Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 29 March, UNESCO and the Republic of Uzbekistan held an Information Session for Member States at UNESCO Headquarters. This session was dedicated to discussing the organization and holding of the forthcoming World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education (Conference). 

The conference will be held from 14 to 16 November 2022 in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and will aim to recognize the right of all young children to receive quality education and upbringing by reaffirming the commitment to achieve indicator 4.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), calling for “All girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and early childhood education systems to prepare them for primary education.”

“Children are central to the SDGs as a foundation for rights, well-being, long-term development and intergenerational equity,” said Ms Stefania Giannini, Deputy Director-General for Education. In this context, the main goals of the Conference are to renew and expand the participation and political commitment of Member States in the development of ambitious, relevant and culturally appropriate early childhood care and education policies, to develop effective and sustainable early childhood education systems and multilateral partnerships, and increase the flow of investment in early childhood care and education as an important and integral part of the strategy to create societies that encourage lifelong learning and sustainable development.

The Information session was attended by the Minister of Preschool Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ms. Agrippina Shin, Deputy Minister, Mr. Uzokboy Begimkulov, Head of Department, Ms. Shakhnoza Mirziyoeva, and other specialists of the Ministry of Preschool Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The high-level commitment of Uzbekistan and the involvement of UNESCO leadership will ensure constructive dialogue and receipt of proposals from Member States following regional and national consultations, which will lead to the adoption of the final document during the Conference - the Tashkent Declaration, which will become the basis for action in the coming years in early childhood care and education, and which will focus on achieving SDG 4.2.

The preparatory process for the Conference will be dynamic and involve all stakeholders. In the coming months, UNESCO's regional and local offices and Member States are expected to actively participate in regional consultations. Based on the results of these consultations, regional final documents will be formed, which will be used in the development of the Tashkent Declaration. The objectives of the regional consultations are to highlight key issues, trends, problems and prospects in the field of early childhood education, identify innovative methods and best practices, and develop recommendations at the regional level.

In addition, three committees will be involved in the organization and conduct of the Conference:

Organizing Committee - responsible for all issues related to the organizational aspects of the Conference, including the venue of the event, logistics, security, protocol service, resource mobilization and building partnerships within the country. The organizing committee may include the main stakeholders contributing to the holding of the Conference in the country (state institutions, non-state actors), international organizations and other partners. The committee will be chaired by the Government of Uzbekistan, represented by the Prime Minister, UNESCO, represented by the Director General, will act as a co-chair.

Program Committee - responsible for global, thematic and regional reviews, facilitates regional consultations, attracts experts and speakers, and is also responsible for developing the conference program (plenary sessions, ministerial round tables and panel sessions). It may include representatives of UNESCO regional groups and key development partners (UN, multilateral organizations, civil society organizations). The program committee will be headed by UNESCO, represented by the Deputy Director General for Education, the co-chair of the committee will be the Government of Uzbekistan, represented by the Minister of Preschool Education.

Drafting Committee - responsible for the formation of the main final document of the Conference. The Committee will be chaired by Member States and supported by the UNESCO Secretariat.

It is important to emphasize that this Conference, being an event of the intergovernmental level, is held 12 years from the date of a similar event and will involve Member States, Associate Members and international communities to discuss early childhood care and education issues and strengthen our commitment to our children's cause, our future.

UNESCO and the Government of Uzbekistan cordially invite Member States, Associate Members and key partners to participate in the World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education.