June 15, 2015
OFFICIAL VISIT OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UN TO UZBEKISTAN.. 2
Uzbekistan, UN Pledge to Bolster Cooperation for Peace and Sustainable Development 2
By the end of 2015 it is planned to open over 100 new fields across the country. 4
Uzbekistan, China Foreign Ministries hold consultations. 5
The Rule of Law through an Effective Judicial System.. 7
OFFICIAL VISIT OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UN TO UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan, UN Pledge to Bolster Cooperation for Peace and Sustainable Development
As it was reported, Secretary General of the United Nations Organization Ban Ki-moon arrived June 11 in our country with an official visit.
The meeting between President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon took place at the Kuksaroy residence on June 12.
The United Nations is a major international organization with 193 member countries. In six months of national independence, Uzbekistan acceded to this institution as a full-fledged member on 2 March 1992. Cooperation has been advancing consistently in the name of consolidating the peace and security, boosting healthcare, in environmental issues, education, culture, tourism and other realms.
This visit has afforded a good opportunity to keep with the productive dialogue, exchange views on issues related to cementing the mutually advantageous interaction between Uzbekistan and the UN, including in such areas as countering nuclear proliferation, sustainable socioeconomic development, addressing environmental problems and rational use of water resources, resolution of crisis in Afghanistan and the latter’s reconstruction, combating the threat of international terrorism and drug trafficking, among others.
The peace-loving policies of Uzbekistan, its efforts directed at providing for security and stability in the region are in tune with the activities of the UN. At the initiative of the President of our country, Central Asia has become a nuclear weapons free zone.
Representative offices of a number of UN agencies are operating in our country, such as the World Health Organization, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization, UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Development Program, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS. Together with these organizations more than 440 projects are implemented. Currently, in excess of 70 projects are in progress.
“Uzbekistan considers you as a prominent politician, who has for many years been consistent and energetic in carrying out fruitful activities aimed at bolstering international security, promoting the ideas of a nuclear-free world, solving issues of sustainable development urgent for the entire humanity, as well as the many pressing global problems, environmental, social and humanitarian nature that earned you well-deserved prestige and recognition of the international community,” Islam Karimov said.
The achievement of high Millennium Development Goals – an integrated orientation for all the states during the last fifteen years – has been acquiring an important place in the activities of the UN, along with the forthcoming new agenda of the future – the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Your current visit to Central Asia and the Republic of Uzbekistan in particular as the chief of the UN will offer a great opportunity to get closely familiar with the situation unfolding in the region and to thoroughly exchange views on pressing issues bothering all of us,” the President of our country stressed. “And, first and foremost, the growing radicalization, conflicts and violence, the mounting political and economic confrontation and the ongoing global financial and economic crisis – all of these cannot but raise grave concern. In an increasingly complex global environment, we consider the United Nations as the only universal international organization for the maintenance of global security and stability, a unique structure to address the many intricate inter-state and international issues.”
“Uzbekistan has made significant progress in furthering the Millennium Development Goals, ensuring the rule of law and protecting human rights, safeguarding motherhood and childhood, improving the education system,” Ban Ki-moon said. “All these achievements are the result of sustainable and people-oriented socio-economic reforms.”
The Secretary General emphasized the interest of the United Nations to further strengthen its cooperation with Uzbekistan.
During the negotiations the two sides discussed a wide range of issues of regional and international character, identified priorities in building up the interaction between Uzbekistan and the United Nations and its specialized institutions and agencies.
Uzbekistan well remembers Ban Ki-moon’s trip to the Aral Sea region during his previous visit in 2010, which once again attracted the world community’s attention to one of the planetary ecological disasters of our time.
As it is known well, the increasingly expanding desert in the Aral region has been overwhelming greater areas. Over the past 50 years the water vicinity of the Aral Sea has shrunk by more than fourfold, while the volume of water has decreased by 10 times, and its mineralization amplified by the same fortitude. Under the impact of factors affecting the quality of life, health and gene pool of the local population encompasses not only the regions around the drying sea, but also the territory far beyond its perceptible borders. Addressing the existing socioeconomic problems of the population residing in the Aral Sea region is impossible without joint efforts and close cooperation with the United Nations.
An international conference entitled “Development of cooperation in the Aral Sea region to weather the impact of the ecological disaster” was organized in Urgench in 2014.
The head of our state expressed gratitude to Ban Ki-moon for his personal support for the program of measures to eliminate the consequences of the drying of the Aral Sea ecosystem and prevent disasters in the Aral region, elaborated in the context of the current presidency of Uzbekistan in the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, which was adopted as an official document of the 68th session of the General Assembly.
Maintenance and bolstering the security and stability in Central Asia, the protracted nature of the crisis in Afghanistan lied at the heart of the issues discussed.
The distinguished guest welcomed the active participation of Uzbekistan in the multilateral discussions within the United Nations and its contribution to the solution of regional and global issues. In particular, the UN Secretary General praised Uzbekistan’s input into the efforts directed at achieving stability and development in Afghanistan.
Ban Ki-moon emphasized the efforts of Uzbekistan, which, as a friendly neighbor of Afghanistan, has provided extensive assistance to accomplishing these objectives. Our country, with the support of international financial institutions, in particular the ADB, is implementing projects for the construction of transport communications, supllying electricity to the population of Afghanistan and delivering humanitarian aid.
The parties to talks noted that the only solution to the Afghan problem is political negotiations and the achievement of internal consensus and agreement, the creation of an enabling international environment, continuation of financial and humanitarian support and active participation of the United Nations.
Islam Karimov said that Uzbekistan, attaching great importance to maintaining close partnership with the UN and its institutions, is ready for the progressive development of effective cooperation. And that includes the furthering of the Millennium Development Goals by the end of the year and the Sustainable Development Goals, to be adopted at the forthcoming General Assembly.
Ban Ki-moon expressed confidence that interaction between the UN and Uzbekistan will become even more productive. The signing of the framework program of the United Nations to assist in development for 2016-2020 is an important milestone.
The Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon later the same day visited Bukhara, and got familiar with the historical monuments and modern buildings of the city.
(Source: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
economy
By the end of 2015 it is planned to open over 100 new fields across the country
Over the years of independence, Uzbekistan has secured and been maintaining its positions in the global market of mineral raw materials. Uzbekistan ranks among the top ten leaders in mineral resources, oil and gas, fertilizers, groundwater, and construction materials. However, according to national experts, the estimates of mineral resource reserves in the country exceed those prospected more than twice.
The growth of Uzbekistan’s national economy boasts hinges on the use of huge amounts of varied minerals, hidden in its bowels. They are the feedstock for the production of goods that are in demand both at home and globally.
As many as 1,838 deposits have been discovered on the territory of Uzbekistan as of January 1, 2015, including 235 deposits of hydrocarbons, 151 – metal, 5 – coal and oil shale, 55 – mining ore raw materials, 28 – mining and chemical raw materials and 30 – semiprecious materials, 714 – construction materials for various purposes, and 620 deposits of fresh and mineral groundwater.
Ready for the development, the reserves of many types of minerals would provide the country’s mining plants with work for decades. There are plans afoot to open over 100 new fields across the country by the end of 2015. Exploration works are in progress on over 10 kinds of minerals, while their number did not exceed 3-4 twenty years ago. Exploration works on iron, manganese, coal, oil shale, rare metals and rare elements, non-traditional types of deposits of gold and uranium have been significantly advanced or initiated for the first time in recent years.
According to experts, the capacity increase and establishment of new mining companies requires intensification of prospecting and exploration works on the kinds of minerals that would reduce import dependence and expand the range of domestically manufactured modern high-tech products.
Involvement of foreign investors contributes significantly to the further increase in the effectiveness of exploration works. For example, there is an opportunity to enhance investment attractiveness of deposits through the revision of technical and economic indicators of their development based on innovative technologies of extraction and processing of ores by foreign partners with an eye to the current market conditions.
Creation of specialized expertise platforms ranks among the traditional and well-established forms of informing potential investors. A shining example is the international conference UZGEOINVEST held annually in Tashkent. Last year, investors learnt about 547 solid mineral deposits ready for development. They might be a platform for new companies producing a wide range of modern locally and globally demanded products. Some of the deposits are located in the immediate vicinity of free economic zones.
Besides, the State Geology Committee of Uzbekistan has prepared more than 200 proposals on the conduct of exploration works within investment blocks and promising areas.
The investors were also offered 38 areas with promising discovery of uranium, tungsten, lithium and other rare metal deposits on the terms of production sharing agreements and establishment of joint ventures, among other conditions.
It is worth mentioning the attractive legal framework in this area. For instance, legal entities and individuals who financed the works on geological exploration of mineral resources have an exclusive right to obtain a license for mining works at the deposit they have prospected. As of June 1, investors received 1,470 licenses for the use of mineral subsoils. There are other practical outcomes like the 2.5-times increase of tax payments to the national budget against 2008.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
International cooperation
Uzbekistan, China Foreign Ministries hold consultations
The 13th round of the political consultations between Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and China was held in Rizhao city (China) on 14 June 2015.
The Chinese delegation was led by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Cheng Guoping, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan said.
The sides discussed current state and perspectives of bilateral relations, implementation of agreements, reached at the result of negotiations at high level in September 2013 in Uzbekistan and in May 2014 in China.
It was underlined that the Uzbek-Chinese political dialogue will allow gradually develop and strengthen multilateral relations of strategic partnership between two states almost in all spheres of cooperation.
On the eve of the of the third session of the Uzbek-Chinese intergovernmental committee on cooperation and the Uzbek-Chinese business forum, which will be held in Rizhao city on 15 June, the sides paid special attention to the perspectives of deepening interaction in trade-economic, financial and investment areas. It was noted that the trade turnover between two states rose six times compared to 2007 and reached US$5.2 billion.
At the meeting, the sides also exchanged opinion on priority directions on further expanding cooperation in cultural-humanitarian and education spheres, as well as considered cooperation within international organizations, global and regional issues.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
Society
Uzbekistan approved measures for the retraining and upgrading of managerial and teaching staff of universities
On 12 June, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan signed the Decree “About measures on further improvement of the system of retraining and advanced training of managerial and teaching staff of higher educational institutions”.
The document was adopted in order to radically improve the quality of training of highly qualified specialists on the basis of constant growth of the professional level and qualification of faculty members of universities, the introduction of an improved system of their regular training in accordance with modern requirements.
According to the decree of the head of state, major directions of further improvement of the system of retraining and advanced training of managerial and teaching staff of higher educational institutions are:
– improvement on a regular basis of the educational and professional level of teaching staff of higher educational, in-depth study of the norms of legislation, recent advances in theory, research and applied research, technological progress and innovation on the disciplines, as well as modern methods of organization of educational process;
– major upgrade of qualification requirements, curricula, programs and methods of retraining and advanced training of pedagogical staff of higher education institutions to meet the widespread introduction of modern highly effective and innovative educational technologies, advanced foreign experience;
– mastery by University professors and active introduction in educational process of modern innovative pedagogical, information and communication technologies using the global Internet, multimedia systems and techniques of distance learning;
– increasing the level of practical knowledge of teaching staff of universities for foreign language and its wide use for the steady growth of their professional skills in teaching and research activities.
15 leading universities of the country in document are defined as the Basic higher educational institutions on the organization of retraining and advanced training of managerial and teaching staff of universities in the areas of retraining.
According to the decree, the main tasks and Basic functions of universities are:
– organization of constantly operating courses for retraining and advanced training of managerial and teaching staff of universities on relevant areas of training;
– the creation of the necessary educational, methodical and material-technical base for conducting training courses at a qualitatively high organizational and professional level;
– wide attraction of leading teachers of the University and members of the Scientific Council for doctoral theses, as well as on a contractual basis of highly qualified teachers of other universities of the country, as well as foreign experts, educational professionals and practitioners;
– formation of necessary information and reference base in the areas of training, development and implementation of modern innovative educational retraining, multimedia and information and communication technologies;
– adoption of measures for provision for nonresident students of accommodations in dormitories of universities during the period of retraining and advanced training.
The document lays the personal responsibility for the rectors of higher educational institutions for organizing the training at a high level.
The decree establishes the procedure, according to which:
– managing and teaching staff of higher educational institutions of the Republic, regardless of departmental affiliation, are required on a regular basis, at least once in three years, to undergo training and re-training in relevant areas of permanent courses of Basic higher educational institutions;
– re-training advanced training is carried out for two months with on-the-job under special programs in terms of 288 hours, developed on the basis of the updated model structure of a curriculum retraining of managerial and teaching staff of universities;
– upon completion of training, trainees are subject to certification held by Certification commissions conducted in each Basic high school headed the rector or the Chairman of the Scientific Council on the award of the degree of doctor of science for at least 7 people from among the leading scientists and specialists in their respective fields, members of the Scientific Council, the major specialists in the field of educational and methodical work;
– trainees who successfully complete the certification, shall be issued a Qualification certificate, which is a state document of the strict reporting;
– in case of failing the re-training the teaching staff of universities lose the right to engage in teaching activities in higher educational institutions;
Organization of constantly operating courses for retraining and advanced training of managerial and teaching staff of universities instructed to begin September 1, 2015.
The Ministry of higher and secondary special education is mandated in the period up to August 1, 2015 to ensure the development and approval of the updated eligibility requirements, curricula and programs of retraining and advanced training of pedagogical staff of higher education institutions, in accordance with the typical structure of a curriculum retraining of managerial and teaching staff of universities, as well as modern requirements.
To ensure clear and effective coordination of works on the organization of the processes of training and certification of managerial and teaching staff of universities, the document also entrusted the creation of a permanent inter-Ministerial Commission under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which is responsible for following tasks:
– organization of all work and ensuring proper control over the implementation of the provisions on the further perfection of system of retraining and advanced training of managerial and teaching staff of universities provided for in this decree, paying particular attention to the increasing interest of faculty members in the continual growth of their professional skills in accordance with modern requirements;
– coordination of the Basic activities of higher educational institutions on the organization of retraining and advanced training of managerial and teaching staff of universities, assisting in the further development and strengthening of their educational-methodical and material-technical base;
– organization of work of continuous improvement, to meet modern requirements, curricula and programs of retraining and advanced training of pedagogical staff of universities in the areas of retraining;
– the formation and approval of the personal composition of evaluation committees in academies organization of retraining and advanced training of management and pedagogical staff of higher education institutions, with mandatory annual hearing their reports and if necessary making changes in their lineups.
According to the decree, the chairs of the Certification Committee’s Basic universities will set a premium of 30 percent to the base salary.
The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan have been given one month to adopt a resolution pursuant to this Decree, stating:
– approval of courses of retraining and advanced training of managerial and teaching staff of higher educational institutions;
– approval of the personal composition of the Interdepartmental Commission on coordination of works on the organization of the processes of training and certification;
– measures to strengthen the educational-methodical and material-technical base of the Basic higher education institutions, equipping them with modern information and communications technology, equipment and technical means of education.
(Source: UzReport.uz )
The Rule of Law through an Effective Judicial System
It was emphasized at the Tashkent International Conference ‘Improving the system of retraining and advanced training of judicial personnel: international practice and experience of Uzbekistan’ that the achievements of our country in this area are recognized by the international community.
The Judicial Training Center under the Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Research Centre of the Supreme Court of the Republic, USA’s Federal Judicial Center and the international non-governmental non-profit organization ‘Regional Dialogue’ (Slovenia) were the main organizers of this event. It was attended by deputies and senators of the Oliy Majlis, representatives of the judiciary and law enforcement agencies, universities and research institutions, NGOs, and international experts.
It has been noted at the forum that the judicial system in our country is highly effective, ensuring the rule of law, and protection of human rights and interests. The judicial power is increasingly being strengthened as a result of changes implemented in accordance with the Concept of further deepening democratic reforms and formation of civil society in the country. All conditions for its independence have been created and thus the powers of the courts have been extended and the safeguards to protect people have been strengthened.
The system of training of qualified lawyers is continuously improving based on the experience of developed countries, and international standards are implemented. The strengthening of Legal education and awareness of the sphere of personnel is mostly attributed to the Presidential Decree ‘On organizational measures to further improve the activity of courts’ dated November, 30, 2012.
For example, more than 2 thousand experts of the judicial system increase their knowledge at the Judicial Training Center annually. It is formed in accordance with the 1997 Presidential Decree ‘On the improvement of legal education, raising the level of legal culture, improving the system of training of lawyers, improving the work of the Public Opinion Surveys’.
The center provides training and skills development in the field of justice, judicial system, legal profession, and training at special courses of persons who are in the talent pool and are nominated for the positions of judges in districts (cities and towns), military and economic courts for the first time.
There are five departments – civil law, criminal law, public-legal disciplines, international law and human rights theory and practice of building a democratic society in Uzbekistan. They employ 30 highly qualified law researchers, including 9 doctors of science and professors, 9 Masters of Science (law) and assistant professors, which indicates a high scientific potential of the teaching staff.
Classes are taught by prominent scientists, experts and the most experienced staff members of the Ministry of Justice, Supreme Court, Supreme Economic Court, the Constitutional Court, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the National Forensic Centre, the Chamber of Advocates and other government bodies and institutions.
It offers computer rooms, facilities for testing, a courtroom, a library, and resource center on Human Rights for the students. Along with the theoretical training of lawyers practical skills are also strengthened. Conducting interactive sessions with the widespread use of information and communication technologies serves to increase the professionalism of court personnel.
The fundamental improvement of training and retraining contributes to the quality of legal activity, and helps to ensure full compliance with the law. Further improvement of this work is done through the introduction of modern ICT in the activities of courts, and the application of advanced methods of distance education.
“To improve the qualifications of candidates for judges and first-time judicial appointments, special items and additional programs are included in the educational process,” said the Center’s director Asqar Ghafurov. “We have established contacts with educational institutions of foreign countries for training and retraining of lawyers, as well as international organizations carrying out their activities in the territory of the republic. Since September 2014 the center became a member of the International Organization for Judicial Training (IOJT), uniting 120 institutions of this kind from 73 countries of the world.”
In cooperation with the OSCE office in Uzbekistan they have held dozens of seminars and ‘round-tables’ on the reform of the judicial system, organized trips of local specialists to foreign countries to exchange experiences, published legal literature, equipped the Resource Centre for Human Rights with computers and office equipment.
The Decree of the President of the country in 2008 established the Research Center for democratization and liberalization of judicial legislation and ensuring the independence of the judiciary system..
Among its main tasks is the analysis and summarization of the legal framework of the judicial activity, the development of measures to further liberalizing the system of criminal and administrative penalties, the democratization of judicial, criminal, civil and commercial law, preparation of proposals for further improvement of the justice system, raising the profile and strengthening the independence of the judiciary system and others. It is important to enhance the activity of the Center for International Cooperation, to promote deeper study of foreign experience in this area, particularly, to ensure the independence of the court system, as well as increase the effective cooperation with the media.
Director of the US Federal Judicial Center Jeremy Fogel told about the practices of appointment of judges, the system of their training and development in the United States, and continuous education of these professionals across the country and his speech was met with great interest by the participants of the forum.
This organization was founded in 1967, it provides training and professional development courses for judges and the federal courts of the United States, conducts research in the judicial sphere. Judge Jeremy Fogel heads the Center since 2011.
Its mission is to conduct scientific research, planning and evaluation of managerial work in the courts, introduction of new technologies and scientific and technological innovations, and the promotion of effective cooperation between the federal and state courts, as well as research and rendering educational-methodical assistance to courts. It annually develops and publishes practical manuals for judges, has hundreds of educational and training programs for the judiciary system.
In 2014 representatives of theUS Federal Judicial Center took part at the international ‘round-tables’ in Tashkent on ‘The improvement of the system of training, retraining and advanced training of legal personnel’ and in Urgench on ‘A consistent strengthening of the judicial authorities: to ensure the independence and autonomy of the court’. Famous American lawyers Mira Gur-Arie, James Buchanan and James Iglin praised during these forums the reform of the judicial and legal sphere in Uzbekistan.
“A large-scale reform in the judicial sphere, system of training and retraining of judicial staff is well underway in Uzbekistan,” said Jeremy Fogel. “Judicial Training center makes a great contribution to the training of highly qualified specialists. All this is an important factor in the development and independence of the judiciary in the country. The completion of education and training as a prerequisite to the appointment of judges helps draw employees into the sphere with fully developed expertise. This increases the efficiency of justice, the imposition of legal decisions on issues that affect the life and destiny of a man. The activities of courts are widely enhanced by modern information and communication technology that reduces the time spent on cases saves time and money of citizens. I hope that we will continue to actively cooperate with Uzbekistan in this direction.”
The conference was also aimed at the establishment of cooperation between the Judicial Training Center and the US Federal Judicial Center. It was noted that the implemented measures in this area have created conditions for the exchange of experiences and information about the news in the system.
Issues of promotion of the best practices of the United States and Uzbekistan in this area, further expansion of international cooperation, the organization of training courses online, and development of practical recommendations have also been discussed at the conference.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
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