The purpose of the event is to inform journalists on ongoing activities of UNDP in Uzbekistan as well as its newly-initiated projects to be implemented in collaboration with the Government of Uzbekistan in social and legal spheres and in the area of environment.

Ms. Kyoko Postill, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Uzbekistan, opened the media briefing and said: “In times when the whole world faces financial-economic instability, it is especially important to focus on social actions - those which bring real changes to the lives of ordinary people, whom we, at UNDP, consider our main beneficiaries. Therefore, UNDP stands ready to support the Government of Uzbekistan in its efforts targeted at improving welfare of the Uzbek people, especially vulnerable groups, such as the youth, poor, rural women, and people with disabilities”.

UNDP staffers briefed journalists on the organization’s activities in such areas as promoting rights of people with disabilities and gender equality as well as providing low-income people with pro bono, or unpaid, legal services through legal clinics supported by UNDP.

Journalists also received information on projects of UNDP and Global Environmental Fund’s Small Grants Program in the area of environment and energy.

The event participants also learned about UNDP’s plans to strengthen the cooperation with the Government of Uzbekistan, including upcoming projects on regional development, enhancement of legal awareness of people, assistance in parliamentary development, and establishing new innovative mechanisms on employment.

Among the participants were Zora Rahmatullaeva, the head of the Club for People with Disabilities under the National Association of Businesswomen with Disabilities, and Guljahon Mahamatkulova, the head of the “Millenium” Club for People with Disabilities. The clubs have been operating with UNDP’s support.

Members of Rahmatullaeva’s club arranged a coffee-break and provided pastry baked by women with disabilities.

Aziza Umarova, the head of UNDP’s Good Governance Unit, pointed out the importance of cooperation with mass media and said: “We work for people. Through mass media and through you, journalists, can we reach out to people. We would like to engage mass media and hope to strengthen our cooperation with journalists who should be barometer of our activity”.

At the media briefing, the journalists received information packages on the activities of UNDP that has worked in Uzbekistan since 1993.

Mass media representatives had an opportunity to ask questions and exchange opinions with UNDP staffers.

The event organizers expressed hope to continue collaboration with mass media in future.