10-07-202656
The "Civil Society Week" is being held in our country from 1 to 5 December, with the aim of analysing work carried out in the field of supporting civil society institutions and developing proposals for the further advancement of the sector.
More than 1,500 representatives of civil society from all regions of the republic are participating in the event.
On 4 December 2025, at the Youth Creativity Palace in Tashkent, one of the most significant events of the week will take place — an international conference on the theme "Ensuring Sustainable Development through People's Diplomacy at the National, Regional, and Global Levels".
The event is being organised by the Sustainable Development Centre, the SCO Centre for People's Diplomacy in Uzbekistan, and the Public Foundation for the Support of Civil Society Institutions under the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The primary objective of the conference is to ensure sustainable development through mechanisms of people's diplomacy, to strengthen partnerships between civil society institutions and government bodies, and to create favourable conditions for implementing socially significant projects.
In addition, developing cooperation platforms at the national, regional, and global levels, as well as promoting trust, open dialogue, and mutual understanding among peoples in the interest of peaceful and sustainable progress, constitute key tasks of the forum.
The conference aims to explore solutions to such pressing issues as deepening dialogue between states and societies, promoting national cultural heritage and values, broadening the participation of youth and women, and supporting environmental and humanitarian projects.
First Session: People's Diplomacy and Sustainable Development at the National Level
This session conducted a comprehensive analysis of the interrelated roles of people's diplomacy, civil society institutions, and cultural diplomacy in ensuring sustainable development.
Forum participants shared their views on strengthening the mechanisms of people's diplomacy in accordance with contemporary requirements and leveraging them to support the achievement of the SDGs. The role of journalism and literature in promoting the ideas of peace, unity, and tolerance was particularly emphasised, and the function of the media and the creative community as a diplomatic bridge between peoples was acknowledged.
The focal point of the conference participants' attention was the fact that, by a Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Additional Measures to Accelerate the Implementation of National Goals and Objectives in the Field of Sustainable Development until 2030", 16 national goals and 126 tasks were established for Uzbekistan. It was particularly noted that this represented the first institutional step in aligning the SDGs with national development policy.
Special attention was devoted to expanding cooperation among NGOs, civil society institutions, cultural and educational centres, academic institutions, experts, and the scholarly community, with practical proposals submitted accordingly.
The session also analysed opportunities for developing cultural diplomacy and civil society partnerships in Central Asia, with NGOs, youth and women's organisations, and think tanks identified as an important factor in ensuring regional stability, peace, and prosperity on the basis of shared historical and cultural roots.
Second Session: Ensuring Sustainable Development through People's Diplomacy at the Regional and Global Levels
The second session provided a comprehensive discussion of the role of people's diplomacy in ensuring sustainable development.
Discussions focused on the strategic significance of people's diplomacy in deepening inter-ethnic dialogue, strengthening trust between nations and societies, and advancing global sustainable development goals.
According to a report published in 2025 by the international organisation Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Uzbekistan ranked 62nd among 167 states, scoring 73.1 points and rising 19 positions.
Furthermore, practical mechanisms of people's diplomacy — including transnational projects, cultural and educational exchanges, and regional cooperation programmes — were analysed in terms of their impact on strengthening peace, stability, and good-neighbourly relations.
Views and proposals were also presented regarding the significance of people's diplomacy as a powerful driver in shaping a positive international image for the state.
Additional Events within the "Civil Society Week"
• National Forum of Non-State Non-Profit Organisations
• Exhibition and Sale of Products by Persons with Disabilities
• Meetings with the Oliy Majlis and the Ministry of Justice
• "Targeted Projects" initiative for financing social projects
Also planned within the international event are: the presentation of the draft conference resolution, the development of practical proposals on international cooperation, and a ceremony for the signing of a memorandum of mutual cooperation between the SCO Centre for People's Diplomacy in Uzbekistan and the Institute of Social and Political Sciences.