UNDP Uzbekistan delegation visited Karakalpakstan to discuss key UNDP programmes and future initiatives with Mr. Amanbay Orinbayev, Chairperson of Jokargy Kenes of Karakalpakstan, and Mr. Farkhod Ermanov, Chairperson of the Council of Ministers and other local partners.

For over 25 years since its establishment in 1998, UNDP office in Karakalpakstan, has supported improving people’s lives implementation of over 30 projects applying its unique rural and human-centered development approach, ranging from access to water to youth empowerment. UNDP currently support five projects valued over USD 15 million in Karakalpakstan.

The delegation included UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Akiko Fujii and Deputy Resident Representative Mr. Anas Fayyad Qarman, who interacted with local community members, civil society members including community volunteers, women’s advisory group, scientific researchers, and district government officials to validate the project impacts on people’s lives on the ground.

Clean water brings change to Pashenttau village

In the remote village of Pashenttau, UNDP, government and community members gathered at the inauguration ceremony of the newly upgraded water purification plant supported by UNDP project. 2,000 residents, who struggled to access clean water, now have the drinking water through the pipes at households. The opening of this plant is expected to have multiple positive impacts on people’s lives, including health. The project fixed a critical issue with an old desalination station from 1985 that could no longer meet the needs of the community. The village's population had grown to 300 households, far more than the old system could support, which was only able to serve 100 homes.

With funding from the Government of Japan, UNDP has made significant upgrades, including completely rebuilding the desalination station, installing new equipment, and constructing a kilometer-long water pipeline. These improvements have increased the station's capacity from 8 to 20 cubic meters per hour, ensuring that all households now have access to clean and safe drinking water. This change is especially important for the village's 1,104 women, who have traditionally been responsible for gathering water for their families, as noted by Ms. Akiko Fujii, UNDP Resident Representative, during the inauguration ceremony.

New Laboratory enhances food safety for two million people

The delegation visited the Sanitary-Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health Department of Karakalpakstan, which now has modern laboratory facilities. This is a key step for local farmers to enter international markets. The lab is equipped with 10 high-tech machines and conducts important tests to ensure food safety, meeting global standards.

Early results are promising: the lab has issued 100 test reports and 32 sanitary certificates, allowing 18 local producers to access international markets. Notable successes include the "FKh Biogumus" company's export of dried tomatoes to Italy, France, and Germany, and 13 farms that are now supplying chilled products abroad.

This project benefits over two million people in Karakalpakstan by improving food safety and supporting local economic growth.

"Karakalpakstan is one of UNDP’s priority regions due to its exceptional development challenges faced by people. The water scarcity, as observed in the Aral Sea environment, due to its unique geopolitical location has made the communities here particularly vulnerable to climate and environmental challenges. This is why we actively engage with local communities to identify their needs and find solutions to enhance the quality of life", said Akiko Fujii.

During the two-day visit, the delegation visited UNDP project sites, such as "Smart Agriculture" Project in Nukus district, showcasing advanced aquaponic systems for better water management in partnership with the UN Aral Sea Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF); Public Service Center aiming to improve quality and efficiency of public service delivery; construction site of kindergarten based on the Community Development Plan (CPD) designed by community members, in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB); "Beskopir Jaylaw" cooperative in Kanlikul district, focusing on climate-resilient agriculture across 541 hectares of land; training centers in Muynak district where 247 young people and women have acquired essential skills in cooking, plumbing, beauty, sewing, and IT; and more.

UNDP stays committed to supporting people’s lives in Karakalpakstan, by bringing innovation and human-centered development approach, focusing on the vulnerability in the climate change and environmental context.

To this end, UNDP actively addresses the challenges and discuss with the government at the ongoing COP16 UN’s Biodiversity Conference in Colombia till 1 November 2024.