TASHKENT, Uzbekistan

Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Head of the Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), participated at the International Conference “The Role of Women in Democratic Renewal and Modernization of the Country: Best International Practice and Experience of Uzbekistan”. The event was organized by the Government, Women’s Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and UN agencies in Uzbekistan. Representatives of governments, national, regional and international organizations, civil society, academic-research centers from Central Asia and broader region took part in the conference.  

In her opening remarks, SRSG Gherman commended the government and Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan for the initiative and underlined its importance for promoting UN commitments focused on gender parity, women’s empowerment and meaningful participation in political decision-making as well as peace and security processes and global efforts to prevent conflicts and sustain peace.

SRSG Gherman’s keynote address outlined the main areas of UN’s work pursued in line with Gender Parity Task Force’s road map to achieve gender parity across the organization by 2028, personally spearheaded by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Capitalizing on importance of the role of women in public administration, she noted that gender equality should be a guiding principle of public administration reforms and state governance. It is crucial to duly recognize and address gender gaps in public administration in order to forge resilient societies, inclusive development and democratic governance, restoring confidence in public institutions, and enhancing the sustainability and responsiveness of public policies.

Along the same lines, she also called on countries in the region to fully embrace the Women, Peace and Security agenda and adopt national action plans for the implementation of the Security Council Resolution 1325. SRSG Gherman welcomed participation in the conference of the Minister of Women’s Affairs of Afghanistan and the commitment of Central Asian women to engage, and support the women of Afghanistan, which has the potential of improving the lives of countless women and girls across the region.

In conclusion, Ms. Gherman underscored the UNRCCA’s determination to continue constructive interaction with the Governments and the people of Central Asia to further facilitate the processes in pursuit of women empowerment and participation in state governance while increasing the well-being of the population and maintaining durable peace and security.

On the sidelines of the forum SRSG Gherman held encounters with H.E. Ms. Tanzila Narbaeva, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Women’s Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ms. Svetlana Artikova, Vice-Speaker of the Senate of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, H.E. Ms. Delbar Nazari, Minister of Women’s Affairs of Afghanistan, Mr. Ulugbek Muhammadiev, Ombudsperson of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan to exchange views on prospects of women empowerment and enhancing their role in state governance in light of new openings resulting from current positive regional dynamics in Central Asian region.