Uzbekistan’s practical steps toward acceding to the Minamata convention

In line with the “Environmental Protection Concept of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the period up to 2030”, approved by Presidential Decree No. PF–5863 dated October 30, 2019, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change is studying the issue of Uzbekistan’s accession to the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

As part of this work, a national questionnaire has been developed. Data collection is being carried out across key sectors of the economy, along with the preparation of the country’s first national mercury inventory and report.

From November 11 to 13 of this year, a technical seminar-training on mercury-related issues was held to support the accession process, reduce mercury emissions and waste, and strengthen the practical skills of the national inventory team in using the UN/UNITAR Mercury Inventory Toolkit.

The training was organized with the participation of FAO international consultant Jakob Maag and local specialists. It included presentations, practical exercises, and discussions.

Specialists from the Ecology and Green Economy Department of UzKimyoSanoat JSC also took an active part in the discussions. They assisted in completing the national questionnaire and contributed to Uzbekistan’s efforts to reduce mercury pollution risks and advance toward accession to the Minamata Convention.