Uzbekistan’s Minister of Preschool and School Education, E’zoza Karimova, conducted a series of significant international meetings at UNESCO headquarters in Paris as part of the “Global Education Monitoring 2026 (GEM)” events. The negotiations focused on strengthening partnerships in digitalizing education, implementing artificial intelligence, and executing joint educational roadmaps, aiming to enhance Uzbekistan’s integration into global educational frameworks.
A key aspect of the visit involved discussions with UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Education, Stefania Giannini, on a roadmap for launching a UNESCO Category II Center in Tashkent. The parties explored possibilities for sending expert missions, organizing an international conference, and initiating joint pilot projects, which could potentially boost Uzbekistan’s role in regional and global education initiatives, though the practical outcomes and funding challenges remain uncertain.
During talks with China’s Minister of Education, Hua Jinping, emphasis was placed on technological development. Discussions covered preparing a memorandum of cooperation in artificial intelligence, organizing exchange programs between schools and students of the two countries, and joint efforts in teacher training and professional development, reflecting Uzbekistan’s push to modernize its education system through international alliances.
Regional cooperation was discussed with counterparts from Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. An agreement was reached with Turkmenistan’s Minister of Education, Jummamurat Gurbangeldiyev, to exchange experience in conducting olympiads. Plans were coordinated with Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Science and Education, Hasan Hasanli, to develop STEM education and teacher exchanges. The meeting concluded with a decision to prepare a “Roadmap” for 2027–2030 to elevate relations to a new level, highlighting efforts to deepen regional ties amidst ongoing geopolitical shifts.
Prospects for cooperation with the Arab world were addressed in a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Planning, Saad bin Abdul Gani al-Ghamdi. The sides supported an initiative to launch a joint experience exchange program, which is expected to develop specific implementation mechanisms in the future. All presented initiatives aim to integrate Uzbekistan’s education system into the global intellectual space, yet their long-term impact and alignment with Uzbekistan’s domestic challenges, such as resource constraints and infrastructure gaps, warrant cautious observation.
Source: podrobno.uz