A meeting of the Steering Committee of the UN Multi-Partnership Trust Fund for Human Security for the Aral Sea region takes place
14/07/2020 17:32
A meeting of the Steering Committee of the UN Multi-Partnership Trust Fund for Human Security for the Aral Sea region takes place
14/07/2020 17:32
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 14 July 2020, the 4th meeting of the Steering Committee of the Multi-partner Trust Fund for Human Security for the Aral Sea region, created under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), took place in a video conference format.
The meeting was led by the co-chairs of the Steering Committee: Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov and UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan Helena Fraser.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan B. Abidov, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan M. Dimovska, UNICEF Permanent Representative in Uzbekistan S. Graumann, as well as representatives of UN agencies, donor organizations and the non-governmental sector.
During the meeting, the results of the evaluation of applications for project financing submitted as part of the first reception of the Trust Fund, held in December 2019, were examined. As part of the first submission of applications, 2 projects totaling US$3.1 million were approved and funded, including a joint project between UNDP and UNESCO on the construction of water supply networks and reconstruction of water treatment facilities in a number of settlements in the Aral Sea region, as well as on the organization of scientific expeditions to study the possibilities of planting on the drained part of the bottom of the Aral Sea.
The second project is an initiative of UNICEF and UNFPA to modernize the perinatal institutions of Nukus and the districts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. It should be noted that the high-quality and timely implementation of these projects is ensured by constant monitoring by the Trust Fund Technical Secretariat.
In this context, it was noted that much attention is being paid to measures to mitigate the negative consequences of the Aral crisis. A program for the socio-economic development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan for the period 2019-2021 has been developed and is being implemented, which includes more than 1000 projects totaling US$1.5 billion in the development of the healthcare system, construction, textile, pharmaceutical, food, tourism and chemical industries.
Also, in the framework of the Investment Program of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2020-2022. In Karakalpakstan, implementation of 28 projects is foreseen in the amount of US$3.4 billion.
The priorities for comprehensive work on the further development of the region are the development of industry, the organization of large and small industries in various industries, the creation of favorable conditions for the development of entrepreneurship, the widespread introduction of advanced technologies in agriculture, the creation of a modern infrastructure convenient for the population and production, as well as the adoption of comprehensive measures to increase the level and quality of life of the Aral Sea population.
Initiatives implemented in the environmental sphere were highlighted separately, including work on the creation of protective forest stands in the drained part of the Aral Sea and the rest of the region - currently, 100 billion soums have been allocated under this project, and the planted area only for the winter-spring period 2019-2020 brought to 1.2 million hectares.
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan, a special gratitude was expressed to the representatives of Finland for making a contribution to the Fund in the amount of 1 million euros, as well as the delegation of the European Union in Uzbekistan for making a contribution to the Fund in the amount of 5 million euros. It was announced that in the near future it is expected to sign an agreement with the Government of the Republic of Korea on making a contribution to the Fund in the amount of 1 million euros.
Also during the meeting, applications for financing 3 projects in the amount of US$12.4 million developed and presented as part of the second admission were reviewed on the themes of Youth, Innovation and Health Care. These applications, previously studied by the evaluation committee, consisting of the leadership of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, representatives of UN agencies, research institutes, and Jokarga Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, were recognized as meeting the requirements of the Trust Fund and approved in the prescribed manner.
A separate project was noted for the construction of a multidisciplinary hospital in Muynaks district, the implementation of which will expand access to health services for the population of the most affected northern regions of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. The project received fundamental support from partners and in the near future as the finalization of the feasibility study will be approved as part of the second application.
Representatives of UNICEF and UNDP also made a brief presentation on the implementation of projects approved in accordance with the decision of the second meeting of the Steering Committee, held on 3 June 2019.
The issue of holding the first meeting of the Advisory Committee on Sustainable Development of the Aral Sea region on the platform of the Trust Fund, created by the decision of the Steering Committee from 16 December 2019, was considered. The Advisory Committee is called upon to become a single platform for a constructive dialogue between the government, civil society and development partners on various aspects of the socio-economic development of the Aral Sea region.
Following the meeting, the meeting participants confirmed their commitment to further systematic cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the UN, as well as its specialized agencies in order to effectively use the Trust Fund as a tool for exchanging information, dialogue on various aspects of the development of the Aral Sea region, sharing knowledge and innovative approaches to solving existing environmental and socio-economic problems.
The multi-partner trust fund for human security in the Aral Sea region is an innovative financial mechanism created in 2018 under the auspices of the UN. The objective of the Fund is to develop international cooperation and mobilize donor community funds for the practical implementation of comprehensive measures aimed at improving the environmental and socio-economic situation in the Aral Sea region. Since its inception, donors have contributed US$11.2 million to the Fund.
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