NEW YORK, April 2. /Dunyo IA/. Uzbekistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ulugbek Lapasov, met with Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Alexander De Croo, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

In November 2025, UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Alexander De Croo as the Administrator of the UNDP and UN Under-Secretary-General for Development. Prior to this appointment, Alexander De Croo served as the Prime Minister of Belgium and has also held the positions of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance at various times.

UNDP - United Nations Development Programme - was established by the UN General Assembly in 1965 and is the organization's leading agency for international development. Currently, UNDP operates in 170 countries and territories.

UNDP began its activities in Uzbekistan in 1993 and, over the following decades, has implemented more than a hundred projects in various fields.

The parties noted the high level of cooperation and the dynamically developing interaction between Uzbekistan and the UNDP. It was emphasized that for over thirty years, the UNDP has served as a reliable partner, providing expert assistance in the implementation of structural reforms and the development of effective mechanisms for sustainable development.

Special attention was given to the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2026-2030, which is fully synchronized with Uzbekistan's national development priorities.

Alexander De Croo stated that UNDP's activities in the coming years will focus on six main areas: strengthening the rule of law and effective governance, expanding employment and social protection, quality development of healthcare and education, as well as ensuring environmental sustainability.

Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to continue close interaction and implement joint projects in Uzbekistan.