Guarantee
I
When Shavkat Mirziyoyev was elected President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, one of the primary challenges he faced was restoring the lost trust of the people in the government. A gap had seemingly formed between the two: decisions were made based solely on the interests of one side, while the people’s dream of a just society appeared unattainable. Today, the situation has changed – now, it is not the people who serve the state, but the state that serves the people, considering citizens’ opinions on decisions being made. The aspirations of every nation depend on what the state can achieve in its pursuit of goals: the more ambitious the objectives, the greater the country’s authority. This is evidenced by the development and public discussion of the draft Presidential Decree on the “State Program for Implementing the Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy in the Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy”. The fact that the state is considering the opinion of its people in preparing a document that shapes our future deserves special recognition. The Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy reflects the importance placed on the views of the country’s citizens. While working on this document, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited various regions, engaged directly with ordinary people and professionals, familiarized himself with local achievements and shortcomings, and listened to their proposals. In this way, our people became the creators and co-authors of the strategy. As the saying goes, “Measure seven times, cut once”. Any undertaking must be thoroughly and comprehensively planned.
It should be noted that the draft of the 2025 State Program has been prepared in a convenient and compact format for review. It includes practical measures, a list of regulatory and legal acts, and target indicators aligned with the five priority areas of the Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy. During its development, proposals and initiatives from members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, deputies of the Legislative Chamber, and factions of political parties were considered. Reflecting the year’s designation, the document focuses on environmental protection issues and the green economy. To ensure the timely and high-quality implementation of the program, quarterly target indicators and responsible executors have been identified for each paragraph.
II
The draft decree outlines the implementation of measures such as the creation of shady walking streets in 32 cities for pedestrian and cycling activities, the construction of 80 infrastructure facilities and wellness trails in coastal zones and along rivers, and the enhancement of greenery levels in 64 mahallas through the effective use of rainwater and wastewater. Additionally, it includes plans to introduce tree irrigation systems in mahallas using modern water-saving technologies. Moreover, the decree envisions launching a nationwide movement, “One Million Green Families”, to promote daily walking and jogging, healthy eating, green transportation, and the economic consumption of water, gas, and electricity among the population. The document also provides for the planting of 200 million tree and shrub seedlings, increasing the number of green gardens from 257 to 701, expanding the area of forest plantations in the Aral Sea region to 2.1 million hectares, and establishing four parks with halophyte plants.
It is well known that issues related to climate change, ecology, and the preservation of environmental cleanliness are becoming increasingly relevant worldwide. Air and water pollution, soil erosion, desertification, and global warming are causing significant harm to the natural balance and human health.
In accordance with the draft Presidential Decree of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the State Program for the Implementation of the Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy in the Year of Environmental Protection and the Green Economy”, it is planned to increase forest-covered areas to 4.1 million hectares and expand protected natural territories to 14.5 percent. The program also aims to identify and utilize untapped resources such as ecotourism, nurseries, and medicinal plants, contributing to increased population income. Additionally, the initiative includes creating gardens with plants resistant to salinization and drought (halophytes) in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and other regions and establishing state “in vitro” laboratories. At least $30 million in funding from international financial institutions will be attracted to provide loans to entrepreneurial entities. This represents an essential humanitarian step aimed at reducing the scale of problems caused by the region’s unfavorable environmental conditions and fostering collective efforts for its development.
In Uzbekistan, measures are being taken to protect and restore ecosystems, accelerate reforestation efforts, and implement the nationwide project “Yashil Makon” (“Green Space”). Initiated by the President, this project has become a genuine people’s movement, with tree-planting campaigns held annually in spring and autumn.
Improving water supply to 390,000 hectares of agricultural land through the concreting of 1,000 kilometers of canals and the construction and reconstruction of irrigation and reclamation facilities also contributes to reducing the loss of this precious resource – water – and safeguarding the interests of rural residents.
III
Significant work has been carried out in Uzbekistan to ensure the population’s well-being, but much remains to be done. According to the draft State Program, it is planned to limit the use and sale of motor fuel below the “Euro-4” environmental standard, as well as the use of fuel oil as fuel by enterprises producing thermal and electrical energy across all regions of the country. The program aims to ensure that by 2025, 10 percent, by 2027, 25 percent, and by 2030, 50 percent of investment programs, industrial development projects, and regional development plans consist of green projects. Starting in 2026, a ban will be introduced on the use of colored plastic for beverage containers, and by 2027, the production, import, and use of plastic bags will also be prohibited. In collaboration with the European Union, low-carbon development plans will be created for the cities of Bukhara, Namangan, Nukus, Urgench, and Guzar, enabling energy efficiency improvements in 10 social facilities. Additionally, by commissioning renewable energy sources with a total capacity of 3.5 gigawatts, it is planned to increase their share in total electricity consumption to 26 percent. Importantly, all these measures aim to protect our people’s and the environment’s health.
To ensure the implementation of the State Program, the development and adoption of approximately 90 regulatory and legal acts are planned. The new approaches outlined in the project will enable an annual gross domestic product (GDP) increase by at least 6 percent, bringing its volume to $200 billion by 2030. This will provide a solid foundation for achieving poverty reduction goals and improving the population’s well-being. It can be confidently stated that the draft State Program serves as a unique guarantee for the consistent continuation of modernization and reforms in our country.
IV
Given that green energy is becoming a driver of the national economy, essential tasks in this area have been identified, and their implementation cannot be delayed. Six years ago, the contribution of green and renewable energy sources to Uzbekistan’s total electricity production was negligible. This year’s State Program draft sets specific objectives to bring work in this direction to an entirely new level. In particular, to encourage the widespread use of renewable energy by the population and business entities, it is proposed to introduce green tariffs for electricity generated from waste utilization and wind and solar sources starting April 1, 2025.
In his speech at the ceremony marking the launch of new capacities in the energy sector and the start of construction for several facilities, the Head of our state announced that by 2030, the share of renewable energy sources in Uzbekistan will reach 54 percent. Meanwhile, the Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy projected that by 2030, the capacity of renewable energy sources in the country would reach 25,000 megawatts, with their share in total consumption amounting to 40 percent. In 2025 alone, 18 solar and wind power plants with a capacity of 3,400 megawatts and energy storage systems with a capacity of 1,800 megawatts will be commissioned. As a result, the production of green energy will reach 12 billion kilowatt-hours, equivalent to the annual consumption of 5 million households. It will prevent the emission of 6.5 million tons of harmful gases into the atmosphere. Over the next two years, a large-scale program will be implemented with private entrepreneurs to establish more than 2,000 small and micro-hydropower plants. Plans also include further incentivizing private sector participation and organizing a wholesale electricity market based on competitive trading by the end of 2025. These ambitious projects are being made possible through the reforms initiated by the President’s political will and the attraction of investors.
V
As we can see, the goals outlined in the draft State Program are not merely ambitious intentions but a practical foundation for improving the population’s standard of living. Their implementation enhances social infrastructure, reduces poverty, develops the private sector, and introduces innovative solutions that will form a solid foundation for future generations. This document can confidently be called a development program that defines the future of our country.
Declaring 2025 as the Year of Environmental Protection and the Green Economy reaffirms Uzbekistan’s environmental responsibility and commitment to conserving natural resources. Undoubtedly, this initiative reflects the country’s determination and proactive stance in addressing global environmental challenges.
As rightly noted by the Head of our state, today, the entire world is combating the negative consequences of climate change, such as air and water pollution, soil erosion, desertification, and the uncontrolled use of fossil fuels. According to experts, by 2050, water resources in the Central Asian region will decrease by 10-15 percent, and agricultural productivity will decline by 20-30 percent due to land degradation. The annual volume of carbon dioxide emissions amounts to 400 million tons, and 12 percent of existing animal and plant species are at risk of extinction. Water and air pollution result in more than 50,000 deaths annually from various chronic diseases in the region. These figures highlight the severity of the environmental situation in Central Asia and underscore the need for immediate and decisive action, which the programmatic document under discussion today aims to address. The adoption of renewable energy sources, the development of eco-entrepreneurship, and the promotion of innovative technologies will strengthen the economic stability of our country and create additional jobs. In turn, this will enhance Uzbekistan’s standing on the international stage as an environmentally responsible and sustainably developing nation.
It is important to remember that development is a complex process. At each stage, people and society face various challenges. The geopolitical situation and the intensifying political intrigues demand patriotism and dedication from every citizen. It is a great blessing from the Almighty to preserve peace during difficult times and to create straightforward programs with the prosperity of the Homeland and its people in mind.
In recent years, our country has become a driver of economic reforms, initiating processes of renewal and development not only in Central Asia but across the entire CIS region. This is a vivid reflection of the guiding idea of the New Uzbekistan: “In the Name of Human Honor and Dignity”, the key principle of reform “Person – Society – State”, and a guarantee of the continued transformations taking place in our Homeland. ( The author is: Member of the Committee on Budget and Economic Issues at the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan).
