27/08/2021 - 10:04 4151

On August 26 this year, the final meeting of the Coordination Council of the joint UNDP and UNESCO project "Solving urgent problems of human security in the Aral Sea region by promoting sustainable rural development" was held.

First Deputy Minister Saidkakhkhor Kholkhodjaev took part in the meeting on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction. From the foreign side, the Deputy Resident Representative of the UNDP in Uzbekistan Ms. Doina Munteanu, acting Head of UNESCO Delegation in Uzbekistan Mr. Alexandros Makarigakis, as well as other specialists.

At the beginning of the meeting, in his opening speech, Saidkakhkhor Kholkhodzhayev noted the complex of measures done during 2019-2021 in 3 districts of Karakalpakstan within the framework of the project, in which the development of human capital, the development of infrastructure of 5 makhallas and improvement of the material and technical base of forestry in the Takhtakupyr region. It was noted that this project was “another achievement of effective cooperation between the Ministry and foreign partners, including UNDP and UNESCO”.

In turn, UNDP and UNESCO specialists voiced the priority task of the project - mitigation of environmental, social and economic instability in the most vulnerable communities of the Aral Sea region, as well as the results achieved. In particular, access to clean drinking water in the Takhtakupyr region of Karakalpakstan was provided for more than 3400 people through the construction of water supply networks with a total length of more than 18 thousand km and the purchase of appropriate water treatment equipment.

Also, special attention is paid to ensuring the employment of the local population, mainly women, and their stable sources of income. To date, more than 50 jobs have been created within the framework of 6 completed and 7 active pilot business projects.

During the specialized presentation, the meeting participants were informed about the improvement of the material and technical base of the forestry of the Takhtakupyr region. Within the framework of the project, 17 types of special equipment were transferred, including radio telephones, tractors, a bulldozer, etc.

Following the meeting, the parties reached an agreement to consolidate the achieved results and jointly develop new project proposals within the framework of current and planned projects in the Aral Sea region, including the development of entrepreneurship.

Information service of the

Ministry of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction