Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — How can demographic change create new opportunities for people and sustainable development?
This question was among the key issues on the agenda of the Fifth Samarkand Human Rights Forum, where the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) presented international experience and approaches to demographic resilience, human capital and human rights.
UNFPA’s participation in the Forum began with a global discussion on the right to development. Klaus Beck, UNFPA Deputy Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, spoke at the high-level panel “International Human Rights Covenants, the Right to Development and Global Solidarity: A New Vision in the Face of Contemporary Challenges.”
In his remarks, he noted that societies are undergoing profound transformations. Demographic change is altering population structures: some countries have large young populations, while others are experiencing rapid ageing and a decline in the working-age population. Migration and urbanization are changing where and how people live and work.
At the same time, climate change, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, conflicts and humanitarian crises are creating new opportunities while also deepening existing inequalities and vulnerabilities.
From UNFPA’s perspective, these transformations reaffirm a fundamental principle: human rights are an integral part of development policy. Respect for human rights makes development sustainable and enables societies to adapt effectively to change.
This principle is particularly important amid demographic change. Demographic trends cannot be viewed solely as numbers that need to be increased or reduced.
Behind those figures are people’s lives and choices — whether to study, work, migrate, start a family, decide when and whether to have children, and participate in society.
That is why UNFPA promotes the concept of demographic resilience — the ability of societies to anticipate demographic change and adapt to it while protecting people’s rights and expanding their opportunities.
For countries with young populations, demographic resilience means investing in education and skills, health, decent employment and the full participation of young people in society. For countries with ageing populations, it means creating conditions for longer and healthier lives, adapting labour markets and social protection systems, and recognizing the contributions of older people.
Gender equality is essential in all demographic contexts. Women should be able to pursue their professional and personal goals, build the families they want and participate fully in economic and public life. Family-oriented policies, quality and affordable childcare services, a fairer distribution of care responsibilities, safe workplaces and equal opportunities create the necessary conditions for this.
The discussion continued with the UNFPA thematic session “Demographic Resilience: Human Rights, Human Capital and the Well-Being of Current and Future Generations,” which brought together representatives of Uzbekistan’s government agencies, international organizations, academia and the private sector.
The discussion focused on how countries can prepare for demographic change while keeping people, their rights, dignity and freedom of choice at the centre of public policy.
Participants examined what this approach means in practice.
For young people, it means access to quality education, modern skills, healthcare, decent work and opportunities to participate in decision-making.
For women and families, it means equal opportunities in education and employment, safe workplaces, accessible childcare services and a fairer distribution of family responsibilities.
For older people, it means the right to a dignified, healthy and active life, social protection and the opportunity to continue participating in society.
For migrants, it means safe and orderly migration, protection of rights, decent working conditions and recognition of professional skills.
UNFPA’s international expertise was presented by Fabio Losa, UNFPA Regional Adviser on Demographic Resilience and Policy.
He presented approaches to how countries can anticipate demographic change, use data and forecasting, and take long-term trends into account when developing public policy.
Representatives of Uzbekistan’s government agencies, international organizations, academia and the private sector took part in the discussion, presenting different aspects of demographic resilience, from youth, gender equality and active ageing to migration, urbanization and the role of business.
Particular attention was paid to the links between demographic processes and technological development, migration, urbanization and other socio-economic transformations. Participants emphasized the importance of reliable data, evidence-based approaches, long-term planning and cooperation among the government, civil society, international organizations, academia and the private sector.
For Uzbekistan, the discussion forms part of broader efforts to develop approaches to demographic resilience and human capital. UNFPA continues to cooperate with Uzbekistan by providing international expertise, data and analytical approaches to support the development of long-term, human rights-based solutions.
The main message of the session was that demographic resilience begins with people.
The ability of countries to anticipate change and adapt education, healthcare, employment and social protection systems in a timely manner expands opportunities for people to exercise their rights and realize their potential.
Investments in health, education, equal opportunities and people’s rights today shape human capital and the well-being of current and future generations.
