International conference on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Sustainable Development Goals of Central Asia

The University of World Economy and Diplomacy hosted an international scientific and practical conference on the topic: "Opportunities and risks in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Central Asia in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was attended by members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, representatives of ministries and departments of the country, experts of the UN and other international organizations, scientists and researchers from Central Asian countries, foreign universities and research institutes, as well as faculty members, senior researchers-applicants of the UWED.

First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis Sodik Safoev, Rector of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy Komiljon Karimov, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan Matilda Dimovska, Director of the Global Europe Center, Professor of the University of Kent Elena Korosteleva, Co-coordinator of the international scientific project GCRF COMPASS (2017-2021), Chairman of the Cambridge Forum on Central Asia, Professor of the Center for Development Studies of the University of Cambridge Sidhart (Montu) Saxena.

In Central Asia, the most pressing issues today are addressing the decline in global trade indicators caused by the pandemic through regional cooperation, supporting the small business sector affected by COVID-19, addressing the quarantine period in the areas of consumer services, textiles and trade, and developing parliamentarism in society.

During the conference, the issues of ensuring economic growth, reducing poverty and inequality, strengthening social protection, aspects of international cooperation, threats and opportunities in achieving the SDGs in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and others were discussed in four thematic sections.

The reports focus on ensuring economic growth and employment, the effectiveness of the social protection system during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the post-crisis period, institutional and legal aspects of effective governance, expanding international cooperation for sustainable development, improving health systems, improving the quality of education and services, and preventing the effects of climate change.

The participants studied the experience of applying systemic measures to counter the pandemic, acquired by the countries of the region, which allowed them to develop important scientific and practical proposals and recommendations for overcoming the risks and threats caused by the spread of COVID-19, for overcoming the crisis and further advancing the implementation of the SDGs in Central Asia.