The partnership aims to integrate international sustainability practices into Uzbekistan’s cotton production standards.
Uzbekistan’s Uzstandard agency and the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to align national cotton standards with global sustainability requirements. The agreement includes technical expertise sharing and methodology exchanges to improve certification at the field level.
Uzbekistan, a top global cotton producer, has been reforming its production standards. The collaboration will embed BCI’s Principles & Criteria into national standards, potentially creating a locally owned sustainability benchmark. This follows recent regulatory overhauls in the country’s agricultural sector.
BCI’s Uzbekistan programme head stated the partnership will strengthen the country’s infrastructure while maintaining consistency with international standards. The move could enhance market access for Uzbek cotton in sustainability-focused supply chains.