MANILA, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Thursday that it has approved a loan of 233.1 million U.S. dollars to Uzbekistan to help modernize a critical segment of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Road Corridor 2.

The project aims to improve regional connectivity, reduce travel time, and enhance road safety and climate resilience in western Uzbekistan, the Manila-based bank said in a press release.

"By integrating climate-resilient infrastructure and intelligent transport systems, the project will ensure long-term sustainability and deliver safer and more efficient mobility for communities and businesses," said ADB Country Director for Uzbekistan Kanokpan Lao-Araya.

Since Uzbekistan joined the ADB in 1995, the bank said it has committed public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance totaling about 14.3 billion dollars to the country. ■