PARTNERSHIP IN ACTION – UNDP AND UNHCR COOPERATION ON FORCED DISPLACEMENT AND STATELESSNESS UZBEKISTAN The Surkhandarya region in south-eastern Uzbekistan faces dust storms and erosion, which can be mitigated through tree-planting and afforestation. Uzbekistan is not yet a signatory to the Refugee Convention and does not have a national asylum system. People seeking international protection there are unable to access socio-economic rights – including employment – or essential services. In 2023, UNDP and UNHCR collaborated to enhance resilience to climate-related and environmental risks, and provide livelihoods opportunities for refugees and host communities. The project contributed to raising awareness about climate and environmental risks and gave the opportunity to over 400 refugees from Afghanistan and around 200 host community members to take part in the planting of tree seedlings in a 100-hectare green belt and a number of parks. In this project, UNDP and UNHCR partnered with the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and with the national ministries of finance, water resources and social support, and the regional forestry committee. References • • UNHCR, ‘Ministry of Natural Resources jointly with UNDP, UNHCR, UNECE support humanitarian needs in Surkhandarya region through afforestation activities,’ press release, March 2023 UNDP, ‘New joint project kicks off to support ‘Yashil Makon’ initiative through the development of Master Plan and innovative financial solutions,’ press release, September 2022 © UNHCR/Elyor Nemat 2023 Participants from both Afghanistan and Uzbekistan benefited from training on tree planting and maintenance, and they were supported in a cash-forwork arrangement. The initiative raised awareness, built social cohesion and benefitted displaced people and the local environment. It provided an opportunity to work with the local government on issues related to displaced people, and how they can contribute to solving environmental challenges. Although small, the initiative was actively linked with a national environmental programme, the five-year Yashil Makon (Green Nation) initiative for nationwide afforestation, which was launched in 2021 and aims to increase green areas from 8% of the country to 30%. 12 U N H C R a n d U N D P | PA R T N E R S H I P I N A C T I O N – U N D P A N D U N H C R C O O P E R AT I O N O N F O R C E D D I S P L A C E M E N T A N D S TAT E L E S S N E S S