June 4, 2007
Politics:
Uzbek Ombudsman received HRW delegation
Economics:
NGMK's northern unit exceeds gold production target by 8.9%
Uzbekistan to increase export of fruits and vegetables to Russia
MMG Oil-Gas holds presentation in Tashkent
Society:
Uzbekistan Marks International Children’s Day With Joy & Elation
LG Grant 2007 winners organize Children's Day party for disabled children
Sixth World Kurash Championship to be held in Mongolia
POLITICS
UZBEK OMBUDSMAN RECEIVED HRW DELEGATION
Ombudsman of Oliy Majlis (parliament) of Uzbekistan Sayyora Rashidova received a delegation of Human Rights Watch (HRW) led by its Europe and Central Asia Department Director Holly Cartner on 29 May, according of the press-release of Ombudsman's office.
Mrs. Rashidova informed the delegation on developments of Ombudsman Institution in Uzbekistan and issues relating to monitoring of human rights issues in the country, as well as international contacts.
Holly Cartner expressed that great changes took place in Uzbekistan and briefed on activity of Human Rights Watch.
According to the press-release the guests asked various questions on activity of Ombudsman and issues related to human rights and received answers to all interested questions.
During the talks, the Uzbek side presented to delegation promotional materials on activity of the Ombudsman and various books.
Representative of Human Rights Watch in Uzbekistan A.Berg also raised some issues relating to organization of trainings for the workers of law enforcement bodies, number of requests to Ombudsman on using unlawful actions by some representatives of law enforcement bodies, procedure on taking to control complaints.
To all questions S.Rashidova gave arguable answers.
ECONOMICS
NGMK'S NORTHERN UNIT EXCEEDS GOLD PRODUCTION TARGET BY 8.9%
Uchkuduk is the heart of Navoi Mining and Smelting Plant (NGMK). More than half a century ago geologists found uranium deposits here and in 1958 industrial development of the field in Central Kyzylkum was launched.
Today the Northern Mine Administration is one of the largest divisions of the NGMK, which produce and process gold and uranium, as well as consumer goods.
According to the figures published by the NGMK, in the first quarter this year as a result of development of new open casts and technology renewal, production, as a percentage of the result for the same period last year, made up 153.8%. The gold production plan was exceeded by 8.9%.
Improvements are also observed in the sector of uranium production. Within a short period the workers of the plant carried out construction and mining-preparatory works which made it possible to launch local-sorption units and meet the production targets.
Following the reconstruction, sulfuric acid production shop has been working stably and fully satisfying the plant's needs.
The plant is implementing the state programme on uranium production for 2007-2012. According to the programme, the Northern Mining Administration is to raise sulfuric acid production to 450,000 tonnes yearly, and taking into account partner enterprises – to 490,000 tonnes yearly by 2012. For this purpose, by 2012 the division is to raise the plant's capacity coefficient through the construction of a new OU-70 tank and furnace, replacement of absorption towers, construction of a new cooling tower and assembly of modern acid coolers.
UZBEKISTAN TO INCREASE EXPORT OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TO RUSSIA
In the first of June on counters of stores in Moscow there will be fresh fruit and vegetables from Uzbekistan.
Enterprises from Uzbekistan will send 10 thousand tons of fruits and vegetables to Russia in the first days of June According to the chief of a department of promoting the export in the Chamber of Commerce of Uzbekistan Vyacheslav Sharipov, several Uzbek exporter companies and Moscow trading-transport firm "Victoria" signed the agreement on deliveries of the large quantity of agricultural products for the Russian consumers.
V.Sharipov noted that in this season Uzbekistan is ready to increase considerably deliveries of fruit and vegetable products for Russian customers. In 2006 export of the Uzbek agricultural products abroad has increased almost 4 times. The total amount of those exports totaled 362,6 million US dollars.
The main consumer of those products was Russia. Russia accounted for 86 percent (in 2005 - about 50 percent) in export of agricultural products. Last year 596,8 thousand tons of fruit and vegetables were exported to Russia for 280,9 million US dollars. As a whole, Russian market receieved more than one million tons of various agricultural products from Uzbekistan.
MMG OIL-GAS HOLDS PRESENTATION IN TASHKENT
A presentation on automation of tank batteries and metering units of oil and gas tanks was held on 31 May at Dedeman Silk Road Tashkent Hotel.
The representatives of the MMG Oil-Gas Company said the sphere of the company's activity include design, assembly of equipment, development of software support, automation of complex systems of remote control, transportation and storage of oil on the basis of the latest achievements of science and technology.
All the equipment is certified, and has the required permissions and papers. MMG Oil-Gas operates a quality management system compliant with the requirements of the ISO 9001.
MMG Oil-Gas plays an important role in the development and implementation of tasks on automation of the technological objects of oil and gas industry on the territory of the Russian Federation, as well as countries of Central and Eastern Europe. For many years the enterprise has been holding one of the leading positions in the production of advanced systems and automated technology for the technological processes of tank batteries, pipelines and pump stations.
Both Hungarian and Uzbek parties showed interest in cooperation.
SOCIETY
UZBEKISTAN MARKS INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S DAY WITH JOY & ELATION
Each year on the first day of sunny summer, Uzbekistan broadly celebrates the International Children’s Day, one of the brightest and best holidays. People aspire to make it remarkable across the country, the report by “Uzbekistan Today” News Agency has said June 1.
After all, childhood is a happy and unique time. It is the time of key events, good impressions, meetings and discoveries. Both government and society protect it from negative impacts since each and every child is the future and tomorrow of the country.
The International Children’s Day has been established in November 1949 with a session decision of the Women’s International Democratic Federation. The first International Children’s Day was held in 1950, the news agency wrote.
During the years of the Uzbek sovereignty President Islam Karimov has initiated to include the protection of children’s interests: their health, training, education and spiritual development in the state policy. At the same time, special attention is paid to social programs on caring for the upcoming generation and promoting their living conditions.
Also, Uzbekistan joined the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992 and it created a particular legal foundation for protecting children’s rights and interests.
At the moment, Uzbekistan has established a legislation system of protecting the children’s rights. The bulk of the 90 acts related to social protection refer to the children’s rights. The Constitution, Family, Labor and Criminal codes and other laws guarantee them. The children’s rights are secured in a numerous documents such as State Healthcare Reform Program, Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On education”, National Program for Personnel Training and National Program for the development of secondary school education for 2004-2009, the news agency further reported.
Besides, the Uzbek government has adopted a number of state programs to bring up harmoniously developed and healthy younger generation. Thus, Uzbekistan has established a stable organizational system of children’s protection that is confirmed by numerous views and positive assessments by renowned international organizations and experts.
For instance, there are no old secondary schools with poor conditions. According to the Press Service of the Uzbek Ministry of Public Education, in recent three years the country has constructed 143 schools, reconstructed 674 and repaired 2,228 schools.
Bringing up the educated and harmoniously developed person would be impossible without imbibing the culture of sports and healthy way of lifestyle into the younger generation. This particular aspect has also been included into the state children’s sports development program, according to the news agency.
In 2003 106 sports complexes, stadiums, gymnasiums and sports grounds were constructed, reconstructed and repaired in Uzbekistan, and 75 of them (71%) - in rural areas. The following year this ratio was 120 against 93 (78%) and in 2005 153 against 128 (83%) and last year the ratio increased by 2%.
In recent four years the country has built 543 school sports establishments, which are equipped with modern sports facilities. According to the State Program on School Educational Development, Uzbekistan plans to construct and repair 174 sports buildings, 149 (86%) of them are in rural areas, in keeping with the report.
Uzbekistan implements big projects on promoting the younger generation’s health. In screening centers the to-be mothers are thoroughly examined and offered necessary medical services to have strong and healthy children surrounded with doctor’s care from the first days of birth. The mobile groups of best doctors of Tashkent regularly tour across the country, while diagnosing the children’s diseases on earlier phases and ensuring the timely treatment.
Gifted children are also actively supported in Uzbekistan. Various competitions, exhibitions and festivals help young talents to demonstrate and develop their skills. Today owing to purposeful activity in this sphere, the works by the Uzbek children is known in the country and abroad.
This year in Uzbekistan June 1 is marked under the slogan: “Attention and care for all children!” on the first day of summer the traditional entertainment events are arranged for all children across the country, the report also said.
This time holiday for millions of children will continue for a week. Numerous competitions, shows, concerts and exhibitions are promoted to present a happy time for children nationwide. An exotic tour across the “Tashkentland”, a wonderful world of amusements and merry-go-round bring so much joy for the children!
Everyone in Uzbekistan knows that traditionally on June 1 the children throughout the country have a good time indeed in parks and pleasure resorts. The events aimed at making the children’s life brighter and more colorful take place in all parts of our country this day, according to the news agency.
LG GRANT 2007 WINNERS ORGANIZE CHILDREN'S DAY PARTY FOR DISABLED CHILDREN
The winners of the LG Grant 2007 contest organised a real party for the children with disabilities of the Yong Nak Rehabilitation Centre (Bektemir district, Tashkent region) on 1 June.
The winners are now volunteering and have a special programme with events scheduled for every day. This is not the first party they organize for children with disabilities, but this was a special one since it was on the Children's Day.
Young people worked hard to organize the event and make it memorable for the children – to bring some happiness to their lives, give some warmth and attention. These young volunteers are not actors, but they tried to create a fairy tale for the kids – lack of professionalism was by far compensated for by their kindheartedness and true willingness to make children happy. And they succeeded – children's eyes were shining with interest and excitement.
The staff of the rehabilitation centre thanked the volunteers for the care they showed and told how kids would not let go of their toys – the presents volunteers had brought - the whole evening before going to bed.
LG Grant Programme has been conducted every year since 2003.
SIXTH WORLD KURASH CHAMPIONSHIP TO BE HELD IN MONGOLIA
Sixth World Kurash Championship will be held in October Ulan Bator, Mongolia.
Uzbek kurash gained great popularity and actively developing around the world. Vocabulary of many languages enriched by the words tazim, kurash, halol, yonbosh, chala and girrom.
During specific period of time kurash significantly stabilized its position in international arena. Currently the members of International Kurash Association, which was organized on 6 September in 1998, comprised of about 80 countries.
Regional Kurash Confederation was established in the countries of America, Africa, Europe, Asia, as well as Oceania.
First world championship on Kurash was organized in 1999 in Uzbekistan, 2000 in Turkey, 2001 in Hungary, and 2002 in Armenia. Fifth World Kurash Championship was held in Tashkent.