OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan recognizes staff contribution to presidential award

The mission members of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan were recognized today at a ceremony at the mission office, acknowledging their contribution to the recent presentation of a State Award to the Project Co-ordinator by H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan. Twenty-eight staff members received recognition certificates at the afternoon event, with the remainder of the staff getting theirs upon their return from various travel-related duties.

The recognition ceremony follows upon the recent Independence Day awarding of the “Do’stlik (friendship) Order” to Ambassador John MacGregor, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, “for the outstanding contribution to the development of multifaceted fruitful co-operation between OSCE and Uzbekistan, the implementation of the promising joint projects in the field of security, economy, ecology, and strengthening the rule of law, as well as for promoting peace and stability.”

Ambassador MacGregor stressed that it is only through the dedicated and determined performance of all of the mission members that the field operation is able to carry out its projects so effectively as to achieve the highest level of appreciation from the authorities of the host country. “I have been deeply honoured to be the first OSCE official to receive a State Award in the history of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and I noted on the day of receiving the State Award that I considered this was a recognition of the merit of all the mission members,” noting that the Co-ordinator’s projects significantly contribute to the implementation of Uzbekistan’s OSCE commitment-related reform priorities. The Government of Uzbekistan created a national Action Strategy for the years 2017 – 2021, a major compendium of national reform priorities, which the OSCE Project Co-ordinator has categorized as almost fully consistent with OSCE commitments. 

Viktoria Vakulova, the Chief of Fund Administration (CFA) of the Project Co-ordinator, the only national mission member filling a CFA post among all of the OSCE field operations, stated that it was very important that all of the staff were provided with some tangible remembrance of their contribution to the work of the OSCE in Uzbekistan. “Today’s ceremony was an important and meaningful event. There has been a field operation presence in Uzbekistan for over 20 years, and this is the first time that our work has been given such appreciation at the highest level. It is a great honour for all of us.”

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator, with an office in Tashkent, is mandated to assist Uzbekistan in its efforts to ensure security and stability, including the fight against terrorism, violent extremism, drug trafficking, and other threats; to support the country’s socio-economic and civil society development; to help protect the country’s environment; and to assist the government in the implementation of its commitments taken within the OSCE framework.