In the field of environmental protection the main priority of the Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) is to enhance public participation. The Project Co-ordinator strives to address good governance issues, to implement the OSCE Strategy Document for the Economic and Environmental Dimension and to promote and help implement relevant initiatives of the Uzbek Government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The PCUz helps promote the work of the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities within the framework of the joint regional OSCE-UNDP-UNEP-NATO Environmental Security Initiative.

Recent projects

Environmental monitoring of the Syrdarya River Basin

Uzbekistan, being a downstream country, enjoys the benefits from the waters of the Amudarya and the Syrdarya rivers. These water resources are intensively utilized for a number of crucial activities including the irrigation of farmland. The water of the rivers also brings residuals from upstream mining and industrial activities; some of which might pose a challenge to human health when they are left behind in the sediment in the river basins, or when they find their way to irrigation channels and cropland.

Together with the State Nature Protection Committee and the State Committee on Geology and Mineral Resources of Uzbekistan, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) supported a complex monitoring of the Syrdarya River Basin, in particular concerning the environmental transboundary impact of uranium tailings – a by-product of uranium mining - and toxic waste discharge along the Mayluu-Suu, Sumsar and Shakhimardan Rivers.

The monitoring project includes development and methodology, seasonal monitoring, and assessment of the pollution of surface water and bottom sediments in the areas affected. At the end of 2011, the project will generate a thorough databank and recommendations on how to diminish the possible negative impacts on the environment and human health. The information will be made available online.

Development of eco-journalism in Uzbekistan

The PCUz, together with the environmental NGO Ecomaktab and the State Nature Protection Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Goskompriroda), has initiated a project to further strengthen the capacity of the media to report on environmental issues. The activities target journalists from TV, radio, and electronic media to increase environmental awareness and assist reporting on, for example, environmental security, the rational use of natural resources, and renewable energy.

The PCUz has supported the establishment of a resource centre for journalists where they have access to information on environmental issues. The centre operates within the Ecomaktab NGO and is supported by experts from Goskompriroda. Thus, journalists have access to information on interesting topics and can get expert explanations on differing aspects of environmental issues.

A number of media tours have been initiated, allowing journalists and photographers to visit places of interest for environmental articles. During these excursions media representatives meet government officials, independent environmental specialists, and representatives from civil society. This provides journalists with a better understanding of government policy and the societal importance of environmental protection.

In 2011 a national contest for the best article and radio and television production dedicated to environment issues and nature conservation, was organized with the involvement of more than 100 journalists from across the country.