TASHKENT, October 15. /Dunyo IA/. October 13-17, Uzbekistan is proudly hosting the Annual Meeting of the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) in Tashkent, marking the first time this prestigious international gathering is held in Central Asia, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The event is jointly organized by the GEN Secretariat and the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The high-level event brings together over 60 delegates from 25 countries, representing global ecolabelling systems, international organizations, and expert communities. This milestone aligns with the strategic environmental goals set by the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, particularly in advancing sustainable development and integrating into international green initiatives.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister Aziz Abdukhakimov emphasized that ecolabelling is not merely a certification tool but a powerful mechanism to build trust between producers, the government, and consumers. He stated that:

- "Ecolabelling stands as a sign of quality, safety, and environmental responsibility. We view it as a strategic pillar in forming a competitive, innovative, and environmentally conscious national economy. The successful implementation of the voluntary national ecolabelling system "Yashil Belgi" is a source of pride for us".

GEN Chairperson K.S. Venkataraghavan acknowledged Uzbekistan’s leadership in the region, stating:

"The GEN Council considers Central Asia a key growth region in the coming decade, and Uzbekistan a pivotal coordinator for this work. We believe our collaboration can become a model of regional integration in sustainable development".

The gathering features several landmark initiatives:

Business seminar titled "Ecolabelling in Uzbekistan: Eco-friendly Business, New Markets", - with participation from German and UNEP representatives;

Signing of memoranda between Uzbekistan’s State Centre for Environmental Certification and ecolabelling systems from Singapore, Thailand, Türkiye, Russia, Ukraine, and Germany;

- Presentation of the GEN Central Asia Coordination Centre concept under the Ministry of Ecology.

Over the past year, Uzbekistan has achieved significant progress in ecolabelling, including: Launching the "Yashil Belgi" ecolabelling system in line with ISO 14024 international standards; Adopting national standards for 22 product categories including agriculture, food, construction, and electronics; Becoming an associate member of GEN; Introducing preferential procurement procedures for ecolabelled products; Signing mutual recognition agreements with ecolabelling bodies in six countries; Issuing the first national ecolabel certificates to locally produced goods.

The GEN Assembly is expected to conclude on October 17, with key outcomes including: Strengthening Uzbekistan’s international cooperation in ecolabelling; Aligning the "Yashil Belgi" system with GEN global standards; Enhancing the export potential and global trust in Uzbek products; Official recognition of Uzbekistan as GEN’s Regional Coordinator in Central Asia.

The Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) is an international non-profit organization uniting over 30 national ecolabelling systems. It promotes experience-sharing, mutual recognition of standards, and environmentally responsible production.

Uzbekistan’s State Environmental Certification and Standardization Centre serves as the operator of the "Yashil Belgi" system, overseeing its development, participant accreditation, and international collaboration within GEN.

This week-long series of events marks Uzbekistan’s growing role in shaping global environmental policy and offers new opportunities for sustainable production and consumption in the region and beyond.

Uzbekistan launches "Yashil Belgi" and "Green Certificate" systems to boost eco-friendly economy

Unlike "Yashil belgi," which targets products, the "Green Certificate" focuses on certifying the production and service processes themselves. The system is administered by authorized certification bodies and emphasizes efficient use of natural resources and maintaining environmental safety without requiring state ecological inspections. This certification supports businesses in adopting sustainable practices, reducing environmental impact, and avoiding regulatory violations.

Implemented in phases, "Yashil belgi" and "Green Certificate" complement each other to offer a full-spectrum green transition for businesses — from raw material sourcing to finish product labeling. Certification under the new system will soon be available for over 100 categories of goods, including food, textiles, cosmetics, packaging, and more.