This report is prepared within the framework of UNDP/GEF “National Capacity Needs Self-Assessment for Global Environmental Management (NCSA) Project, implemented by Glavhydromet of the Republic of Uzbekistan and accomplished by United Nation Development Program (UNDP) with Global Environment Facilities (GEF) financial support. Project objective was the capacity needs assessment for fulfillment of Uzbekistan commitments on UN Conventions on Biological diversity, Climate Change and Combat Desertification. Eventual project goal was the development of the National Action Plan for capacity building in the cross-cutting areas that would ensure synergistic effect. The following specialists took part in implementation of the cross – cutting report : Mr. U. Abdullaev Working gropp Coordinate, Institute “Uzgipromeliovodhoz” Ms. G. Bensitova Fergana Oblast Department, State Committee for Nature Protection Mr. A. Voronov Institute “Uzgipromeliovodkhoz” Ms. I. Zholdasova Karakalpak Institute of Biology Mr. E. Karimov Karshi Institute of Engineering and Economics Mr. V. Mirzoev Samarkand Oblast Department, Uzhydromet Mr. Sh. Mirkhabibov Ministry of Economy Mr. M. Mirkhodjiev Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of Uzbekistan Mr. D. Pardiev Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. A. Rafikov Interstate Sustainable Development Commission (ISDC) in Uzbekistan Mr. K. Sadikov State Committee for Nature Protection Mr. G. Samoilov State Committee for Nature Protection Mr. S. Sanginov NNO “Logos” Ms. G. Tolkacheva NIGMI Mr. A. Tukhtaev TDPU Mr. U. Uzakov Institute “Uzgipromeliovodkhoz” Mr. G. Usupov TIAME Ms. M. Fazilova Institute of Strategic Researches under President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ms. G. Khakimova Bukhara Oblast Department, Uzhydromet Mr. A. Khuzhabekov Scientific and Production Association “Agroimdunyo” Ms. N. Shulepina Newspaper “Pravda Vostoka” Project Coordinator – Mr. Victor Chub Project Manager – Ms. Raisa Taryannikova International consultant – Mr. Arturo Garcia-Costas ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Project staff greatly appreciates the inputs of all organizations and individuals that have made this study possible. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................... 4 1. INTERRELATED REQUIREMENTS OF THE THREE GLOBAL ECOLOGICAL CONVENTIONS: FCCC, CBD, CCD .......................................................................................................................................................................... 6 2. METHODOLOGY OF THE CROSS-CUTTING ASSESSMENT ...................................................................... 10 3. NATURE PROTECTION POLICY: THE LEGISLATIVE BASIS, ITS REGULATION AND USE ................ 13 3.1 Recommendations on Improvement and Development of Environmental Legislation ..................................... 19 4. INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING THE NATIONAL, REGIONAL, ANA LOCAL RELATIONSHIPS ............................................................................................................................................................ 21 4.1 Assessment of Capacity Needs to Meet the Commitments to the Global Conventions .................................... 23 4.2 Recommendations on Improvement and Development of the Institutional Basis for Implementation of the Conventions .................................................................................................................................................................. 32 5. NATURE PROTECTION MONITORING AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT ...................................... 34 5.1 Strengths and Weaknesses of the Existing System for Ecological Monitoring and Information Management 34 5.2 Assessment of Capacity Needs for Ecological Monitoring and Information Management .............................. 37 5.3 Recommendations on Improvement and Development of Environment Monitoring and Management of Information ................................................................................................................................................................... 37 6. ECONOMIC MECHANISMS FOR NATURE PROTECTION AND FINANCIAL TOOLS ............................. 40 6.1 Financial Tools and Mechanisms for Nature Protection ................................................................................... 41 6.2 Shortfalls of the Current Mechanisms and Capacity Development Needs ........................................................ 45 6.3 Recommendations on Efficiency Improvement for the Use of Economic Mechanisms ................................... 46 7. INTERSECTORAL INTEGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT ........................................... 48 7.1 Current Problems and Capacity Needs on General Sectors of Nature Management ......................................... 48 7.2 Strengths and Weaknesses of Natural Resources Management ........................................................................ 54 7.3 Recommendations on Capacity Development to Comply with the Conventions Requirements ....................... 57 8. PUBLIC AWARENESS IMPROVEMENT AND ECOLOGICAL EDUCATION ............................................. 60 8.1 Capacity Conditions and Factors Impeding its Development ........................................................................... 61 8.1.1 Science ................................................................................................................................................................... 61 8.1.2 Ecological Education ............................................................................................................................................. 62 8.1.3 Recommendations .................................................................................................................................................. 65 8.1.4 Informational Resources ........................................................................................................................................ 65 8.1.5 Public Awareness ................................................................................................................................................... 66 8.1.6 Public Participation ................................................................................................................................................ 68 9. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND EXTERNAL COOPERATION .................................................................. 71 9.1 Strengths and Weaknesses ................................................................................................................................ 71 9.2 External Cooperation ........................................................................................................................................ 73 9.3 Recommendations for Capacity Development .................................................................................................. 74 10. STRENGTHENING/BUILDING CAPACITY STRATEGY TO BETTER MEET GENERAL COMMITMENTS UNDER THE THREE CONVENTIONS .......................................................................................... 76 10.1 Capacity needs that are common for the three Conventions ............................................................................. 76 10.2 Key principles and approaches of the strategy .................................................................................................. 76 10.3 Intended and Specific Objectives of Strategy ................................................................................................... 77 11. REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................................................... 91 12. ANNEXES ............................................................................................................................................................ 92 Annex 1.1 Identification of Cross-cutting Capacity Needs ................................................................................... 92 Annex 1.2. Matrix of Cross-cutting Priorities ....................................................................................................... 94 Annex 1.3 Matrix of priorities and strategic objectives identified in the process of thematic assessment and cross-cutting on three conventions. ....................................................................................................................... 96 Annex 2.1 List of Legislative Acts in the Field of Nature Protection and Natural Resources Use of the Republic of Uzbekistan ...................................................................................................................................................... 106 Annex 2.2 List of Legislative Acts in the Field of Nature Protection and Natural Resources Use of the Republic of Uzbekistan ...................................................................................................................................................... 107 2 ABBREVIATION ADB Asian Development Bank AISHF Automated Informative System of Hydrological Forecasts AS Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan ASPS Autonomous Solar Power System FEA Farming Entities Association GDP Gross Domestic Product GIS Geographic Information System SSTP State Scientific and Technical Program GEF Global Environmental Facility DS ESEIA Documentation Search and Expert System for Environmental Impact