UNIDO team of EIP Project and Uzbekistan’s Light Industry Development Agency Discuss Eco-Industrial Development of a New Industrial Zone

Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 17 July 2026 — Representatives of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Agency for the Development of Light Industry under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan held an online meeting to discuss potential cooperation on the sustainable development of a new industrial zone for leather, footwear and textile enterprises.

The Agency was represented by Mr. Shukhrat Oybekovich Abdurakhmanov, Head of the Department of Strategic Planning, Information and Analysis, and International Cooperation. UNIDO was represented by Ms. Tatiana Chernyavskaya, UNIDO Project Manager, and Mr. Branko Dunjic, UNIDO International Expert on Eco-Industrial Parks.

During the meeting, Mr. Abdurakhmanov presented plans to relaunch an industrial zone project. A dedicated management company has been established to manage the zone, while government funding has been secured to support infrastructure development, including the construction of wastewater treatment facilities. The infrastructure development is expected to be completed by 2027.

The initiative forms part of a broader government programme aimed at supporting the development and modernization of Uzbekistan’s leather, footwear and textile industries. Planned support measures include financial incentives for participating enterprises and assistance with the construction and expansion of production facilities.

UNIDO experts emphasized the importance of developing a comprehensive master plan before proceeding with major infrastructure investments. Such planning should take into account the number and types of enterprises expected to operate in the zone, their production processes, water consumption and wastewater characteristics, as well as their energy, transport, waste-management and shared-service requirements.

Mr. Dunjic noted that the capacity, location and technical configuration of wastewater treatment facilities should be determined only after projected industrial loads and infrastructure needs have been properly assessed. Beginning construction without sufficient information on future production and water demand could result in costly technical modifications at a later stage.

A comprehensive master plan could also help optimize the location of companies and shared infrastructure, reduce construction and utility costs, and identify opportunities for industrial symbiosis. These opportunities may include the reuse of treated wastewater, exchanges of materials and industrial by-products, shared renewable-energy systems and other circular-economy solutions.

Participants discussed the particular importance of water efficiency and circular water management for Uzbekistan. The proposed industrial zone could serve as a demonstration of how cleaner production, wastewater treatment and water-reuse technologies can be integrated into the development of a new industrial area from its earliest planning stages.

The discussion also addressed changing international environmental and trade requirements affecting leather, footwear and textile producers. Enterprises seeking access to global markets, particularly the European market, will increasingly need to demonstrate improved environmental performance, product traceability, resource efficiency and compliance with emerging requirements such as Digital Product Passports.

UNIDO representatives shared experience gained through the project “Introduction of Eco-Industrial Parks in Uzbekistan,” including work related to Eco-Industrial Park assessments, Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production, industrial symbiosis, renewable energy, wastewater treatment and circular resource management.

Potential areas of cooperation discussed during the meeting included:

• reviewing the proposed master plan and relevant technical documentation;

• supporting the preparation of an Eco-Industrial Park concept for the industrial zone;

• conducting preliminary technical or pre-feasibility assessments;

• providing advice on wastewater treatment, water reuse and shared infrastructure;

• identifying opportunities for industrial symbiosis and circular resource use;

• engaging international experts and sharing relevant international experience.

The parties agreed to continue consultations at the working level outlining the rationale, priorities, implementation timeline and proposed areas for UNIDO support.

The meeting marked an important initial step towards integrating sustainability, resource efficiency and circular-economy principles into the future development of Uzbekistan’s light industry.