LocationsAgenda of the Forum and speakers' presentations
Building Forward Better: A COVID-19 Green Recovery for Uzbekistan
International online Forum in Uzbekistan
Tashkent, 3-4 March 2021
In recent years, Uzbekistan has developed, adopted, and implemented various policies and measures to support climate change mitigation and adaptation. One of the hallmarks of this reform process was the adoption of “The strategy for the transition of the Republic of Uzbekistan to a green economy in the period of 2019-2030” (hereinafter referred to as the Strategy), in October 2019. The strategy aims to contribute to the fulfillment of obligations under the Paris Agreement on climate change ratified by Uzbekistan in 2018, as well as the implementation of the Action Strategy for five priority areas of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan (2017-2021).
The Strategy on the transition to a green economy sets specific targets for reducing emissions by increasing energy efficiency, enhancing use of renewable energy, improving resource efficiency and crop yields, while ensuring a neutral balance of land degradation. Uzbekistan has also renewed emphasis on addressing the challenges of the Aral Sea region, with the vision to transform it into ‘a Zone of Ecological Innovation and Technologies’. The Strategy can only reinforce this ambition, ultimately ensuring that climate change does not impose limits on the future growth prospects, undermine poverty reduction progress, and adversely impact food security, particularly in vulnerable rural areas.
Agenda of the Forums and Speakers' presentation
Day 1
3 March 2021
13:30 |
Participants registration |
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14:00 |
Welcome video on achievement of “green” SDGs in Uzbekistan |
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14:05-14:50 |
Moderator: Ms. Matilda Dimovska, UNDP Resident Representative Opening remarks: Mr. Jamshid Kuchkarov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan for financial and economic issues and poverty reduction/Minister of economic development and poverty reduction of the Republic of Uzbekistan (tbc) Mr. Alisher Maksudov, Chairperson of The State Committee for Ecology and Environment Protection of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ms. Olga Algayerova, United Nations Under-Secretary-General, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Ms. Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Europe and the CIS Mr. Peter Burian, EU Special Representative for Central Asia Ms. Marjeta Jager, Deputy Director-General, European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships Ms. Helena Fraser, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan |
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14:50-15:00 |
Group foto |
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15:00-15:50 |
Session I: “Building Forward better: Green Recovery and way forward” The post-pandemic recovery offers a unique opportunity for nations to rethink policies for economic recovery to usher in a more sustainable economy. The session I will discuss the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on socio-economic development and the need for shaping green recovery plans. It will also discuss the economic impact of the current global environmental trends and present the policy and financing tools available to boost the efficient use of resources. Moderator: Ms. Laura Altinger, Head of Regional Nature, Climate and Energy Team, UNDP Bureau for Europe and Central Asia (5 min) Panel discussion: 1.“Circular Economy Action Plan in the EU Green Deal” Ms. Astrid Schomaker, Director for Global Sustainable Development, European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment (7 min) 2.“Regional Economic Development Cooperation and its Influence of National Economies. Call for Green Recovery” Mr. George Bouma, Regional Sustainable Development Team Leader, UNDP Bureau for Europe and Central Asia (7 min.) 3.”Measures to promote sustainable energy at the regional level and their implications for COVID-19 green recovery in Uzbekistan” Mr. Scott Foster, Director, Sustainable Energy Division, UNECE (7 min.) 4.“Management of the Climate Risks and its Impact to the Economic Development of Uzbekistan” 5.Ms. Sayora Abdullaeva, Head of Department on Monitoring Climate Change, Centre of Hydrometeorological Service at the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan (7 min) Q&A (15-20 mins) |
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15:50 16:00 |
Coffee break |
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16:00-16:50 |
Session II: “Identifying Gaps and Opportunities for Green Recovery in Uzbekistan” The Session will discuss the Strategy on the transition to green economy of Uzbekistan in connection with the COVID-19 recovery plans. To support the Government to prepare informed policy solutions, UNDP has launched development of the Policy Brief that will suggest a vision and contextualize the Building Forward Better strategy. The Session will offer a platform for exchange of views on the priorities and best ways to go forward. The Session will focus on implementation of the Green Economy Strategy. Moderator: Ms. Zulfira Zikrina, Key Expert, SWITCH Asia SCP Facility (5 min.) Panel discussion: 1.“COVID-19 Recovery Plan of Uzbekistan: Key Measures in Green Economic Development” Mr. Bobur Abdinazarov, Deputy Minister of Ministry for Economic Development and Poverty Reduction of Uzbekistan (7 min.) (TBC) 2.“Policy Brief by UNDP: Opportunities for Covid-19 Green Recovery” Mr. Randall Purcell, UNDP expert (7 min) 3.“Green recovery’ from COVID-19 can slow climate change: adaptation and mitigation measures recommended in the 3rd Environmental Performance Review (EPR) of Uzbekistan” Mr. Cornelis Braams, UNECE consultant (7 min.) 4.“Greening the Sector of Agriculture: Private Sector Example” Mr. Muzaffar Irsmetov, “Intexnol” private company (7 min.) Q&A (15 mins) |
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17:00-17:30 |
Closing remarks Ms. Sarangoo Radnaaragchaa, Regional Advisor, Environment Division, UNECE Mr. François Begeot, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan Ms. Matilda Dimovska, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan |
Day 2
4 March 2021
10:00- |
Session III: “Deep Dive on Green Financing Instruments” (led by UNDP) This session is expected to discuss the issues related to the existing experience with green finance instruments. The session will consider examples of effective international and national solutions, aimed at identifying the main factors contributing to reducing the risks for green investments, existing international funds and institutions with examples of project financing implementation. (examples of mechanisms for financing "green" projects and opportunities open for Uzbekistan are needed to resolve issues of financing projects in the country, experience in creating specialized "green" funds, as well as mechanisms at the state level). Moderator: Mr. Sardor Koshnazarov, UNDP expert (5 minutes) Panel discussion: 1.“Green Finance Instruments (green sukuk): Global Trends”, Mr. Muhammad Didi Hardiana, Head of the Innovative Financing Lab (IFLab), UNDP (7 minutes) 2.”EBRD’s green programmes, including GEFF, FINTECC and High-Impact programme for the corporate sector” Mr. Vincent Duijnhouwer, Associate Director, Energy Efficiency and Climate Change (E2C2), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (7 minutes) 3.“SME Development and Green Financing” Mr. Isomiddin Akramov, Regional Project Manager, ACTED (7 min.) 4. ‘’EU Green Financing Instruments’’ Ms. Ingrid Cailhol, Administrator, European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (7 min.) Open floor discussion lead by Moderator (30 min.) |
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11:25-11:30 |
Coffee break |
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11:30-12:45 |
Session IV: “Enabling Environment for the Digital Transformation in the Private Sector” led by the EU Delegation in Uzbekistan. As the experience during the pandemic showed, a coherent approach to digitalisation is important for a successful transition to a green recovery. Digitalisation provides an opportunity to the government and businesses to reduce the pressure on the environment. But throughout the digital transformation it is important to avoid exacerbating already existing inequalities, including those affecting the private sector. In order to fully unlock the potential of the private sector in digital transformation and green recovery of Uzbekistan, it is important to identify and address the key challenges of the digital private sector. During the side-event, the participants will discuss these challenges (including legal framework, financing, connectivity/ infrastructure) and share the best practices that Uzbekistan can follow and replicate across the country. Moderator: Mr. Johannes Stenbaek Madsen, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Kazakhstan (5 min)
Open floor discussion lead by Moderator (40 minutes) |
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