President of Uzbekistan expressed condolences. 1
May 9 – the Day of memory and honor.. 1
World War II participants to receive 800 thousand soums. 1
A gas processing complex is being constructed in Uzbekistan. 1
Uzbek-Austrian consultations. 2
POLItiCs
President of Uzbekistan expressed condolences
The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov expressed sincere condolences to the President of the Republic of Ecuador Rafael Vicente Correa Delgado due to the devastating earthquake in the northwest of the coast of a country, which caused numerous casualties and destruction.
The head of state conveyed sincere sympathy to the families and friends of the victims and those injured.
(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
May 9 – the Day of memory and honor
World War II participants to receive 800 thousand soums
On April 18, 2016, the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed the Decree “On encouragement of the participants of the Second World War”.
By the decree of the head of state, each participant and disabled war veteran will be allocated a lump monetary reward in the amount of 800 thousand soums (currency rates of CB RU from 20.04.2016, 1$= 2893.92 soums).
The decree was adopted in connection with the national holiday on May 9 – the Day of memory and honor, as well as the celebration of the 71st anniversary of the Victory over fascism in the Second World War of 1941-1945.
The amount of the lump reward allocated last year to encourage the participants of WW II was 700 thousand soums.
(Source: UzReport.uz)
investments
A gas processing complex is being constructed in Uzbekistan
A ceremony for laying the foundation stone of the Kandym Gas Processing Complex (KGPC) was held in Bukhara region of Uzbekistan.
Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of LUKOIL Vagit Alekperov participated in the ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that the project is large and perspective, as well as profitable project. He added that the Government of Uzbekistan will do its best to ensure successful realization of the project.
“The beginning of construction of the Kandym Gas Processing Complex marks a new stage in the development of gas resources in Uzbekistan. The complex will be one of the largest in Central Asia, and its operation will enable the creation of more than two thousand full-time employment positions,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted.
“The Kandym Gas Processing Complex will involve the best experts and cutting edge process solutions while ensuring compliance with the highest health, safety and environment standards. This is the Company’s largest investment project in Uzbekistan,” Vagit Alekperov said.
LUKOIL started the construction of Kandym Gas Processing Complex (KGPC) – a key production facility in development of the Kandym group of gas condensate fields located in the Bukhara Province in the south-west of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The ceremony for laying the foundation stone was attended by Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of PJSC LUKOIL Vagit Alekperov and representatives of local authorities and contractors.
The Kandym Gas Processing Complex will include construction of a gas treatment plant capable of processing 8.1 billion cubic meters of gas per year, as well as a natural gas gathering system, which, at its peak, will comprise 114 producing wells, 11 well pads and 4 gathering stations. 370 km of gas pipelines will be installed and 160 km of motorways will be built. Around 7,000 people will be involved in the construction of the complex and infrastructure facilities.
LUKOIL has been implementing the Kandym project in partnership with the National Holding Company Uzbekneftegaz since 2004 as part of the Kandym-Khauzak-Shady-Kungrad PSA. The Kandym group consists of 6 gas condensate fields – Kandym, Kuvachi-Alat, Akkum, Parsankul, Khoji and West Khoji.
The first phase of the project envisages mining and preparing 2.1 billion cubic meters of gas a year from Kuvachi-Alat field and Northern Shady area at Khauzak-Shady field with supply of gas to Mubarak gas processing plant.
The project envisages construction of Kandym gas processing complex. The Kandym Gas Processing Complex will include construction of a gas treatment plant capable of processing 8.1 billion cubic meters of gas per year, as well as a natural gas gathering system, which, at its peak, will comprise 114 producing wells, 11 well pads and 4 gathering stations.
About 370 km of gas pipelines will be installed and 160 km of motorways will be built. It is also planned to build a village for 1,200 people. Around 7,000 people will be involved in the construction of the complex and infrastructure facilities.
LUKOIL and a consortium headed by Hyundai Engineering (South Korea) signed a contract for procurement and construction of the Kandym Gas Processing Plant in Uzbekistan in February 2015. The contract cost is US$2.662 billion and envisages supply of equipment and construction of the complex. It is expected that the complex will be commissioned in 2018. The volume of investments estimated at US$3.3 billion.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
INFRASTRUCTURE
Uzbekistan has planned to invest over 48 billion soums in the arrangement of the Kamchik pass in 2016
The transfer of the section of the Tashkent-Osh road to cement concrete pavement is intended to be the bulk of works. The 74-kilometer section crosses the pass in Tashkent and Namangan regions, with two lanes in each direction. The works will cost about 20 billion soums (currency rates of CB RU from 20.04.2016, 1$= 2893.92 soums).
The state budget will also allocate 20 billion soums for reconstruction of the 10-kilometer road section with asphalt concrete pavement near the Angren coal mine and a bypass road through the pass on the south side. The remaining 8 billion soums will be invested in the modernization of lighting, ventilation and fire systems at Kamchik and Rezak tunnels.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
International cooperation
Uzbek-Austrian consultations
On April 19, 2016, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov received the Head of Department for Eastern Europe, Western Balkan, South Caucasus and Central Asia at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria Heidemaria Gürer.
During the conversation the sides discussed the topical issues of Uzbek-Austrian agenda and confirmed the mutual interest in the development of cooperation in the bilateral format and within the international organizations.
It was noted that a regular dialogue between the Foreign Ministries is an important instrument of multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.
The sides have also exchanged views on the schedule of upcoming contacts at various levels.
On the same day it was held the fifth round of ministerial political consultations, during which the parties discussed the prospects for development of mutually beneficial relations in political, trade, investment, cultural-humanitarian and other spheres.
The special attention was paid to the priorities of strengthening relations in the economic sphere. In this context, it was emphasized that the visit of delegation of leading Austrian companies to Tashkent, that arrived to hold bilateral talks and participate in the joint business forum, demonstrates the growing interest of business circles of Uzbekistan and Austria in establishing the mutually beneficial relations and implementing the joint projects.
The parties also discussed some of the problems of international and regional policy.
(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
EDUCATION
Our Hope and Pillar
The ongoing fundamental reforms, which have been implemented in Uzbekistan since the first days of independence, and are aimed at construction of a prosperous democratic state and society, have a clear social vector.
The concern for upbringing of the comprehensively advanced younger generation with broad outlook, creative thinking and sough-after profession is the key priority of all the reforms in the country. The noblest objectives of the country’s leadership, the place of Uzbekistan in the world community depend largely on the new generation, on what kind of people will grow out of our children.
Creation of favorable environment for the comprehensive development of the growing generation is an integral part of the Uzbek people’s mentality. It has long been a priority in each family to provide children with sound health, good education, and bring them up as respectable personalities.
In the years of independence, these priorities have gained a status of the state youth policy with a strong legal foundation. The Law ‘On state youth policy in the Republic of Uzbekistan’ of November 20, 1991 ranked among the first legislative acts adopted in Uzbekistan after gaining independence.
The issues of overall protection of young people’s interests are reflected in the Constitution of Uzbekistan, 22 laws, numerous decrees and resolutions of the President and the Cabinet of Ministers. Uzbekistan ratified more than 30 international instruments protecting the rights and interests of young people.
Target nationwide programs named the Year of Youth, the Year of the Comprehensively Advanced Generation, and the Year of the Healthy Child were successfully implemented. Meanwhile, the younger generation has been in spotlight of other national programs.
Annual allocations in the development and reformation of education in Uzbekistan make up 10-12% of GDP. The share of this system in the government budget exceeds 35%, suggesting the great concern for the sector.
The implementation of progressive reforms in youth policy had an ‘explosive effect’. National models of continuous education, healthcare, upbringing of harmoniously developed young generation were highly commended around the world. For example, international organizations offered them as a model example for other countries at various international forums in Tashkent representing the national model of mother and child health and continuous education. In 2012, the study of the World Intellectual Property Organization INSEAD ranked Uzbekistan the world’s fifth in the development of the education system, including the amount of funds invested.
The Unique Program
In the years of independence, Uzbekistan has radically reformed of the staff training and education system. The pivotal sector was reformed on the basis of the National Staff Training Program, which is unique in its scale and objectives. Education was declared in Uzbekistan a priority area of development to meet the economic, social, scientific, technological and cultural needs of individuals, the society and the state.
A unified system of continuous education is focused on educating skilled and competitive staff for all fields of the economy and social sector, ensuring spiritual and moral education and comprehensive development of young people.
Meeting the state educational standards and requirements of time, curricula and textbooks were developed and introduced at all stages of education with an eye to international experience. Advanced educational technologies and interactive teaching methods are widely applied. More than 100 billion soums (currency rates of CB RU from 20.04.2016, 1$= 2893.92 soums) is annually invested in equipping educational institutions with modern equipment, laboratories and computers.
Higher education institutions play an important place in educating highly qualified and sought-after staff. The number of higher education institutions has doubled in the years of independence, so today, the young people study in over 70 higher education institutions in the conditions that meet international standards.
Uzbekistan established close cooperation with the world’s prestigious higher education institutions. International Westminster University in Tashkent, the Polytechnic University of Turin, Inha University, the Management Development Institute of Singapore, Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, and Lomonosov Moscow State University opened their affiliates in Tashkent.
Employment of graduates, primarily vocational college graduates, has been an issue of intent attention. The system provides targeted staff training for specific industries and sectors. Educational institutions conclude tripartite agreements between enterprises and students with a guarantee of their subsequent employment. Other forms of cooperation of professional colleges with employing companies are also used for this purpose. Hundreds of thousands of new jobs have been created each year with the development of small business and private entrepreneurship, involving young people.
Young talents perform well in international creativity competitions. In 2015, students of the Mechanics and Mathematics Department of the National University of Uzbekistan won gold and silver awards at the 22nd International Olympiad in Mathematics among students in Bulgaria. In 2012 – 2015, Uzbek students won 110 medals at international creativity competitions, 44 of which were taken by our girls.
Uzbekistan has been pursuing the policy of identification and promotion of talented young people, shaping creativity features in them on the basis of national and universal values. This is the mission of Zulfiya State Award, which honors the best representatives of the young generation who demonstrate excellence in study, creativity and social life. The Nihol Award is presented to talented young dancers, musicians and singers for achievements in the field of arts.
Involvement of talented young people in research is important item of youth policy in Uzbekistan. The State President Award is conferred to talented students for excellence at school and public life. There are also Alisher Navoi, Ulugbek, Beruni, Ibn Sino state scholarships. The results of such a concern about the development young people’s capacity are exemplified by the growing number of promising products of young scientists and students, which they present every year at the Republican Fair of Innovative Ideas, Technologies and Projects.
Uzbekistan has introduced and is successfully practicing the principle of reasonability of concurrent moral-aesthetic education and music education. 300 children’s music and art schools, 20 academic lyceums and vocational colleges, and four music and arts higher educational institutions operate throughout the country.
Barkamol Avlod centers have been established as part of further streamlining of the school education system, identification and development of creative aptitudes of the growing generation, and organization of eventful leisure of students. They operate in each district and town, promoting creative and intellectual abilities of children aged 6 to 16.
Children’s sports have turned into an integral part of the continuous education system in Uzbekistan. For example, more than 2 million children were regularly engaged in more than 30 kinds of sports last year, suggesting its scale. There are three-stage sports games Umid Nihollari, Barkamol Avlod, Universiade, which prepare young people for the professional sports. Nearly 2,000 young men and women won international sports competitions in 2012 – 2015.
In 2005, the absolute child health rate in Uzbekistan was 52.7%, while in 2015 it reached 64%. In the developed countries the rate makes up 70-72%.
What does Kamolot stand for?
NGOs have been playing an important role in the youth policy. Civil society has contributed to the solution of many important social problems like citizens’ self-actualization, especially in young people, ensuring a balance of interests in society by enhancing their social, socio-economic activity and legal culture.
Established in 2001, the Public Youth Movement Kamolot ranks among the largest public organizations in Uzbekistan, bringing together four million boys and girls of 14 – 30 years. They all share an active life position and the desire to realize their potential in social life. This is the platform that gives a chance for the young to participate in the ongoing democratic reforms in the country. The movement incorporates a children’s organization Kamalak with nearly 2 million children aged 10-14.
Under the guidance of young and initiative leaders, 15,000 primary organizations support the aspirations of students and young workers. Primary organizations are a pool of potential leaders, an experimental laboratory on development and implementation of socially important projects, a unique institution to protect the rights and interests of boys and girls, ensuring public control over the implementation of youth related laws.
Nongovernmental organizations under the Kamolot are focused on the study of youth issues, and provision of guidance. For example, the Etakchi youth center studies the problems of young people through public opinion polls. In recent years, it has conducted 20 studies, developed proposals on the need for information in the age of globalization, prevention of juvenile delinquency, youth employment, leisure and others.
The learning center has been effectively enhancing the level of knowledge of leaders in primary organizations. More than 10,000 activists advanced their skills there in 2015.
Kamolot aims at intensification of the social activity of young people, ensuring their involvement in the construction of a democratic state and civil society. The number projects Kamolot has implemented in social and legal sector alone has increased five times over the past five years, and the number of participants – eight times.
Developing relations with all levels of state power, Kamolot fully protects the rights and interests of young people. The organization signed cooperation agreements with more than 30 ministries and organizations, established close cooperation with the Legislative Chamber, Senate of the Oliy Majlis, National Center for Human Rights, the Ombudsman. Based on social partnership, the relations have built the platform for the full-fledged implementation of Kamolot’s program objectives.
Children of a Great Country
Kamolot holds annual youth festivals under the motto ‘We are the Children of a Great Country!’ in all regions of the country. They aim at shaping a sense of belonging to the socio-political processes in boys and girls, building their social capacity, protecting young people from the impacts of low-grade popular culture, growing the youngers in the spirit of respect for national values. Implementation of the project in collaboration with 40 organizations evidences of its scale. Advocacy groups are organized in each region under the project, involving representatives of state authorities, administration and civil society organizations, academicians and the young people, who have reached certaim progress in various areas of public life.
In the current year, the festivals have already been held in Surkhandarya, Kashkadarya and Samarkand regions, involving nearly two million boys and girls.
For instance, the festival’s agenda in the Samarkand region included 20 projects on expanding the young people’s outlook and spirituality, which were implemented in educational institutions, local communitiess, recreation parks and leisure centers in all discticts and municipalities. Meetings and discussions involved members of parliament and local councils, known researchers and poets, theater and cinema actors, winners of international competitions, subject Olympiads and sports competitions. The agenda also included book festivals and demonstration of domestic movies and performances in cinemas and theaters.
Under the project ‘The Heroes You Like’ at the children’s music and art school №10 of Djambai district students met with well-known writers, poets, artists. The guests held master classes and presented a concert program.
The event ‘This is My Homeland!’ at the Bulungur College of Pedagogy and Sports have strengthened a sense of love for the motherland and pride in the home country in young people. The project on ‘Religious Extremism and Terrorism as a Threat to the Future of Young People’ at Urgut Vocational College of Economics, Sports and Service has called young people to be vigilant in face of various negative phenomena.
Young men and women took an active part in the rally ‘High Esteem for Veterans’, visiting the elderly and helping them about the house. A ‘Conscientious Seller’ campaign was aimed at ensuring public control over the implementation of the Law ‘On constraints to distribution and consumption of alcohol and tobacco products’. Public readings of the ‘Law Code of Timur’ were organized during the celebration of 680th anniversary of Amir Temur.
The festivals have helped to reveal more than 3,000 young talents also from remote areas of the country.
There is still much to be done to create the appropriate conditions for ensuring the rights and interests of young people. The full-scale implementation of the enormous potential of the younger generation requires active support, strengthening and development of social partnership of state and public structures.
It is very important that the constant care of the youth in Uzbekistan imposes responsibility on young men and women, motivating for the greater enthusiasm in achieving high goals.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
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