On November 4, 2025, the Practice Manager for Environment and Social Development for Europe and Central Asia of the World Bank, Ms Gayane Minasyan, met with the team of the Uzbekistan Resilient Landscape Restoration Project (RESILAND Uzbekistan). The meeting took place at the World Bank office in Uzbekistan.
The meeting was also attended by Erkin Mukhitdinov, Director of the Forestry Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, who warmly welcomed Gayane Minasyan and expressed his gratitude to the World Bank for supporting land restoration initiatives.
During the discussion, participants reviewed the progress and key results of the Uzbekistan Resilient Landscape Restoration Project and outlined plans for the 2026–2027 implementation period across all project components.
Director of the Forestry Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Erkin Mukhitdinov, emphasized that through the RESILAND project, over 226,000 hectares of forest and rangeland areas are being restored, contributing to the improvement of local livelihoods and sustainable land management practices.
Particular attention was given to the project’s contribution to climate change adaptation and the restoration of forest ecosystems in the arid and mountainous regions of Uzbekistan. The sustainable land use approaches play a crucial role in reducing ecosystem vulnerability and enhancing community resilience.
The meeting was held in a constructive atmosphere, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to continued cooperation in scaling up landscape restoration, strengthening institutional capacity, and supporting sustainable natural resource management in Uzbekistan.
Background:
Gayane Minasyan is the Practice Manager for Environment and
Social Development for Europe and Central Asia
She has extensive experience in managing sustainable development, environmental policy, and climate-related initiatives.
The Uzbekistan Resilient Landscape Restoration Project is part of the World Bank’s RESILAND CA+ program, aimed at strengthening landscape resilience across Central Asian countries. Similar national and regional activities are also being implemented in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
RESILAND Uzbekistan is implemented by the Agency for Afforestation, Expansion of Green Areas, and Combating Desertification under the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with financial support from the World Bank, PROGREEN, and KWPF.
The Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) implements the regional component of the project.
Contact information:
Asferachew Abate – Senior Environmental Specialist at The World Bank
Azamat Kauazov - Deputy Team Leader of Uzbekistan Resilient Landscape Restoration project: regional component, CAREC