The technical assistance project for the rational management of hazardous chemicals was launched in Uzbekistan on May 1st, as reported by the press service of the Ministry of Ecology, Environment, and Climate Change.
The event was attended by the Minister of Ecology, Aziz Abduhakimov, and representatives of the project partners - the head of the Technical Cooperation Department of the European Union Delegation in Uzbekistan, Vim Riepma, and the Deputy Head of the FAO Representation in Uzbekistan, Sherzod Umarov.
"For the first time in Uzbekistan, a project aimed at the rational handling of hazardous chemicals is being implemented," said Minister Aziz Abduhakimov. The project focuses on extracting harmful substances from water and soil and their processing.
At the sixth UN Environment Assembly, a resolution was adopted urging member states to gradually phase out highly hazardous pesticides in agriculture and facilitate the transition to alternative means.
To improve agroecological practices and their integration, Uzbekistan's President issued the following decrees:
- Concept of Environmental Protection by 2030;
- Agricultural Development Strategy by 2030;
- Concept of Organic Agricultural and Food Production Development and a roadmap for its implementation.
In recent years, Uzbekistan has undertaken the conservation of eight sites where stocks of obsolete or banned pesticides and containers of toxic chemicals were buried, with conservation started at two more sites and reconstruction carried out at one site.
"Our partnership with the Uzbekistan government and FAO is an example of collective commitment to environmental protection and public health through the cleanup of obsolete waste, waste management improvement, and pesticide waste reduction. Comprehensive pest control and awareness of health and environmental risks are key to a healthier, cleaner, and economically viable agricultural sector," said Vim Riepma.
The joint project implementation, costing 4 million euros, will enhance the efficiency of managing hazardous chemicals and waste, reduce the use of dangerous pesticides in agriculture, and promote alternative methods.
Special attention will be given to raising awareness among agricultural workers about the need to reduce the use of highly hazardous pesticides. The project aims to understand the scale of existing problems related to harmful chemical use in agriculture, including the volumes of obsolete pesticides leading to soil pollution, as noted by the Ministry of Ecology.
"The project will help develop a National Waste Management Strategy, establish a higher-quality database on hazardous waste in agriculture, and facilitate the creation of facilities for processing hazardous waste. Additionally, the project will contribute to expanding the promotion of sustainable methods in agriculture, reducing risks from pesticide use for farmers and consumers," stated Sherzod Umarov.
At the end of the seminar, the speakers reviewed the action plan and agreed on its implementation conditions.
