The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), in close partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with the financial support of the European Union (EU), hosted a regional coordination meeting of Aarhus Centres and key stakeholders from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan on 17-18 July 2025 in Khujand, Tajikistan. As part of the project "Stakeholder Engagement for Uranium Legacy Remediation in Central Asia" (Phase III), the event focused on strengthening regional cooperation and people-centered solutions in addressing uranium legacy risks in Central Asia.
"Let me emphasize that our project is a unique example of sustainable partnership among international organizations, national institutions, the expert community, and, most importantly, the citizens themselves," said Ambassador Alexey Rogov, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.
During the event, Aarhus Centres and equivalent organisations from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan signed their first trilateral Memorandum of Cooperation and Cooperation Plan for 2025-2027, marking a path for a more structured regional cooperation in the field of uranium legacy remediation, including efforts for the social and economic development of regions affected by uranium mining. The purpose of Aarhus Centres is to provide platforms to engage citizens, governments and the private sector in a dialogue on environmental challenges.
"Today's signing of the Joint Plan and the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Aarhus Centres for 2025-2027 marks an important step toward more coordinated and long-term collaboration. I am confident that such initiatives lay a solid foundation for sustainable development in the region," added Tatiana Turkan, Acting Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe.
The meeting also served as a platform to review the activities of Aarhus Centres in Osh (Kyrgyzstan), Khujand (Tajikistan), and the Federation of Sport and Eco-Tourism in Uzbekistan. Representatives of national radiation safety authorities, OSCE Field Operations, EU Delegation to Uzbekistan, and civil society came together to evaluate progress, align coordination and cooperation mechanisms, and reinforce joint objectives. The meeting included site visits and experience-sharing on environmental safety, green infrastructure, and community-based initiatives.
"All participants of this project are bound by common interests. We will act together to strengthen both the safety and the good-neighbourly and sustainable future for the people of Central Asia," added Dr. Silke Kloever, Head of the Economic and Environmental Department, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan.
"Environmental and socio-economic issues with uranium mining legacy sites in Central Asia go beyond country borders. The Memorandum of Cooperation between Aarhus Centres in Central Asia is yet another milestone in finding and implementing common solutions. We are proud to fund this initiative, as we are witnessing a very strong cooperation among the countries of Central Asia and with the EU, highlighted Wim Riepma, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Uzbekistan.The coordination meeting was organized by the OSCE Office of the Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), in collaboration with the OSCE Field operations in Dushanbe, Bishkek, and Uzbekistan, with contributions from the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan.
The project "Stakeholder Engagement for Uranium Legacy Remediation in Central Asia" (Phase III), implemented jointly by the OSCE and UNDP with the EU financial support, aims to reduce environmental and socio-economic risks associated with uranium legacy sites (ULSs) through inclusive dialogue, public participation, and sustainable development measures in vulnerable communities. This joint initiative builds upon past efforts to mitigate uranium risks by supporting inclusive development and public engagement.
