A new study by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has revealed key shortcomings in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan's efforts to build circular textile value chains, and has tailored development pathways for both countries.

The study surveyed 134 textile and apparel enterprises, combined with interviews, field visits and focus group discussions, to assess the industry's current state and readiness. It points out that both countries have clear deficiencies in infrastructure, financing and traceability, which have become the main obstacles to scaling up textile circularity.

Specifically, Uzbekistan needs to focus on improving the collection, sorting and recycling capacity for post-consumer textiles, while strengthening coordination across all links of the value chain to increase the share of recycled materials used. Kyrgyzstan, meanwhile, faces weak recycling infrastructure, an incomplete waste management system and limited financing channels for circular business models; in addition, the lack of data on textile material and waste flows also constrains enterprises' ability to track products, improve resource efficiency and carry out recycling work.

The UNDP study puts forward targeted recommendations for policymakers and industry players in both countries, aiming to help them build more circular textile systems. Although the two countries differ slightly in their national circumstances, their shared challenges reflect that textile circularity in Central Asia is still at an early stage.

Source: UNDP maps circular textile pathways for Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan · Originally published on 2026-08-20