National Conference “Eco-Industrial Parks in Uzbekistan: Progress and Perspectives”20 November 2025 | Tashkent, Uzbekistan

On 20 November 2025, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) jointly hosted the National Conference “Eco-Industrial Parks in Uzbekistan: Progress and Perspectives”, held at the U-Enter Innovation Center in Tashkent. The event gathered over 70 representatives from government institutions, international organizations, academia, pilot industrial zones, and private sector partners to review the results of the Eco-Industrial Parks (EIP) initiative and discuss pathways for scaling the model nationwide.

The conference was conducted within the framework of the project “Private Sector Development and Economic Policy Advice in Uzbekistan”, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ. UNIDO leads the technical implementation of the Eco-Industrial Parks Pilot Initiative, focusing on transforming the Urgut Free Economic Zone (Samarkand region) and the Fergana “Mechanic” Small Industrial Zone into modern, resource-efficient, and socially responsible industrial parks aligned with the International Framework for Eco-Industrial Parks.

High-Level Opening and Strategic Messages 

The conference opened with welcoming remarks from representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, GIZ, and UNIDO. Speakers emphasized Uzbekistan’s strong commitment to industrial modernization, sustainable economic development, and the development of competitive and environmentally sound industrial zones.

In her address, Tatiana Chernyavskaya, UNIDO Project Manager, highlighted the strategic significance of Uzbekistan’s ongoing transformation:

“Eco-Industrial Parks are not only about technology or compliance. They are about modernizing the industrial ecosystem—creating parks that are more competitive, resource-efficient, and attractive for investment.”

Representing GIZ, Beate Schoreit, Programme Manager for Sustainable Economic Development, reaffirmed GIZ’s support for green industrialisation efforts:

“The EIP model demonstrates how cooperation between government, international partners, and industry can generate real value—reducing resource use, improving competitiveness, and enabling Uzbekistan’s transition toward a greener economy.”

Presentation of Project Achievements

During the technical session, key project experts and national  partners presented concrete progress achieved since the launch of the initiative in 2023.

EIP Project Overview and Results

Oleg Rijichenko, UNIDO National Project Coordinator, provided an overview of the work completed in the pilot zones, including capacity-building activities, EIP opportunity assessments, industrial synergy development, Resource Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production ( RECP ) assessments, and policy advisory processes.

Global Best Practices

UNIDO International EIP expert Ankit Kapasi shared lessons learned from global programmes, including approaches to park management, resource efficiency, circularity, and socially inclusive development.

Institutional and Policy Alignment

The Institute for Legislation and Legal Policy presented ongoing efforts to integrate EIP principles into Uzbekistan’s regulatory framework, supporting long-term institutionalization.

Gender Equality Dimensions

UNIDO National Gender Expert Nargizakhon Khujayeva spoke about gender-responsive park management and the importance of inclusive decision-making in sustainable industrial development. 

Technical Results from Pilot Zones

The second part of the conference focused on progress achieved directly in the two pilot industrial zones:

• Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) Assessments: Conducted by newly-trained Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RECP) experts, covering 20 companies, identifying opportunities for energy savings, water efficiency, waste reduction, and cost optimization.

• EIP Management and Operational Improvements: Representatives of Urgut FEZ and Mechanic SIZ shared their experiences in improving zone administration, infrastructure planning, environmental management, and stakeholder engagement.

• Water Management and Renewable Energy Feasibility Studies:The national expert organisations engaged by UNIDO presented solutions for wastewater treatment in Urgut FEZ and shared findings on solar energy integration in the pilot zones.

  
  

Award Ceremony and Recognition 

A dedicated ceremony was held to award RECP certificates to participating companies, national experts, and industrial zone representatives for their contribution to advancing green industrial practices. The recognition underscores the growing national capacity to independently implement EIP-aligned solutions.

Discussion, Media Coverage, and Networking

The conference concluded with an open discussion on scaling EIP models in Uzbekistan, challenges faced by park management, and priority areas for future international cooperation. A networking reception followed, providing an opportunity for participants to exchange insights and explore collaboration opportunities.

Looking Ahead

The successful implementation of EIP principles in the two pilot zones demonstrates the viability of a nationwide transition toward greener and more competitive industrial development. The Government of Uzbekistan, with support from UNIDO and GIZ, plans to continue advancing the EIP agenda through policy reforms, capacity building, and further assessments.

The conference reaffirmed that Eco-Industrial Parks can play a transformative role in improving industrial performance, attracting investment, and supporting Uzbekistan’s commitments to sustainability and innovation.