From August 4th to 6th, 2025, public hearings and consultations are taking place in seven districts of the Fergana region of the Republic of Uzbekistan as part of the preparation of the project ” Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Services Project” implemented by JSC “Uzsuvtaminot” with the advisory support of NBT Group and in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The project covers Besharyk, Buvayda, Baghdad, Uchkuprik, Altyaryk, Kuva, and Kuvasay. In these districts, the construction and reconstruction of sewage networks, pumping stations, and treatment facilities are planned. A key principle of implementation is compliance with international environmental and social standards, including ADB standards.

The purpose of the consultations is to discuss issues of preliminary environmental impact assessment (EIA), as well as land acquisition and possible resettlement mechanisms provided for by the project. During the meetings, residents, representatives of MCCAs (Mahalla Committee of the Civil Assembly), and local authorities received complete information on risk assessment, compensation mechanisms, and strategies for minimizing negative impacts.

The events were attended by representatives from:

• The Center for Environmental Expertise and its territorial divisions;

• Regional and district departments of ecology and cadastre;

• Khokimiyats responsible for urban planning and infrastructure activities;

• Branches of JSC “Uzsuvtaminot”;

• As well as representatives of civil society, including chairpersons of mahallas (neighborhoods) and residents of the districts.

The hearings confirm a high level of attention to issues of sustainability, social inclusion, and climate adaptation. This approach is in line with current ESG trends, where infrastructure projects are implemented based on broad stakeholder involvement, under conditions of full transparency and social responsibility.

According to experts, early public involvement and open dialogue with local communities ensure trust, minimize potential conflicts, and take into account the specific characteristics of each region when designing engineering solutions.

Comment from NBT Group:

“We consider public consultations not as a formality, but as an integral part of sustainable design. Respect for local interests, consideration of climate realities, and compliance with international standards are the foundation of effective infrastructure transformation in the region,” the company emphasized.

The consultations will continue until August 6th inclusive. As a result, recommendations will be prepared, taking into account the opinions of stakeholders and the results of preliminary studies, for integration into the project documentation.

Thus, NBT Group demonstrates an important example of the practical implementation of ESG principles in water infrastructure with an emphasis on transparency, climate adaptation, and public participation.