On April 27 of this year, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan S. Umurzakov and the UN the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Liu Zhenmin held negotiations by video-conference.

During the dialogue, Liu Zhenmin said that Uzbekistan is the first country to conduct bilateral online negotiations with the UN leadership since the outbreak of the pandemic. This shows that both countries have well-defined targets to deepen and bolster multifaceted cooperation.

The parties discussed the way of implementation of joint projects, as well as prospects for further expansion of interaction. Mr. Liu Zhenmin, speaking on behalf of the UN leadership, appreciated the comprehensive measures to reduce poverty initiated by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and then expressed the readiness to provide consultative and technical assistance in the development of the Poverty Reduction Program, which aims to arrange a set of measures to provide wide comprehensive social and economic support to the unemployed and vulnerable sectors of the country.

The UN office in Uzbekistan will also provide expert support in conducting joint studies of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country's economy.

Parties also discussed the course of preparation of the first Voluntary National Review (VNR) of Uzbekistan on the Progress in the Implementation of Strategic Goals and Objectives until 2030. Mr. Liu Zhenmin appreciated the plans of Uzbekistan to present this report at the High-Level Political Forum under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council in New York in July 2020.

For reference: The High-Level Political Forum is the United Nations central platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In 2020, about 50 countries are going to make their presentations of Voluntary National Reviews.

In addition, the parties discussed the possibility of appropriating grant funds to Uzbekistan to develop the Integrated National Financing Frameworks in order to increase transparency in the management of public finances and help accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Cooperation in the field of training will be expanded - the UN leadership expressed its readiness to organize advanced training programs for government employees of Uzbekistan at the UN headquarters.

At the end of negotiations, the parties reached the agreement that they will conduct a joint work to develop a Road Map for the implementation of coordinated initiatives and the development of new areas of cooperation. The parties will continue the active dialogue in this respect through holding regular sessions by video conference.