SAMARKAND, October 31. /Dunyo IA/. Minister of State at the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training of Pakistan, Wajiha Qamar, shared her views with the Dunyo Information Agency on the significance of the 43rd UNESCO General Conference, which opened on 30 October in Samarkand:

"Assalamu Alaikum! I am here in this beautiful city of Samarkand. I never imagined that Samarkand would be so stunning. Everywhere you look, people are smiling and welcoming. Today, I met with the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The reason for this meeting is that, as a State Minister responsible for education and Professional training, I see education as a key instrument. Vocational training, upskilling, and reskilling are essential tools for reducing poverty. In my view, this is the only path forward.

Upon arriving in Uzbekistan for the UNESCO General Conference, I reflected on the unique opportunity to foster connections, create synergies, and explore how we can collaboratively address poverty reduction. As we know, Pakistan faces similar challenges. With over 60% of our population under the age of 30, the youth represent both a tremendous national asset and a potential challenge if not guided effectively. It is therefore essential to channel their energy, skills, and creativity into constructive pathways that drive social and economic development.

Uzbekistan also has a young population, with nearly 60% under the age of 30. This makes education, upskilling, and reskilling a shared challenge for the country. During our discussions, we explored avenues for cooperation, including exchange programs, course certification and accreditation, and mutual support in creating an ethical framework for skills development. We see strong potential to collaborate with UNESCO and the International Labour Organization, fostering synergy in vocational training and ensuring sustainable engagement in workforce development.

For the first time in forty years, the UNESCO General Conference is being held outside the organization’s headquarters, this time in Uzbekistan — an achievement we all take pride in. This historic decision opens new opportunities and avenues for cooperation and dialogue on a global scale.

Upon arriving in Samarkand and stepping onto this beautiful land, I wondered why I had never considered visiting before. It is truly a remarkable destination for tourists, though many areas remain largely unexplored as tourist sites. With representatives from 193 countries attending the conference, I am confident that this will open up numerous new opportunities for cultural exchange, tourism development, and international collaboration".