French Development Agency (AFD) strengthens its cooperation with Uzbekistan at COP29 with two key agreements on energy and sustainable development.

The €100 million financing for energy supports the restructuring and decarbonization of Uzbekistan's energy sector, aiming to transition to modern, reliable, and environmentally friendly infrastructure. This loan, co-financed with the Asian Development Bank, will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the sector’s appeal for private investment.

The Memorandum of Understanding signed by AFD, SDSN, and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Economy and Finance launches an ambitious cooperation to track progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across Uzbekistan’s regions and cities. This 18-month program is aimed at drawing up SDG indicators, dashboards, and a comprehensive data platform. By building local expertise, strengthening data and modeling capacities, this partnership aims to support Uzbekistan’s sustainable development strategies and planning.

Rémy Rioux, CEO of AFD, emphasized during the signing: « The signing of these two agreements during COP29 represents the power of such international forums to unite countries, experts, financial institutions, and all willing actors to achieve common goals: realizing the SDGs, of which climate transition is one of the foremost. After nearly 10 years of working with Uzbekistan, we are cementing a strategic partnership for sustainable infrastructure transformation and data-driven governance. By supporting the energy transition and providing the country with robust SDG monitoring tools implemented by UNSDSN, AFD stands by Uzbekistan to achieve a development path in line with the 'Uzbekistan-2030' strategy. »

 Ilkhom Norkulov, First Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan, added: “These agreements enable us to turn our sustainability ambitions into concrete, measurable actions. The support from AFD and SDSN enhances our capacity to monitor development goals at a regional and urban level, ensuring we make data-backed progress towards a greener, more inclusive future. This collaboration is a powerful step towards fulfilling Uzbekistan’s ‘2030’ vision, building resilience and opportunity for all our people.”

Prof. Jeffrey D. Sachs, President of the SDSN, added: "The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) promotes solutions for sustainable development through its global network of research institutions and practitioners. It is a great privilege for the SDSN to partner and work with the AFD and the Republic of Uzbekistan to strengthen medium and long-term monitoring, policy and investment frameworks towards the SDGs.”  

Press contact :

Gabriel Jacquet / jacquetg@afd.fr / +33 6 86 16 52 29

About the French Development Agency:

The French Development Agency (AFD) contributes to implementing France’s policy on development and international solidarity. Through its financing activities in the public sector and with NGOs, its research publications (AFD Éditions), its training programs on sustainable development (AFD Campus), and awareness-raising initiatives in France, AFD finances, supports, and accelerates transitions toward a more just and resilient world.

Together with its partners, AFD builds shared solutions with and for populations. Our teams are engaged in more than 3,250 projects on the ground, in Overseas France, in 115 countries, and in crisis areas, for the global commons – climate, biodiversity, peace, gender equality, education, and health. This work contributes to France’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For a world in common.

More information at https://www.afd.fr/en