Damien Sanfilippo: Uzbekistan becomes attractive on the international stage

In Uzbekistan, special attention is paid to cotton cluster development. Cooperation is being strengthened to introduce systemic standards based on the “Better Cotton” principle in farms.

This issue was discussed at a meeting between the Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, the Chairperson of the National Commission for Combating Human Trafficking and Forced Labor Tanzila Narbayeva and the Senior Programmes Director at the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) Damien Sanfilippo.

During the conversation, attention was paid to the work carried out with the active participation of civil society in implementing and promoting international labor standards and decent work principles.

Within the framework of the National Commission for implementing international standards in the country’s textile industry, an action plan was adopted, including measures for integrating BCI standards, ensuring its practical implementation.

At the meeting, views were exchanged on the work carried out as part of the multilateral Advisory Council activities with the participation of ministries and agencies that are part of the National Commission, BCI, and other international experts.

The Advisory Council, operating in Uzbekistan with the support of the international non-governmental organization Better Cotton, acts as a permanent platform for organizing dialogue between national stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental non-profit organizations, business representatives, and the public.

Damien Sanfilippo noted that Uzbekistan is becoming an attractive country on the international stage. Influential brands are interested in cooperation with the country’s cotton clusters. The country can become an excellent example for other countries in establishing a multilateral dialogue.

Following the meeting, a further agreement was reached to strengthen cooperation by implementing new joint projects and programs to execute international labor standards.