On 20 November, Tashkent hosted the annual Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) Multistakeholder Meeting — one of the leading global platforms dedicated to sustainable cotton production. The event was co-organized by the Uzbekistan’s Investment Promotion Agency.

Cotton producers, government representatives, civil society organizations, experts, international brands, donors, and retailers discussed key sector trends, long-term pathways for sustainable development, and Uzbekistan’s positioning in the global cotton market.

 

The program comprised three thematic sessions focused on:
• the adoption of regenerative and climate-resilient agricultural practices;
• strengthening social safeguards and labor rights throughout the supply chain;
• unlocking the economic potential of sustainable cotton and expanding access to global markets.

 

During the forum, the Better Cotton Initiative and the Uzbekistan Agency for Light Industry Development signed a strategic cooperation agreement on compensating the certification costs incurred by cotton clusters and supply-chain enterprises to comply with Better Cotton Initiative standards. Dedicated government-managed fund to provide funding under this initiative.

This mechanism is expected to accelerate the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, expand the participation of local producers in global supply chains, and strengthen international confidence in Uzbekistan’s textile and cotton-processing sector.

 

For reference: BCI is an international organization operating in more than 20 countries and uniting over 2.5 million cotton farmers. Its program has been officially active in Uzbekistan since 2022, with a national BCI office established in 2023.

The forum served as an important step toward shaping a shared vision for the future of Uzbekistan’s cotton sector — one that is sustainable, inclusive, and oriented toward long-term growth, reinforcing the country’s investment attractiveness and its standing in the global cotton market.