Three UNDP projects conducted training for members of Uzbek Parliament on environmental issues and practical methods of environmental assessment of legislative documents. The UNDP-GEF “Strengthening National Capacity in Rio Convention Implementation through Targeted Institutional Strengthening and Professional Development”, UNDP-GEF-GIZ-GM “Multi-country Capacity Building Project of Central Asian Countries Initiative for Land Management” and UNDP “Parliamentary Development Assistance” projects joined efforts for this initiative.

Currently environmental issues and sustainable natural resource management are among the priorities of Uzbek Government. Substantial efforts are being undertaken towards modernization of basic sectors of the economy through introduction of energy efficient and resource saving technologies as well as using modern land reclamation and integrated water resource management approaches in agricultural sector. In this regard further development and effective mainstreaming of environmental priorities into the national legislation is important.

More than 90 members of Legislative Chamber of Uzbek Parliament representing various political parties, movements and regions attended the workshop to discuss global and national environmental priorities in the areas of climate change, land degradation and biodiversity conservation as well as review of national legislation in the area of environment protection.

The training sessions started with brief thematic presentations and demonstration of video materials followed by interactive discussions and group work. Workshop participants were actively involved by sharing their views on various environmental issues and proposed recommendations towards solving those including measures on climate change adaptation, combating desertification and land degradation as well as biodiversity conservation. Special session was on review of existing national legislation in the area of environment protection and improving practical skills of participants to carry out environmental assessment of legislative documents.

Now Uzbek Parliament members have a better understanding of global and national environmental priorities as well as enhanced professional skills in assessing the environmental impact of legislative documents. Several practical methods introduced during the training workshop would further contribute to better mainstreaming of environmental priorities into national legislation.