President of Uzbekistan Receives UN Under-Secretary-General Tatyana Molchan at Samarkand Climate Forum
Samarkand, The Gulf Observer: President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, received Tatyana Molchan, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), as part of the ongoing Samarkand Climate Forum.
At the outset of the meeting, Ms. Molchan conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from UN Secretary-General António Guterres to the President of Uzbekistan.
President Mirziyoyev underscored the significant role of the UNECE in advancing the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. He expressed appreciation for the Commission’s expert support across multiple sectors, including transport, innovation, textiles, energy, environmental protection, gender equality, and Uzbekistan’s accession process to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The discussions focused on the implementation of key national and regional initiatives, particularly those presented by President Mirziyoyev at the inaugural summit of the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA), held in Baku in November 2023.
Both sides noted with satisfaction the adoption of the SPECA Development Concept until 2030, initiated by Uzbekistan, along with the signing of a “roadmap” with the International Trade Centre for simplifying trade procedures. In addition, tangible progress has been made in the digitalization of trade processes and electronic document exchange under the framework of the Trans-Caspian Corridor.
Highlighting recent environmental milestones, the Uzbek leader noted that, with UNECE’s support, Uzbekistan officially joined the Aarhus Convention earlier this year, granting public access to accurate environmental information. Furthermore, ongoing efforts are underway to secure the country’s accession to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Air Convention) and the Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents.
President Mirziyoyev and Under-Secretary-General Molchan also discussed the importance of promptly launching the SPECA Program Trust Fund, which would serve as a vital mechanism for supporting the implementation of strategic regional initiatives.
The meeting reflected Uzbekistan’s continued commitment to sustainable development, regional cooperation, and active engagement with international institutions to address global and regional challenges.
