Tashkent hosted a Regional Dialogue “Central Asian SCO – One Voice” in cooperation with the Nationwide Movement “Yuksalish” and the representative office of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Uzbekistan.

The regional dialogue was attended by representatives of nearly 200 local and foreign experts, non-governmental non-profit organizations. The state of civil institutions and NGOs in Central Asia was analyzed. Issues of strengthening cooperation between them were discussed.

Views were exchanged on the promotion of the activities of NGOs, the development of a mechanism and proposals for further cooperation between them.

In recent years, cooperation and trust have been strengthening between the Central Asian countries. Experts acknowledged that Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s announcement of a new regional direction of Uzbekistan has become an example of transformation and contributes to the intensification of relations between the heads of state of the region, an increase in the volume of trade and the number of joint projects.

Tens of thousands of non-governmental organizations in Central Asia unite in their ranks hundreds of thousands of activists, volunteers, and leaders of public opinion. It is important to strengthen ties between these organizations, and foreign experience can contribute to this.

“The Republic of Korea is the most reliable strategic partner of Uzbekistan”, Bobur Bekmurodov, Chairman of “Yuksalish” Nationwide Movement said. – Civil society institutions in this country have their characteristics. We work closely with KOICA to apply their experience in our country. It is planned to hold a forum of NGOs of Korea and Uzbekistan, organize research centers by establishing the activities of think tanks in the country.

The assistance of the Korea International Cooperation Agency will create an opportunity to build the capacity of civil society institutions in Central Asia and carry out major regional projects.

15 years ago, strategic cooperation was established between Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea. Now, it is envisaged to further strengthen ties in civil society through the promotion of new initiatives.

“Our goal, together with “Yuksalish” Nationwide Movement, is to develop civil society institutions not only in Uzbekistan, but throughout Central Asia”, Director of KOICA Uzbekistan Ms. Park Sunjin said. – The activities of such institutions are well established in the Republic of Korea. Within the framework of the state visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Republic of Korea, a memorandum was signed between KOICA and Uzbekistan. Our representative office will continue to cooperate with Uzbekistan in healthcare, education, and government coordination.

At the event, the legal, financial and institutional aspects of civil society institutions and factors of stable development of non-governmental non-profit organizations were discussed.

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Bekhruz Khudoyberdiyev, UzA