The International Conference «Development of a sustainable tourism model - a way to increase tourism potential» is held within the framework of the project «Model for Sustainable Development in Central Asia: Capacity Building, Awareness Raising, Technology Adoption». This project is funded by the Programme of the European Union (EU) «Switch Asia», and supported by the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The partners of the MOST Project are: Heraklion Development Agency (Crete, Greece) - Lead Partner, Business Support Organization with expertise in Rural Development and Sustainable Tourism, European Profiles S.A. (Greece), leading consulting company with vast experience in EU development and governance programs in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, APINTECH (Cyprus)-technical partner expert in sustainable production and consumption (SCP) and green technologies, Latvian Country Tourism Association-communication partner with expertise in sustainable tourism and local development, also Association of Private Tourism Agencies of Uzbekistan (APTA), Eurasian Tourism Association (Kazakhstan), Tajik Association of Tourist Organizations - are final beneficiaries of the EU Grant.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Uzbekistan - H.E. Charlotte Adriaen, the Minister of Natural Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan - Aziz Abdukhakimov.

In his speech, the Minister of Natural Resources of Uzbekistan noted the importance of applying and actively using «green» technologies in the tourism sector.
«Today, sustainability is becoming an important competitive factor in the marketplace. Increasing environmental awareness, the introduction of international standards, the use of efficient «green» technologies are important components of the further development of the country's tourism industry.