The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), together with the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, with the support of the European Union, is implementing the project “Technical Assistance for Sound Management of Hazardous Chemicals in Uzbekistan”.

An online roundtable was organized to discuss proposed amendments to the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, particularly the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 115 of March 6, 2024, titled “On the Procedure for Testing and Registering Plant Protection Products”. At the request of the Agency of Plant Protection and Quarantine of Uzbekistan, the FAO legal team developed recommendations to enhance legislation governing pesticide management, focusing on the abovementioned Resolution.

The event addressed key topics, including the alignment of pesticide terminology with international standards, phased measures for the disposal of highly hazardous chemicals, and strategies to strengthen control over the illegal import and sale of pesticides.

The discussions also highlighted the development of a draft document on pesticide use control, guided by recommendations from international experts. It is important to emphasize that the overarching goal of the joint project is to strengthen Uzbekistan’s capacity for policy development, implementation, and governance. This initiative aims to align the country with international conventions, fulfill environmental and climate commitments, implement national policy priorities, and support sustainable socio-economic development focusing on resource efficiency, which aligns with Uzbekistan’s green growth strategy.

“The roundtable was a significant step toward enhancing environmental safety in the country. The ultimate objective is to minimize the negative impact of pesticides on the environment and human health at every stage of their lifecycle, from production to use. During the meeting, participants reviewed the necessary changes to Uzbekistan’s current pesticide management legislation and discussed measures for their implementation”, said the project’s national coordinator Elmurod Nazarov.

Bekhruz Khudoyberdiyev, UzA