The European Union, OSCE and UNDP have launched a new phase of the uranium legacy rehabilitation project. The kick-off meeting took place in Tashkent on April 17-18, the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan said.
The meeting discussed plans for the implementation of the third phase of the regional project “Stakeholder Engagement for Uranium Legacy Remediation in Central Asia”. It was attended by officials of governments, local authorities, non-governmental organizations and key partners.
The participants developed joint recommendations for improving cooperation and sustainable management of uranium legacy sites.
The project aims to reduce the risks associated with uranium waste for human health and the environment, as well as to improve living conditions in local communities in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
The first and second phases of the project achieved key goals: 7 transformer substations were installed, 120 radiation safety signs were placed, the Ministry of Emergency Situations was equipped with dosimetry tools. Specialized educational materials were distributed among local residents.
The project supported 7 local businesses in uranium mining areas, trained over 500 community members in entrepreneurship, and implemented 4 out of 8 selected community projects in Uzbekistan in the fields of agriculture, energy, and tourism.
In the third phase, the project will focus on raising public awareness, improving mechanisms for interaction with local authorities, and strengthening regional cooperation for the effective restoration of uranium legacy sites.
Zulfiqor Qilichev, a representative of the Department of Radiation, Chemical, and Medical-Biological Protection of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Uzbekistan, noted the importance of the project, emphasizing that it will contribute to ensuring regional and global security.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Uzbekistan Anas Fayyad Qarman called on partners to be proactive in restoring the communities of Central Asia most affected by the dangers of uranium legacy, leaving no one behind.
