Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- An Online Media Briefing organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with the Mahalla and Family Research Institute and the Center for Retraining Journalists of Uzbekistan was held on 12 July, on the occasion of World Population Day (WDN).

WDN is celebrated annually on 11 July. This year’s theme was “Rights and Choices are the Answer: Whether it’s rising or falling fertility, priority must be given to reproductive health and the rights of all people.”

The event was aimed at raising awareness among media representatives, in particular journalists, about the topic of WDN 2021 and its relevance for Uzbekistan. Population forecasts for the regions of Uzbekistan were presented, which demonstrated that dynamic changes in the size and age structure of the population will occur in all regions, albeit at different rates and with corresponding consequences. While some regions will continue to experience rapid population growth with an increase in the flow of many young people into the labor market, others will experience a faster rate of aging. In accordance with the theme of WDN for all regions of Uzbekistan, regardless of population dynamics, reproductive health and rights will remain necessary to meet the aspirations of the population, and to successfully transform the economy into new realities.

The event was opened by Ms Nodira Egamberdiyeva, Director of the Mahalla and Family Research Institute, Ms Gulnara Babadjanova, Director of the Uzbekistan Journalists Retraining Center, and Mr Yu Yu, UNFPA Representative in Uzbekistan. Mr. Yu Yu highlighted the importance of this collaboration between UNFPA, the Mahalla and Family Research Institute and the Uzbekistan Journalists ‘Retraining Center and stated that `` it is a win-win combination: research institutes’ research must be brought to the attention of the public, while the media must have access to reliable data to inform the public based on scientific data and facts. ‘‘

The keynote speech was made by Mr. Tomas Kucera, UNFPA international expert, Deputy Head of the Department of Demography and Geodemography, Karlov University (Prague, Czech Republic), who presented the results of population forecasts for the regions of Uzbekistan and emphasized the importance of using population forecasts for the development of socio-economic politicians. Information on expected changes in the size and age structure of the population, as well as its geographical distribution, will help the state make informed decisions on investing in the creation of social infrastructure, including the construction of new schools, hospitals and / or the reconstruction of existing ones, improving the market infrastructure to create decent jobs. at the same time contributing to better meeting the needs of different groups of the population, such as the elderly. Mr. Kucera stressed that future changes in population dynamics could lead to certain challenges, but these changes will also open up new opportunities.

After the presentation, a panel discussion took place, in which a number of speakers took part, including Ms. Adiba Nuriddinova, Head of the Department of the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ms. Irina Zbarskaya, Head of the Department of Social and Demographic Statistics, CIS Statistical Committee, Mr. Ms Gulnara Babadjanova, Director of the Center for Retraining Journalists of Uzbekistan, Ms Lyudmila Maksakova, Honorary Scientist Demographer and Mr Hamid Abduramanov, Deputy Director, Mahalla and Family Research Institute.

Each participant shared their views on several interrelated topics, in particular labor market dynamics and aging, fertility and family planning, and the upcoming national census. The role of the media in providing high quality coverage of reproductive health and population dynamics was discussed. Ms Babadjanova welcomed international cooperation and opportunities for exchange of experience and stressed the importance of improving the quality of media materials, adhering to the ethical standards of journalists and bloggers, as well as continuing education and training, as a way to further increase the capacity of the media to effectively and timely inform society.

The main audience of the event was made up of representatives of the media, including those from the regions. UNFPA hopes to develop further media outlets across the country to work together to disseminate important information and raise awareness on issues related to, inter alia, population dynamics, SRH and gender equality.