Uzbekistan has inked an agreement with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) aimed at bolstering biodiversity and conserving ecosystems across the nation. The agreement was signed by Aziz Abduhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, and Sherzod Umarov, Deputy Representative of FAO in Uzbekistan.
The agreement sets the stage for collaborative efforts between the FAO representative office in Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, along with the Ministry of Agriculture. Central to this partnership is the launch of the project titled "Evaluation of the Impact of Food Systems on Land Use and Restoration in Uzbekistan."
At its core, the project aims to introduce cutting-edge practices and innovations to foster sustainable and inclusive wheat-based production landscapes and value chains. Moreover, it seeks to generate enhanced ecosystem services to sustain and restore ecosystems within production landscapes, thereby supporting agriculture for global environmental benefits and augmenting biodiversity at a regional scale.
To ensure the seamless execution of the project, Uzbekistan, in collaboration with FAO and the Global Environmental Fund, adopted Decision No. 102 on February 26 of this year. This decision outlines measures to implement the "evaluation program" project, signifying a concrete step towards realizing the goals outlined in the agreement.
The project targets an increase in the landscape area to 50,000 hectares, leveraging advanced technologies for sustainable food production. This expansion will encompass 350,000 hectares of irrigated and semi-arid lands across Uzbekistan, with a focus on rational utilization to enhance biodiversity. Additionally, the project aims to bolster the global environment by sustaining and restoring ecosystems in production landscapes while fostering equitable support for agriculture.
Biodiversity Conservation in Uzbekistan
The strategy for biodiversity conservation in Uzbekistan from 2019 to 2028 adopts a multisectoral approach to cover the entire national territory. Key objectives include expanding protected areas to encompass 12% of the country's land, afforesting the dried seabed of the Aral Sea to create 1.2 mn hectares of forest, and breeding goitered gazelles in specialized nurseries. Additionally, the strategy aims to establish a unified monitoring system for biodiversity, integrate biodiversity conservation into all sectors of the economy, and utilize modern technologies for data management.
Current threats to biodiversity stem mainly from economic development practices that neglect sustainable resource use. Challenges include the degradation of pastures due to livestock production, unsustainable management of agricultural irrigation infrastructure, and insufficient implementation of environmental regulations. To address these challenges, strategic objectives until 2029 focus on integrating biodiversity concerns into government activities, reducing direct impacts on biodiversity, developing protected areas, and enhancing conservation efficiency through planning and capacity building.
Long-term sustainable development necessitates embedding biodiversity conservation into national development plans across all sectors of the economy. Embracing the principles of a green economy is crucial for ensuring ecological security, land productivity, biodiversity preservation, and ecosystem service provision. Key areas of focus include regulatory improvements, enhanced monitoring of flora and fauna, scientific research, protected area development, ecosystem restoration, species conservation, enforcement against illegal resource use, ecological tourism promotion, and public awareness campaigns. Furthermore, sustainable livestock breeding practices are essential to mitigate pressures on pasture ecosystems and prevent degradation and desertification processes through regular geobotanical surveys.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)