The construction of cement factories in Uzbekistan will be suspended - Minister of Ecology

The construction of new cement plants in Uzbekistan is set to be put on hold, as announced by Aziz Abduhakimov, the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, during a meeting of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis on January 30. A moratorium on such constructions is to be declared to address environmental concerns.

Abduhakimov disclosed the decision, stating, "We will announce a moratorium on the construction of new cement plants in Uzbekistan; we will stop it."

Currently, Uzbekistan has 47 cement factories, with 23 temporarily suspended and 90 percent of the remaining ones failing to meet environmental standards. The minister emphasized the significant emission of harmful substances by cement plants and the adverse impact on nature, tourist areas, and the population.

Highlighting the environmental risks associated with cement production, Abduhakimov expressed the need for stricter penalties. He revealed plans to introduce fines of at least 10 billion soums for violations, aiming to compel factories to install modern pollution control equipment.

Additionally, the minister reinstated the environmental expertise process, which had been previously abolished. Environmental assessments are now mandatory for new projects, ensuring that new factories adhere to environmental standards. This change came into effect on November 1, 2023, reinstating ecological examinations for site selection and project-estimate document approval.

The minister emphasized that the current cement production capacity in Uzbekistan exceeds national needs by more than double. A government decision was made to address this surplus, aligning with the moratorium on new constructions.

During the meeting, Abduhakimov also noted the increase in PM 2.5 particles in Tashkent city's air, attributing 60-65 percent of it to emissions from vehicles using AI-80 gasoline.