Tashkent, May 28, 2025 – The Europe Today: President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on Monday with Catherine Russell, Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), to discuss the continued expansion of multifaceted cooperation between Uzbekistan and the leading UN agency dedicated to child welfare.
During the meeting, Executive Director Russell conveyed the sincere greetings of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to the Uzbek leader. She praised the progress of Uzbekistan’s ongoing reforms and expressed strong support for the country’s national initiatives aimed at safeguarding the rights of children and broadening their opportunities.
President Mirziyoyev and Ms. Russell expressed deep satisfaction with the current level of collaboration between Uzbekistan and UNICEF. In recent years, the partnership has yielded significant achievements, including the adoption of key legislation to protect children from violence and the development of strategic policy frameworks on social protection and pediatric healthcare.
UNICEF has provided critical support to Uzbekistan in strengthening its health systems, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, by assisting in the development of its vaccination infrastructure. The cooperation has also extended to combating pediatric oncology and other priority healthcare areas.
Both sides emphasized the importance of continued joint action to further improve child welfare. Priority areas discussed included the enhancement of child protection legislation, the introduction of modern care and support mechanisms, the development of the social work profession, and the training of qualified specialists.
The discussions also addressed improving the accessibility and quality of social services, establishing national standards, expanding social insurance coverage, and promoting inclusive education. These efforts align with Uzbekistan’s broader reforms aimed at creating a more equitable and supportive environment for all children.
An important outcome of the meeting was the agreement to adopt a new UNICEF-Uzbekistan Country Program extending to 2030, which will guide bilateral cooperation in child protection and development over the coming years. The parties also agreed to co-organize a series of international events focused on advancing children’s rights and promoting their best interests on regional and global platforms.
The meeting reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s strong commitment to its partnership with UNICEF and to the implementation of policies that place the well-being of children at the heart of national development.
