The meeting
participants emphasized that investments in early childhood are strategically
important for future economic growth and the realization of Uzbekistan's
demographic potential.
During the
discussions, national data, demographic forecasts and conclusions of the report
"Generation 2050: Central Asia" prepared by the UNICEF regional
office were presented. The document analyzes the impact of population growth on
the economic and social development of the region's countries, as well as the
importance of investments in healthcare, education, nutrition, social
protection and youth employment.
It was
noted that the population of Uzbekistan today is more than 38 million people
and is projected to exceed 50 million by 2050. Almost 60% of the country's
residents are under the age of 30, which creates significant potential for
economic development, provided timely investments in human capital.
According
to the report, children born in Uzbekistan today will be able to realize only
about 60% of their potential level of productivity. Experts believe that
investments in early development - healthcare, nutrition, preschool education
and social protection - will help significantly reduce this gap and can provide
additional GDP per capita growth of up to 6% by 2050.
The head of
the UNICEF Representative Office in Uzbekistan, Regina Kastigio, noted that it
is the first years of a child's life that are crucial for his future
development, since about 90% of brain development occurs in the first five
years of life.
In turn,
the World Bank's Regional Director for Central Asia, Naji Benhasin, stressed
that further success in the development of human capital will depend on
coordinated government policies in the fields of health, education, social
protection and finance.
Following
the meeting, the participants outlined key areas for further work.:
strengthening
interagency coordination;
creation of
a comprehensive support system for families and children;
implementation
of results-based financing;
development
of strategic partnership between the government, international organizations
and the private sector.
UNICEF
confirmed its readiness to continue supporting the Government of Uzbekistan in
implementing early childhood development programs and strengthening the
country's human capital.
