On June 23–24, 2021, the First Global Forum dedicated to issues of global inter-parliamentary cooperation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was held in the city of Bukhara.

During the event, it was noted that in September 2015, Uzbekistan, along with other countries of the world, reaffirmed its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and undertook obligations to achieve key priorities such as ensuring sustainable and inclusive economic growth, social integration, environmental protection, and promoting peace and security.

Participants emphasized that the implementation of the SDGs in Uzbekistan is being carried out in full alignment with large-scale reforms undertaken within the framework of the Action Strategy. The five priority areas of the Strategy have been identified as key mechanisms for achieving the SDGs. The SDGs have been integrated into national and regional strategies and programs, including the Concept for the Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan until 2030. Currently, relevant targets and indicators are incorporated into more than 190 strategic documents, sectorial and territorial programs.

In his Address to the Oliy Majlis in January 2021, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, emphasized the importance of establishing practical cooperation between the Parliament, the Government, and civil society institutions in achieving the SDGs, as well as conducting regular parliamentary and public hearings in this area.

To implement these objectives, a Parliamentary Commission on Monitoring the Implementation of National SDGs was established in February 2020. Both chambers of Parliament are actively engaged in advancing the SDGs, effectively utilizing legislative and oversight mechanisms. Civil society institutions, youth, and non-governmental non-profit organizations also make a significant contribution to this work.

It was noted that on July 15, 2020, Uzbekistan presented its first Voluntary National Review on SDG implementation at the High-Level Political Forum under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

It was underlined that such a large-scale event aimed at consolidating the efforts of parliaments and coordinating their cooperation in achieving the SDGs had not previously been held in any country. The initiative of the Republic of Uzbekistan received broad support from parliaments of foreign states.

The main thematic areas of the Forum included:

– the role of parliaments in ensuring effective implementation of the SDGs;

– financing for SDG implementation;

– development of a system of SDG statistical indicators;

– participation of civil society institutions and the public in SDG implementation;

– the importance of parliamentary oversight, monitoring and evaluation;

– development of international dialogue and global inter-parliamentary cooperation.

The Forum brought together parliamentarians, representatives of leading international and inter-parliamentary organizations, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union, as well as representatives of youth parliaments, civil society, and government bodies.

It was noted that the Bukhara Forum became an important platform for enhancing international dialogue and developing approaches to drafting a special resolution of the United Nations General Assembly aimed at strengthening the role of parliaments in achieving the SDGs and ensuring human rights, as proposed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly.

Following the Forum, the Bukhara Declaration on Global Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals was adopted, reaffirming the readiness of parliaments to further strengthen cooperation and undertake coordinated commitments.

In the lead-up to the Forum, from June 10 to 24, a Sustainable Development Week was held under the motto “No one will be left behind!”, bringing together experts, parliamentarians, representatives of government bodies, civil society, and international organizations. The events were conducted in both in-person and online formats.

The First Global Forum on Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation in Achieving the SDGs in Bukhara