Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 30 November, the II Global Forum on interparliamentary cooperation in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals was held at the Palace of International Forums “Uzbekistan”.

It was attended by the Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Martin Chungong and the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Pia Kauma with a video message, directly and online by members of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Chairman of the CIS Parliamentary Assembly Valentina Matvienko, the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States Mehmet Sureya Er, heads of parliaments of foreign countries, representatives of inter-parliamentary organizations, youth parliaments, government bodies, international organizations, non-governmental non-profit organizations, the media, as well as experts from research institutions.

At the beginning of the event, the Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, Tanzila Narbayeva, read an address from the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Forum participants.

The forum was opened with an opening speech by the head of the upper chamber of the parliament of the Republic of Uzbekistan. She focused on the need to establish practical cooperation between parliaments, governments and civil society institutions in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, organizing regular parliamentary and public hearings on this issue.

It was emphasized that a completely new mechanism for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals has been introduced in Uzbekistan, and legal and institutional reforms have been carried out. The goals and objectives of global sustainable development, as well as their indicators, have been revised in accordance with national circumstances. A Parliamentary Commission has been created to monitor the implementation of national goals and objectives. To implement national goals and objectives in the field of sustainable development, the Concept “parliament - government - civil society institutions” was created. Thus, an effective mechanism for balancing interests in achieving the SDGs has been created and parliamentary and public control has been established in this area.

Particular attention was paid to the resolution of the UN General Assembly “On strengthening the role of parliaments in accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals”, adopted on 14 December 2022 at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as reforms carried out within the framework of national goals.

Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Martin Chungong, in his video message, thanked for the high level of organization of the II Global Forum on Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation in the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and noted that the issues, proposals and conclusions under consideration have a positive impact on the activities of parliament and civil society institutions.

The Forum was organized within three sessions on the topics: “The role of parliament and inter-parliamentary cooperation in promoting the effective implementation of the global agenda for 2030”, “Gender-oriented and youth policies in accelerating the process of achieving the SDGs” and “Interaction between parliament and civil society in the implementation the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

At the first session, participants discussed the role of the national parliament in implementing the 2030 agenda, including initiatives and development prospects for Uzbekistan, and at the second session, the role of the national parliament in empowering women in parliamentary processes.

At the third session, participants discussed issues such as further strengthening cooperation between parliament and civil society in achieving national goals and objectives in the field of sustainable development, as well as the participation of non-governmental non-profit organizations in the preparation of Voluntary National Reviews and alternative reports.

In addition, all participants supported the proposal to put forward at the UN a draft resolution of the UN General Assembly “On expanding the participation of civil society institutions in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” promoted during the event on the initiative of non-governmental non-profit organizations operating in our country.

As a result of the Forum, the Tashkent Communiqué was adopted, covering important aspects of interparliamentary cooperation.