Helen Clark Shares Leadership Experience at Meeting with Women Leaders of Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The British Embassy, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), hosted a high-level working breakfast in the format of a roundtable to discuss strategies for fostering conditions conducive to women’s leadership.

The event featured the Honorable Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and former UNDP Administrator, alongside leading women leaders from across Uzbekistan’s branches of government.

The roundtable brought together representatives from the Senate, the judiciary, government ministries, and the Presidential Administration. Discussions focused on creating an environment that supports the development of women leaders and strengthens their role in the future.

Helen Clark shared her personal leadership experience, reflecting on lessons learned during her tenure as Prime Minister and UNDP Administrator. She inspired participants to examine the qualities and approaches necessary for sustainable women’s leadership in the face of global challenges, including conflicts, climate change, and social inequality.

Special attention was given to practical strategies for overcoming institutional barriers, fostering inclusive decision-making processes, and developing systems that support women’s leadership at all levels.

Timothy Smart, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, emphasized the importance of such dialogue, stating: “Empowering women leaders is not just a matter of fairness; it is key to building resilient institutions and inclusive societies. Today’s conversation with Helen Clark and Uzbekistan’s outstanding women leaders demonstrates the United Kingdom’s commitment to gender equality as a cornerstone of sustainable development and effective governance.”

The event also highlighted the importance of UNDP’s “Gender Equality Seal” program—a global certification system that helps institutions integrate gender equality into their policies and practices.

Particular attention was given to the recent achievement of the State Customs Committee (SCC), which received Silver Certification. The SCC became the first government institution in Uzbekistan and the entire Central Asian region to be awarded Silver Certification under this program, marking a significant milestone on the country’s path toward gender equality.

Akiko Fujii, UNDP Resident Representative, noted: “The UNDP Gender Equality Seal is more than a certification; it is a commitment to transform institutions from within. By embedding gender equality, we create workplaces where women can lead, innovate, and thrive. We call on partners across all sectors to join us in taking decisive action—because gender equality is not just a principle, it is a powerful driver of innovation, resilience, and progress. Together, we can turn commitments into tangible change.”