On May 27, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, during her visit to Uzbekistan. This was reported by the President’s press service.
The discussion focused on expanding multifaceted cooperation with this leading UN specialized agency.
At the beginning of the meeting, the UNICEF head conveyed warm greetings from UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
The meeting acknowledged the positive results of reforms in Uzbekistan and expressed support for the national program aimed at ensuring children’s rights and empowerment.
Both sides expressed deep satisfaction with the level of Uzbekistan’s interaction with UNICEF in recent years.
With UNICEF’s support, Uzbekistan has adopted legislation protecting children from violence, strategic documents on social protection and combating childhood cancer, and received assistance in countering the coronavirus pandemic and developing its vaccination program.
The importance of joint efforts in improving legislation, implementing new child care and support mechanisms, developing social work systems and training personnel, improving access to and quality of social services, developing national standards, expanding social insurance, developing inclusive education, and other priority areas was highlighted.
An agreement was reached on adopting a new Country Program until 2030 and jointly holding several international events on protecting children’s rights and promoting their interests.