From 9-10 June 2008 the EU-UNDP “Enhancement of Living Standards in Andijan and Namangan regions” (ELS) project organized a seminar in Andijan region for representatives of regional government authorities and public organizations, such as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mahalla Fund, “Soglom avlod uchun” Fund and others.

This time participants talked about the importance of statistics and system of indicators for the development strategies and monitoring of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Availability and accessibility of data are important and reliable and up-to-date statistics are indispensable tools for planning, policy design and strategy development. Therefore, playing a key role in regional development statistical systems affect local planning in the MDGs and poverty reduction, gender development, information communication technologies, public finance management, trade promotion and negotiation, and even water.

The session was facilitated by an international consultant – Ms Sheila Marnie, who is assisting local authorities and ELS in making the development strategies and Mr. Ulugbek Olimov, project manager of UNDP MDG Statistics project. The seminar was a unique opportunity for discussing on how to link the national statistical capacities with the identified needs of the region.

For more information on UNDP projects, please see www.undp.uz