On 2024 year January 24-25, an International Forum was held at the headquarters of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London: “New Uzbekistan: New Opportunities, Social Partnership for Development”.
The Forum was organized by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Commission on Gender Equality of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the “SABR” National Center for social-economic development.
The main objective is to present and discuss successful models of partnership between government agencies, business and civil society institutions in Uzbekistan and their role in the development of women's entrepreneurship, employment and gender equality in general.
On the first day of the Forum - January 24 - the EBRD team met with representatives of Uzbek NGOs and business structures on financing and development of small and medium-sized businesses and non-financial services. At the meeting, the EBRD experts focused on openness, creation of a favorable environment for business in Uzbekistan, and in the partnership strategy developed jointly with the EBRD, first of all emphasized the introduction of public-private partnership mechanisms for the development of women's entrepreneurship in small and medium-sized businesses.
On the second day - January 25 - issues of women's entrepreneurship and economic empowerment of women were discussed, as well as successes, best practices, problems and solutions related to financing and educational programs.
Another important part of the Forum was the opening of the creative photo exhibition of the famous photographer Muhiddin Ali "One day in the life of Women in Uzbekistan" and the charity exhibition fair "Oriental Bazaar". The exhibition presented portraits of scientists, doctors, teachers, creative personalities, Paralympians and athletes, craftsmen and other women from all regions of Uzbekistan, as well as products of Uzbek national handicrafts, Uzbek businesswomen - Fatima Gulyamova, Lola Saifi, Mokhira Sultanova and potter from Rishtan Shokirjon Akhmadjanov.
