“Dunyo” IA/. Tashkent hosted a roundtable discussion on “Better Cotton Uzbekistan – better for the environment, better for the community, better for the economy, better for the future”, reports “Dunyo” IA correspondent.
The event, organized by the global not-for-profit organization Better Cotton with the support of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Forced Labor and Uzbekistan Textile and Garment Industry Association, was attended by heads of ministries, agencies, in particular, the ministries of Agriculture and Water Management, Employment and Labor Relations, Investments and Foreign Trade, the Cotton Growing Council under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of business associations.
Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Chairperson of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Forced Labor Tanzila Narbayeva, Chairman of Uzbekistan Textile and Garment Industry Association Ilkhom Khaydarov, CEO of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) Alan McClay and others noted that this meeting will become an open platform for all stakeholders to discuss sustainability issues in the cotton sector and identify national priorities.
“The event was very fruitful”, Mr. Ilkhom Khaydarov said. – The complete elimination of forced labor by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the government was a bold step that contributes to the development of the industry. Efforts in this direction have been recognized by the entire world community. In March 2022, the Cotton Campaign lifted a 12-year boycott against Uzbek cotton and cotton products. Of course, this historic event opened up new opportunities for the textile industry of our country. We have already begun to implement international standards. Thus, in 2017, at the initiative of the President, a cluster system was introduced and the first experimental Cotton Textile Cluster was launched. Currently, their number has reached 134. At the event, international partners expressed their opinion about Uzbek cotton. International cooperation to expand the industry’s capabilities is extremely important.
Following the event, a joint resolution was signed. It reflects the priority areas of all stakeholders and the goals of cooperation under the Better Cotton program in Uzbekistan.
