Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 22 November 2024 – The Intercontinental Hotel in Tashkent recently served as the venue for the international conference "Harnessing Demographic Dividend in Uzbekistan: Realization of Women and Youth’s Potential through Human Capital Development". Organized by UNFPA, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Committee on Family and Women, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Scientific-research Institute of Family and Gender, the event brought together government leaders, policymakers, international organizations, and experts to explore strategies for leveraging Uzbekistan’s demographic advantage.
Uzbekistan is currently experiencing a demographic window of opportunity, where the working-age population significantly outnumbers the non-working-age population—a period expected to last until the 2050s. The conference aimed to highlight entry points for harnessing this demographic dividend and integrating them into national policy frameworks. Participants emphasized the need for empowering youth and women as critical drivers of economic development and promoting inclusive growth through innovative policy and programmatic approaches.
The discussions focused on empowering youth, creating opportunities for women and older persons to fully realize their potential and contribute to the nation's economic growth as key workforce and internal talent. By facilitating discussions among policymakers, experts, and stakeholders, the conference participants developed practical insights and policy recommendations focused on empowering these crucial demographic groups, thus advancing sustainable and equitable economic growth.
Dr. Nigina Abaszada, UNFPA Resident Representative in Uzbekistan, underscored the importance of seizing this unique demographic opportunity. She remarked:
"Uzbekistan’s demographic window of opportunity represents a pivotal moment to accelerate sustainable development. By prioritizing investments in the empowerment of women and youth, the country can transform this demographic shift into a powerful force for economic and social progress. Women, when given equal opportunities, drive productivity and innovation, while young people, when equipped with knowledge and skills, bring fresh energy to the workforce. This conference is not just a discussion; it is a call to action to implement policies that ensure no one is left behind in Uzbekistan’s journey toward inclusive growth and prosperity."
The Chairperson of the Women’s Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ms. Zulaykho Makhkamova stated that: “Empowering women and youth is at the heart of Uzbekistan’s development agenda. Our demographic window of opportunity offers a chance to transform the lives of millions by ensuring equal access to education, healthcare, and employment. Women and youth are not just beneficiaries of progress but vital contributors to sustainable development. This conference demonstrates our collective commitment to harnessing this potential and building a future where everyone can thrive.”
The conference also served as a platform for high-level dialogue, bringing together government representatives, private sector leaders, academia, and civil society to address demographic resilience and trends. The event concluded with the development of a comprehensive outcome document that includes actionable recommendations for transforming demographic opportunities into sustained economic growth, improved healthcare and education systems, and job creation tailored to a growing population.
The event convened representatives from the Government of Uzbekistan, the Senate and Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis, ministers, the private sector, academia, civil society, and international organizations.
This conference underscored Uzbekistan’s commitment to addressing demographic challenges and seizing opportunities to ensure sustainable development and improved quality of life for its citizens. This conference was held as part of the implementation of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, No. PQ-401 of 21 December 2023.
