Better Cotton, the world’s largest cotton sustainability initiative, has made significant strides by developing and signing a Roadmap of Sustainability Developments with key stakeholders in Uzbekistan. The aim is to drive further improvements in the country’s cotton sector, which plays a vital role in global cotton production. The collaborative agreement was signed during Tashkent Textile Week, held from 29 May to 2 June, and involved prominent figures such as Uzbekistan’s Senate Chairperson, Her Excellency Tanzila Narbayeva, and the Chairperson of the National Commission to Combating Human Trafficking and Forced Labour, as well as Mr. Ilkhom Khaydarov, Chairperson of Uzbekistan’s Textile and Garment Industry Association.
During the event, Better Cotton’s Senior Programme Manager, Rachel Beckett, presented the roadmap to an audience of over 600 delegates, including representatives from various sectors such as business, government, civil society, international organizations, and educational institutes. This inclusive approach aims to garner support and collaboration from a wide range of stakeholders in Uzbekistan’s cotton industry.
The roadmap builds upon the foundation laid by the Better Cotton Programme in Uzbekistan, launched in 2022. As the sixth largest cotton-growing nation globally, Uzbekistan’s involvement is crucial to achieving Better Cotton’s overarching goal of mainstreaming sustainable cotton production. The roadmap sets out a comprehensive action plan with four primary objectives to guide the implementation and progress assessment:
- Establish effective management systems for the Better Cotton Programme in Uzbekistan and increase awareness of sustainability principles among cotton stakeholders in the country.
- Promote the labor rights of workers in the cotton sector by implementing robust labor systems that ensure decent work, safe working conditions, effective employer-worker relations, and productive social dialogue.
- Raise awareness among key stakeholders about best practices in environmental sustainability within cotton production and facilitate field-level assessments.
- Develop a three-year strategy that outlines the management, funding, and scalable delivery of the Better Cotton programme.
Rachel Beckett, Senior Programme Manager at Better Cotton, emphasized the organization’s commitment to creating value and driving improvements for the environment, producers, and workers in Uzbekistan’s cotton sector. The roadmap will incorporate Better Cotton’s recommendations on adopting sustainable practices throughout cotton-growing communities in Uzbekistan, benefiting the environment, communities, and the economy.
The support and involvement of essential Uzbekistan stakeholders place Better Cotton in an advantageous position to address present and future concerns while continuously supporting cotton farmers. Her Excellency Tanzila Narbayeva, Senate Chairperson and Chairperson of the National Commission to Combating Human Trafficking and Forced Labour, expressed her belief that the partnership with Better Cotton will lead to effective management systems in cotton fields, the adoption of modern energy-saving technologies, and a reduced environmental impact. Furthermore, the roadmap aims to strengthen social protection, improve labor relations based on international standards, and ensure decent and safe working conditions for workers.
This collaborative effort between Better Cotton and Uzbekistan’s cotton industry signals a significant step toward sustainable cotton production, benefiting both the environment and the lives of those involved in the sector.
