On November 1, 2022 a round table on the topic “Human development and prospects for Uzbekistan to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals” will be held at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy. This round table is dedicated to the opening of the Center for Sustainable Development.

On July 23, 2022, the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan PP-No. 330 “On measures to systematically reform the activities of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy” outlined comprehensive measures for the transformation of UWED based on the concept of “Smart University”. In order to implement this policy document, the University established the Institute for Advanced International Studies, part of which is the Center for Sustainable Development. The main purpose of the Center is to promote the effective implementation of the National goals and objectives in the field of sustainable development through scientific, methodological, information and analytical activities.

Leading UWED specialists, experts from ministries and departments responsible for achieving national sustainable development goals, as well as representatives of international organizations will take part in the round table. The keynote speaker for this event will be Dr. Ben Slay, Senior Advisor of UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS. Mr. Ben Slay is expected to report on the main findings of the Global Human Development Report, which was released under the title "Uncertain Times, Unsettled Lives".

In addition, a presentation on the prospects for achieving the national Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be made in the course of the event and barriers in achieving the SDGs and methods to overcome them will be discussed.

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Keynote speaker Dr. Ben Slay has 25 years of experience in economics and policy analysis, policy and programming for sustainable development, research and teaching, and UNDP strategic, program, project management. From 2001 served as director of UNDP’s Bratislava Regional Centre, advising government ministers/officials, and UNDP senior management, on key economic development and transition issues. In 2008 Dr. Ben Slay created the senior economist’s office in UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS. In 2012 served as senior advisor for sustainable development in UNDP’s Bureau of Development Policy. During 2013-2014 served as UNDP's poverty reduction team leader in the Europe and Central Asian region. Dr. Ben Slay has worked in academia, including at PlanEcon Inc. (now part of Global Insight), and teaching economics at a number of American universities and colleges.

The Human Development Report 2021/2022 is the latest in a series of global Human Development Reports published by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) since 1990 as an independent, analytically and empirically informed discussions of major development issues, trends and policies. Additional resources related to the Human Development Report 2021/2022 can be found online at http://hdr.undp.org

Uzbekistan is included in the category of countries with a high level of human development, ranking 101st out of 191 countries and territories in 2021 with an index value of 0.727. It should be emphasized that in Uzbekistan, there is a positive trend in the human development index, in contrast to the global figures. Between 2000 and 2021, the HDI value in Uzbekistan increased by 19.8%, from 0.607 to 0.727. Gross national income per capita, according to the report, increased by about 188.8% in the same period.

The Sustainable Development Goals are a set of 17 goals for future international cooperation led by the United Nations. In 2015, 193 UN member countries adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The SDGs are focused on ensuring progress in the areas of economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. Additional materials on the SDGs are available at https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/ru/sustainable-development-goals/

For additional questions regarding this event or the Center for Sustainable Development, you can contact us via e-mail at:

ltashpulatova@uwed.uz