EIP Workshop within InnoWeek-2024

On November 14, 2024, the Radisson Blu Hotel in Tashkent hosted a pivotal seminar titled “The Concept of Eco-Industrial Parks as an Innovative Solution for Increasing Competitiveness in Uzbekistan.” This significant event, conducted within the framework of INNOWEEK-2024, was organized as part of the UNIDO “Eco-Industrial Parks Introduction in Uzbekistan” Project, funded by the German Federal Government through GIZ.

The seminar drew over 40 participants, including government representatives, industry leaders, international experts, and stakeholders from pilot industrial zones. The event aimed to highlight the potential of Eco-Industrial Parks (EIPs) to drive sustainable and inclusive industrial development in Uzbekistan by integrating resource efficiency, environmental management, and industrial symbiosis into industrial zones.

The event commenced with welcoming speeches by Igor Eremenko (GIZ), who provided an insightful introduction to the project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). He explained that this initiative is part of the broader GIZ project “Private Sector Development and Economic Policy Advice in Uzbekistan.” Igor highlighted the project’s contributions, including capacity-building support, the promotion of industrial modernization, and tools like the develoPPP initiative to foster private-sector involvement in sustainable development.

Further Tatiana Chernyavskaya, UNIDO Project Manager, elaborated on the purpose and progress of the Eco-Industrial Parks Introduction in Uzbekistan Project, emphasizing its goal to enhance resource efficiency and environmental performance in industrial zones. She underlined UNIDO’s commitment to leveraging its global expertise to implement successful and sustainable solutions in Uzbekistan.

Tatiana also announced future plans to broaden the scope of communication with project stakeholders, ensuring transparent information exchange and collaboration. This includes the dissemination of achievements, case studies, and activities through diverse communication channels. Additionally, she revealed plans to establish a dedicated project website, which will serve as a centralized communication tool, providing stakeholders with regular updates, resources, and insights.

Mr. Sanjar Berdiev (Agency for Innovative Development) welcomed participants, stating the critical importance of innovation and sustainable industrial practices for Uzbekistan’s long-term economic growth and global competitiveness. He emphasized that transitioning traditional industrial zones into eco-industrial parks aligns with the country's broader strategy for modernizing its industrial sector, fostering innovation ecosystems, and meeting environmental sustainability goals.

Mr. Berdiev highlighted the pivotal role of the Agency for Innovative Development in facilitating collaboration between industry, academia, and government to create a robust framework for innovation. He expressed optimism that the Eco-Industrial Parks (EIP) Project would serve as a catalyst for driving resource efficiency, reducing industrial waste, and enhancing productivity across Uzbekistan's industrial zones.

This opening statement set the tone for the seminar, underscoring the significance of EIPs in transforming Uzbekistan’s industrial landscape while aligning with global trends in sustainable development.

Highlights of the Seminar:

Overview of Industrial Zones was provided by Dostonbek Abdirahmanov, representing the Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade, presenting an in-depth overview of Uzbekistan’s industrial zones. He discussed their current state, highlighting key achievements, existing challenges, and the immense potential for growth through the integration of eco-industrial park principles.

In the keynote presentation of Global Best Practices, Mr. Dick van Beers (UNIDO) presented successful case studies and best practices from leading eco-industrial parks worldwide, including examples of industrial symbiosis such as Kalundborg in Denmark. He emphasized the transformative benefits of EIPs, including improved resource efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and strengthened industrial collaboration. Dick also introduced UNIDO’s EIP tools, providing a framework for guiding industrial zones in adopting sustainable practices.

Representatives from the pilot zones, FEZ "Urgut" (Ahrorov Ulug’bek) and SIZ "Mechanic" (Kimsanboyev Jamshid), shared general information about their respective zones. They elaborated on initial steps taken to integrate EIP principles, highlighting resource-efficient practices and future plans for adopting green technologies.

Further Policy and Legislation matters associated with enabling environment for EIPs were presented by Jean-Paul Gauthier, Senior expert of UNIDO, who proposed enhancements to Uzbekistan’s legislative framework to incorporate EIP principles. He outlined practical measures such as regulatory incentives, streamlined processes for industrial cooperation, and alignment with international standards to support sustainable industrial transformation.

Cleaner Production and Industrial Symbiosis options resulting from visits to enterprises-residents of pilot zones were presented by Saidkamol Burkhanov. He highlighted early results from Resource-Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) assessments showcasing opportunities for minimizing waste and fostering collaboration among businesses through industrial symbiosis.

The seminar concluded with an engaging discussion session, where participants posed various questions on EIP implementation, challenges, and future steps. The discussion was moderated by Oleg Rijichenko, National Project Coordinator and led by Tatiana Chernyavskaya, who provided detailed responses, shared insights on project progress, and addressed the practicalities of adapting global best practices to Uzbekistan’s industrial landscape.

Looking Ahead The event underscored Uzbekistan's commitment to advancing sustainable industrial practices through eco-industrial parks. By leveraging international expertise and promoting robust stakeholder engagement, the project aims to serve as a model for sustainable industrial development in the region.