Planting Seeds for the Future: Sumitomo Corporation Inspires Tashkent’s Next Generation
UZBEKISTAN
In October 2024, staff from Sumitomo Corporation Tashkent Office visited General Secondary School No. 307 to plant trees and teach local children about contributing to the environment.
In recent years, Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, has experienced a sharp decline in air quality, largely due to rapid urban development. In 2023 alone, the city endured 65 days of unhealthy or hazardous air. High levels of construction, increased vehicle traffic, and the burning of low-quality fuels for heating have all contributed to the problem, and with the city continuing to expand at a fast pace, these issues are likely to grow more severe in the years ahead.
At Sumitomo Corporation Tashkent Office, staff members wanted to take action that would both address these environmental challenges and inspire the city’s youth to play a role in protecting nature. After researching local issues, they decided that tree-planting events at schools would be an effective and engaging way to make a difference.
For the first visit, a staff member suggested General Secondary School No. 307, where her own children attended. The school welcomed the proposal, and the team worked closely with the staff to coordinate the logistics. Careful consideration was given to the type of saplings to plant. Wanting trees that would take root easily and blend harmoniously into the schoolyard, the volunteers settled on pine trees. Once everything was in place, they set a date for the event.
On a warm autumn day in October 2024, the volunteers from the Tashkent Office arrived at the school and were greeted enthusiastically by the staff. Students aged 10 to 14 eagerly awaited them. With guidance from the school gardeners on planting and caring for saplings, the volunteers and children planted six pine trees on the school grounds. As they worked, the volunteers explained why trees are vital for the environment and how they help improve air quality.
The atmosphere was warm and friendly, and the children looked on with genuine interest, occasionally asking thoughtful questions such as how fast the trees would grow and who would take care of them. The teachers also asked how the selected tree species would benefit the ecology and microclimate of the schoolyard. It was important for everyone that the green spaces take root and become a part of school life.
While six trees may make only a small difference to air quality, the volunteers believe the greater impact lies in nurturing ecological awareness and a sense of responsibility toward nature among the students. Such initiatives demonstrate Sumitomo Corporation’s commitment to making a meaningful contribution to the development of society. This initiative is not simply charity, but part of the company’s corporate culture and mission to improve people’s lives and the environment.
Looking ahead, Sumitomo Corporation Tashkent Office plans to carry out similar initiatives at other schools, with the goal of making tree planting a regular tradition that leaves a lasting positive impact on the city. Even in a rapidly changing urban environment, they never lose sight of what is most important for the next generation. Caring for the environment today, they believe, is an investment in tomorrow.
