Public-private partnership

In the context of active infrastructure modernization, public-private partnership (PPP) is viewed in Uzbekistan as one of the key instruments for attracting private capital and reducing the burden on the state budget. However, the development of PPPs is accompanied by a range of institutional and legal challenges, caused by a mismatch between the rapid expansion of the project portfolio and the current state of the organizational, regulatory, and managerial framework.

In an era of accelerating climate change and global sustainable development challenges, Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) are becoming one of the key mechanisms for financing and implementing infrastructure projects that integrate environmental priorities. Green Public Procurement (GPP) is a strategy whereby public tenders and contracts prioritize goods, services, and works that have minimal environmental impact throughout their entire life cycle. In Central Asia—a region vulnerable to water scarcity, desertification, and high greenhouse gas emissions (the region generates about 1.4% of global emissions, dominated by Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan)—GPP in PPPs contributes to the transition to a low-carbon economy, the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the attraction of international investment

Introduction

Uzbekistan is witnessing rapid infrastructure development and increased investment through public-private partnership (PPP) mechanisms. The number of PPP projects is growing fast — for example, in 2021 alone, the PPP Development Agency implemented 183 projects worth approximately $2.6 billion[1]. At the same time, there is growing attention to the environmental sustainability of such projects, as industrial modernization leads to increased pressure on the environment. Environmental expertise and environmental impact assessment (EIA) have become key tools for ensuring a balance between economic development and environmental preservation. Their effectiveness directly depends on the quality, transparency, and compliance with environmental standards during the planning and implementation of projects.

In 2025, a new Law “On Environmental Expertise, Environmental Impact Assessment, and Strategic Environmental Assessment”[2] was adopted, aimed at improving the transparency and effectiveness of environmental reviews. Its development was based on international experience (USA, EU, Japan, Russia, etc.) and recommendations from the World Bank (WB), the UN, EBRD, OSCE, and other organizations. All of this highlights Uzbekistan’s commitment to integrating international environmental standards into national practice.

The article provides a comparative analysis of the legal regulation of public-private partnerships (PPP) in Central Asian countries: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. It examines the specific features of legislative frameworks, institutional mechanisms, and the practical outcomes of their implementation. Kazakhstan is identified as the most advanced jurisdiction with a detailed regulatory base and established assessment methodologies, while other countries face the challenge of strengthening institutions and improving procedures. The study concludes that the effectiveness of PPP development directly depends on the quality of legislation, the degree of transparency in processes, and the state’s readiness to engage in genuine partnership with the private sector.

This paper examines the key factors driving countries to adopt toll highway models, the mechanisms of toll collection (vignettes and electronic systems) in Europe, as well as tariff practices in Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia.

Particular attention is given to Uzbekistan’s planned projects — the “Tashkent–Andijan” and “Tashkent–Samarkand” toll roads — their potential, associated risks, and impact on the development of the national road network.