Mirziyoyev directs approval of air pollution control plan  

Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov has been instructed to approve a comprehensive program within two months to combat air pollution in the country. The initiative includes the gradual installation of dust gas and local water purification systems at industrial enterprises and greenhouses, along with strict monitoring of its implementation. This directive is outlined in the Presidential Decree, "On the State Program for the Implementation of the 'Uzbekistan-2030' Strategy in the Year of Environmental Protection and the Green Economy," issued on February 7.

As part of this decree, measures will be introduced from August 1, 2025, to encourage enterprises classified under categories I and II in terms of environmental impact to adopt eco-friendly production methods:

1. First stage: Enterprises that install background monitoring stations for atmospheric air pollution will receive the following benefits:
   - Debts accumulated from compensation payments for environmental damage will be waived.
   - Up to 50 percent of compensation payments made to the republican budget for environmental damage will be refunded over two years.

2. Second stage: Enterprises that, after installing monitoring stations, also install dust-gas and local water purification equipment within the next year will be eligible for:
   - A refund of up to 70 percent of compensation payments made to the republican budget for environmental damage over two years.

These benefits will be provided through public service centers or the Unified Interactive Public Services Portal based on conclusions issued by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change.

Additionally, by November 1, 2025, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change is tasked with developing a draft law for the phased introduction of a system of compulsory insurance against environmental damage caused by enterprises and organizations engaged in economic activities.

“The Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, A. Aripov, shall approve within two months a program for the prevention of atmospheric air pollution in the republic, particularly through the phased installation of dust-gas and local water purification equipment at industrial enterprises and greenhouses, and shall strictly monitor its implementation,” the decree states.

According to the document, the heads of ministries and departments, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, and the governors of regions and Tashkent city are responsible and personally liable for the effective implementation of the decree. The Republican Commission for the Implementation of the "Uzbekistan-2030" Strategy is assigned to oversee the execution of the decree, coordinate relevant activities, and monitor progress. The President of Uzbekistan will receive quarterly updates on the measures taken.