Statement of Roli Asthana, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan delivered verbally at press conference in Tashkent related to Swiss-Uzbek restitution and formation of Vision2030 UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund

Your Excellency Mr. Ikramov, Deputy Minister of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Your Excellency Mr. Obolensky, Ambassador of Switzerland, dear colleagues, and representatives of the media. 

The signing that took place in Berne in Switzerland on 16 August marked a truly historic day for the people of Uzbekistan. 

Something that was taken away from them in the past is now being returned. This process is the result of close cooperation and leadership from President Mirziyoyev and his administration, represented today by Deputy Minister Ikramov, and President Cassis and the Swiss government represented here by Ambassador Obolensky. 

These funds belong to the people of Uzbekistan, and the UN Trust Fund that has been established is a key mechanism to support the implementation of development priority programmes, providing tangible and sustainable benefits and improvements to the lives of ordinary people in Uzbekistan.

In my six months in Uzbekistan I have travelled to six provinces already – seven if you count Tashkent – and whether I meet women farmers in rural Andijan or health workers in Karshi or young people in Samarkand - they all have high hopes and aspirations and it is critical that everybody feels that they are part of Uzbekistan’s progress.

The Fund comes at a critical time when there are increased vulnerabilities, with increased fuel and food prices, particularly with winter around the corner. The Fund will be used to advance the Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on the social sectors, and including good governance and anticorruption, with a focus on sustainability. And for us in the UN we have a particular focus on leaving no one behind – particularly the most marginalized and vulnerable communities and ensuring universal human rights for all. This includes women, children, people living with HIV/AIDS and disabilities.  Our aim is to eradicate poverty in all its forms, end discrimination and exclusion and create a just, equitable and resilient Uzbekistan as set out in this document (holds up the document) – the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework – which sets out joint priorities agreed by the Government of Uzbekistan and the UN in Uzbekistan.   

I invite you all to stay in touch with us at the UN and help us tell the story of how this people-centered Fund will enable Uzbekistan to further accelerate its journey towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals and contribute to the creation of a just, equal, and resilient society. This new Trust Fund will play a pivotal role in enlarging people’s choices and increasing their participation, delivering tangible, meaningful impacts for even more people.

The UN is committed to full transparency, accountability and inclusive dialogue with Uzbek civil society and the governments of Uzbekistan and Switzerland on the implementation and activities supported by the Trust Fund.

I am happy to see you all here today. Journalists have an important role to play as a watchdog and to ensure that the right questions are asked. The same for civil society who are closely involved in the governance of the Fund as advisor to the trilateral Management Committee as indicated in the Deputy Minister’s presentation.

Thank you very much. I’m happy to answer any questions you might have.

E`tiboringiz uchun raxmat (Thank you for your attention).