Uzbekistan has approved long-term target indicators for the effective use of forest resources until 2030, in line with its broader national initiative to combat desertification, restore degraded lands, and expand green areas across the country.
The move follows the implementation of Presidential Decree No. 197, signed on May 30, 2025, which outlines concrete goals for the sustainable development of Uzbekistan’s forest fund. According to the decree, by 2030 the country aims to establish forests on 1.5mn hectares, grow 919mn seedlings, develop 47,700 hectares of land, and create protective forest zones on 18,700 hectares.
These goals build on the momentum of the national project Yashil Makon (Green Nation), launched under the same decree. As part of this initiative, the Forestry Agency was reorganized into the Agency for the Expansion of Forests and Green Areas and Combating Desertification.
Operating under the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, the newly restructured agency has been tasked with leading forest expansion, coordinating Yashil Makon (Green Nation), activities nationwide, combating desertification, and preventing land degradation.
In 2025, the agency made notable progress. Forests were established on 130,000 hectares, with another 123,000 hectares planned by the end of the year. A total of 123mn seedlings were grown across forestry enterprises, of which 30mn were distributed to the public and various organizations. Protective forest zones were created on 2,700 hectares, and an equal amount of degraded land was restored, with a target of increasing this to 7,000 hectares by year-end.
Additionally, medicinal plant plantations were established on 5,900 hectares, producing 10,000 tons of products. “In vitro” plant laboratories were launched to enhance seedling production, and 20,000 hectares of land were leased to low-income families to support livelihoods.
Uzbekistan is also expanding international cooperation in forest and ecosystem restoration. During the “Eco Expo Central Asia 2025,” held in June, the Forest Agency signed agreements with several international companies. These partnerships aim to support green area development in desert regions, introduce technologies to combat sandstorms, launch digital forest management platforms, and create forest areas on an additional 150,000 hectares.
A branch of the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has been established at Uzbekistan’s “Green University.” The branch includes laboratories dedicated to greening urban settlements, restoring desert and pasture ecosystems, and growing drought-resistant plants in saline and arid areas using water-saving technologies. In partnership with this institute, gallophyte gardens are being established in five districts: Arnasoy, Nukus, Karakul, Muborak, and Karmoni. Specialists are also developing recommendations for restoring pastures in Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya regions.
Forest landscape restoration is further supported by international funding. A major project backed by a $142mn loan and an $11mn grant is currently underway, with $20mn disbursed in 2025. At the same time, monitoring efforts are being strengthened. In collaboration with Uzbekkosmos (Uzspace) and other partner organizations, a nationwide inventory of forest fund lands is ongoing. As a result, 1,033 cases of illegal activities have been identified and referred to the prosecutor’s office.
With clear targets set for 2030, Uzbekistan aims to promote sustainable forest management, strengthen environmental protection, and increase climate resilience across the country.
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