Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A video conference was held in the khokimiyat of the city of Tashkent on the topic “Recommendations on the Strategy for the Stability of the City of Tashkent”.

Tashkent’s deputy khokim Davron Khidoyatov, project manager and senior economist for infrastructure at the World Bank Axel Brymler, representatives of international companies Ove Arup & Partners International Ltd., Deltares, IKS, as well as senior officials of the khokimiyat took part in the online meeting.

Deputy governor of the city of Tashkent Davron Khidoyatov said that the purpose of the meeting is to discuss progress in the implementation of technical cooperation since the start of work in February this year, including with regard to providing preliminary diagnostic results of various stresses that Tashkent is exposed to.

The meeting was also a convenient opportunity to confirm some diagnostic results and discuss the proposed next steps and work in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Axel Brymler, Project Manager and Senior Infrastructure Economist for the World Bank, said that despite the current conditions of the global pandemic, work in the framework of mutual cooperation is steadily progressing, and the plans outlined are being implemented on time.

Director of Ove Arup & Partners International Ltd. Dr. Matthew Free introduced the participants to the presentation on the work done, which was the result of the team efforts of Ove Arup & Partners International Ltd., Deltares, IKS under the leadership of the World Bank. Dr. Free told the conference participants about the stages of the project and said that the first stage - that is, the first diagnostic results - was already over. The next steps include stability diagnostics, stability recommendations, an action strategy and investment plans, which are expected to be fully completed by the end of 2020. Also, Dr. Free introduced the digital model of Tashkent to those present and noted that it can be used by the hokimiyat not only within the framework of the project, but also for other purposes, for example, when developing a master plan. In addition, he acquainted those present with recommendations and suggestions that are important for the sustainable development of the capital.

At the end of the meeting, Davron Khidoyatov thanked the partners for the organized conference and noted that a large amount of work has already been completed, much remains to be done in the future and, at the same time, it is necessary to thoroughly study the information provided. Also, given that the global pandemic showed the unpreparedness of most countries for such a large flow of patients, he noted the need to study and take into account, in addition to possible earthquakes and floods, other factors, such as obsolescence of the infrastructure, population growth, improvement of the healthcare system, development of public transport - which can affect the development of the city. He expressed the willingness of the khokimiyat to cooperate with international organizations, as well as to provide all the necessary information in a timely and full manner.