11 September, 2006
Politics
President expands social support of single senior citizens
UNESCO head awards Uzbek president
UN Secretary-General welcomes creation of Central Asia nuclear weapon free zone
Economics
Government Endorses New Inflow Of Foreign Investments Into Uzbek Economy
Gazprom Neft Asia To Open Its Office in Uzbekistan
Uzbek mission to visit Barcelona in October
Society
UNESCO head ends visit to Uzbekistan
Surrealist Max Ernst's exhibition to be opened in Uzbekistan
Iroda Tulyaganova wins Asian Tennis Championship
POLITICS
PRESIDENT EXPANDS SOCIAL SUPPORT OF SINGLE SENIOR CITIZENS
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov issued a Resolution "On the Programme of Measures for Further Intensification of Address Social Protection and Social Servicing of Single Seniors, Pensioners and People with Disabilities for 2007-2010" as of 7 September 2006.
As a part of the Programme of Measures for 2000-2005 on Intensification of Address Social Protection of Single Seniors, Pensioners and People with Disabilities, a set of measures aimed at raising the society's attention towards this problem was implemented, and social partnership between state and public organisations in carrying out systematic work to support single senior citizens was strengthened and expanded. The material-resource bases of 33 "Sahovat" and "Muruvvat" houses (nurseries), which have become homes for 8,000 single pensioners and people with disabilities was improved.
In addition, pursuant to the Programme of the "Year of Charity and Medical Workers", assistance was provided to socially sensitive population strata, including single seniors. Specifically, the repair of houses and flats of 1,900 single citizens was carried out; financial assistance was provided to needy families and seniors for the total of 5 billion soums. In total, the funds issued to provide social support to single seniors, pensioners, people with disabilities and families with many children exceeded 47 billion soums.
For the purpose of further expanding address social support, providing fuller satisfaction of the people in need, the new Resolution of the President of Uzbekistan dated 7 September 2006 "On the Programme of Measurse on Further Intensification of Address Social Protection and Social Servicing of Single Seniors, Pensioners and People with Disabilities for 2007-2010" approves the programme, envisioning:
- further improvement of the system of social servicing of single people with disabilities and senior citizens;
- expansion of the coverage of medical and preventive treatment services, improvement of the quality of gerontological and geriatric aid, as well as housing-household conditions of single seniors, pensioners and people with disabilities;
- strengthen financial-resource base of the "Sahovat" and "Muruvvat" houses (nurseries) and sanatoriums;
- introduction of new forms, methods and techniques of social servicing.
The ministries, departments, the Council of Ministers of Karakalpakstan, regional and Tashkent city hokimiat have been ordered to monitor the course of the implementation of the new Programme and the level of social servicing of the sensitive groups of population mentioned above. In addition, at the end of each quarter, before 10th of the following month, they are to submit analytical reports on the results of the implementation of the Programme to the Cabinet of Ministers.
Moreover, the Ministries of Economy, Finance, Labour and Social Protection of the Population together with the Council of Ministers of Karakalpakstan, Tashkent city and regional khokimiats are to make appropriations from the budget for capital investments in the development of the system of social servicing of singles, major repairs and reconstructions of the objects of the system of social support, equipment of nurseries with the technology required, and implementation of other measures included in the Programme.
According to the Resolution, Deputy Prime Ministers of Uzbekistan R. Azimov and R. Kasimov are made responsible for the implementation of the Resolution.
UNESCO HEAD AWARDS UZBEK PRESIDENT
UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura awarded President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov with UNESCO's Borobudur Gold Medal on 8 September.
Uzbek President Islam Karimov received Koichiro Matsuura at his residence in Tashkent on Friday and the sides considered current state and perspectives of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the organization.
Welcoming the guest, Uzbek leader said: the country highly values the developing cooperation with UNESCO and Matsuura's support of Uzbekistan's initiatives.
During the meeting, Koichiro Matsuura handed over Borobudur Gold Medal to Uzbek head for his contribution to strengthening friendship and cooperation between the nations, development of cultural and religious dialogue, and supporting cultural diversity.
UNESCO introduced this medal in 1983 and it was called so in the name of the famous Buddhist temple in central Java, which dates from the 8th and 9th centuries. The monument was restored with UNESCO's help between 1972 and 1983. Included in UNESCO's World Heritage List, Borobudur is annually visited by 2.5 million tourists.
Uzbekistan became a member of UNESCO in 1993, and the organization opened its office in the country three years after that. UNESCO provides wide assistance to the country in the fields of education, restoration of historical monuments, preservation of cultural heritage and others.
UN SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES CREATION OF CENTRAL ASIA NUCLEAR WEAPON FREE ZONE
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan welcomes the creation of the Central Asia nuclear weapon free zone, calling it an important step towards peace and security.
In a statement by Annan read out Friday by Yuriko Shoji, the UN resident coordinator in Kazakhstan, Annan said the establishment of weapons-free zones strengthens the global nuclear non-proliferation efforts, reinforces global efforts to achieve a nuclear-free world and improves global and regional peace and security.
"May the efforts of the central Asian states help move us further in that direction," the statement said.
Annan also acknowledged some states had expressed concerns about Friday's agreement and called on the five Central Asian nations to ensure its effectiveness.
"The General Assembly and the UN Disarmament Commission have provided clear guidelines which recommend that nuclear-weapon-free zones be worked out in close consultation with the nuclear-weapon states, so as to ensure that such agreements are effective and meaningful," it said.
"This signing ceremony of the central Asia nuclear weapon-free zone treaty marks another step in years of effort by the five central Asian states to agree on a treaty establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia."
The treaty was signed by representatives from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan in the northern Kazakh town of Semipalatinsk, near the now-defunct testing ranges where the then Soviet Union exploded more than 400 atom bombs.
ECONOMICS
GOVERNMENT ENDORSES NEW INFLOW OF FOREIGN INVESTMENTS INTO UZBEK ECONOMY
In 2007 the Republic of Uzbekistan plans to attract no less than US $1.22 billion in foreign investments, compared with US $1.1 billion attracted this year.
This information has been revealed by the country's Ministry of Economy during a recent meeting of the Investment Climate Round-Table in Tashkent, according to the report.
In keeping with the meeting materials, next year the foreign direct investments will make up some US $630 million, against US $450 million planned for 2006.
The share of foreign investments in the total volume of capital drawn from all sources of financing will be increased up to 23 per cent (21 per cent in 2006), with the share of foreign direct investments rising to 19 percent (18 percent).
The Uzbek government has endorsed a list of priority investment proposals for the period 2006-2010. It numbers as many as 191 projects for a total of US $7 billion, whose implementation will require US $6.1 billion in foreign direct investment. Of that total, US $3,025 billion will be attracted against the government guarantees, with remaining US $3,075 billion taking the form of foreign direct investments.
GAZPROM NEFT ASIA TO OPEN ITS OFFICE IN UZBEKISTAN
Russia's Gazprom Neft Asia plans to open a representative office in the Republic of Uzbekistan. The establishment of the company's representative offices in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan is also in the pipeline, whereupon it intends to penetrate into the markets of China and Afghanistan.
Such information has been revealed at the inauguration ceremony of its representative office in Kyrgyzstan.
In the words of an official from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism of this republic, Gazprom Neft Asia will deal with projects realized by Gazprom Neft in Central Asia. All of them are associated with the extraction and processing of oil, and supply and sale of fuel across the region, including China and Afghanistan.
Gazprom Neft (the former name of this company - Sibneft) has established a 100 per cent branch enterprise - OOO Gazprom Neft Asia. At the end of June 2006, Alexander Ryazanov, president of Gazprom Neft, informed that the company had bought a network of more than 100 gas-filling stations in Kyrgyzstan for US 199 million. For now, Gazprom Neft accounts for 30 per cent of the Republic's fuel market and some 70 per cent of the capital region's market for fuel and lubricants.
UZBEK MISSION TO VISIT BARCELONA IN OCTOBER
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan will organize a trade-economic mission to Barcelona, Spain.
The visit will take place on 2-6 October. The mission will allow Uzbek businesses to hold negotiations with their Spanish counterparts and participate in business forum, as well as familiarize with cultural sights of Spain.
SOCIETY
UNESCO HEAD ENDS VISIT TO UZBEKISTAN
UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura wrapped up his visit to Uzbekistan on Sunday, 10 September, with tour to Samarkand.
General Koichiro Matsuura paid a visit to Uzbekistan on 7-10 September and met Uzbek President Islam Karimov and Uzbek senior officials to discuss cooperation between the country and the organization. Uzbekistan and UNESCO signed a memorandum of cooperation within the framework of the visit.
On Sunday, Koichiro Matsuura visited Samarkand and acquainted with local historic and architectural monuments.
A day earlier, UNESCO head visited Khorezm region, which will host celebration of the 1000th anniversary of Khorezm Academy of Mamun. The celebrations will be held under aegis of UNESCO.
Koichiro Matsuura familiarized with local monument. He also acquainted with the work of project on improvement of land and water use in Khorezm region, which is carried out under aegis of the organization.
UNESCO head also met students and teachers of Urgench State University and expressed his satisfaction with collaboration of Uzbekistan and UNESCO.
Matsuura visited Khorezm Academy of Mamun and acquainted with its laboratories, as well as participated in opening of the museum.
UNESCO Director General toured sights of state historic-architecture museum Ichan Kala.
SURREALIST MAX ERNST'S EXHIBITION TO BE OPENED IN UZBEKISTAN
An inauguration of the unique exhibition of the works of German, French and American painter and sculptor, the founder of Dadaism, one of the chief surrealists of the present - Max Ernst will be held on 12 September in the gallery of fine art under the National Bank of Uzbekistan together with the Goethe Institute.
The exhibition is unique with the fact that it will be held for the first time in Central Asia and precisely the people of Uzbekistan can see the work of the most great world master.
IRODA TULYAGANOVA WINS ASIAN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP
Iroda Tulyaganova of Uzbekistan claimed her first trophy after recovery from injury on Saturday defeating No 1 seeded Yung-Jan Chan of Chinese Taipei in Asian Tennis Championship in Tashkent.
Tulyaganova lost the first set 5/7, but won next two 6/2 and 7/5 to clinch title of Asian Tennis Championship in women's singles tournament and wild card to next year's Australian Open.
Last year's champion Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan failed to defend his title in men's singles tournament. Istomin lost to Go Soeda of Japan in straight sets as 7/6(2) and 6/4.
However, Denis Istomin and his partner Murod Inoyatov defended their titles in men's doubles. Last year winners and No 1 seeded Uzbek pair beat Mustafa Ghouse (India) and Alexey Kedriouk of Kazakhstan (6/1 and 6/4).
Taipei duo Yung-Jan Chan and Chia-Jung Chuang won double's title among women, beating Chinese pair Wan-Ting Liu, and Shuai Zhang in straight sets 6/2 and 6/3.