Social Justice and a Just Transition in Uzbekistan

This case study explores life in Muynak, a former port town in Uzbekistan’s Aral Sea region that has been transformed by one of the world’s most severe environmental disasters. Once sustained by fishing and maritime industries, Muynak now sits on the edge of the Aralkum Desert, where environmental degradation, health risks, limited livelihoods, and out-migration shape everyday life. Based on field visits, community interviews, and data analysis, the publication captures how residents experience and respond to long-term ecological and economic loss. 

Prepared under the UNDP, UNECE and ILO project Promoting a Just Energy Transition in Uzbekistan, with support from the Joint SDG Fund, the study argues that a Just Transition in shrinking towns must start with people. It highlights the importance of social justice, health, decent work, and local agency, and outlines practical priorities to link ecosystem recovery with livelihoods, support women and youth, strengthen green job pathways, and invest in culture as a source of resilience and renewal.

Original publication: https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2025-12/UZB%20JET%20Aral%20Sea%20Case%20Study%20Brief_0.pdf 

Note:

All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.