The United Kingdom and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) convened a high-level breakfast roundtable to explore strategies for creating enabling environments for women’s leadership. The event featured the Rt Hon. Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and former UNDP Administrator, alongside senior women leaders from all branches of power in Uzbekistan.
The roundtable gathered prominent figures from the Senate, Judiciary, Ministries and Presidential Administration. Discussions focused on how to build enabling environments that allow women leaders to thrive and shape the future. Helen Clark shared her leadership journey and lessons from her tenure as Prime Minister and UNDP Administrator, inspiring dialogue on the qualities and approaches essential for women to lead with resilience in a world challenged by conflict, climate change, and inequality. Participants explored practical strategies to dismantle institutional barriers, foster inclusive decision-making, and create systems that support women’s leadership at every level.
Timothy Smart, His Majesty’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, emphasized the importance of the dialogue, stating: “Empowering women leaders is not just a matter of fairness—it is essential for building resilient institutions and inclusive societies. Today’s conversation with Helen Clark and Uzbekistan’s trailblazing women leaders reinforces the UK’s commitment to supporting gender equality as a cornerstone of sustainable development and good governance”.
The event also highlighted the UNDP Gender Equality Seal, a global certification program that helps institutions embed gender equality into their policies and practices. The State Customs Committee’s (SCC) recent achievement of Silver Certification was recognized as a significant milestone in Uzbekistan’s progress toward gender equity. SCC is not only the first public institution in Uzbekistan, but in Central Asia, to receive Silver Certification under the UNDP Gender Equality Seal.
Akiko Fujii, UNDP Resident Representative, issued a powerful call to action, urging institutions to lead by example and embrace transformative change, stating: “The UNDP Gender Equality Seal is more than just a certification—it is a commitment to transforming institutions from within. By embedding gender equality, we create workplaces where women can lead, innovate, and thrive. We call on partners across every sector to stand with us and take bold action—because gender equality is not just a principle, it is a powerful driver of innovation, resilience, and sustainable progress. Together, we can turn commitments into real change”.
