Uzbekistan to establish agency for forests and green zones

Uzbekistan will establish a dedicated agency for forestry, green zone expansion, and combating desertification, according to a presidential decree, reports Nova24.uz.

The agency will be based on the Forest Management Agency under the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change. It will be responsible for forest inventory, maintaining a forest cadastre, and expanding the network of nurseries for trees and shrubs.

Key responsibilities include:
• Developing and implementing national programs for forest creation, protection, recovery, and sustainable use.
• Increasing investment attractiveness to modernize and diversify the forestry sector.
• Mitigating the effects of global climate change.
• Coordinating efforts against land degradation and desertification.
• Enhancing seed breeding and in vitro laboratories, and creating seed and seedling certification systems.
• Introducing digital systems like “Smart Forest”.
• Attracting international experts using grants and external funding.

The agency will serve as the executive body for the nationwide “Yashil Makon” project.