GENEVA, July 9. /Dunyo IA/. A delegation from the Competition Promotion and Сonsumer protection Committee of Uzbekistan, headed by its Chairman Khalilillo Turakhujaev, is participating in the 9th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on Competition and Consumer Protection, taking place from July 7 to 11 in Geneva, reports a Dunyo correspondent.

The event, organized by UNCTAD, has brought together representatives from more than 80 countries, as well as international organizations, research institutions, and relevant regulatory agencies.

The primary objective of the conference is to discuss global trends and develop harmonized approaches to addressing anti-competitive business practices and safeguarding consumer rights amid the accelerating digital transformation of the global economy.

On July 7, a plenary session was held during which the agenda, procedural framework, and composition of the conference secretariat were approved. The session was opened with a welcoming address by UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan.

During the session, a report was presented on the implementation of the Set of Multilaterally Agreed Equitable Principles and Rules for the Control of Restrictive Business Practices, which included a review of two decades of voluntary peer reviews on competition laws and policies. The importance of ongoing dialogue and experience-sharing among countries was emphasized by leading international experts, including Professor Ioannis Lianos (UCL), Professor Frédéric Jenny (ESSEC), and representatives from the competition authorities of Portugal and Kenya.

A separate report was also delivered on the implementation of the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection. Key speakers included Ana Gallego Torres (European Commission), Jiraphong Sidhuprai (Thailand), Marco Arroyo Flores (Costa Rica), Anna Popova (Rospotrebnadzor, Russia), and Sohyun Yoon (Republic of Korea).

The delegation from Uzbekistan actively contributed to discussions on the harmonization of antitrust policy and consumer protection, particularly in the context of digital markets and cross-border practices. Special emphasis was placed on the importance of institutional development of competition authorities, strengthening regional cooperation, and enhancing transparency in corporate conduct.

On the sidelines of the conference, the head of the Uzbek delegation held a series of bilateral meetings with representatives from competition agencies and associations of South Korea and Russia, as well as with UNCTAD officials. Discussions focused on potential cooperation in market research, technical assistance, and participation in voluntary peer reviews.

Uzbekistan’s participation in the 9th United Nations Conference reinforces its position in the international system of competition and consumer protection. It marks an important step towards deeper integration into the global economic community, strengthening confidence in ongoing reforms, and advancing the national agenda within the framework of sustainable development.