ENHANCING ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPARENCY IN UZBEKISTAN: LEGAL PERSPECTIVES FROM THE AARHUS CONVENTION FRAMEWORK

This article examines the potential of the Aarhus Convention as a framework for enhancing transparency and upholding human rights in Uzbekistan. As Uzbekistan faces pressing environmental challenges, including pollution and climate-related risks, transparency in environmental governance is critical. Through policy analysis and legal review, this study assesses how Uzbekistan’s current legislation aligns with the Convention’s requirements on information access, with Kazakhstan’s experience serving as a comparative example. Findings reveal significant gaps in Uzbekistan’s transparency framework, particularly in timely access to data, public engagement, and legal accountability, underscoring the importance of adopting the Aarhus Convention. The study provides recommendations for Uzbekistan to bridge these gaps, aiming to strengthen transparency, enhance environmental data availability, and foster public trust in environmental decision-making.