Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 20-21 April, the 69th session of the meeting of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in the format of a videoconference was held, within which 3 high-level round tables were held. Deputy Minister of Innovative Development Shahlo Turdikulova made a presentation at a round table on the discussion of the circular economy and the role of the private sector.

The event was attended by Deputy Secretary General of the UNECE Dmitry Mariyasin, Head of the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra Jyrki Katainen, Representative of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Natalia Stapran, Deputy Minister of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker, Environmental Manager and UNIDO energy Mr. Stephan Sicars and other dignitaries of UN structures.

The Deputy Minister in her speech noted the significant progress of Uzbekistan in innovative and technological development, as well as the country's commitment to achieving sustainable socio-economic growth. Sh.Turdikulova informed her colleagues about the work carried out in the field of innovative and scientific activities of the country, measures to stimulate the private sector in innovative development, building a solid and inclusive national innovation system.

“Over the past three years, an innovative infrastructure and ecosystem have been created in Uzbekistan, modern mechanisms for financing innovative developments and science have been introduced, and government spending on research has been significantly increased,” the Deputy Minister said. - At present, our country pays special attention to the commercialization of scientific projects, the integration of science and industry.

Speaking about the work done in this direction, Sh. Turdikulova stressed that in 2018-2020. the total amount of commercialized scientific projects amounted to 107 billion soums (about US$10 million). She also noted that special attention was paid to projects on technologies for saving natural and water resources, agriculture and waste processing.

In addition, the Ministry of Innovative Development supported start-up projects aimed at solving environmental and social problems. Thus, about 5 million US dollars have been allocated for 34 projects. One of these startups is the My Garden in the Aral Sea project, aimed at preventing the consequences of the drying up of the Aral Sea and increasing the number of tourists.

In addition, the implementation of joint project programs with foreign countries in the field of science and innovation has expanded. Within the framework of international scientific cooperation with Germany, Russia, Turkey and Belarus, 44 joint research projects are being implemented for a total of 17.4 billion soums. Within the framework of cooperation with China, India, Turkmenistan, Iran, Belarus, Russia and the EAPI (Eurasian Community), it is planned to finance about 95 international research projects in the amount of 79.6 billion soums in 2021-2022.

In turn, the Ministry of Innovative Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in cooperation with UNESCO and the World Bank, is implementing a project to modernize the national innovation system of Uzbekistan. The project aims to encourage collaboration between government agencies, research institutions and the private sector to address various institutional issues related to the commercialization of scientific and innovative products and services.

At the end of her speech, Sh. Turdikulova noted the importance of international cooperation and the widespread introduction of innovative technologies to eliminate the consequences of the pandemic and create favorable conditions for future generations.