Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- In Tashkent, Deputy Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan B. Abidov met with Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations, Assistant Administrator of UNDP and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States Mirjana Spoljaric Egger.

The negotiating agenda covered a wide range of issues of cooperation between UNDP and Uzbekistan in the areas of improving public administration, increasing employment, combating corruption, empowering women, reforming the judicial system and protecting the environment.

Mirjana Spoljaric Egger reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to further support the socially oriented, environmentally responsible and sustainable development of Uzbekistan. Also, UNDP is ready to support the Government’s efforts to further promote the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by combining specific economic policy measures and investments in the areas of governance, social protection, green economy and digitalization - four areas called "SDG engines".

During the conversation, the progress of the implementation of projects for the development of the Aral Sea region with a total value of US$3.6 million, implemented jointly with UNDP, was studied and issues in this direction were considered. The current state of implementation of the project "Promotion of Trade in Uzbekistan" was also considered.

Following the meeting, further actions were agreed upon to implement the planned initiatives and agreements.

UNDP carries out a wide range of activities aimed at assisting the Government of Uzbekistan and civil society institutions in overcoming the challenges of the country’s transition period. UNDP assists governmental and non-governmental institutions in gaining access to the knowledge, experience and resources needed to successfully implement economic and social reforms and ensure the well-being of the population. Currently, UNDP is implementing 9 projects in Uzbekistan for a total amount of about US$26 million.