At the COP29 conference in Baku, the French Development Agency (AFD) has solidified its commitment to Uzbekistan’s sustainable growth by signing two agreements with the country’s Ministry of Economy and Finance. The agreements, which include €100mn in financing for energy transition projects and a tripartite partnership with the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), mark a step towards a greener, more sustainable future for Uzbekistan.
The financing agreement, valued at €100mn, focuses on supporting the restructuring and decarbonization of Uzbekistan’s energy sector. This funding, co-financed with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), will help modernize the energy infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and make the sector more attractive to private investments. The goal is to transition Uzbekistan towards a modern, environmentally friendly energy system that aligns with global climate objectives.
In addition to the energy financing, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by AFD, SDSN, and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Economy and Finance. The agreement aims to establish a comprehensive Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) monitoring program across Uzbekistan’s regions and cities. The 18-month program will focus on developing SDG indicators, dashboards, and a centralized data platform to track progress. This initiative will enhance Uzbekistan’s capacity to monitor its development goals at both regional and urban levels, supporting the country’s long-term sustainable development strategies.
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Ilkhom Norkulov, First Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan; Rémy Rioux, CEO of AFD; and Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, President of SDSN.
Rémy Rioux, CEO of AFD, expressed his optimism about the agreements, stating, “The signing of these two agreements during COP29 represents the power of such international forums to unite countries, experts, financial institutions, and all willing actors to achieve common goals: realizing the SDGs, of which climate transition is one of the foremost. After nearly 10 years of working with Uzbekistan, we are cementing a strategic partnership for sustainable infrastructure transformation and data-driven governance.”
Ilkhom Norkulov emphasized that the agreements help transform Uzbekistan's sustainability goals into actionable, measurable steps. He highlighted that AFD and SDSN's support will strengthen the country's ability to monitor development progress at both regional and urban levels, ensuring a data-driven approach to a greener, more inclusive future.
Dr. Jeffrey D. Sachs highlighted the importance of the partnership, noting that SDSN promotes sustainable development solutions through its global network. He expressed pride in collaborating with AFD and Uzbekistan to enhance long-term monitoring, policies, and investment frameworks for achieving the SDGs.
These agreements stresses the growing collaboration between Uzbekistan and international partners to achieve the country’s ambitious sustainability goals outlined in the “Uzbekistan-2030” strategy.
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