On November 8, 2024, Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT) signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA). This partnership aims to leverage research and education to address agricultural challenges, especially in the context of climate resilience and sustainable development in saline and water-scarce regions. Through collaborative projects, WIUT and ICBA will promote innovative agricultural practices and facilitate knowledge exchange, supporting Uzbekistan’s commitment to sustainable development goals.

The event dedicated to “Climate Change and Women in Agriculture: Challenges and Opportunities in the CAC Region” was held in Baku on 22-23 October 2024. The event was based on the WACAA (Women Alliance for Climate Action in Agriculture) Regional Dialogue in the Central Asia and Caucasus Region (CAC), which is an initiative of the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA). Organized under the framework of Agriculture for Tomorrow and supported by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), this two-day event gathers 30 distinguished women experts from research and academic institutions across Central Asia and the Caucasus. The dialogue explores the intersection of climate change and women in agriculture, focusing on gender equality, women’s leadership, and climate resilience in agricultural practices. ICBA has recently established a partnership with CPRO. To strengthen the collaboration, the Director of CPRO, Dr Bekzod Zakirov, attended the regional dialogue with his presentation on “Sustainable future through women’s participation in agriculture in Uzbekistan”.

ICBA is a non-profit worldwide research organization dedicated to sustainable agriculture in saline and dry settings was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in the United Arab Emirates. Its mission is to improve food security and agricultural productivity by creating creative, resource-efficient farming methods that can survive climate change, water scarcity, and salinity of the soil. ICBA works with governments, scholars, and communities in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa to carry out research-based initiatives, encourage women to work in agriculture, and raise farming communities' standard of living through resource conservation and sustainable practices.

ICBA and other organizations have assisted Uzbekistan in empowering women in agricultural literacy, especially at the conference on the role of women in agriculture. The goal of ICBA's projects in Uzbekistan, including new agreements, is to increase women's involvement in agriculture by giving them access to agricultural research, leadership development opportunities, and capacity-building efforts. In addition to improving their livelihoods, these programs aim to assist female farmers in implementing sustainable farming methods and promote their active participation in rural development decision-making processes. These initiatives support female farmers' adoption of sustainable farming methods, enhance their economic stability, and significantly contribute to food security. By tackling gender inequality and encouraging resource-efficient farming methods, these initiatives enable women to play a significant role in moving Uzbekistan's agriculture industry toward increased sustainability and resilience.

Gender is crucial to agricultural sustainability and climatic resilience in Uzbekistan. Women make up more than 40% of the agricultural workforce and play a vital role in efforts to improve nutrition, food security, and climate adaptation. Nevertheless, they encounter obstacles such as restricted access to funding, resources, and platforms for decision-making. Women in rural areas are disproportionately affected by climate change because of gender inequality, which puts additional pressure on their roles in providing resources and food for their community. Promoting gender equality and developing successful climate adaptation measures need to empower women in agriculture through leadership opportunities, education, and resource access.

The event highlighted the importance of addressing climate change, food security, and sustainable farming through advanced technologies and partnerships. Key takeaways included promoting biosaline agriculture, using drought-resistant crops, and fostering international cooperation for food security. Additionally, the main arguments of the conference were the promotion of women’s rights to landownership, access to agricultural inputs and financing. Generally, in the CAC region, this strategic debate highlighted the pressing need to prioritize gender-responsive climate measures and promote cooperative efforts to empower women, especially in agriculture, to meet the difficulties and take advantage of the opportunities presented by climate change.

WIUT Hosts International Conference on Climate Change, Water Scarcity, and Migration in Central Asia 

On October 15-16, 2024, Westminster International University in Tashkent proudly hosted the international conference "Beyond Borders: Central Asia in the Face of Climate Change, Water Scarcity, and Migration Challenges," in collaboration with the Leibniz Institute (IAMO).

This significant event convened scientists, policymakers, and experts from across the globe to examine the urgent challenges facing Central Asia, such as acute water scarcity, rising temperatures, and migration issues. Through informed discussions on adaptation, resilience, and sustainable strategies, the conference fostered regional collaboration and formulated recommendations aimed at ensuring a sustainable future.

WIUT is committed to fostering global partnerships to address the region's most critical environmental and socio-economic challenges. 

WIUT hosted an autumn school – training course on “Econometric analysis of farmers’ adoption decisions of sustainable agricultural practices” jointly organized with Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO) on 7-11 October 2024.

The course was organized in the framework of the German-Uzbek collaborative research project “Better understanding of the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in Uzbekistan (UzFarmBarometer)”.

Training instructors were Dr. Nodir Djanibekov, Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO), Germany; and Dr. Abdusame Tadjiev, Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO), Germany, and Samarkand Agroinnovations and Research University, Uzbekistan.

CPRO hosted Director General Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi and Chief Operations and Development Dr. Charbel Tarraf of the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA, United Arab Emirates).

The meeting explored opportunities related to developing a research partnership in the areas of (1) development and implementation of joint projects and programs focused on sustainable agricultural research and development, and capacity building; (2) organization of workshops, conferences, webinars, and other events related to agricultural research and development; (3) collaboration on the development of joint policy briefs; (4) and other areas of mutual interest.

During the visit, the delegation of ICBA visited the training course on “Econometric analysis of farmers’ adoption decisions of sustainable agricultural practices”.

On September 10th, Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT) witnessed a significant gathering of minds at the "Uzbekistan After WTO Accession: Path to Regional and Global Integration Through Trade" roundtable, hosted by the Center for Policy Research and Outreach (CPRO). The event was marked by the presence of a distinguished panel including experts from Yokohama National University in Japan and the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) in Tashkent, making it a notable convergence of academic and policy-driven perspectives.

The roundtable delved into the pivotal role that WTO accession plays for Uzbekistan, focusing on the vast opportunities and looming challenges that accompany integration into global markets. Discussions revolved around how Uzbekistan could maximize its WTO membership to boost economic growth and strengthen its trade ties globally. The panelists provided a wealth of insights into the strategic measures and policies that could facilitate a smoother integration process.

A highlight of the event was the array of practical recommendations offered for Uzbekistan’s successful navigation towards WTO accession. These included a comprehensive analysis of Uzbekistan's potential for deeper regional and global trade integrations. Moreover, the roundtable also celebrated the official launch of the Jean Monnet Module on "EU and Competition Law." This initiative marks a significant advancement in research and understanding of European economic standards, further enriching the academic landscape at WIUT.

This roundtable not only served as a platform to shape future trade policies but also positioned Uzbekistan as an emerging player in the international trade arena. CPRO, along with its partners, remains committed to fostering ongoing discussions and developing robust policy solutions that promote sustainable growth and integration for Uzbekistan on the world stage. The outcomes of this roundtable promise to influence policy decisions and economic strategies as Uzbekistan steps onto the global economic platform.

On September 5th, the Central Asia Policy Research Organization (CPRO) participated in the high-level meeting on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC) Forum on Food Security and Sustainable Development, co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan. This significant event gathered experts and policymakers to address pivotal issues impacting LLDCs, focusing on innovative solutions for food security and sustainable agricultural practices.

Dr. Bekzod Zakirov, Director of CPRO, delivered a compelling presentation at the forum, underscoring the organization's vital contributions to sustainable policymaking in Uzbekistan. He highlighted CPRO's dedicated efforts in tackling some of the most pressing challenges in agriculture and sustainability, emphasizing the center's commitment to fostering innovative policy solutions that are in line with Uzbekistan's long-term development objectives.

During his address, Dr. Zakirov shared valuable insights into how CPRO's research initiatives and collaborative projects are driving substantial progress towards a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector. He pointed out the center's strategic approach to integrating scientific research with practical policy-making, which has been instrumental in advancing sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the economy.

CPRO’s participation in the forum reflects its pivotal role as a think tank that not only contributes to academic discussions but also actively shapes policy directions to achieve tangible impacts in the realm of sustainable development. The organization's efforts in promoting sustainability are aligned with global development goals, aiming to transform challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation in Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector.

This engagement at the LLDC Forum is part of CPRO’s broader strategy to influence and lead sustainable policymaking, ensuring that Uzbekistan can effectively address the unique challenges faced by landlocked developing countries in achieving food security and sustainable development. Through such platforms, CPRO continues to advocate for policies that support sustainable growth, enhancing its leadership role in the regional and global policy landscape.

The 9th Annual Meeting of the Multidimensional Poverty Peer Network (MPPN), held in Tashkent and Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from August 27-29, 2024, marked a significant event in the global fight against poverty. Organized by the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) and the Agency for Mahallabay Work and Entrepreneurship Development, with backing from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), the meeting convened experts and leaders from 63 countries to deliberate on strategies for poverty alleviation.

Mansurbek Olloyorov, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Social Protection Issues and Director of the National Agency for Social Protection, together with key figures such as Professor Sabina Alkire, Director of OPHI; Sabine Mahl, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan; Akiko Fujii, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan; and Gonzalo Hernández Licona, Director of MPPN, opened the meeting with calls for collaborative efforts and innovative approaches to tackle multidimensional poverty.

The conference served as a platform for sharing insights and best practices in addressing the complexities of poverty beyond income-based measures. Participants engaged in discussions on enhancing policy frameworks, integrating sustainable development goals into national agendas, and utilizing data-driven strategies to improve social protection systems.

A highlight of the meeting was the introduction of new tools and methodologies developed by OPHI, aimed at better identifying and supporting the most vulnerable populations. The discussions also emphasized the role of technological advancements in monitoring poverty and facilitating targeted interventions.

CPRO's participation underscored its commitment to contributing to poverty reduction strategies both locally and globally. The insights gained from the conference are expected to enhance CPRO’s ongoing initiatives and foster new collaborations to advance its mission of sustainable development and inclusive growth.

This gathering not only reaffirmed the international community’s dedication to eradicating poverty in all its forms but also reinforced the importance of multidimensional approaches to capture the full scope of poverty, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of global development goals.

At the recent conference on the Transformation of Higher Education in Uzbekistan, co-organized by the University of Economy and Diplomacy and the Nippon Foundation, CPRO took a pivotal role in addressing the evolving landscape of higher education within the region. Dr. Bekzod Zakirov, Director of CPRO, delivered a key presentation that highlighted the significant disconnect between scientific research and its practical application in industry and government sectors in Uzbekistan's public universities.

Dr. Zakirov proposed a transformative model for public universities to become more research-oriented, advocating for a systemic overhaul that encourages robust industry and government collaboration. This model aims to cultivate a more dynamic academic environment where research directly contributes to socio-economic development and policy-making.

The conference also facilitated engaging discussions with key stakeholders including representatives from the World Bank Munis project and the Uzbek-Japan Youth Innovation Center. These dialogues focused on potential collaborations that could bridge gaps between academia and industry, thereby enhancing the impact of university-led research.

This event marks a critical step in redefining the role of higher education in Central Asia, with CPRO at the forefront of pioneering educational reform to meet the demands of contemporary challenges.