The University of World Economy and Diplomacy held an International Conference on “Sustainable Development in Central Asia”, attended by scientists, experts, and representatives of higher education institutions from the UK, Kazakhstan, Sweden, and Japan, as well as faculty and students of UWED. First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, UWED Rector Sodiq Safoyev, Ambassador of Japan to Uzbekistan Hatori Takashi, President of the University of Tsukuba Nagata Kyosuke and Executive Director of the Nippon Foundation Mori Yuji addressed the event.
Mr. Safoyev highlighted the importance of transforming Central Asia into a region of stability and sustainable development for Uzbekistan. He noted that the implementation of the principle of “The main priority of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy is Central Asia” made it possible to create a new political atmosphere in the region, resulting in an irreversible level of consolidation and new prospects for mutually beneficial partnership.
Five panel discussions on “Modern Challenges of Eurasia: Resilience and Development”, “Decolonization”, “Sustainability Problems”, “Education” and “Migration” were held. The experts discussed Central Asia’s challenges in terms of sustainable development in energy, water supply, climate change, transport and logistics remoteness, as well as in the fight against international terrorism, religious extremism, drug trafficking, illegal immigration, criminal cross-border organizations, and cyber threats. They also emphasized the need to intensify and strengthen cooperation between the region’s countries to ensure economic and social progress and maintain peace, stability, and security in the region.
The primary attention at the conference was paid to the education sector in Central Asia, which is still somewhat lower than in developed countries. The President of the University of Tsukuba Nagata Kyosuke noted that the main pillars of development in the modern world are education and youth, and that the greatest investment should be made in the youth when discussing the future. The quality of education is an integral part of sustainable development, which must be constantly supported, he added.
Participants stated that such countries as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have well-developed education systems. However, they noted that in the region as a whole, this area should be the subject of active efforts by governments and international organizations to improve the accessibility and quality of education. They also discussed the negative impact of migration processes on the educational system in the region.
At the event, the participants exchanged views on the prospects for further strengthening cooperation between the region’s countries in the context of a radical transformation of international relations and developing proposals to ensure sustainable development in Central Asia.
B.Khasanov, UzA