17 October, 2011
Politics:
Qualitative medicines - the key to success in protecting the health of citizens
Uzbekistan becomes charter member of International Gas Union
Uzbekistan elected as member of UNWTO Executive Council
Construction of Rogun HPS is violation of international laws
Economics:
GM Uzbekistan sells 71,623 cars in Russia in Jan-Sep 2011
Society:
Regional civil protection training centres equipped to strengthen community outreach
Ichan Kala - hearth of spirituality
POLITICS
Qualitative medicines - the key to success in protecting the health of citizens
On October 14, 2011 Committee on Labor and Social Issues of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan held a conference on: “The state of providing the population with high-quality drugs: problems and solutions”.
The event was attended by deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, heads and senior officials of relevant ministries, agencies and organizations, and the mass media representatives.
During the years of independence in the process of large-scale reforms aimed at modernizing the country, development and liberalization of social sphere, the social system also radically improved.
In the social policy of the state, the issue of health protection indicates one of the priorities.
At the conference it was noted, that in our country, much attention is paid to the health of citizens, further strengthening the material-technical base of medical institutions of the republic, to provide qualified medical services and provide citizens with qualitative drugs, as well as timely detection and elimination of factors that affect people's health.
During the event, it was emphasized that to ensure high quality work in all these areas in the country there have been taken appropriate legal acts. So over the years of independence 22 laws, 10 decrees and resolutions of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as 21 resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers were adopted, which directly or indirectly reflected the legal basis of drug market. Among them there are laws “On protection of citizens' health”, “On medicines and pharmaceutical activity”, “On technical regulation”, “On Consumer Protection”, “On Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances”, “On Advertising” and others which reflect the legal framework of the issues for handling of medicines, their quality and other aspects in this direction.
According to the participants of the conference, under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the country special attention is paid to further development of the pharmaceutical industry, the market of drugs and medical products in order to fully ensure the population with high qualitative products and tools. This is confirmed by the adoption of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On additional measures on filling the domestic market with drugs and medical devices” of November 8, 1994, Resolution “On measures to support domestic producers of medicines and medical devices” of July 14, 2006 under ¹ PR-416, Resolution “On the program of modernization, technical and technological re-equipment of enterprises of pharmaceutical industry in the period up to 2011” of November 19, 2007 under ¹ PR-731, as well as Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers “On measures to ensure the country's population with medicine” of August 7, 1997 under the ¹391, Decree “On Improving the implementation of medicines and medical products” of January 14, 1999, under ¹19.
Deputies of the Legislative Chamber, participated at the conference, reported on the results of control and analytical work of performance of all operating legal and regulatory acts in the country, regarding the topic.
The current level of satisfaction of human needs for medicines was noted at the conference. However, given the current context, participants of the conference emphasized the desirability of regular review of execution the requirements of laws and regulations in practice, prevention of emerging problems in this area, dealing with topical issues, as well as further development and improvement of this sector.
The priorities of the development of pharmaceutical industry were discussed at the conference. Particular attention was paid to improving of providing the population with qualitative drugs, the licensing of pharmaceutical activity, to provide pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies with qualified personnel.
Participants of the conference addressed issues of providing efficiency and security, drugs created by local scientists and produced by local drug companies. The discussions focused on the topic of diagnostic and preventive tools, used to prevent penetration into the territory of the Republic of infectious diseases. The results of work undertaken by the Ministry of Healthcare and law enforcement agencies on prevention of occurrence of treatment of substandard and counterfeit medicines were also reviewed at the conference.
As the result of the conference, specific recommendations aimed at ensuring the implementation of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On medicines and pharmaceutical activity” were proposed, as well as the relevant decision of the Committee was made.
(Source: parliament.gov.uz)
Uzbekistan becomes charter member of International Gas Union
Uzbekistan became a charter member of International Gas Union (IGU), Uzbekneftegaz national holding company said.
Secretariat of IGU considered application of Uzbekistan and said it meets all necessary criteria and submitted it to the session of the IGU Council, which is the highest body of the organization.
IGU Council, which held its meeting in Croatia on 6 October 2011, unanimously approved charter membership of Uzbekistan.
Uzbekneftegaz national holding company will represent Uzbekistan at IGU. The company has also received right to be represented in all bodies of IGU.
During the session of the IGU Council, chairman of the board of Uzbekneftegaz Shokir Fayzullaev presented oil and gas sector of Uzbekistan.
Members of IGU welcomed membership of Uzbekistan, which is one of largest gas producer of the world.
The International Gas Union (IGU) was founded in 1931. It is a worldwide non-profit organisation registered in Vevey, Switzerland with the present Secretariat located in Oslo, Norway.
The objective of IGU is to promote the technical and economic progress of the gas industry. The members of IGU are associations and entities of the gas industries in 77 countries. It cooperates with many global energy organisations.
IGU's working organisation covers all domains of the gas industry from exploration and production of natural gas on- or offshore, pipeline and piped distribution systems to customers' premises and combustion of the gas at the point of use.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
Uzbekistan elected as member of UNWTO Executive Council
On 9 October 2011, Uzbekistan has been elected as member of the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) from European Regional Group for 2011-2015 within the work of the 19th session of the UNWTO General Assembly in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.
Jahon news agency reported that the decision will contribute to development of tourism in the Great Silk Road and achievements of tasks of the organization.
Uzbekistan, located at the center of Silk Road, has over 4,000 historic-architecture monuments. Uzbekistan preserves invaluable material and spiritual heritage. Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Shahrisabz were included into UNESCO World Heritage List.
Currently, there are 782 tourism enterprises, 24 hotels and over 450 tour operators in Uzbekistan. According to official data, over 1.3 million tourists visited Uzbekistan in 2010, which is 6.9% more year-on-year.
Uzbekistan became member of the UNWTO, which unites over 150 countries. During 18 years, the UNWTO and Uzbekistan have fruitful cooperation and the country hosted several large UNWTO events.
In 2004, the UNWTO opened its regional office in Samarkand, activities of which are directed at coordinating activities of the national tourism organizations of the Silk Road countries.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
Construction of Rogun HPS is violation of international laws
One of actual issues of modernity is rational use of natural resources, protection of environment and preserving ecologic balance.
In this context, international experts and neighbouring countries are expressing concern over construction of Rogyn Hydro Power Station despite inexistence of ecologic and social assessment of the project. The project is widely discussed by analytical groups and mass media.
In particular, International Institute of Middle and Central East of Latvia hosted a roundtable, dedicated to rational use of water resources in Central Asia on the background of construction of Rogun HPS, Jahon news agency said.
Scientific employees of the institute, independent experts and analysts, Latvian mass media representatives participated at the event.
Opening the event, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Latvia briefed participations on position of Uzbekistan on rational use of water resources. At the same time, detailed information on ecologic system in Central Asia, problems of use of waters of trans-boundary rivers, and others were provided to roundtable participants. It was said that high seismic activity of the regions, where large hydro power stations are constructed, are serious threat to life and security of population of Central Asia.
In his turn, President of Intellectuals Club and member of International Independent Experts Federation Vladimir Yudenko said that such factors as high seismicity of Rogun HPS zone, danger of landslide and mudflow, high height of dam and other factors are heavy arguments against the construction of dam. He also recalled that Tajikistan also does not have enough own resources for construction of the station and it sells shares to own population.
Yudenko said that existing cascade of hydro power stations are negatively impact to flora and water resources of the region. He said that any artificial re-distribution of water resources will result in loss of fruitful lands and desertification of southern territories.
At the end, expert underlined that such large establishments impact ecologic, economic and life interests of several states and they should be designed thoroughly and guarantee reliability by several international organizations. International community is carefully such projects after tragic events in several stations.
On the result of the roundtable, its participants issued a joint press release “On construction of Rogun hydro power station in Tajikistan. The release underlined that leadership of Tajikistan promoted construction of Rogun HPS, despite implementation of the project with construction of large dam can impact ecology, life and health of million people, living in the region. Tajik side also ignore main principles and norms of international laws, including UN Convention on trans-boundary water flow.
The release said that after several requests of Uzbekistan on holding independent international expertise of construction of Rogun HPS under auspices of the UN and its structures, Tajikistan signed a memorandum with the World Bank, which envisages development of feasibility study, ecologic and social expertise of Rogun HPS project.
In line with the memorandum, Tajik sides should suspend all construction works till announcement of expertise results, but under the pretext of rehabilitation works Tajikistan is continuing construction of Rogun HPS, which is evidence of ignoring terms of agreement with the World Bank and main requirements of the UN Conventions.
The release said that violation of memorandum with the World Bank and statements of Tajik officials that technical parameters of the project will not be changed after completion of feasibility study and ecologic expertise are evidence on unconstructive hazardous position of the Government of Tajikistan, which does not wish to find consensus on the issue based on meeting interest of all countries of the region.
Today, countries of the region have enough legal, economic, ecological and other grounds and arguments, not to give permission to implementation of the project. The experts call Tajikistan leadership to show wisdom and understanding in the issues.
At the end, the experts said that construction of Rogun HPS is serious violation of international water law, including clauses of the UN Convention on international water flow.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
ECONOMY
GM Uzbekistan sells 71,623 cars in Russia in Jan-Sep 2011
GM Uzbekistan, an Uzbek-US carmaker, increased sales of automobiles in Russia by 31% year-on-year in January-September 2011 to 71,623 units, Automobile Manufacturers Committee of the Association of European Businesses said.
The committee said that the venture sold 8,492 cars in September 2011, which grew by 15% year-on-year.
In January-September 2011, GM Uzbekistan realized 41,904 cars of Nexia model (+31%) and 29,719 units of small automobiles of Matiz model (+31%).
Sales of Nexia in Russian market soared from 4,578 units in September 2010 to 4,999 units in September 2011 (up 9% year-on-year) and Matiz – from 2,815 units to 3,493 (up 24% year-on-year).
According to the committee, GM Uzbekistan took the tenth place on the volume of car sales in Russia in January-August 2011. At the same time, Nexia was on the ninth place among the bestselling cars in Russia in the reporting period, while Matiz was on 16th place.
Uzavtosanoat and South Korea’s Daewoo Motor created a joint venture - UzDaewoo Auto - on parity conditions with the charter capital of US$200 million. In 1996, the venture launched car production plant with the cost of US$650 million in Asaka city of Andijan region. The capacity of the venture is 200,000 cars per year.
In May 2005, Uzavtosanoat purchased 50% shares of Daewoo Motor in UzDaewoo Auto for about US$110 million. General Motors and Uzavtosanoat completed process of creation of GM Uzbekistan on the base of UzDaewooAuto in the end of March 2008. The charter capital of new venture is US$266.7 million.
General Motors owns 25% shares and plus one share in the new venture and it can increase its share up to 40%. Currently, Uzavtosanoat possesses 75% shares in GM Uzbekistan.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
SOCIETY
Regional civil protection training centres equipped to strengthen community outreach
Regional civil protection training centres of the Ministry of Emergency Situations in Karakalpakstan, Andijan, Surkhandarya and Khorezm regions have received ‘Damas’ mini-vans from UNICEF today.
UNICEF said that this will support centres’ community outreach interventions to ensure better preparedness and protection of children and their families against disasters.
The hand-over took place at the Ministry of Emergency Situations with participation of high-level officials from the Ministry and UNICEF, marking the International Day for Disaster Reduction in Uzbekistan. This year the day is observed under the theme “Making Children and Young People Partners for Disaster Risk Reduction”. It stresses the importance of prevention and advocacy work among children and young people, who are most at risk of becoming victims of natural, environmental and technological disasters, and encourages them to get involved in disaster reduction and decision making.
“Protecting children from disasters and creating a safe environment for them is a global UNICEF priority and one of the critical elements of the current UNICEF Country Programme of Cooperation with Uzbekistan,” said UNICEF Representative Jean-Michel Delmotte. “The results of our joint efforts on disaster risk reduction are very encouraging. We see that children can become real agents of change in this area. They help spread awareness on natural disasters and associated risks among their parents and communities and even teach them what measures to take in the event of disaster”.
As a result of a four-year partnership among UNICEF, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and other governmental and non-governmental partners, more than 5,000 teachers from 13 regions of Uzbekistan have increased their awareness on natural disasters. The teachers were also trained on methods to cope with hazards and provided with necessary educational and information materials. 350,000 children and their parents are now better aware of natural hazards and related risks, and know how to prepare themselves and their families to potential disasters as well as act properly in case of emergencies.
Speaking at the hand-over ceremony, Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations Khakimjon Abdulazizov noted successful partnership with UNICEF in the area of population preparedness to disasters. Expressing appreciation to UNICEF for its contribution to disaster risk reduction activities in Uzbekistan, Mr. Abdulazizov emphasized that the ministry remains committed to strengthening and expanding the current collaboration.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
Ichan Kala - hearth of spirituality
As a result of creative work, carried out under the leadership of President Islam Karimov, Khiva also became one of the world’s tourist destinations. For the last period, many historical monuments, like the Ancient Ark, Tash Havli, and Mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud were restored. At present, the work in this direction continues sequentially.
Khiva, attracting tourists from all over the world, has over 100 architectural monuments. The State Museum-Reserve “Ichan Kala,” listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most prestigious museums in the world. Its appearance transformed as a result of the work in connection with the 2,500-year anniversary of Khiva and the 1,000th anniversary of Khorezm Mamun Academy.
According to Director of “Ichan Kala” Batyr Davlatov, a special attention is paid to the restoration of monuments of scientific and historical importance, the discovery of expositions and exhibitions to promote objective coverage of our rich history and restoration of existing exhibits, reprint historical books, further strengthening in the minds of our people the feelings of national pride and love for the motherland.
The museum works closely with public schools, academic lyceums, professional colleges, historical and architectural departments of Urgench State University, Urgench branch of the Tashkent University of Information Technologies and the Tashkent Medical Academy. With participation of young people, it regularly hosts cultural and educational activities that enrich students’ knowledge of our history, great ancestors and rich cultural heritage, educating boys and girls learn to respect and honor our past and devotion to the ideas of independence.
The open-air museum in the form of an open lesson holds classes on the subject of “History of Uzbekistan,” “Fundamentals of spirituality,” as well as lectures on the history of Khorezm on the theme of “Museum and School” and “Museum and Mahalla.”
Together with scientists of Khorezm Academy of Mamun and Japan’s Kyoto University as well as the specialists of the Fund “Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan,” the museum staff conducts research to monitor the condition and preservation of historical and architectural monuments, the main purpose of which is a deep study of ancient archaeological sites, historical documents and their wide promotion.
Museum concluded cooperation agreements with 32 travel agencies in the world. It also gives due attention to the provision of exemplary service to foreign guests. Information about the tourism potential of the city is regularly placed on the website of the museum.
(Source: UzA News Agency)