Uzbekistan has acceded to the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention). This significant step means that all five nations of Central Asia are now among the 48 Parties to this global treaty for environmental democracy.
By increasing transparency and promoting public engagement in environmental decision-making, the Convention will help Uzbekistan to uphold the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, enshrined in article 49 of the Constitution of Uzbekistan and universally recognized by the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly. It will also help the country to strengthen environmental governance, build resilience to disasters, facilitate the transition towards a green, digital and circular economy, and fulfill many other international commitments.
UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean stated: "I congratulate Uzbekistan on its accession to the Aarhus Convention. This milestone opens new opportunities to enhance effective environmental governance in the country and to share experience with other countries in Central Asia and worldwide. Effective and inclusive public participation and access to information and to justice are cross-cutting pillars for the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and are vital for climate action, pollution reduction and biodiversity protection."
Uzbekistan, the most populous country in Central Asia which is home to over 34 million people, is rich in natural resources and unique habitats. With considerable population and economic growth, the country faces persistent challenges in climate change mitigation and adaptation, water resource management, land degradation and pollution control, as highlighted in the latest state-of-the-environment report. These issues are compounded by the ongoing environmental disaster affecting the Aral Sea, which has seen a massive reduction in its size, turning the region into an arid, salty area known as the Aralkum Desert.
Ensuring effective and inclusive public participation in decision-making in such critical circumstances is therefore of great importance. The Aarhus Convention plays a crucial role in this regard as it provides the State with a solid framework to strengthen public trust and engagement in environmental decision-making. In addition, Uzbekistan may consider joining the Convention's Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (Protocol on PRTRs), aimed at facilitating public access to information on pollution, thereby assisting the Government and stakeholders in fact-based decision-making.
This decision comes as countries prepare for the eighth session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Aarhus Convention, to be held in Geneva, on 17-20 November, which will define priorities for future work.
Accession to the Aarhus Convention is built upon long-standing active participation by the Government and civil society of Uzbekistan in the work under the Aarhus Convention and capacity-building support from other Parties to the Aarhus Convention, UNECE and many partner organizations.
Uzbekistan will co-chair the 2025 Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region (2-3 April).
About the Aarhus Convention
The Aarhus Convention and its Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers empower people with the rights to access information, to participate in decision-making and to seek justice. Their powerful twin protections for the environment and human rights can help us respond to many of the challenges facing our world: from climate change and the loss of biodiversity, air and water pollution to poverty eradication and security. They provide a solid framework for Governments to engage the public effectively in implementing many international commitments, including the Pact for the Future and the 2030 Agenda with its Sustainable Development Goals. Both treaties are open for accession by any United Nations Member State.
A list of the 48 Parties to the Convention is available at https://unece.org/environment-policy/public-participation/aarhus-convention/status-ratification.
