Uzbekistan's National Sustainable Development Goals: Progress and Challenges in Achieving the SDGs

The experts reviewed Uzbekistan's activity in implementing the UN SDGs and discussed a wide range of issues and the importance of new initiatives regarding the relevance of accelerating the achievement of national SDGs.

The event brought together over 70 delegates, among them experts from reputable international organizations and partner states, including UNDP, OPHI, ILO, UNICEF, FAO, etc.

The International round table has become one of the stages of discussing the progress of the tasks set for the half-way to the SDGs, as well as new initiatives on the relevance of accelerating the achievement of national SDGs, in cooperation with the UNDP and the UN family in Uzbekistan, with the participation of responsible ministries and departments, non-governmental organizations, civil society and media.

The event was organized to discuss and evaluate the progress made in achieving the SDGs, share important best practices, clarify current goals and identify further measures to accelerate the tasks set.

Ms. Consuelo Vidal Bruce – UN Resident Coordinator a.i. in Uzbekistan, Mr. Anas Fayyad Qarman – UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Uzbekistan, and Obid Khakimov, Director of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms addressed the participants with a welcome speech.

As Consuelo Visal Bruce, UN Resident Coordinator a.i. noted in her statement, “The SDG Summit has galvanized renewed commitment from the international community, national governments, civil society, and development partners on a new phase of concerted global efforts in achieving the 2030 Agenda. And Uzbekistan is an active member-state of these processes”.

Welcoming the participants, Obid Khakimov, the Director of the CERR, noted that this year the world marks the half-way to achieving the SDGs. “This is an important moment to assess the progress made, share important experiences and clarify goals for Uzbekistan.”

Noting the consistent progress on the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN General Agenda 2030, the Director of the CERR designated attainment of the SDGs as one of the main priorities of the state policy of the New Uzbekistan, implemented under the leadership of the President of our country.

During the event, it was noted that Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary–General, highly assessed the Address of the President of Uzbekistan at the General Assembly, and underscored the scale of the goals and objectives of the new reform strategy “Uzbekistan – 2030” and its full alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Experts noted the large-scale reforms that began in 2022 within the framework of the “Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026”, are fully in tune with the goals and objectives in the field of sustainable development.

The participants noted that Uzbekistan has made progress in promoting its transformation programme towards sustainable development. This includes changing financial priorities, both public and private, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

At the same time, at the round table, changes in the global economy were discussed that resulted in the need of rethinking the needs and priorities of financing the SDGs, while the ongoing tense situation in the world threatens to slow down the progress of achieving the SDGs for Uzbekistan.

In this regard, the participants expressed the need to adopt new initiatives on the relevance of accelerating the achievement of the SDGs, as well as finding ways to address these issues.

To fully implement the SDGs, Uzbekistan is actively seeking investment and technology, at the same time strengthening closer ties with Central Asian countries. These efforts are crucial for achieving water, energy and food security throughout the region.

Anas Qarman, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. highlighted in his concluding statement, “Our commitment to the SDGs extends beyond the numbers. UNDP and Uzbekistan's dedication lies in the pursuit of improving the well-being of people. Let us remember that the way towards achieving the SDGs is not just about reaching targets but reshaping the very nature of development.”

“While we are halfway in achieving the SDGs, adjustments need to be made. This includes strengthening the support of developing countries by developed countries for the further development of the private sector, encouraging public-private partnerships and co-financing programmes” , — the director of the CERR O.Khakimov noted.