Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan to the UN Bakhtiyor Ibragimov held online negotiations with Alanna Armitage, Director of the Regional Office of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Dunyo news agency reported.

The purpose of the virtual meeting was to discuss the current state and prospects for the development of bilateral cooperation.

The Director of the UNFPA Regional Office was familiarized with information on the comprehensive support of women, their empowerment, ensuring gender equality in Uzbekistan, which are the priority areas of the republic’s state policy.

Particular attention was paid to the key tasks outlined in the Address of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Oliy Majlis on 29 December 2020 in the field of socio-economic development, further increasing the role of women in state and public administration. Information was also provided on the results of the recent visit by the heads of the diplomatic missions of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Karakalpakstan, during which the socio-economic development of the region was comprehensively considered, including through the active involvement of UN specialized agencies in this process, important measures were outlined for the future. In this regard, the Uzbek side expressed hope for close interaction between national partners and UNFPA in the implementation of the tasks set.

In turn, Alanna Armitage highly appreciated the transformations taking place in Uzbekistan in all spheres. According to her, despite the continued impact of the pandemic around the world, Uzbekistan continues to demonstrate high indicators in improving the health system, supporting women and youth, ensuring gender equality, as well as meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.

She noted that the priority directions of state policy in the field of social protection of the population, women and youth were clearly formulated in the speech of the leadership of the republic during the general debate of the 75th anniversary session of the General Assembly in September 2020, as well as in the New Year’s address of the head of state.

It was emphasized that the UNFPA Country Cooperation Program for Uzbekistan for 2021-2025, which will be approved during the session of the executive board of the organization on February 3, 2021 in New York, is almost completely in tune with the key areas of social and economic development designated by the head of state.

Another important aspect of bilateral cooperation was the readiness of UNFPA to assist in strengthening the national capacity of Uzbekistan to conduct the upcoming population census and provide assistance in the collection, analysis and use of demographic data.

During the meeting, an agreement was reached on close interaction in the areas of bilateral cooperation.