 
 
Ms. Veronica Serkova
Academy of Sciences, Institute of Water Problems 
Mr. Elmir Chimbarisov
Uzstandard (Agency for Standardization,
Metrology and Certification of Uzbekistan)
Mr. Rahmatullo Holmuhammedov
Uzkommunkhizmat (Government agency
responsible for communal services)
Mr. Latif Umurzakov
Uzbek Agency for Automobile and River Transport
Mr. Sherbek Erbekov
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ms. Tatiana Lyopa 
Centre for Science and Technologies
Mr. Zakirzhon Azamatov
Center of Hydrometeorological Service
Mr. Kadyrov Bakhtier
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ms. Natalia Frolova
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ms. Tatyana Ososkova 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ms. Gulnara Zubkova 
State Inspectorate for the control and supervision 
of the technical condition and safety of the largest
and most important water resources projects 
under the Cabinet of Ministers    
 
 
Mr. Shuhrat Talipov
Uzbekenergo (public joint stock company)
Ms. Galina Pavlova
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Khamidov Shukhrat 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Abduvosik Abdusalomov 
Mr. Abdullah Dadahodzhaev
Tashkent city municipal service association  
 
Mr. Valiev Abduhalil 
Mr. Shuhrat Inogamov
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Rauf Kurbonov 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Tohir Mirhidoyatov  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Alisher Nabiev 

x
Tashkent city municipal service association 
 
Mr. Erkin Nuriddin 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Alimjan Rahimov 
Mr. Kahramon Ruzmatov
Mr. Usmon Tulaganov
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Ravil Zharkov 
Mr. Sherzod Khaydarov
Non-governmental organizations
Ekolandshaft 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Anvar Kadyrov 
Hayot  
Mr. Alexey Kobzev
Rodnichok 
 
 
 
 
 
Ms. Ludmila Koshelapova 
Society for the Protection of Birds
Mr. Oleg Koshkar
Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan
Mr. Rashid Kulmatov
Suvchi   
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Tahir Majid 
Armon  
Mr. Rustam Murzakhanov
Atrophy Mukhit wa soglom Hayot
Ms. Said Mustafaev
Logos  
Mr. Elkhon Nasimov
Ecoservice
Mr. Rustam Razanov
Ecoforum DNA Uzbekistan
Mr. Saidrasul Sanginov
NANNO Uzbekistan  
Mr. Farkhod Sherzod
Ekomaktab (Ecological Herald
of Uzbekistan Journal)  
Ms. Natalia Shivaldova
Environment 
 
 
 
 
 
Ms. Dano Tursunova  
 
Ecosan Ecological Movement  
Mr. Nariman Umarov  
Armon   
 
 
 
 
 
Ms. Dilbar Zainutdinova 
International organizations
UNDP/Tashkent 
 
 
 
 
Ms. Anita Nirody, Resident Representative
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Farkhod Maksudov 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Abduvakkos Abdurakhmanov
Europa House   
 
 
 
 
Mr. Pierre-Paul Antheunissens, Coordinator
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ms. Larissa Tashkhodjaeva, Deputy Coordinator
UNDP–GEF project “Achieving ecosystem
stability on degraded land in Karakalpakstan
and Kyzyl Kum Desert”
Ms. Irina M. Bekmirzaeva, Project Manager
IFAS Agency (Agency of the International
Fund for Saving the Aral Sea for Implementation
of the Aral Sea Basin and GEF Projects)  
 
Mr. Usman Buranov, Leader,
GTZ (German Technical Cooperation)  
Mr. Sameer Khanai, Senior Adviser,
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
Mr. Murat Mirzaev, Deputy Head
Agency of the GEF and the PASB
Mr. Serik Pernabekov
Scientific Information Center of Interstate
Coordination Water Commission of the International 
Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS SRC ICWC)
Mr. Iskander Ruziev
SIC ICWC IFAS  
 
 
 
 
Mr. Anatoly Sorokin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ms. Galina Stulina  
Representation Regional Environmental
Center for Central Asia (CAREC) in Uzbekistan
Mr. Tolib Sultanov

xi
CONTENTS
Foreword  .............................................................................................................................................................. iii
Preface  ...................................................................................................................................................................v
List of team members .......................................................................................................................................... vii
List of contributors   .......................................................................................................................................... viii
List of abbreviations  ......................................................................................................................................... xvii
Signs and measures .............................................................................................................................................xix
Currency conversion table ...................................................................................................................................xx
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  .............................................................................................................................. xxi
INTRODUCTION   .............................................................................................................................................. 1 
 
I.1  Physical context ......................................................................................................................... 1
 
I.2  Resources.....  .............................................................................................................................. 1
I.3  Demographic and social context ................................................................................................ 2
 
I.4  Economic context ....................................................................................................................... 3
 
I.5  Institutions  ................................................................................................................................. 5
 
I.6  Major environmental concerns .................................................................................................. 6
 
PART I. 
POLICY MAKING, PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION
Chapter 1.  Policymaking framework for sustainable development and
 
environmental protection .............................................................................................................. 13 
 
1.1  Changes since 2001 and current context .................................................................................. 13
1.2  Strategies, programmes and plans for sustainable development ............................................. 13
1.3  Strategies, programmes and plans for environmental protection ............................................. 14
1.4  Legal framework ...................................................................................................................... 16
 
1.5  Institutional framework  ........................................................................................................... 19
 
1.6  Conclusions and recommendations .......................................................................................... 23
Chapter 2.  Compliance and enforcement mechanisms ................................................................................. 25
 
2.1  Progress since the first Environmental Performance Review .................................................. 25
 
2.2  Environmental enforcement authorities  .................................................................................. 25
2.3  Assessment tools, including environmental impact assessment, strategic
environmental assessment, state ecological expertise and environmental audits .................... 28
 
2.4  Environmental permits ............................................................................................................. 29
2.5  Compliance assurance: monitoring and reporting ................................................................... 30
2.6  Promotion of environmental management systems at enterprises ........................................... 32
2.7  Environmental legislation enforcement tools .......................................................................... 33
 
2.8  Emission and ambient standards and their enforcement .......................................................... 34
 
2.9  Conclusions and recommendations .......................................................................................... 35
Chapter 3.  Monitoring, information, public participation and education .................................................. 37
 
3.1  Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 37
 
3.2  Environmental monitoring ....................................................................................................... 37
3.3  Information management and reporting ................................................................................... 51
 
3.4  Public participation .................................................................................................................. 47
 
3.5  Environmental education and education for sustainable development .................................... 49
3.6  Policymaking framework ......................................................................................................... 50
 
3.7  Conclusions and recommendations .......................................................................................... 52
Page

xii
Chapter 4.  Implementation of international agreements and commitments .............................................. 5 5
 
4.1 
General framework for international cooperation ...................................................... 55
4.2
Global environmental agreements .............................................................................. 55
4.3
Regional cooperation .................................................................................................. 58
 
4.4 
Bilateral cooperation ................................................................................................... 60
 
4.5 
Millennium Development Goals and sustainable development ................................. 61
 
4.6 
Special focus: transboundary waters .......................................................................... 63
 
4.7 
Conclusions and recommendations ............................................................................ 65