Tashkent, Uzbekistan – The European Union-funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA)” held a Closing Roundtable in Tashkent, presenting key achievements and lessons learned from its work in Uzbekistan. The event was attended by representatives of the Agency for Strategic Development and Reforms under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the EU Delegation to the Republic of Uzbekistan, financial institutions, and private sector stakeholders.

Mr Abdulla Abdukadirov, First Deputy Director of the Agency for Strategic Development and Reforms, and H.E. Mr Toivo Klaar, EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan, opened the Roundtable and welcomed the participants. In their remarks, they highlighted the importance of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU in strengthening energy security, further advancing energy sector reforms, and accelerating Uzbekistan’s green transition.

SECCA experts Mr Paata Janelidze, Ms Ilze Purina, and Mr Gayrat Tashmatov presented the project’s main approaches, activities, and results in Uzbekistan.

As defined by the project mission, SECCA has aimed to advance a more sustainable energy mix in Central Asia, including Uzbekistan. During its implementation period from March 2022 to May 2026, the project has provided a targeted technical assistance, policy advice, and capacity-building support, contributing to the following key results:

• strengthened legal and regulatory framework for improving energy efficiency in buildings, including support for the development of mechanisms to stimulate the market for energy service companies (ESCOs)
• enhanced institutional capacities for energy governance, strategic planning, and data-driven decision-making, particularly through the regional initiative on energy modelling
• enhanced support for renewable energy deployment, through the conducted assessment of technical potential of rooftop solar projects
• improved regional research cooperation to advance Uzbekistan’s participation in the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme
• increased public awareness about the benefits of sustainable energy achieved through EU Sustainable Energy Days campaign events, competitions, and other activities involving schools, universities, and general public.

Participants discussed priorities for future cooperation. Mr Sven Ernedal, Programme Manager of EU4SustainableCentralAsia, presented ongoing and planned activities in Uzbekistan, outlining opportunities for continuity and further support beyond SECCA.

The Roundtable reaffirmed the European Union’s long-term commitment to supporting Uzbekistan’s sustainable energy transition, in line with the country’s national policies and objectives.