Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 26 January 2021, a meeting was held between the Chairman of the Senate Committee of the Oliy Majlis on the development of the Aral Sea region Boriy Alikhanov with the UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan Matilda Dimovski to consider ways to improve the socio-economic situation in the Aral Sea region.

It was noted that in Karakalpakstan, within the framework of the implementation of the decree of the President of Uzbekistan "On measures for the comprehensive socio-economic development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan in 2020 - 2023", 705 out of the planned 1,359 investment projects were launched, as a result, about 4,500 jobs were created. In total, in accordance with this document, it is planned to implement 2 788 projects and objects worth 1 trillion 209 billion soums and attract foreign grants and investments for over 1 billion dollars.

The Senate of the Oliy Majlis, in particular, the Committee on Development of the Aral Sea Region, created in the upper house of parliament, carries out parliamentary control over their implementation.

UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan Matilda Dimovska, among the main activities, noted cooperation with the Senate of the Oliy Majlis in the field of parliamentary control, the development of joint coordinated actions in the implementation of the planned programs within the SDGs, as well as the development of the Aral Sea region, which is the region most affected by environmental disaster.

Within the framework of the meeting, they spoke about the efforts of UNDP in this direction. In particular, over the past ten years, UNDP has been able to implement a number of UN projects and joint programs to target assistance and meet the needs of the population and support the socio-economic development of local economies (access to basic infrastructures, access to employment, support for farmers in the use of progressive agro- practices with the use of adaptation measures to combat climate change, including forest plantations). In addition, UNDP assisted the government in establishing the UN Multi-Partner Fund for Human Security for the Aral Sea region.

Given the complexity and importance of the environmental problem in the Aral Sea region, the Uzbek side voiced its proposals for joint cooperation. In turn, it was noted that UNDP has also identified its directions within the initiative to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

M. Dimovska highly appreciated the efforts of our state for the socio-economic development of the Aral Sea region, directed to this means. According to her, UNDP is considering ways to assist in the implementation and identification of solutions, promote a systemic innovation approach and new financial instruments to improve the socio-economic situation here, as well as develop a Concept and a roadmap for the Aral Sea region as a zone of environmental innovations and technologies.

The parties expressed their readiness to jointly implement the tasks for the development of the region, including agriculture, strengthen international dialogue in this direction, effective cooperation in the implementation of the "green" economy and other issues.