A seminar “Sustainable development is a key factor of stability and peace in Central Asia” organized by the United Nations Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) took place in Tashkent on 1-2 March 2012.

The two-day seminar brought together the representatives of the institutes of strategic studies, governmental structures and academic circles of the USA, Russia, China, Great Britain, France, Finland, as well as the experts of UN agencies, the CIS and the OSCE.

The event participants exchanged views on the impact of global financial and economic processes on the situation in Central Asia and discussed sustainable development in the region, as well as issues of regional security and stability.

During the event, Uzbekistan’s achievements in social and economic sphere, measures for the sustainable development of the country were especially noted by the international experts.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, the head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Miroslav Jenča stressed that Uzbekistan due to its effective financial policy was able to significantly reduce the negative impact of the global financial and economic crisis by demonstrating steady economic growth which was confirmed by the leading international financial institutions.

Li Minjie, the expert of the Chinese Institute of International Studies at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China noted that the Uzbek model of transition to a market economy has fully justified itself and has proved its effectiveness. She stressed that a stable annual growth in GDP, especially in the post-crisis period, as well as high levels of social protection show the economic correctness of Uzbekistan.

The head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, emphasized the government’s attention to the country’s social policy, as evidenced by the announcement in 2012 Year of Family and the adoption of State Program on social support of families. M.Kahan, British expert believes that the direction of Uzbekistan in the development of the social sphere demonstrates how the great attention of the government is paid to human development in the country.

In his turn, M.Koterec, the head of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) said that Uzbekistan is a vivid example of how the socio-economic development of the sector is becoming an important factor in sustainable development.

Foreign experts paid a special attention to the measures on the development of renewable energy which is being carried out in Uzbekistan. Jens Wandel, deputy Director of the Bureau for Europe and CIS countries noted about the efforts on implementation of energy-saving technologies, as well as exploiting the potential of solar energy in Uzbekistan.

As a result of the event, the forum participants mentioned about the necessity of continuing the dialogue in this direction in order to find answers and solutions to the current pressing problems of regional security and stability, the importance of comprehensive measures aimed at sustainable development of the region. (Source: UzA News Agency)