Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 27 September 2022 – The United Nations in Uzbekistan in close cooperation with the United Nations Global Compact and the founding members of the UN's Coalition of Business Champions for Sustainable Development, namely “Korzinka” supermarkets chain, Silverleafe, and Artel Electronics, held a Forum on "Championing Business Sustainability in Uzbekistan: introducing the values of sustainable development and environmental, social and corporate governance in business. The American Chamber of Commerce in Uzbekistan was information partner of the event.

 

The forum with the participation of representatives of more than 70 companies became the first platform in Uzbekistan to discuss environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices and integrating the principles of UN sustainable development into the private sector.

 

The UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan, Ms. Roli Asthana, stressed the crucial role of the private sector in achieving national and global sustainable development goals by moving to and promoting sustainable business practices.

 

— In recent years, Uzbekistan has been taking progressive steps towards a more sustainable future. We can see it from the government’s actions, and it is very commendable. At the same time, I want to stress that sustainable development cannot be achieved only through cooperation with the government as the private sector is also an integral part of inclusive and sustainable growth. As the UN Secretary-General once mentioned, “there is no single global goal where private sector effort is not in demand," — said Ms. Roli Asthana.

 

In a video message to the forum participants Ms. Sanda Ojiambo, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact.

 

"Our 10 principles that cover human rights, decent labor, environment and anti-corruption, provide a framework for business growth that benefits both companies and communities, all while addressing global challenges. Today, more than 16 000 companies and 3 000 non-business signatories have made a commitment to adopt sustainable, responsible business policies and practices aligned with the UN Global Compact. Through these active commitments, they are also supporting the success of 2030 agenda for sustainable development. Now more than ever, we need you to join forces.

 

We are broadening our direct geographical coverage and establishing new local and multi-country networks. In time and with your support, we are hoping to create a multi-country network in Central Asia starting with Uzbekistan and then Kazakhstan. UN Global Compact is here to work with you, side by side, uniting business for a better world," — said Sanda Ojiambo in her speech.

 

Further, representatives of the state, the private sector, international organizations, as well as experts from the UN Global Compact offices in Turkey, Georgia, Switzerland and Liechtenstein took part in the discussions.

 

The participants of the event got acquainted with the experience and ideas of the representatives of the first participants of the UN Global Compact in Uzbekistan: Mr. Zafar Khashimov, founder and chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Korzinka supermarket chain; Mr. Bektemir Murodov, Chief Financial Officer of Artel Electronics, and Mr. Dan Patterson, CEO of Silverleafe. The companies represented are also founding members of the UN’s Coalition of Business Champions for Sustainable Development. By becoming parties to the UN Global Compact, they committed themselves to promoting the ten principles of the UN Global Compact related to labour, human rights and the environment.

 

“We are very proud to be supporting the conversation around sustainable development in Uzbekistan alongside Korzinka, Silverleafe, and the UN.

We are just at the beginning of our journey. However, we are working everyday alongside partners to improve our ESG position and implement meaningful changes for the sustainable future of our company and Uzbekistan,” — said Bektemir Murodov - Chief Financial Officer of Artel Electronics.

 

The panel discussions examined sustainable practices in the field of human rights and working conditions, the environment and business modernization.

 

During his speech, Zafar Khashimov, Founder and Chairman of Supervisory Board of "Korzinka" supermarket chain, highlighted the importance of a sustainable and long-term approach to decision-making: "We started our business activity by establishing modern, organized retail chain in Uzbekistan, and transition from short term goals to long term sustainable goals gives a lot of challenges for companies. But overall, it proved that long-term strategies are much more profitable and economically effective. “Korzinka” is spending so much effort and energy on this and I find it very good economic investment. The practices developed at our company helped us so much accessing funds from EBRD and ADB. I would like to say to any company which is headed to growth and succeed, that ESG and introducing sustainable standards is not a tax, this is investment and it should be treated like that."

 

Tatyana Bystrushkina, Executive Director of the Association of International Businesses, AmCham Uzbekistan, also supported the opinions of the forum participants: "Business is pragmatic. Every dollar invested should bring a return. As private sector representatives mentioned today, ESG is an investment. UN Global Compact has an utmost role in educating business, share the knowledge and best practices, and encouraging business to pursuit ESG as an investment that will pay off in the near future".

 

Summarizing the discussions, Rusyan Jill Mamiit, Development Cooperation Officer for Partnerships and Development Finance, United Nations Office in Uzbekistan, said: "In today’s panel, we heard businesses through the voices of Artel, Korzinka, and Silverleafe reaffirm their commitment to sustainable development. We also heard from the United Nations its willingness to work shoulder to shoulder with the private sector to accelerate sustainability principles. While today’s event is ending, this is for many of us just the beginning of a joint journey where dedication, patience, and tenacity are much-needed as the returns on sustainability investment takes time to unfold. Let us all keep the tenacity, the patience, and the dedication".

 

Growing expectations from customers, employees and investors for business are putting pressure on companies around the world. This has only been facilitated by the recent global pandemic. Business in Uzbekistan is also expected to begin to contribute to the development of a more sustainable and just world.