Aligned and integrated with the UN Development Assistance Framework to Uzbekistan (2010-2015), UNDP, through the Action Plan, will continue to support Uzbekistan’s development efforts in three major areas: economic governance and welfare improvement, environment and energy, and good governance. The Action Plan also outlines the achievement of MDGs, the final reckoning of which falls on the end of this programme cycle, as a key outcome, and positions UNDP as an organization working closely with other partners, along with the whole UN family, in the process of supporting human development in Uzbekistan. Important cross-cutting themes, such as gender equality, knowledge management and capacity development will be incorporated and mainstreamed throughout all programmes.

The CPAP builds upon the experience and lessons learned of successful cooperation between UNDP and the Government during the implementation of the previous programme cycle, and takes as a basis analysis of the current development situation in the country, as outlined in the Welfare Improvement Strategy (2008-2010). It also reflects the independent evaluation of UNDP’s development efforts in Uzbekistan. This assessment covered the period of 2000-2008 and pointed out, among other issues, the need for programme consolidation and systematizing capacity development as a central tenet of UNDP’s programme of support.

The adoption of a new CPAP was the result of intensive consultations between UNDP, national and international partners over the course of last year. In addition to several technical meetings, a high-level consultation took place in late September 2009. Feedback and suggestions gathered during these meetings were incorporated into the final version, thus reflecting key national priorities.

UNDP has been working in Uzbekistan since 1993 supporting the country in overcoming the challenges of transition, by providing policy advice, sharing of good practices and through concrete projects. The projects that have been implemented during this period, over a hundred in total, have had a direct and sustainable impact on national legislation, the environment, promoting gender equality and the creation of entrepreneurial activity in the country. Funding for the projects has amounted to over USD 100 million and tens of thousands of people have benefited from UNDP programmes.

“We believe that by adopting a new plan of action we are entering a deeper, more compelling and revitalized cooperation with our partners, in our common efforts to support and have a positive impact on socio-economic development in Uzbekistan”, commented Ms. Anita Nirody, UNDP Resident Representative. “Our programme in this country have been steadily growing during the past years, and we hope that by 2015, which is also the target year for achievement of MDGs, we will support and witness Uzbekistan emerging with a strong MDG scorecard on human development”.