Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – At the recently held 8th Central Asian Internet Governance Forum (CAIGF 2024) in Tashkent, discussions revolved around cybersecurity, internet regulation, and the importance of implementing ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) standards. These principles encompass not only environmental stewardship but also social responsibility and effective corporate governance.

Representatives from international companies shared successful ESG initiatives and experiences in implementing such practices.

Yandex is actively implementing social projects in Uzbekistan, focusing on supporting inclusivity and educational development.

"In the Yandex Go app, options are provided for people with disabilities. There is a special accessibility screen where users can specify the assistance they need, such as loading a wheelchair into the trunk or finding an appropriate vehicle. Drivers receive specific notifications and instructions at each stage of the ride. To date, there have been over 233,000 successful trips with special options. Yandex Go also welcomes partnerships with hearing-impaired drivers," explains Sardor Kadyrov, GR Director of Yandex in Uzbekistan.

Another key initiative of the company is to ensure equal access to STEM education. In Tashkent, the Yandex School of Programming was established in 2023, offering high school students free Python courses for a year. Last academic year, over 1000 applications were received for enrollment.

Currently, negotiations are underway to open similar schools in Samarkand and Urgench. Additionally, Yandex plans to launch free programming courses for computer science teachers, providing them access to Yandex Tasks—a Python learning resource that can be integrated into school curricula. Up to 700 teachers will be able to participate in these courses.

For several years, the company has supported the international STEM program Technovation Girls in Uzbekistan. Girls aged 8 to 18 develop technological applications to address social issues as part of this competition. This year, 60 Yandex mentors collaborated with teams, assisting in development, marketing, and business processes.

"We actively collaborate with charitable organizations such as Ezgu Amal, Kapalak Bolalar, Sharoit, and the Ona Foundation, providing them with free rides and deliveries. Last year, the ‘Generous November’ campaign saw a donation of 101 million soums to charitable organizations.

Moreover, we cooperate with the search and rescue squad ‘Uz Alert,’ helping them disseminate information quickly during searches. We send alerts about missing children and adults to drivers and couriers in cities where searches are ongoing. Over 23,000 partners are involved in this initiative," highlights Sardor Kadyrov.

The company also places a strong emphasis on safety. In the Yandex Go app, automatic monitoring of speed and driving behavior helps detect dangerous maneuvers by drivers. Additionally, Yandex Go was the first to introduce free life and health insurance for passengers and drivers during trips, in case of accidents.