In a stride towards uplifting rural communities, Tashkent hosted a pivotal meeting of the Board of the joint project between the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan and UNDP, "Sustainable Rural Development," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan reported. Financed by the Islamic Development Bank and OPEC Fund for International Development, the initiative aims to bolster the well-being of the population by fostering sustainable development in rural areas.
The meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from ministries and agencies, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, and authorities from various regions, along with international organizations such as the Islamic Development Bank, World Bank, and UNDP.
Participants were presented with a comprehensive report highlighting the achievements of the project in 2023 and outlining ambitious plans for 2024. The first stage of the project, covering the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Bukhara, Navoi, and Khorezm regions, saw the allocation of $275mn. Notably, 170 neighborhoods were selected based on community input, resulting in the identification of over 900 subprojects aimed at resolving current issues.
Zafar Urakov, the Director of the Joint Project Implementation Group, emphasized the uniqueness of these projects, crafted in collaboration with the population to address their specific needs. The second stage, encompassing Samarkand, Kashkadarya, and Surkhandarya regions, is already underway, building on the success and lessons learned from the initial phase.
Key achievements in 2023 included mobilization workshops in 57 communities with over 3,300 participants, cluster community development plans for 40 areas, and the initiation of 71 new construction projects. These projects span various domains, from road construction and irrigation system improvement to water and electricity supply, street lighting, bridge construction, and sewerage and drainage systems.
The project's commitment to community involvement is evident in the establishment of initiative groups comprising 2,088 residents, including 558 women, actively monitoring the implementation of subprojects. For the remaining 829 subprojects, consulting companies have been engaged, with practical work set to commence in the first quarter of 2024.
UNDP Project Manager Bakhtiyor Sayfiddinov presented the project's results and future plans. Notably, the initiative conducted research on the impact of environmental disasters on agriculture and the population assessed the potential of the urban planning market, and identified the needs of local education specialists. To enhance the skills of specialists, six training sessions were organized, attracting 2,859 participants.
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