Overall Objective

GGGI’s role is to support Uzbekistan’s environmentally sustainable economic growth through green growth projects, building on development initiatives by the government at the national and local level, in collaboration with other development partners. 

GGGI Uzbekistan Country Planning Framework (CPF) for 2021-2025 is the strategy of the GGGI Uzbekistan program for the next 5 years. In the CPF period, GGGI will focus on supporting the government in developing and updating policies to create an enabling environment for green investments and prepare projects to directly mobilize investments for climate-resilient agriculture, waste management, and green buildings. These efforts will align with national goals and priorities expressed in National Development Strategy (Action Strategy) for 2017-2021, Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), and Strategy for Uzbekistan’s Transition to Green Economy 2019-2030. 

The proposed programmatic solutions in the CPF are as follows:

1) Green Investment

2) Climate Action

3) Climate Resilient Agriculture

4) Waste Management

5) Green Buildings

The table below summarizes the proposed strategic outcomes under the CPF (2021-2025):

Strategic Outcome Targets

SO1. Reduced GHG emission 7,329 MtCO2eq
SO2. Creation of green jobs 1,787 green jobs created
SO3.1. Increased access to sustainable services -
SO4. Improved air quality -
SO5. Adequate maintenance of natural capital 4,471 hectares maintained
SO6. Enhanced adaptation to climate change 236,400 people benefitting from improved adaptation capacities

Themes

Contact
Aaron Russell

Country Representative, Uzbekistan

Resource Partner
Implementation Partner

Context

The Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzbekistan) is a landlocked country with a total land area of 447,400 km² in Central Asia, south and southeast of the Aral Sea, bordered by five neighboring countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan. The country’s population is about 33 million, of which 50.5% live in urban areas. Uzbekistan’s gross national income (GNI) stands at USD 50.5 billion. In 2011, the country graduated to a lower-middle-income classification and now its GDP per capita has reached 1,724.5 USD[1],  showing sustained economic development.  Although the official poverty rate in 2018 declined by 0.5% from the 2017 level, approximately 11.4% of the population sit below the Basic Needs Poverty Line.[2] In terms of GDP share in 2019, agriculture, forestry, and fishing (25.5%), services (32.2%) and industry with 33.2% (comprising manufacturing, mining, construction, etc.) sectors comprise the key drivers of the country’s economy.[3]

Real GDP growth increased marginally to 5.564% in 2019, supported by investment growth that was financed by substantial increases in direct lending to SOEs[4], more robust agricultural growth, and increased construction activity.[5] However, economic growth in Uzbekistan did not conform proportionally[6]  to the projected real GDP growth in 2020, as it has not translated into substantial employment generation. The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the challenges for the market transition and significantly increasing the risk that poverty will rise.[7] Thus, it is crucial for Uzbekistan to continue prioritization and implementation of key reforms in order to sustain vigorous and inclusive economic growth and job creation. The country confirmed its intentions towards more sustainable development by adopting a strategy towards a green economy and committed to green reforms as part of the country’s development agenda, which include:

– increasing energy efficiency of the key sectors of the economy;

– adaptation and mitigation of the effects of climate change;

– increased efficiency in the use of natural resources and conservation of natural ecosystems;

– diversification of energy consumption and development of the use of renewable energy sources; and

– development of financial and non-financial mechanisms to support the green economy.

The 2019 UNDP Human Development Index ranked Uzbekistan at 64 out of 162 countries on Gender Inequality Index (GII), with female participation in the labor market at 65.4% compared to 78.0% for men.[8] The status of women and men in Uzbekistan is largely shaped by the significant and rapid changes in recent years.  Over the past 10 years, the number of small and medium-sized enterprises headed by women has increased by a factor of 1.6 and the proportion of women employed in small businesses and private enterprises has risen to 45.7%. To promote the involvement of women in business activities and the development of family businesses, loans to women have doubled over the past two years. These days about 6.5% of the members of the Cabinet and 15.3% of the heads of local executive authorities. The proportion of women in senior management positions in ministries, State committees and agencies stands at 10 % and, in middle management positions, 24%, in the areas of health care and social services, the proportion of women is higher than 82%; in science, education and child development, culture and the arts – 72%; in agriculture – 45%; and in the industry – 38%.[9]

Although the Global Gender Gap Index and the Gender Equity Index show that the country is close to attaining gender equality in education and health, issues related to the status of women, social inclusion and gender equality still require attention. In 2017, the Women Committee of Uzbekistan (WCU) employment, creation of new jobs, development of business and entrepreneurial skills as the key issues for women in larger and small cities; and social and municipal infrastructure, family and home-based business development as the key issues for rural women[10]. There are still existing inequalities in areas of property ownership; decision making; the labor market (with women mostly in seasonal and low paid jobs in the formal and informal sector; traditional attitudes towards and stereotypes in most sectors. Despite country reforms, including initiatives to improve women’s economic opportunities, efforts to promote gender equality and social inclusion mostly remain separate from the nation’s development programs.[11]

From the gender and social inclusion perspective, women (including those engaged in formal or informal employment) contribute to their family’s livelihood by undertaking their traditional roles such as providing the necessary levels of water, heat, food – tending small gardens and large plots of land, growing fruits, vegetables, caring for livestock, production of dairy products for family consumption and for sales in the community. Women spend as much time on nonmarket or unpaid activities as men spend on paid work. However, this economic benefit derived from women’s contribution has not been calculated and is not included in GDP calculations. With regards to labor migration which allows people to earn a higher income, women are very unlikely to leave their families due to their reproductive functions which require their constant presence in their households.

Although the country continues its course towards achieving SDG targets, related challenges such as inequality and rural-urban and regional disparities persist. Poverty is concentrated in rural areas, distant from centers of economic activity and with inferior public services and infrastructure. Incomes are below the national average in the remote region of Karakalpakstan (the persistently high poverty level in Karakalpakstan (27%) is directly linked to the Aral Sea crisis[12]), in the rural provinces of Jizzakh, Samarkand, Surkhandarya, and Kashkadarya, and in the three regions of the Fergana Valley—Namangan, Andijan, and Fergana. The urban-rural disparity in poverty is also attributed to low productivity in labor-intensive agriculture, deficiencies in the coverage and quality of infrastructure, existence of informality in the labor market, and regional disparities in funding.[13]

 

[1] World Bank (2019).  Uzbekistan Overview. Retrieved from: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/uzbekistan/overview

[2] World Bank (2020). Europe and Central Asia Economic Update, Spring 2020: Fighting COVID-19. Washington, DC: World Bank. Retrieved from: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/33476

[3] World Bank (2018). Uzbekistan. Retrieved from: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.AGR.TOTL.ZS?locations=AM-UZ

[4] World Bank in Uzbekistan. (2019). Country Snapshot. Retrieved from: .http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/389531571374572251/Uzbekistan-Snapshot-Oct2019.pdf

[5] World Bank (2020). Fighting COVID-19. Europe and Central Asia Update. Retrieved from: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/33476/9781464815645.pdf

[6] The United Nations Development Programme (2018). Unsustainable employment in Uzbekistan: the status, problems and solutions (original publication in Russian. Retrieved from: https://www.uz.undp.org/content/uzbekistan/en/home/library/poverty/unsustainable-employment-in-uzbekistan–the-status–problems-and.html

[7] World Bank (2020). Europe and Central Asia Economic Update, Spring 2020 : Fighting COVID-19. Washington, DC: World Bank. Retrieved from: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/33476

[8] UNDP Human Development Report (2019). Inequalities in Human Development in the 21st Century. Retrieved from http://hdr.undp.org/sites/all/themes/hdr_theme/country-notes/UZB.pdf

[9] The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (2019). Third periodic report submitted by Uzbekistan under articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant, due in 2019. Retrieved from: https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=E%2fC.12%2fUZB%2f3&Lang=en

[10] The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2019). Gender, agriculture and rural development in Uzbekistan. Gender Assessment series. Retrieved from: http://www.fao.org/3/ca4628en/ca4628en.pdf

[11] Asian Development Bank (2018). Uzbekistan Country Gender Assessment. Retrieved from: https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/institutional-document/479841/uzbekistan-country-gender-assessment-update.pdf

[12] Refer to the table in P.11 of the Needs of the Population in the Aral Sea Region (2017) by the Institute for Social Research Under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan and UNDP

[13] Asian Development Bank (2019). Inclusive and sustainable growth assessment. Retrieved from: https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/linked-documents/04_UZB%20CPS_LD_ISGA.pdf. Uzbekistan: Country Partnership Strategy (2019-2023)

 

News

News • January 30, 2024

Memorandum of Understanding Signed Between GGGI Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan, January 30, 2024 – Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Agriculture, under the leadership of GGGI Uzbekistan Country Representative, Dr. Aaron Russell, and the Minister of Agriculture, H. E. Dr. Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov, signed a Memorandum of Understanding “On cooperation in the field of climate-smart agriculture and green growth” to […]

News • December 7, 2023

GGGI Uzbekistan Celebrates 20 Climate-Savvy Graduates from its Greenhouse Course!

Nukus, Uzbekistan, December 19, 2023 – GGGI Uzbekistan awarded certificates to 20 Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) specialists who have successfully completed the “Greenhouses and drip irrigation adapted to climate change” course on December 20.  The course was developed by GGGI and the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction of the Republic of Karakalpakstan (MEPR RK), with […]

News • December 2, 2023

Boosting Climate Resilience: GGGI Uzbekistan Conducted CSA Trainings in Karakalpakstan!

Nukus, Uzbekistan, December 2, 2023 – Against the backdrop of the Aral Sea’s dwindling shores, GGGI Uzbekistan spearheaded a series of capacity-building trainings as part of the KOICA-funded Green Rehabilitation Investment Project for Karakalpakstan Republic to Address Impacts of the Aral Sea Crisis (Aral Sea GRIP). Under the Aral Sea GRIP, GGGI Uzbekistan and the […]

News • November 11, 2023

GGGI Hosts the Second Business Development Platform Event for Farmers in Nukus

Nukus, Uzbekistan [February 17, 2023] – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) held its second Business Development Platform Expo for farmers. The event was welcomed and opened by Mr. Xojamurat Kaypnazarov, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Karakalpakstan, and Dr. Frank Rijsberman, GGGI Director General. The Business Development Platform (BDP) has been […]

News • November 7, 2023

GGGI Uzbekistan conducts the Second 2023 Project Steering Committee Meeting (PSC) for KOICA-funded Aral Sea GRIP

Tashkent, Uzbekistan, November 7, 2023– GGGI Uzbekistan held the Second Project Steering Committee Meeting (PSC) for Green Rehabilitation Investment Project for Karakalpakstan Republic to Address Impacts of the Aral Sea Crisis (Aral Sea GRIP). The PSC meeting presented the progress made since the last PSC meeting held on 19 April 2023 and the project implementation […]

News • November 6, 2023

GGGI Uzbekistan holds a Validation Workshop for SEA Scoping Report

Tashkent, Uzbekistan, November 6, 2023 – GGGI Uzbekistan held a Validation Workshop for the “Support for the Realization of a Pilot Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)” project implemented by GGGI in collaboration with Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan (MEEPCC).    On 15 February 2023, GGGI […]

News • October 10, 2023

Second Stakeholders’ Consultation Meeting: “Support for the Realization of a Pilot Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)” project

Tashkent, Uzbekistan, October 10, 2023 – GGGI Uzbekistan conducted the Second Stakeholders’ Consultation Meeting on the project “Support for the Realization of a Pilot Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)” implemented by GGGI in collaboration with Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan (MEEPCC). On 15 February […]

News • September 20, 2023

GGGI Uzbekistan Hands Planting Tools Over to the Forestry Committee of Karakalpakstan

Nukus, Uzbekistan, September 20, 2023– GGGI Uzbekistan handed over 1,384 planting tools to the Forestry Committee of Karakalpakstan to continue the government’s tree planting efforts in cities and towns in Karakalpakstan, to support farmers with trees and to afforest the Aral Sea seabed. The ceremony was organized within the framework of “Green Rehabilitation Investment Project […]

News • September 20, 2023

GGGI Uzbekistan signed an Agreement on Climate Change Adaptation Greenhouse Trainings with Karakalpakstan government

Nukus, Uzbekistan, September 20, 2023 – The Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction of the Republic of Karakalpakstan hosted the signing ceremony of an implementation note on joint capacity–building measures within the “Green Rehabilitation Investment Project for Karakalpakstan Republic to Address Impacts of the Aral Sea Crisis” (Aral Sea GRIP), GGGI project funded by KOICA.  […]

News • August 22, 2023

First Stakeholders’ Consultation Meeting: “Support for the Realization of a Pilot Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)” project

Tashkent, Uzbekistan, August 22, 2023– GGGI Uzbekistan held a Stakeholders’ Consultation Meeting on the project “Support for the Realization of a Pilot Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)” implemented by GGGI in collaboration with Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan (MEEPCC). On 15 February 2023, GGGI […]

News • June 27, 2023

GGGI and Chamber of Commerce Karakalpakstan Sign MoU for Sustainable Agri-business

Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan [June 27, 2023] – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and Karakalpakstan Republic Department of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan (QR SSP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Development of the Aral Sea Region. QR SSP is a non-government non-profit organization that provides services to business entities and […]

News • June 7, 2023

GGGI and German Sparkassenstiftung Holds a Meeting for Joint Green and Climate Resilient Business Plans

Tashkent, Uzbekistan [June 7, 2023] – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and German Sparkassenstiftung (DSIK) had a meeting at the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change to discuss further joint implementation of Green & Climate-Resilient Business Plans. Representatives of GIZ, SQB, and MK Bank also joined the meeting to provide valuable insights […]

News • May 13, 2023

Korean Ambassador and KOICA visit Karakalpakstan and GGGI Deputy Director for Asia mission

Nukus, Uzbekistan [May 13, 2023] – Dr. Jaeseung Lee, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Deputy Director for Asia and Head of Emerging Economies, visited Uzbekistan for a high-level mission to bolster project implementation and forge partnerships from May 3rd to May 13th. Dr. Lee had the opportunity to strengthen institutional ties between GGGI, government stakeholders, […]

News • April 19, 2023

GGGI Celebrates Successful Windbreak Planting and Project Progress in Karakalpakstan

Nukus, Uzbekistan [April 19, 2023] – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Uzbekistan and government partners marked a significant milestone by inaugurating the newly planted tree windbreaks in Bozataw and Kegeyli. This endeavor, aimed at protecting arable land was undertaken by the Forestry Enterprises Bozataw and Karauzyak under the Committee of Forestry of the Republic […]

News • February 17, 2023

GGGI Announces First-Year Achievements in Uzbekistan to Karakalpakstan Republic Government Partners

Nukus, Uzbekistan [February 17, 2023] – The Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, H.E. Mr. Farkhod Ermanov, held a meeting with Dr. Frank Rijsberman, the General Director of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), and Dr. Aaron Russell, the Country Representative of GGGI Uzbekistan. During the meeting, Dr. Rijsberman presented […]

News • February 16, 2023

GGGI Consults Partners on its Five-Year Country Planning Framework

Tashkent, Uzbekistan [February 16, 2023] – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) held its five-year Country Planning Framework (CPF) technical consultation for the period 2023–2027. The consultation brought together key government representatives, development partners, and other stakeholders to outline pathways to assist the Government of Uzbekistan in achieving its green growth goals and fostering climate-resilient […]

News • February 15, 2023

GGGI Uzbekistan Successfully Marks the First One-Year Anniversary of Country Office Opening

Tashkent, Uzbekistan [February 15, 2023] – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Uzbekistan marked the one-year anniversary of the opening of the Country Office in Tashkent. At a celebratory event several high-level dignitaries and guests, including H.E. Mr. Hee-sang Kim, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Uzbekistan, and H.E. Ms. Zehavit […]

News • February 7, 2023

Country Planning Framework (CPF) event with the Ministry of Natural Resources

On 24th of January 2023 in the Ministry of Natural Resources (MoNR) in Tashkent, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Uzbekistan held their Country Planning Framework (CPF) under the “Green Rehabilitation Investment Project for Karakalpakstan Republic to Address Impacts of the Aral Sea Crisis” (Aral Sea GRIP). Representatives from each department of the MoNR joined for […]

News • February 7, 2023

Meeting with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Natural Resources

On 19 January 2023, Dr. Aaron Russell, Country Representative of GGGI Uzbekistan, met H.E. Mr. Aziz A. Abdukhakimov, Minister for Natural Resources in Uzbekistan. In the meeting, the GGGI team briefed H.E. Mr. Abdukhakimov on the organisation’s support of Uzbekistan’s green growth as well as its comparative advantage, providing embedded technical and advisory services to […]

News • February 3, 2023

GGGI and the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade (MIFT) to further strengthen partnership in effective Aral Sea Strategy

On September 6, a meeting was held between H. E. Mr. Badriddin N. Abidov, Deputy Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, and Dr. Aaron Russell, Country Representative of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in Uzbekistan. During the meeting, H.E. Mr. Abidov acknowledged GGGI’s support for the State Committee for Ecology and Environmental Protection (SCEEP) […]

Projects

ROA02
Countries
ROA02 Green Rehabilitation Investment Project for Karakalpakstan Republic to Address Impacts of the Aral Sea Crisis (2021-2024)
Start Date Q3 2 JULY 2021
Funding Source
Actual Budget (USD) 5,600,000
Status Active
Thematic Area
  • Climate Resilient and Green Growth
View

Reports

Review of Strategic Plan 2015-2020: Commitments Delivered and Key Results Ecuador  • Uzbekistan  • Caribbean  • United Arab Emirates  • Lao PDR
Report
Review of Strategic Plan 2015-2020: Commitments Delivered and Key Results

Ecuador  • Uzbekistan  • Caribbean  • United Arab Emirates  • Lao PDR  • Viet Nam  • Cambodia  • Mongolia  • Saint Lucia  • Mozambique  • Guyana  • Papua New Guinea  • Colombia  • Nepal  • Costa Rica  • Hungary  • Fiji  • Philippines  • India  • Rwanda  • Jordan  • Senegal  • Kiribati  • Uganda  • Morocco  • Ethiopia  • Myanmar  • Burkina Faso  • Peru  • Green Cities  • Tonga  • Qatar  • Indonesia  • Forest (Sustainable) Landscapes  • México  • Sustainable Energy  • Thailand  • Vanuatu  • Green Buildings and Industry  • Gender and Inclusive Development  • Sustainable Transport  • Waste  • Solar Energy  • Sustainable Landscapes  • Green Finance  • Climate-Smart Agriculture  • Coastal Resilience

Second Joint Donor Review (2013) Pacific  • Uzbekistan  • Paraguay  • Papua New Guinea  • Costa Rica
Report
Second Joint Donor Review (2013)

Pacific  • Uzbekistan  • Paraguay  • Papua New Guinea  • Costa Rica  • India  • Kiribati  • Mongolia  • Philippines  • Rwanda  • Cambodia  • United Arab Emirates  • Viet Nam  • Guyana  • Ethiopia  • Qatar  • Peru  • Indonesia  • México  • Thailand

GGGI In-Country Staff

Aaron Russell

Country Representative, Uzbekistan