The Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade hosted a meeting of Deputy Minister Sarvar Hamidov with a UN delegation headed by Consuelo Vidal, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan and Gwi-Yeop Son, Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, UN Development Coordination Office.

The parties discussed measures to expand the activities of the Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea region and further joint efforts to achieve positive changes in the Aral Sea region.

The importance of further intensification of work to ensure sustainable development in the Aral Sea region was emphasized. The urgency of solving the Aral Sea crisis and the need for concerted efforts at the national and global levels were noted. In this context, representatives of the United Nations expressed readiness to further support Uzbekistan in its efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change in the Aral Sea region.

Strategies to increase the effectiveness of the Fund's initiatives, promote wider involvement of the population and mobilize resources for the implementation of sustainable development projects were also considered.

As a result of the meeting, the desire of the parties to take joint measures within the framework of projects to solve environmental problems and ensure a more sustainable future for the Aral Sea region was confirmed.

For reference: In September 2020, the UN country team in Uzbekistan completed the development of a UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-2025, which was approved and signed by the Government of Uzbekistan. The Framework Program of Cooperation is the main tool for planning and implementing all UN activities in the field of sustainable development in Uzbekistan. It has three strategic goals: effective governance and justice for all; inclusive development of human capital leading to health, well-being and sustainable prosperity; sustainable and climate-responsible development.