August 15, 2007

Politics:
President of Uzbekistan receives head of UNESCO General Conference
Islam Karimov awarded with UNESCO medals
President of Uzbekistan receives OIC Secretary General
President of Uzbekistan receives Arab League Secretary General
Economics:
UBA hosts conference on corporate governance in commercial banks
Seminar discusses development of consulting services in Uzbekistan
Society:
Key of Capital of Islamic Culture awarded to Tashkent
OSCE organizes training in Uzbekistan on monitoring human rights

POLITICS

PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN RECEIVES HEAD OF UNESCO GENERAL CONFERENCE

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received President of the UNESCO General Conference Musa Bin Jaafar Bin Hassan at Oqsaroy residence in Tashkent on August 14, 2007.

Islam Karimov expressed satisfaction with the development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and UNESCO.

“Announcement of Tashkent by ISESCO as the capital of Islamic culture in 2007 is a pleasant fact not only for the people of Uzbekistan, but also for all our friends in foreign countries,” the head of the state said. “Your participation in the international conference ‘Contribution of Uzbekistan to development of Islamic civilization’ makes this forum even more important and influential.”

Uzbekistan became a member of UNESCO in 1993. The organization opened its office in Tashkent in 1996. The cooperation with UNESCO includes a wide range of activities from preservation of ancient monuments to development of healthcare and education to introduction of high technologies.

Jointly with UNESCO, jubilees of Amir Temur, Mirzo Ulugbek, Ahmad al-Fargoni, Ismoil al-Bukhari, Kamoliddin Behzod, as well as cities of Bukhara, Khiva, Termez and Karshi, monuments of literature “Alpomish”, “Avesto”, and Khorezm Mamun Academy were widely celebrated on the international level.

The organization actively participates in revival and promotion of historical monuments in Uzbekistan, while cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva have been included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Musa Bin Jaafar Bin Hassan gave a high evaluation to reforms in Uzbekistan in the economic, social and cultural spheres. UNESCO values relations with Uzbekistan and is ready to expand this cooperation, he said.

Islam Karimov and Musa Bin Jaafar Bin Hassan discussed perspectives of cooperation between Uzbekistan and UNESCO.

ISLAM KARIMOV AWARDED WITH UNESCO MEDALS

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met participants of the international conference “Uzbekistan’s contribution to development of Islamic civilization” at Oqsaroy residence on August 14.

“Announcement of Tashkent the capital of Islamic culture in 2007 by ISESCO and organization of the large international forum have a great importance in familiarizing the world community with Uzbekistan and its culture and science,” the head of the state said.

General Secretary of the Organization of the Islamic Conference Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Arab League General Secretary Amr Moussa, President of UNESCO General Conference Musa Bin Jaafar Bin Hassan, Kuwait Education and Higher Education Minister Nuriya al-Subih and Chairman of the Spiritual Management of Muslims of Kazakhstan mufti Absattar Derbesali participated in the meeting.

They said Uzbekistan played an important role in development of Islamic culture and science, and that the Uzbek people had made a great contribution to the Islamic civilization. They also praised the level of organization of the international conference.

Musa Bin Jaafar Bin Hassan presented UNESCO’s Aristotle and the Great Silk Road gold medals to President Islam Karimov. These awards are granted to state and public figures and renowned scientists who contributed to development of education, science and culture, as well as promotion of dialogue between the nations.

President of Uzbekistan expressed gratitude for the awards and said they served as an acknowledgement of the Uzbek people’s contribution to preservation of national and human values.

PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN RECEIVES OIC SECRETARY GENERAL

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu on August 13 in Tashkent.

Welcoming the guest, the head of the state said: “Your visit and participation in the international conference on Contribution of Uzbekistan to development of Islamic civilization makes the event even more important.”

Uzbekistan has been a member of OIC since 1996. The organization supports initiatives of President Karimov aimed at solving the Afghan crisis and creation of nuclear weapon free zone in Central Asia.

OCI also highly values the activities of the President of Uzbekistan on the way to revive spiritual and moral values, and studying the rich historical, scientific and cultural heritage.

Uzbekistan’s cooperation with OIC structural division, Islamic Development Bank, is also developing intensively. Nine projects worth a total of USD 115 million are currently being implemented in the fields of equipment of medical and educational institutions, modernization of enterprises and support of private business.

This July OIC delegation signed agreements on opening credit lines to Uzbekistan’s Ipoteka Bank, Uzsanoatqurilishbank and Asaka bank for USD 15 million. The credits will be used for financing private investment projects in industry and agriculture.

Another structural subdivision of OIC, Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), announced Tashkent the Capital of Islamic Culture in 2007.

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said ISESCO had announced Tashkent the capital of Islamic culture taking into consideration Uzbekistan’s policy of preservation of national heritage and cultural values, monuments of Islamic civilization and the role of Tashkent as one of the region’s most ancient and large cities.

The international conference opening in Tashkent on August 14 will provide the world community with another opportunity to learn the rich heritage of the Uzbek people, the head of OIC said.

During the meeting, the sides discussed the current state and perspectives of relations between Uzbekistan and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, as well as other issues of mutual interest.

PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN RECEIVES ARAB LEAGUE SECRETARY GENERAL

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received Secretary General of the League of Arab States Amr Moussa at Oqsaroy residence in Tashkent on August 14.

“We know and respect you as one of the leading political figures not only in the Arab, but in the whole world,” Islam Karimov said. “Participation of the Arab League in the international conference ‘Contribution of Uzbekistan in development of Islamic civilization’ will serve to further opening of Uzbekistan’s role in development of Islamic civilization”

The Arab League member states acknowledge Uzbekistan’s great role in the history of Islam and welcome current reforms in the country. In particular, they highly evaluate the activities to preserve monuments of Islamic culture in Uzbekistan.

Amr Moussa has headed the Arab League since 2001, and is a former Egyptian Foreign Minister and diplomat. The League currently unites 21 Arab states and the Palestinian national administration.

The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) announced Tashkent as the Capital of Islamic Culture in 2007. Amr Moussa noted that ISESCO’s decision serves as an acknowledgement of Uzbekistan’s contribution to preservation and enrichment of Islamic culture and its values. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the international conference and stressed that the Arab League was interested in cooperation with Uzbekistan on the regional and international issues.

Islam Karimov and Amr Moussa discussed further development of relations between Uzbekistan and the Arab League.

ECONOMICS

UBA HOSTS CONFERENCE ON CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IN COMMERCIAL BANKS

Uzbek parliament's upper house Committee for Budget and Economic Reforms jointly with the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Banking Association (UBA) and Centre for Securities Market (CSM) held a conference on "The main principles of corporate governance system introduced in commercial banks and ways of its effectiveness increase".

The conference was aimed to reveal problems impeding the complete introduction of the principles of corporate governance in the Uzbek banking sector, determine ways of increase of corporate governance system effectiveness in commercial banks taking into account the international requirements, as well as ensure wide participation of commercial banks in investment processes and structural reforms of economy. Special attention was paid to the issues of increase of responsibility and efficiency of activity of commercial banks' boards.

The forum participants discussed actual issues of further development of legal and institutional bases of corporate governance, corporate culture, introduction of corporate governance principles in commercial banks, raising the productiveness of auditing and corporate control in the banking sector, improvement of the system of corporate governance in joint-stock companies and commercial banks, as well as the national legislation in this sphere.

The conference considered issues of activation of participation of banks in investment processes on creation of new and modern productions due to increase of their charter capitals through issue and floatation of shares and other financial tools in the stock market.

SEMINAR DISCUSSES DEVELOPMENT OF CONSULTING SERVICES IN UZBEKISTAN

A conference-seminar on the development of consulting services in Uzbekistan is being held on August 14-15 at the Dedeman Silk Road Hotel in Tashkent.

The managers of leading companies, project organizations, engineering companies, as well as individual experts providing consulting services in the market of Uzbekistan are participating in the event. They are to discuss the different aspects of selection of project executors, starting with the registration of consultants with the project and including the assessment of proposals and signing of contracts. Reports on the rules and procedures of the Asian Development Bank governing the participation of local consulting companies in the projects implemented jointly with the ADP will be delivered. It is planned that a proposal will be made to establish a professional association of consulting companies that will support the participation of national consultants, designer-engineers, and project designers in the ADB's projects in Uzbekistan and Central Asia.

In the early years of independence, the development projects funded by international organizations and agencies were completed by foreign companies and organisastions. Uzbek specialists were employed in the project groups as assisting staff. However, thanks to the consistent improvements within the frame of national policy on preparation and training of staff and close cooperation with a number of international organizations, primarily the Asian Development Bank, specialists have been prepared in Uzbekistan whose qualifications and experience allows to implement strategically important projects at high quality level.

In 2006, the flow of foreign investments in Uzbekistan exceeded US$1.2 billion. Compared to 2003, the size of the appropriated foreign direct investments has increased four times, and their share in the consolidated volume of foreign capital has increased from 28% to 76%.

At the same time experts are noting the optimization of the flow of direct investments in the priority sectors of economy. Industry-wise, about 30% of all foreign investments is directed into the projects on exploration and development of oil and gas fields, more than 20% - in the light industry, and 15% in the development of ICT, and other spheres of advanced technology.

In the light of these positive changes, the activity of national specialists in the sphere of consulting services is growing in importance. Foreign investors should know that the country has sufficient strong human resources capable of coping with any issues, and providing timely assistance in the implementation of investment projects, as well as carrying out detailed high quality analysis of specific markets and sectors.

The success of economic reforms directly depends on the efficiency of the application of the principles of management and integration of innovative technology, the use of which leads to stronger reliability of the infrastructure as a whole and faster economic growth. With this in mind, the Government pays close attention to the management techniques being used in different spheres of social development, and intends to continue to provide support to the development of the national sector of consulting services.

The conference on the development of consulting services in Uzbekistan was organised by the Asian Development Bank jointly with the Islohotkonsaltservis consulting engineering company, with the support of the Government and the Ministry of Finance of Uzbekistan. It is intended to provide an opportunity to the participants to improve their professional skills, establish business contacts and build mutually beneficial cooperation.

SOCIETY

KEY OF CAPITAL OF ISLAMIC CULTURE AWARDED TO TASHKENT

The symbolic key of the capital of Islamic culture was awarded to Tashkent on August 14 during the international scientific conference titled "Uzbekistan's contribution to the development of Islamic culture", UzA reported.

During the forum it was noted that the Great Silk Road that for centuries connected the East and the West passed through the territory of today's Uzbekistan. The country is famous as a crossroad of different civilizations and cultures, that has contributed greatly to the world civilization. The people of Uzbekistan value Islamic religion and Islamic civilization as an integral part of the world civilization, human development and culture, as an important criteria of the spiritual-moral sophistication of a man, his understanding of the timeless values, such as peaceful life, international and inter-religious agreement, mutual respect.

The Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary-General of the Arab League Amr Moussa, the representative of the ISESCO Mustafa Ahmad Ali, the representative of the UNESCO General Conference Musa Bin Jaafar Bin Hassan, the Director of the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art, and Culture (IRCICA) Halit Eren, the Minister of Higher Education of Kuwait, the Chairman of the National Commission for ISESCO, ALESCO, UNESCO Ms. Nouriya Subeeh Barrak Al-Subeeh, the Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf (Waqf) and Islamic Affairs Dr. Abdullah Al-Maatouq participated in the ceremony.

They noted that the conference organised on the occasion of the pronouncement of Tashkent the capital of Islamic Culture in 2007 will give an opportunity to the world community to closely familiarize with the ancient and rich heritage of the Uzbek nation, and serve for the strengthening of cooperation and mutual trust between the civilizations.

The Head of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO) Mahmoud Mohammadi Araqi, the Director of the Iranian Center for Research on Russia, Central Asia, and Caucasus Mehdi Sanoi awarded the symbolic key to the capital of Islamic Culture to the khokim (mayor) of Tashkent city A. Tuhtaev.

OSCE ORGANIZES TRAINING IN UZBEKISTAN ON MONITORING HUMAN RIGHTS

Monitoring the situation with human rights is the focus of a training course organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan in Tashkent region this week, a press release of the OSCE said.

The staff of the Ombudsman Institution and partner organizations taking part in the week-long course are discussing the basic notions of human rights, the techniques and methods of monitoring, composing, presenting and disseminating reports, and international standards in the field.

The event is a part of the OSCE Ombudsman capacity-building project, approved by the host Government this year.

The training course is also attended by members of the Commission on observance of the constitutional human rights and freedoms under the Ombudsman, representatives of the Justice and Interior Ministries, the General Directorate on Execution of Punishments, the General Prosecutor's Office, the Farmers Association of Uzbekistan, and members of the Expert Board of the Ombudsman Institution.