A kick-off meeting for the regional project “Stakeholder Engagement for Uranium Legacy Remediation in Central Asia” (Phase III) was held in Tashkent on April 17-18. The main purpose of this event was to present and discuss the plans for Phase III of the project with government institutions and national and international partners from three Central Asian countries. The meeting also served as a platform to develop proposals for coordination and cooperation mechanisms to ensure the effective implementation of the project, the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan reported.
The project aims to reduce risks associated with uranium waste to human health and the environment and improve living conditions in local communities in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan through inclusive, gender-responsive, and community-centered approaches. In Phase III, the project will focus on raising public awareness, enhancing mechanisms for engagement with local authorities, and strengthening regional cooperation for effective remediation of uranium legacy sites.
Phases I and II of the project achieved key milestones that laid the groundwork for Phase III, including: installing seven power transformer stations; placing 120 radiation safety signs; supporting seven local businesses; training over 500 community members in entrepreneurship; equipping the Ministry of Emergency Situations with dosimetry tools; distributing tailored educational materials; and implementing four of eight selected community projects in Uzbekistan across agriculture, energy, and tourism.
Jana Kurpiša, Program Manager at the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan stated that: “With the financial support of the EU, the project is focused on empowering local communities in the most marginalized areas of the region. Despite this focus, it also directly contributes to the Central Asian states efforts towards stronger regional dialogue and cooperation”.
The project is implemented by UNDP and the OSCE with the support of the European Union.
