Public participation in environmental issues was discussed in Tashkent.

A training seminar on civil society participation in addressing environmental issues and preparing "alternative" reports on international human rights treaties was held in Tashkent. The event, held on August 28, was organized by the National Human Rights Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the National Association of Non-Governmental Non-Commercial Organizations of Uzbekistan, according to the National Human Rights Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The seminar, which brought together approximately 30 NGO representatives from various regions of the country, including staff from the Association's central office and regional branches, was held at the Human Rights House.

This event was organized as part of the "Roadmap for the Implementation of the Fifth Phase of the World Program for Human Rights Education in the Republic of Uzbekistan," approved by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. PKM-91 of March 3, 2026.

Akmal Saidov, Director of the National Center for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Kamoliddin Ishankhodjaev, Chairman of the Council of the National Association of NGOs; and Erkin Isakulov, Human Rights Advisor at the Regional Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for Central Asia, spoke at the opening of the seminar.

Participants emphasized the importance of cooperation between government agencies and civil society institutions to continue human rights reforms. The presentations also emphasized that the protection and practical implementation of human rights and freedoms are priorities for a democratic state.

Akmal Saidov announced the adoption of a special action plan in Uzbekistan in connection with the 60th anniversary of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. He stated that the seminar is timed to coincide with this anniversary, and that the protection of human rights is a shared responsibility of the state and society, including civil society institutions.

Particular attention was paid to the constitutional and legal foundations of civil society institutions. Saidov noted that the new version of the Constitution, adopted in 2023 by popular referendum, enshrined the strategic goal of building a sovereign, democratic, and rule-of-law state. Furthermore, for the first time, national legislation now includes a separate Chapter XIII, dedicated to civil society institutions, whose status has been enshrined at the constitutional level.

According to Saidov, the principle of "Respect for Human Dignity" has become the primary criterion for the country's development, and large-scale human rights reforms are being implemented as part of the "Uzbekistan 2030" strategy. He also reported that Uzbekistan has ratified 11 of the 18 UN international human rights treaties, including seven core treaties and four optional protocols. Since the establishment of the National Center, 52 national reports have been submitted to the relevant UN statutory and treaty bodies.

The seminar also discussed the role of non-governmental organizations in international human rights monitoring. According to the data presented, more than 140 international and national NGOs have prepared "alternative" reports for the relevant UN committees in connection with the implementation of international conventions. These include 22 organizations operating in Uzbekistan.

The practical part of the seminar was conducted by Artur Yatsevich, Human Rights Advisor at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. He discussed international human rights monitoring mechanisms, interaction with UN statutory bodies, and modern methodology and international standards for preparing "alternative" reports by civil society institutions.

The second part of the seminar focused on the principles of the Aarhus Convention and expanding public participation in environmental decision-making. A representative of the National Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Ecology and Climate Change presented the three main pillars of the convention to the participants: access to environmental information, public participation in environmental decision-making, and access to justice for the protection of environmental rights.

Following the seminar, NGO representatives gained practical skills in preparing "alternative" reports in the area of human rights and recommendations for applying the principles of the Aarhus Convention. The proposals generated during the event are planned to be presented to the relevant government agencies. This is expected to contribute to the further improvement of decision-making mechanisms in the areas of human rights and environmental protection.