SDSN Launches National Network in Uzbekistan, Its 60th
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) announced on 13 August 2026 the creation of SDSN Uzbekistan, its 60th national network. The network will be jointly coordinated by the Institute for Macroeconomic and Regional Research (IMRR) under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan and the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED) in Tashkent, according to SDSN.
Umid Abidkhodjaev, director of IMRR, and Sodiq Safoev, rector of UWED, were appointed co-chairs of SDSN Uzbekistan. The new network becomes the second national SDSN network in Central Asia, after SDSN Kazakhstan.
SDSN noted that Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, as the region's largest countries by population and economic potential, can play an important role in developing cross-border cooperation, knowledge exchange and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Central Asia.
The establishment of SDSN Uzbekistan reflects growing interest among universities, research organizations, government agencies, civil society institutions and other partners in working together on sustainable development. The network's tasks include supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals and implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
SDSN Uzbekistan will work on developing solutions at the local level and will support the formation of long-term development models, knowledge exchange and cross-sector cooperation. According to SDSN, the network's work is intended to help accelerate sustainable development in Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries.
Eight institutions currently belong to SDSN in Uzbekistan. They will be able to participate in the network's programs, including SDG Academy, SDSN Youth and SDGs Today. Participants will also have access to SustainChain, SDSN's closed platform for professionals and organizations working in sustainable development.
The establishment of the national network followed contacts between IMRR and SDSN leadership. On 11 July 2026, the institute held a meeting with SDSN President Jeffrey Sachs. The meeting was attended by representatives of SDSN member institutions, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan and other interested organizations. Participants discussed further strengthening cooperation in the area of sustainable development.
SDSN currently comprises 47 national and 13 regional networks in total. Each is coordinated by one or more host institutions, which run the secretariat, bring together universities and organizations in the relevant country or region, and support the implementation of SDSN programs.
The main tasks of national and regional networks include mobilizing support for the Sustainable Development Goals, helping governments address sustainable development challenges, promoting practical solutions and long-term implementation strategies, and advancing education and cooperation in research and education in this field.
SDSN expressed its readiness to cooperate with SDSN Uzbekistan and to develop the actual joint initiatives across Central Asia.
