EU-UNESCO Joint Project ”Skills Development for Employability in Rural Areas of Uzbekistan” discussed major achievements and plans at the Second Project Steering Committee

In his welcoming speech Mr. Komiljon Karimov, First Deputy Minister of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education and the Chairperson of the Project Steering Committee stated  “Education is a key priority as it was expressed by our distinguished President Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev and it is highlighted in recently issued Decree “On the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026”. We are aiming to introduce the reforms in education sector based on the best international experience.  UNESCO, as the UN agency with mandate in education, has accumulated substantial experience during 75 years and it was a right choice to appoint it as a project implementing agency. I believe that this project may positively influence not only the education sector development, but it would also be beneficial for development of the country.”

UNESCO Representative in Uzbekistan a.i. Mr. Alexandros Makarigakis informed participants that in the first year of implementation, the project contributed towards achievement of the following results: i)  Operationalization of the recently established Sector Skills Councils; ii) A TVET strategy in place for the Agriculture and Irrigation sectors; iii) Draft occupational maps were completed based on a thorough skills needs assessment in agriculture and irrigation sectors; iv) First stage of the assessment of teaching material, teaching methodologies, project facilities and available equipment was completed in agriculture and irrigation colleges in the four regions of the country; leading to their modernization.

The Ambassador of the European Union to Uzbekistan, Ms. Charlotte Adriaen highlighted:  “The European Union supports technical vocational education and training (TVET) development reforms, which eventually should bring a positive impact on development of skilled human capital and lead to economic growth as well as employability of young women and men in rural areas of Uzbekistan. New Multi-Annual Indicative Programme for Uzbekistan for 2021-2027 which was recently adopted and a new EU Strategy for Central Asia for 2021-2027 confirm that the education sector and TVET in particular are one of the main areas for further development cooperation.  It is important to highlight that EU-UNESCO joint project is designed to support an ongoing reforms in skills development system of Uzbekistan with a particular focus on agriculture and irrigation sectors.”

Background information about the Project:

UNESCO and the European Union jointly with the Government of Uzbekistan launched the project in 2020. The European Union provided 9.6 million euros with the purpose to implement the project in 2020-2024 in four regions of Uzbekistan: Republic of Karakalpakstan, Khorezm, Bukhara, and Surkhandarya. Upon its completion, the project will contribute to enhancement of living standards in rural areas through better employability by equipping women and men with relevant skills for the sustainable, diversified and modernized agriculture with higher productivity.