A workshop was held on the project “Technical Assistance for Sound Management of Hazardous Chemicals”, which is currently being implemented by FAO and the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan with financial support from the European Union.

The event was attended by the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov, the Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan Wim Riepma, the Assistant FAO Representative in Uzbekistan Sherzod Umarov, senior officials of ministries and agencies, international organizations, NGOs, and national and international experts.

During the workshop, the goals and objectives of the project were presented.

“For the first time in Uzbekistan, a project aimed at rational handling of hazardous chemicals is being implemented”, said Mr. Abdukhakimov. “Within the framework of this project, our country provides for the implementation of relevant legislative principles, in general, the correct use of hazardous chemicals in the future. It is known that previously hazardous pesticides were used when growing cotton in Uzbekistan. There were more than 450 small airfields where these harmful substances were stored. In addition, some businesses also use chemicals. The project pays great attention to introducing technologies to purify water and soil from these harmful substances”.

Implementing a joint project worth 4 million euros will improve the efficiency of mechanisms and tools for managing harmful chemicals and waste and reduce the use of hazardous pesticides in agriculture, including introducing and promoting alternative methods that involve replacing pesticides and reducing their use. Particular attention will be paid to raising awareness among agricultural workers about the need to reduce the use of highly hazardous pesticides. At the same time, the project will make it possible to understand the scale of existing problems associated with using harmful chemicals in agriculture, including the volume of obsolete pesticides that lead to soil pollution.

Following the workshop, the speakers reviewed the work plan and agreed on the conditions for further implementation.

Mukhayyo Toshqorayeva, UzA