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08 April 2024
World Health Day 2024: how UNOPS ensures "My Health, My Right" through its projects in Uzbekistan
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Press Release
07 March 2024
Investing in girls’ education and skills is foundational to strengthening economies
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Press Release
01 March 2024
GEF allocates USD 26 million to environmental projects in Central Asia
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Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals in Uzbekistan
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Uzbekistan:
Publication
11 August 2023
Uzbekistan United Nations Country Results Report 2022
The 2022 UN Country Results Report presents key achievements and impact delivered by the 25 UN entities working together with the Government of Uzbekistan. This report showcases the many ways in which the UN system worked closely with a wide range of partners to turn the aspirations of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into concrete results for women and girls, youth and vulnerable people across all regions of Uzbekistan under the overarching vision of a more just, equal and resilient society.
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Photo
23 January 2023
SDG dialogues at the Diplomat International School
The students of International Diplomat School were introduced the concept of Sustainable Development Goals on 24 October and 29 November 2022
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23 January 2023
Regional SDG dialogues 2022
The Regional SDG dialogues were held in November and December in Urgench, Bukhara and Andijan
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Publication
25 August 2022
Joint UN-Government Steering Committee and Partners' Meeting 2022
This presentation highlights key results of development cooperation between the UN and Government for 2022; informs about planned results of the UN Country Team and endorses the Joint Workplans for 2023-2025; reviews and endorses the implementation architecture of the Cooperation Framework (Results Groups, Technical Groups); and reviews Multi-Year Funding framework of the Cooperation Framework, including funding gaps and priorities for resource mobilization.
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Story
06 April 2024
World Health Day 2024: how UNOPS ensures "My Health, My Right" through its projects in Uzbekistan
For Uzbekistan, it aligns with national development priorities and goals, highlighting health as a critical driver for societal advancement and achieving sustainable development. To support health initiatives, UNOPS has embarked on a project* partnering with the Government of Uzbekistan to upgrade the Sanitary and Epidemiological Committee (SES) laboratory facilities nationwide through infrastructure renovations and the procurement of essential diagnostic equipment and supplies. Bridging these undertakings with health rights, this article discusses how the project not only addresses immediate healthcare challenges but also embodies the key elements of health rights: availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality. Availability refers to the need for a sufficient quantity of functioning health facilities, goods, and services. To ensure these are available to all without any discrimination, it is essential to invest in quality healthcare infrastructure and the training of healthcare professionals, ensuring that both urban and rural populations have equal access to them. The UNOPS intervention in Uzbekistan supports the availability of healthcare services by upgrading laboratory facilities across the country, ensuring that all 13 regions have access to enhanced health infrastructure and diagnostic capabilities. By procuring essential diagnostic equipment and supplies, and establishing an ICT-based national surveillance and monitoring system, this project aims to improve the capacity of healthcare providers to offer quality care but also strengthens the government's ability to effectively monitor and respond to future pandemics such as COVID-19. Accessibility in healthcare means that facilities, goods, and services must be accessible to everyone. They are within safe physical reach for everyone, including vulnerable or marginalized groups, and are economically affordable. It also includes the right to access and share health information securely, without unauthorized disclosure, and mandates non-discriminatory access to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background, have equal opportunity to receive healthcare services. Through the project, UNOPS enhances healthcare accessibility by ensuring that any construction or renovation of infrastructure accommodates all categories of patients across all regions. This overlaps with economic accessibility improvements - having access to essential services within their own districts, there is no need for costly and time-consuming travel to regional-level facilities for patients. The integration of an ICT-based surveillance and monitoring system further supports timely and equitable access to diagnosis and treatment, ensuring a responsive healthcare system for all. Acceptability relates to respect for medical ethics, culturally appropriate, and sensitivity to gender. It requires that health facilities, goods, and services cater to the specific needs of diverse population groups and in accordance with international standards of medical ethics for confidentiality and informed consent. By modernizing and renovating laboratory facilities to be culturally sensitive and accessible to all, including gender-specific accommodations where necessary, UNOPS ensures that the infrastructure itself meets the diverse needs and expectations of the community. Additionally, UNOPS' capacity-building initiatives offer specialized training for healthcare workers, emphasizing the importance of cultural competency, ethical medical practices, and patient-centered care, including respect and confidentiality of information related to each individual being treated. This ensures that the services delivered are respectful, acceptable, and tailored to the unique cultural context of each community served. Quality entails that health facilities, goods, and services must be medically appropriate and of good quality. This element emphasizes the importance of skilled medical personnel, scientifically approved hospital equipment, safe and clean water, and adequate sanitation. UNOPS is committed to provide services that are not only available and accessible but meet a standard of quality that ensures effective and safe treatment and patient satisfaction. The project implemented in Uzbekistan ensures it covers all aspects of health care, including patient safety, effectiveness, patient-centeredness, timeliness, efficiency, and equity. The project's benefits extend across multiple layers of the country's healthcare landscape. It promises to provide the people and healthcare providers with access to quality and accessible healthcare services, as well as enhanced facilities and resources. Eventually, it will bolster the capacity of government agencies under the Ministry of Health to safeguard the health and well-being of the Uzbek population.___* Within the project on Emergency Response to COVID-19, UNOPS is supporting the Government of Uzbekistan in enhancing the country's resilience against the COVID-19 pandemic and future epidemics. To achieve this, UNOPS is supporting the implementation of a $160.7 million loan from ADB and AIIB to equip and refurbish the national laboratory system, establish an ICT-based national surveillance and monitoring system, and expand treatment capacity for COVID-19 and future epidemiological cases.
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Story
26 January 2024
UNOPS' Global Expertise and Local Presence: Driving Sustainable Development through effective procurement practices
“Effective public procurement underpins nearly all sustainable development activities. Every Global Goal, every mission, every operation. Without efficient and sustainable purchasing of goods and services, addressing the world’s problems would be impossible,” says the UNOPS Director of Procurement Group, Ms. Anne-Claire Howard.
UNOPS is a global leader in procurement services, employing best practices to drive sustainable development. In Uzbekistan, UNOPS has been implementing various projects*, aiming to enhance healthcare services through sustainable procurement practices.
Procurement is deemed sustainable when it integrates requirements, specifications, and criteria accounting for environmental protection, social progress, and economic development. UNOPS experts are committed to implementing these practices within the projects in Uzbekistan, focusing on sustainable materials, social well-being, health, and safety policies, energy efficiency, promoting local employment opportunities, women-owned businesses, and labour rights.
By evaluating the feasibility and impact of emerging technologies, such as advanced imaging systems, and smart healthcare management systems, UNOPS experts guide medical facilities toward transformative advancements. This fosters innovation, and drives progress in the healthcare sector, optimising working conditions and enhancing overall job satisfaction of healthcare workers. In turn, by ensuring the availability of sustainable and efficient medical equipment, patients benefit from improved diagnosis, treatment, and overall quality of care. Sustainable equipment promotes better patient results, reduces the risk of complications, builds trust in their healthcare providers, and enhances patient satisfaction.
UNOPS is determined to build market capacity in developing countries, and promote women-owned businesses and micro, small or medium-sized enterprises as a way to foster sustainable development. Building a local supply base not only contributes to the economic development of the countries UNOPS operates in, but also advances sustainability initiatives by minimising transport-related emissions.
UNOPS stays committed to environmental protection, paving the way for a greener future, where sustainability and efficiency go hand in hand. For the projects in Uzbekistan, UNOPS prioritises equipment procurement that incorporates energy-efficient systems, reducing operational costs and minimising environmental impact, so that healthcare facilities can reduce maintenance costs and allocate resources more efficiently.
Transparency and integrity are at the core of UNOPS sustainable procurement practices. By establishing open and clear rules, UNOPS ensures fairness in the procurement process that fosters healthy competition among suppliers, allowing for quality and competitive responses from the local and international market place.
For UNOPS, gender-responsive procurement serves as a potent tool to achieve socio-economic objectives, bridging wage gaps, creating employment opportunities for women, and mitigating gender-related labour imbalances. To implement this approach, UNOPS relies on three key pillars:
Incorporating gender considerations into procurement processes.
Ensuring an inclusive procurement process that does not discriminate against women.
Procuring goods, services, and works that positively contribute to gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Additionally, UNOPS recognizes the significance of inclusion. It involves procuring accessible goods and services to ensure that everyone, including persons with disabilities, can participate, making the procurement process itself accessible, and collaborating with disability-inclusive suppliers to promote inclusive and equitable participation in procurement activities.
Recent Visit of Director of UNOPS Procurement Group
A recent visit (12-16 January 2024) of the Director of UNOPS Procurement Group to Uzbekistan, Ms. Anne-Claire Howard, highlighted the organisation's commitment to SDGs acceleration in the country. During this visit, UNOPS’ key stakeholders and partners engaged in discussions on how UNOPS' expertise in procurement can further advance sustainable development goals and the national priorities in Uzbekistan.
UNOPS has established itself as a reliable long-term partner for the Government of Uzbekistan, actively supporting the implementation of healthcare reform efforts. With a shared vision for positive change and progress, the combination of UNOPS' global technical expertise and local presence, positions UNOPS as a reliable development partner, capable of effectively addressing emerging needs and delivering results that positively impact communities.
By focusing on sustainable procurement practices, UNOPS aims to serve people better, protect the environment, build trust, drive equality, ensure human rights, and boost economic growth. These principles align with the organisation's overarching mission of advancing sustainable development and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs in each country, UNOPS works.
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* Within the project on Emergency Response to COVID-19, UNOPS is supporting the Government of Uzbekistan in enhancing the country's resilience against the COVID-19 pandemic and potential future epidemics. To achieve this, UNOPS is using a $160.7 million loan from ADB and AIIB to equip and refurbish the national laboratory system, establish an ICT-based national surveillance and monitoring system, and expand treatment capacity for COVID-19 and other epidemiological cases.
The Phase II of the project on Modernization of Oncological Institutions of the Republic of Uzbekistan, financed by a $64.8 million loan from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), is focused on strengthening the preparedness of the healthcare system in Uzbekistan through preventing and treating oncological cases in an effective and timely manner. Within this project, UNOPS is responsible for procuring and providing a range of medical, laboratory, radiological, and ICT equipment.
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Story
25 January 2024
Blossoming Hope: Aral Sea's Dried Bed Unleashes Healing Power through Beekeeping
At first glance, it seems improbable due to the harsh conditions, especially the lack of flowering plants crucial for beekeeping. However, a unique feature distinguishes the Aral Sea's surreal landscapes – a diverse vegetation cover fostering the growth of medicinal, forage, fruit, tannin, essential oil, and bee plants.
Venturing into the Muynak district, near the dried-up Aral Sea bed and its haunting ship cemetery, tourists are drawn to the area. It's here that our beekeeper heroines, like Zamira Zhaulybayeva reside.
A Life-changing discovery
Zamira's day begins with the fragrant, rich taste of honey collected by bees from wild medicinal plants in the Aral Sea desert landscapes. This honey, a life-changing discovery, becomes the main treat on her family's table. Her family, aware of the honey's healing properties, sees it as a panacea for many diseases.
The story traces back to 1997 when Zamira's husband, Zhenis Boldykov, assisting beekeepers in Bukhara, developed a fascination for beekeeping. The family's dream of a bee apiary took root, and by 2022, within UN Joint programme (UNDP, UNFPA and FAO) funded by the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Human Security, Zamira's family received the necessary equipment for beekeeping in the Aral Sea region.
Despite the challenges of a harsh climate, Zamira's family perseveres, leaving most honey to help the bees adapt. Zamira's dedication extends beyond beekeeping to plant-growing, contributing to the unique fodder base for bees. The honey obtained from desert plants, including sandy Acacia and Cistanche, possesses a special flavor and aroma, serving as a natural medicinal collection.
Zamira envisions promoting the unique honey of the Aral Sea globally, capitalizing on Muynak's popularity among tourists. She believes that the natural bee product, collected in this extraordinary region, is a step into the future for environmental sustainability.
Finding hope in tiny bees
Another beekeeper, Alimash Myrzayeva, faced life challenges, including a terminal brain cancer diagnosis. The Joint Programme by UNDP, UNICEF, and FAO “Empowering youth towards a brighter future through green and innovative development of the Aral Sea region” provided an opportunity for her to venture into beekeeping. The initiative not only helped her rebuild her life but also provided her with a newfound purpose and a way to combat her illness.
She did not immediately decide to participate in the project, "my husband nudged me into it, fortunately he had the experience in the family," she recalls. Then Alimash successfully turned over a new leaf of her fascinating life. "These amazing tiny creatures literally cured my soul, allowed me to forget about my illness," recalls Alimash.
Alimash's journey into beekeeping, guided by experienced beekeepers, resulted in successful honey extraction, highlighting the potential of the Aral Sea region. Like Zamira, Alimash aims to develop beekeeping in the region, leveraging its rich flora. The honey they produce is not just a treat but a form of prevention against diseases.
In conclusion, Zamira and Alimash, along with other participants in the Joint Programme, emerge as trailblazers in beekeeping, harnessing the rich flora of the Aral Sea region. As the story unfolds, it becomes evident that honey from medicinal plants could be the panacea for many diseases, offering hope and prosperity to the community, the region, and the country.
Note: The analysis in the Aral Sea region revealed that 161 species of medicinal plants grow in the Amu Darya delta, 85 species of medicinal plants grow on the Ustyurt Plateau. The data has not been updated in recent years.
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Story
17 January 2024
Uzbek village becomes digital
Sitting in a field in the heart of Uzbekistan’s Fergana Valley, Shaodatkhon Oripova’s greenhouse isn’t just the simple structure it used to be. It’s now alive with digital sensors connected to the internet, through which the 62-year-old farmer can control the temperature, humidity, light and soil moisture.
“In the past,” she said, “a lot of my earnings would disappear into paying for utility bills and buying fertilizers,” says the mother of three, whose farm produces herbs, tomatoes, lemons, corn and clover.
Now, Shaodatkhon can better regulate these inputs through the sensors. If anything needs to be adjusted in the greenhouse, her mobile phone buzzes to alert her.
These sensors were particularly useful over the summer when extreme heat and lack of water impacted production from her greenhouse. While other farmers sustained great losses, she was able to maintain her production at close to last year’s levels.
Shaodatkhon has been used to the hard work and highs and lows of farming. “I was born into a family of farmers, and I have been a farmer my whole life, but it has not been easy,” she said.
It is a different type of farming now. Shaodatkhon describes how every day is a new learning experience with digital technology. She can now free up more time for other things such as marketing her produce, spending time with her family and improving her education and quality of life.
Shaodatkhon is one of the farmers taking part in the Smart Farming for the Future Generations project of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). It is closely aligned with the Digital Villages Initiative, which was introduced in the villages of Novkent and Yuksalish in the Fergana Valley of Uzbekistan in 2023.
The Digital Villages Initiative is a flagship programme of FAO aiming to transform at least 1 000 villages around the world into digital hubs. The initiative seeks to foster rural transformation and empower communities through digitalization and participatory approaches to combat hunger, poverty and inequality. The Digital Village Initiative helps farmers access technology to boost production, access rural services and improve livelihoods.
But it’s not just farmers who are getting involved. FAO is also offering training programmes to local young people. A coding camp helped train youth in replicating smart sensor devices. In the culmination of the training programmes, a Digital Villages Hackathon took place in November 2023 yielding an array of innovative agritech solutions to the challenges faced by rural people in the Fergana Valley.
The continuation of regular collaborative innovation workshops, known as “living labs”, also provides a vital platform for exchange among farmers, experts and innovators. During these sessions, farmers like Shaodatkhon and her family discuss the challenges they face, for example heating the greenhouse against the biting winter cold. Other topics brainstormed with a range of local actors and experts have included water scarcity, a lack of infrastructure and limited access to reliable extension services.
As technologies develop at breakneck speed, Shaodatkhon says she looks forward to further innovations in areas such as smart irrigation and renewable energy solutions for her greenhouse.
FAO is scaling up the Digital Villages Initiative, in Central Asia and beyond, working closely with rural communities to understand their most pressing problems and desired outcomes, identify the agricultural technologies best suited to the community and support them on their digital transformation journeys.
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Story
08 November 2023
Strengthening primary healthcare to rescue our failing health systems
This includes severe and persistent health workforce shortages, which in turn are leading to industrial action and disruptions right across Europe and Central Asia; a rapidly ageing population placing a huge strain on health systems; backlogs on everything from cancer screenings to surgeries; disruptions to medicines and vaccines supply chains in the wake of the pandemic. All the while the cost of delivering quality healthcare keeps increasing, especially for the most vulnerable, while health workers struggle to make ends meet.
Not only is this unacceptable, it’s also unsustainable. The historic post-war health gains made across the European Region over the past 75 years, when the World Health Organization was born, are being reversed right before our eyes. It’s time for a rethink and a reset, and a big part of the solution lies in elevating primary healthcare (PHC) to its rightful place within our health systems: at the top, not the bottom.
Often overlooked in favour of more glamorous and high-tech medical advancements, PHC serves as the foundation upon which resilient and flourishing communities are built. If our health system was a tree, PHC would be its roots. At its heart, it’s about the people – the doctors, nurses, therapists – who remain with you throughout your life, through complex illnesses, in good times and bad, they know you and your community intimately. They provide the kind of personal care and attention that is impossible to provide in hospitals where beds are at a premium. Crucially, they can help keep you out of hospital to begin with.
We have long known the benefits of investing in PHC. We know it is the most cost-effective way to prevent the escalation of health issues, reducing the need for expensive hospitalizations and intensive treatments. By identifying and addressing health problems at an early stage, in the community, PHC can save both lives and money. It is an investment that pays dividends by improving overall health while curbing healthcare expenses. Yet PHC remains unfairly sidelined across the board in the European Region, in high-income and low-income countries alike. Which begs the question, why?
I believe it’s because large-scale investments into strengthening PHC demands political buy-in and rebalancing incentives in the health care economy, which in turn requires a solid business case for using public money and shifting the emphasis of investment. And while we know PHC to be cost-effective, the value it produces for our communities and societies is extremely difficult to measure and quantify, because it’s not just about gains made in biological life-years. It’s also about better mental and social well-being which leads to thriving communities.
How can you measure the value of a relationship between doctor and patient and their families over the course of a lifetime? How can you quantify the benefits of mental health care in the community? How can you put a value on emotional and social support for victims of violence? It’s much easier to make the business case for a sparkling new hospital, of bricks and mortar, with a certain number of beds and turnover of patients.
But herein lies the problem. If our health systems are to emerge from the myriad challenges they face, stronger and fitter for the 21st century, we need to radically shift our mindset, from a top-down to a bottom-up approach; from a physician-led to a team-based approach; from a paternalistic to a pluralistic and inclusive approach; from a health-for-the-few to a health-for-all approach, the vision that guides WHO.
I am calling for nothing less than wholesale transformation of the way everyone involved in the health sector – policymakers, health workers, educators, suppliers, distributors, producers, administrators, and managers – think about healthcare.
My request to you all is that with every decision you make, stop, and ask yourself: am I promoting the strengthening of PHC? Am I contributing towards health equity and inclusion? Am I leaving anyone behind? Am I promoting a PHC-led health system or is PHC doomed to be siloed and left to compete with other programmes time and time again.
Many countries across the WHO European Region, covering 53 Member States in Europe and Central Asia, have already started on their transformative PHC journeys, and are sharing lessons with others, seeing what works and what doesn’t. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to PHC, and WHO/Europe is playing a leading role in bringing countries and policymakers together to bring ideas and innovations to life.
In Sweden for example, digital health tools are being deployed to reach far-flung remote and rural communities. In Kazakhstan, PHC teams now include mental health specialists and social workers accessible for all reducing the need for expensive travel and specialist visits. In Kyrgyzstan, a new pay-for-performance system is attracting more doctors into PHC. Ireland was one of the first countries in our region to strengthen occupational health and wellbeing structures for health workers to avoid burnout. In Tajikistan, a comprehensive health labour market analysis has helped identify PHC challenges, with concrete steps taken to improve the recruitment and retention of doctors in rural areas.
Another current theme is trust – or the lack thereof. During the pandemic, the foundation of trust established through strong PHC providers played a crucial role in disseminating accurate information and ensuring public compliance with safety measures. It comes as no surprise then, that the countries with strong PHC rooted in communities were the ones who fared better during the pandemic.
Simply put, healthy and happy societies are more resilient, more productive, and more cohesive. When individuals and communities have access to preventive care and early interventions without financial hardship, they can lead fuller lives, contribute to society, and unleash their potential.
In the coming days, I will join health leaders, practitioners, and policymakers in the Kazakh capital Astana to mark 45 years since the Alma-Ata Declaration was signed. This landmark document was a major milestone of the 20th century in the field of public health because it identified PHC as the key to the attainment of health for all, globally. Countries committed to investing in PHC on the long road towards universal health coverage. Now, nearly half a century later, with the world possibly more polarized and more unequal than ever, PHC couldn’t be more relevant.
As we look to the future, it’s time to reframe health.
PHC is not an expenditure or a nice-to-have, but a long-term investment in the wellbeing of our communities, an investment that yields substantial returns in terms of public health, economic stability, and social equity, however hard they are to measure.
Let us therefore recognize that reframing our health systems with a PHC lens is not just a choice; it’s a moral obligation, a prerequisite to the kind of society in which we all aspire to live – a society grounded in trust and empathy, where health and happiness flourish for all.
Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
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Press Release
12 March 2024
Investing in girls’ education and skills is foundational to strengthening economies
On International Women’s Day, UNICEF has called for investment in girl’s education, empowerment and providing equal employment opportunities for young women including for those with disabilities, as foundational and imperative for Uzbekistan’s prosperity. This year’s theme “Invest in women: Accelerate progress” recognizes that tangible investment in girls and women are often catalytic, sparking positive change across all levels of society and leading to strengthened economies.Globally, simple measures such as bursaries for girls and young women have proven transformational to both local and national economies. Further, research has shown that enhanced social protection for girls from low-income families and support in receiving concessionary loans on higher education for women is key and in the medium term contributes to more stable, resilient societies.Uzbekistan has achieved a lot for girls and women through increased women’s political participation, access to higher education, initiatives promoting women’s empowerment and economic participation, progressive legislation strengthening women's rights. However, much remains to be done in terms of tangible investments, funded and costed initiatives that create equal opportunities, enforce existing laws that protect women's rights, addressing negative gender stereotypes, empowering women in leadership roles and increasing access to quality healthcare and essential services for women.Recent evidence demonstrates that the share of women in engineering, manufacturing, construction, and ICT programmes is a mere 17%. Meanwhile the share of women and men working in STEM fields, specifically researchers in natural sciences, engineering and technology, medical and health sciences, agriculture and veterinary sciences is 37%.[1]“In UNICEF we know that deliberate or even affirmative investments towards girls and young women are foundational for building stronger societies and economies,” said Geoffrey Ijumba, UNICEF’s Acting Representative in Uzbekistan” Here in Uzbekistan our advocacy and programme in the area of ensuring girls are in STEM is beginning to yield results and these are results that will be felt by the country for a long time.”While there are huge efforts by government to empower girls and women, for instance through providing equal opportunities in primary and secondary education and recent legislative amendments to criminalize domestic violence, harmful social norms, structures and stereotypes that perpetuate inequality still persist and influence the division of labour, priorities and focus at home, in education, at the workplace and in society. Furthermore, women and girls bear the brunt of unpaid care work within families.Therefore, UNICEF calls on the following key tenets and investments:Increased investment in quality and inclusive education for girls and young women;Investments in non-formal education, technical, innovation and entrepreneurial skills with the focus on vulnerable girls and young women including residing in remote rural areas, youth from low-income families, young people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.Increased investment for girls to participate in STEM fields and other competitive sectors.Expanded Social Protection programmes that reach vulnerable girls, women including single parents with financial support.Promoting women’s stronger participation in economic and public spheres.Social Behavior Change campaigns to address harmful norms structures and stereotypes that perpetuate inequality and barriers of opportunities for women in education, at the workplace and in society.Investment into ICT and assistive technologies for girls and women disabilities to enable inclusive learning opportunities, enhance employability and promote entrepreneurship.
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Press Release
04 March 2024
GEF allocates USD 26 million to environmental projects in Central Asia
A milestone in this cooperation was reached on the margins of the Fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP14), held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan when high-level representatives from both organizations agreed on continued strong collaboration between FAO and GEF.Within the framework of the Sixty-sixth meeting of the GEF Council that took place in Washington D. C. (USA) in early February this year, USD 26 million was allocated to finance five projects of the Regional Programme “Interconnection of Water and Land Resources of Central Asia (CAWLN) for Ecosystem Restoration, Improved Management of Natural Resources, and Increased Sustainability.” Four of these five projects, valued at USD 18.6 million, will be implemented in Uzbekistan with FAO assistance. “The funds pledged by GEF to these environmental projects in Central Asia will enable FAO, in cooperation with the Government of Uzbekistan, to do significant work to increase local resiliency and food security, conserve and protect ecosystems and biodiversity, and strengthen sustainable agri-food systems,” said Viorel Gutu, Assistant FAO Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia. “In natural-resource dependent rural communities, these projects will have a positive impact on the environment that supports the livelihoods of these rural peoples for many years to come,” he added.The joint efforts will target land restoration in vulnerable ecosystems of Central Asia, strengthening integrated water resources management in the basins of the Amudarya, Zarafshan, Panj, Syrdarya, and Narin rivers and integrated natural resource management to improve the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity conservation.
“The new projects will introduce innovative approaches for sustainable agricultural production and mitigation of climate change's negative impacts on agri-food systems. With the close cooperation with the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, we will achieve great success,” emphasized Sherzod Umarov, Assistant FAO Representative in Uzbekistan.CMS COP is a significant international meeting where governments, scientists and stakeholders come together to agree on strategies for the conservation of migratory species and their habitats. During the high-level plenary session, "Nature Knows No Borders: Working Together for Migratory Species and Sustainable Development in Central Asia," FAO, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) signed a Letter of Intent, committing their organizations to continue to cooperate and expedite the preparation of a Letter of Agreement for their joint implementation of the “Food systems, land use and restoration impact programme in Uzbekistan”. Funded by GEF, the project will introduce efficient land management technologies and conservation approaches in wheat-dominated production landscapes, and the methodologies to create environmentally friendly value chains that will help to realize the transition from ecosystem degradation to sustainable management in the Karakalpakstan, Kashkadarya and Khorezm regions. As part of CMS COP14, a side event was dedicated to sustainable development initiatives, raising public awareness around and participation in the environmental protection process. Participants heard an overview of the National Report on the State of the Environment in the Republic of Uzbekistan, which is intended to be a tool for the creation and implementation of improved environmental and socio-economic policy instruments, legal frameworks, and effective mechanisms for state regulation of nature management and environmental protection. FAO experts presented the Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme and Legal Hub, a free online gateway to the world of sustainable wildlife management-related law. Through this platform users can discover all the tools and methodologies hat are used for assessing national legislation across countries with the support of national lawyers. These five GEF-funded projects are expected to be a driver of positive change. The projects will protect and restore ecosystems and promote their sustainable use, combat climate change and help transform regional food systems into more equitable and environmentally sustainable agri-food systems.
“The new projects will introduce innovative approaches for sustainable agricultural production and mitigation of climate change's negative impacts on agri-food systems. With the close cooperation with the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, we will achieve great success,” emphasized Sherzod Umarov, Assistant FAO Representative in Uzbekistan.CMS COP is a significant international meeting where governments, scientists and stakeholders come together to agree on strategies for the conservation of migratory species and their habitats. During the high-level plenary session, "Nature Knows No Borders: Working Together for Migratory Species and Sustainable Development in Central Asia," FAO, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) signed a Letter of Intent, committing their organizations to continue to cooperate and expedite the preparation of a Letter of Agreement for their joint implementation of the “Food systems, land use and restoration impact programme in Uzbekistan”. Funded by GEF, the project will introduce efficient land management technologies and conservation approaches in wheat-dominated production landscapes, and the methodologies to create environmentally friendly value chains that will help to realize the transition from ecosystem degradation to sustainable management in the Karakalpakstan, Kashkadarya and Khorezm regions. As part of CMS COP14, a side event was dedicated to sustainable development initiatives, raising public awareness around and participation in the environmental protection process. Participants heard an overview of the National Report on the State of the Environment in the Republic of Uzbekistan, which is intended to be a tool for the creation and implementation of improved environmental and socio-economic policy instruments, legal frameworks, and effective mechanisms for state regulation of nature management and environmental protection. FAO experts presented the Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme and Legal Hub, a free online gateway to the world of sustainable wildlife management-related law. Through this platform users can discover all the tools and methodologies hat are used for assessing national legislation across countries with the support of national lawyers. These five GEF-funded projects are expected to be a driver of positive change. The projects will protect and restore ecosystems and promote their sustainable use, combat climate change and help transform regional food systems into more equitable and environmentally sustainable agri-food systems.
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Press Release
16 February 2024
New guideline on preventing food loss and waste was presented in Samarkand
One of them is Uzbek translation of the FAO brochure “Your guide to living free of food waste” prepared in cooperation with the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Zamin Foundation. It was noted that food loss and waste is a global problem. At least 17 percent of all food produced worldwide is wasted each year, from retail stores to households. That is 931 million tonnes of food, which could feed millions of people who are going hungry each day.
"Global agrifood systems account for 31 percent of total anthropogenic emissions. Biodiversity loss continues to accelerate across the world and today more than ever before in human history about one million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction. FAO’s estimates reported in 2022 set the Global Food Loss Percentage at 13.3 percent. And on average, each of us produces 74 kg of food waste each year. Educating public on social and environmental issues such as food loss and waste is very important and we are pleased to partner with the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Zamin Foundation in this area. Our so-called practical guide for consumers provides easily implementing tips and recommendations for preventing and reducing food loss and waste in households. These simple actions require minimum efforts and enable everyone to contribute into positive changes", - Viorel Gutu, Assistant FAO Director General stressed.
Another publication presented during the side-event is the National Report on the State of the Environment in the Republic of Uzbekistan, prepared by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, FAO, UNECE, UNEP and other organizations. It is an analytical document that contains an assessment of the environmental situation and an analysis of the cause-and-effect relationships that cause changes. The report will help Uzbekistan to make environmentally sound decisions and to improve environmental and socio-economic policy, the legal framework, mechanisms for state regulation of nature management and environmental protection.
Uzbekistan, like most of Central Asia, is prone to natural hazards like dust storms, mudslides, earthquakes. Many of these are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, with significant environmental, health and social impacts – especially for women, children and older persons. The preparation of the National State of the Environment Report was an important step towards a sustainable future, as it is an investment in disaster risk prevention and reduction in the country.
The methodology of the report was based on the UNECE Guidelines for the preparation of governmental reports on the state and protection of the environment. The project team of the “Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Impact Program in Uzbekistan” supported development of the report.
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Press Release
12 February 2024
Major UN Meeting on Migratory Species Conservation Opens in Uzbekistan
The 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP14) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) opened today in the historic Silk Road city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This pivotal UN wildlife meeting brings together CMS Parties and other governments, UN organizations engaged in biodiversity conservation, scientific experts, wildlife conservation organizations and many other stakeholders from around the globe. The meeting will consider progress in implementing the Convention, as well as actions for addressing the many conservation needs and challenges for migratory species and their habitats. During the week-long negotiations, CMS COP14 is expected to consider an extensive agenda covering more than a hundred items, including:
Amendments to CMS Appendices to include fourteen additional species in need of international conservation, including the Eurasian lynx, the Bull ray, the Pallas’s cat, and the Magellanic plover.
Proposals for new Concerted Actions as priority conservation measures for seven species.
Measures to address the illegal and unsustainable taking of migratory species.
Actions to advance ecological connectivity.
New global guidelines addressing the impacts of light pollution on migratory species, and best practices on linear infrastructure.
New Strategic Plan for Migratory Species for the period 2024-2032.
Numerous species-specific and Range States-wide initiatives such as the Central Asian Flyway and Transboundary Jaguar Initiatives.
The first-ever State of the World’s Migratory Species report will also be launched on the opening day of COP14, helping to provide a scientific foundation for the discussions at the meeting.
This UN wildlife conservation conference is one of the most significant global biodiversity gatherings since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). CMS has a major role to play in achieving the implementation of the GBF.
Amy Fraenkel, CMS Executive Secretary, said:
“We are at a critical juncture for the future of migratory species as we open COP14 in Samarkand. This meeting, taking place for the first time in Central Asia along the historic Silk Road, emphasizes the importance of transboundary cooperation by bringing together governments and a global community committed to migratory species conservation. Our agenda is ambitious, reflecting the urgent need for action highlighted by the 'State of the World’s Migratory Species' report. As we face challenges of habitat loss and species decline, COP14 provides a critical opportunity to advance conservation efforts and directly contribute to the achievement of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework."
Billions of animals make migratory journeys each year on land, in the oceans, and in the skies, crossing national boundaries and continents, with some traveling thousands of miles across the globe to feed and breed. They are an integral part of well-functioning ecosystems and provide many benefits to people, including as a source of food, economic benefits such as from tourism, and services and functions such as pollinating plants, transporting key nutrients, preying on pests, and helping to store carbon.
But migratory species are facing increasing threats. The landmark CMS report “State of the World’s Migratory Species,” to be released later today, reveals a shocking decline with many of the world’s migratory species of animals declining and the risk of global extinction increasing. Featuring analysis of over 4,000 species, including 1,189 that have been recognized by CMS Parties as needing international action, the report issues a clear wake-up call and provides a set of priority recommendations for action to the COP.
The conference opens under the slogan, "Nature Knows No Borders," which is a reminder that the journeys of migratory species do not adhere to political boundaries, and that their survival is dependent on international collaboration, including transboundary, regional and global conservation efforts.
This CMS meeting is the first COP of any global environmental treaty to take place in Central Asia, a region that is home to many migratory species including the Saiga Antelope, the Snow Leopard, and many species of migratory birds.
Along with the launch of the State of the World’s Migratory Species report, the COP will consider other scientific reports, including new CMS reports on Climate Change and Migratory Species, Wildlife Disease and Health, and Insect Decline.
Delegates are also expected to discuss new and strengthened mandates on addressing the illegal and unsustainable taking of species, programs on Flyways, Cetaceans, and priority actions on the impacts of climate change on migratory species.
The COP’s opening was preceded by a High-level Segment (HLS), convened on 11 February, under the theme “Working together for migratory species and sustainable development in Central Asia.” Sessions 1 and 2 of the meeting featured special dialogues among Ministers, Executives of International Organizations, and other high-level representatives with a focus on strengthening transboundary cooperation for the conservation of migratory species in Central Asia. The last session invited ministers and other high-level officials to share their experiences related to international or transboundary cooperation on migratory species conservation.
The slogan of COP14 reflects the core of the CMS mandate and builds on the historic resolution of the UN General Assembly in 2021: "Nature knows no borders: transboundary cooperation – a key factor for biodiversity conservation, restoration, and sustainable use" (A/75/L.73). The proposal, led by countries from Central Asia, urged all UN Member States to increase international and transboundary cooperation to maintain and enhance the ecological connectivity of transboundary habitats, cross-border protected areas, and ecosystems that are either vulnerable or form part of the migratory range of specific species.
The logo of the conference features a snow leopard, which is a keystone species in Uzbekistan, with a range that extends across 12 countries. While the big cat is a sacred symbol of power and benevolence, its conservation status is of great concern, with only 2,700 to 3,300 individuals thought to exist in the wild (Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species).
Despite the grim outlook of species decline and increasing pressures on their habitats from human activities, there are also many cases of hopeful recoveries thanks to coordinated conservation efforts under CMS. A notable example from Central Asia is the highly successful integrated conservation and restoration efforts in Kazakhstan, which have brought the Saiga Antelope back from the brink of extinction.
The event schedule includes the Migratory Species Champion Night, set for the evening of 12 February, promises to be a memorable occasion, celebrating sustained commitments by CMS Parties towards the conservation of the planet’s migratory wildlife.
The negotiations of the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) will be held during plenary and working group sessions throughout the week of 12-17 February, with final deliberations and the adoption of a set of new resolutions and decisions on Saturday, 17 February 2024.
About the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
An environmental treaty of the United Nations, the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats. This unique treaty brings governments and wildlife experts together to address the conservation needs of terrestrial, aquatic, and avian migratory species and their habitats around the world. Since the Convention's entry into force in 1979, its membership has grown to include 133 Parties from Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Europe and Oceania.
www.cms.int
www.cms.int
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Press Release
08 February 2024
United Nations in Uzbekistan and International Agriculture University in Tashkent Formalize Engagement to Advance Sustainable Development
As the world grapples with the profound challenge of feeding a global population of 9 billion by 2050, SDG 2 has taken on unprecedented urgency. Across the planet, 2 billion people are chronically hungry, and the COVID-19 crisis, coupled with disruptions in global food supply chains, has exacerbated this issue, creating the biggest global food crisis since World War II.
Recognizing the vital role that universities play in addressing this global challenge, the partnership between the United Nations in Uzbekistan and the International Agriculture University in Tashkent underscores a shared commitment to leverage research, education, and community engagement to advance SDG 2.
In her statement at the signing ceremony, the Resident Coordinator of the UN in Uzbekistan, Ms. Consuelo Vidal, indicated that “The challenges of hunger and malnutrition are compounded by global crises and conflicts.” She put a spotlight on the call of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, to accelerate the delivery of the SDGs through the six “transition investment pathways,” one of them being sustainable food systems, in line with SDG 2. She also referred to the crucial role of agriculture in ensuring food security, enhancing rural livelihoods, and strengthening resilience.
Ms. Vidal further emphasized that “academic institutions such as the International Agriculture University in Tashkent can help provide the science and evidence to ensure that policies are crafted based on sound science. Through collaborative efforts, academic institutions can help drive research, education, and community outreach initiatives that will make a tangible impact on food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture."
The International Agriculture University in Tashkent, through its expertise in agriculture, nutrition, and applied sciences, actively contributes to knowledge generation and policy development, aligning with the principles of SDG 2. As one of the lead academic institutions in Uzbekistan driving research that advances food security and improves nutrition, IAU fosters collaboration across sectors to develop holistic and sustainable solutions, emphasizing capacity building and education to prepare students and communities to tackle food and nutrition-related issues. The establishment of the SDG Club within the university further demonstrates a commitment to aligning with UN goals and mandates.
Dr. Munira Aminova, Rector of the International Agriculture University in Tashkent, articulated that “in IAU, we recognize that adequate food is a basic human right, and as an academic institution specializing in agriculture, we take on the responsibility to lead the charge in achieving SDG 2.” She further stated that “our university is not only dedicated to producing graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle global food challenges but is actively engaged in community outreach initiatives to make a meaningful impact on local food security and nutrition.” Dr. Aminova further expressed that “this partnership with the United Nations is a testament to our shared commitment to building a sustainable and hunger-free future."
Through joint advocacy initiatives, IAU and the UN in Uzbekistan will engage students, faculty members, and the wider community to address the pressing agricultural challenges in the country and the wider region. The signing of the Joint Declaration of Intent marks the beginning of this collaborative journey.
About the International Agriculture University in Tashkent (IAU)
Established in 2022 by the decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the International Agriculture University (IAU) embodies a commitment to providing world-class education in partnership with the Royal Agricultural University, a British institution operating under the patronage of King Charles III. This collaboration ensures that graduates not only acquire exceptional knowledge and skills in Tashkent but also earn a diploma from the British university, adding a global dimension to their academic achievements.
IAU offers a range of educational programs designed to prepare students for leadership roles in agriculture and related fields. These programs include Agriculture, Business Management, Agrologistics, Agroeconomics, Food Safety Management, Crop Production Management, Livestock Production Management, and Farm Business Management. IAU provides practical exposure to its students by organizing internships in distinguished foreign centers, including institutes and agri-food business companies in Europe. This hands-on experience further enhances the students' understanding of global agricultural practices, fostering a holistic approach to their education.
IAU is not just an academic institution; it is a catalyst for change in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The university's mission transcends traditional boundaries, aiming to make impacts by advocating for social, economic, and environmental prosperity. Through innovative research, rigorous education, and a global network of passionate individuals, IAU actively contributes to addressing the most pressing global challenges.
About the United Nations Office in Uzbekistan (UN in Uzbekistan)
Uzbekistan joined the United Nations on 2 March 1992 as a new sovereign and independent state. The United Nations Office opened in Tashkent the following year. The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Uzbekistan currently comprises 25 UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes working together to advance national development priorities in line with Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
In September 2020, the UN Country Team finalized the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2021-2025), which was endorsed and signed by the Government of Uzbekistan. The Cooperation Framework articulates the UN’s collective response to supporting Uzbekistan to achieve the national SDGs with an emphasis on leaving no one behind. The Cooperation Framework is the primary instrument for planning and implementation of all UN development activities in the country, in support of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. It was developed in close consultation with the Government, the Parliament and civil society in Uzbekistan and has three strategic objectives: (i) effective governance and justice for all; (ii) inclusive human capital development leading to health, well-being and resilient prosperity; and (iii) sustainable, climate responsible and resilient development.
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Latest Resources
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Resources
10 November 2021
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