It is with great sadness that we inform you of the untimely death of our colleague, Dr. Fuad Aliev, Assistant Representative of the UNFPA Uzbekistan Country Office. He passed away on 3 January 2018 in Tashkent at the age of 50. He is survived by his wife, Sevara Abdusamatova, and two daughters.

Fuad was a pillar of UNFPA in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. He was a highly respected colleague and trusted friend, who devoted his experience and passion to improving the lives of the people he served in Uzbekistan and across the region.

He will be deeply missed as an extraordinary person whose wisdom, professionalism, kindness and positive outlook on life earned him admiration and respect from those who had the opportunity and privilege to work with him.

Fuad joined UNFPA in 2004 as Assistant Representative in Uzbekistan after accumulating a rich and diverse experience of teaching and practicing medicine (neuropathology) and working with projects funded by the European Union and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

His academic training — a PhD in medical sciences from Tashkent State Medical Institute and a MPH in international health and epidemiology from Boston University School of Public Health — and his rich work experience made him a strong advocate for reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and youth development.

Fuad was recognized many times for his achievements. His awards include the Edmund S. Muskie/FREEDOM Support Graduate Fellowship (2002), the Annual Best Graduate Paper Award from the Central Eurasian Study Society (2003), and the Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists' Editor's Award (2001).

His death is a tremendous loss to his team in Uzbekistan and to the UNFPA family as a whole.

May his soul rest in peace.