TASHKENT, 19 September 2025 - TASHKENT, 18 September 2025 - Under a strategic partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Ministry of Preschool and School Education (MoPSE) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) , today hosted a high-level visit of the IsDB President H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al-Jasser to showcase transformative innovations in pre-school teacher professional development that will benefit all pre-school teachers of the country.

During his inaugural visit to Uzbekistan, H.E. Dr. Al-Jasser toured the “Institute for Retraining and Advanced Training of Directors and Specialists of Preschool,” as part of a significant multi-million-dollar investment initiative aimed at strengthening Uzbekistan’s education sector.

“These investments are a testament to Uzbekistan’s determination to modernize its education system,” said Ms. Ezozkhon Karimova, Minister of Preschool and School Education. “By investing in teachers, we are investing in the future of every child.”

The visit highlighted IsDB’s support through the “Enhancing Access to Quality Early Childhood Education Project in the Republic of Uzbekistan,” a project implemented in partnership with MoPSE. With a 2.3 million investment, MoPSE and UNICEF have been establishing eleven Regional Training Centers, launching the country’s first AI-powered multimedia studio in Tashkent, and supporting the development of the new teacher training programmes at both pre-service and in-service levels.

“Witnessing this project firsthand is truly inspiring. We are seeing modern tools unleash the potential of teachers and an innovative curriculum revolutionize the learning experience for a generation of children. By investing in its youth, Uzbekistan is forging a path to lasting prosperity. The Islamic Development Bank is proud to be a partner on this vital journey, reaffirming our commitment to driving sustainable development and pioneering educational reforms in Uzbekistan and beyond,” said H.E. IsDB President Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser.

Beyond early childhood education, the trilateral partnership is also driving the SmartED Project, the largest single investment in Uzbekistan’s education sector to date, totaling USD 220 million. As part of this initiative, MoPSE and UNICEF signed agreements worth USD 19.2 million to pilot inclusive education models, modernize the national curriculum and assessment system, and enhance quality assurance mechanisms. These reforms are designed to embed innovation, equity, and world-class standards at the heart of every classroom.

“The investment by the Islamic Development Bank in Uzbekistan’s education sector is both timely and strategic, aligning with the government’s goal to strengthen human capital,” said Ms. Regina Castillo, UNICEF Representative to Uzbekistan. “Such support is important. There are immense returns of early childhood education. Furthermore, focusing on curriculum reforms is foundational to creating a relevant and resilient educational system.”

This support comes at a critical moment, as the world faces a global learning crisis and mounting evidence of the transformative power of early education. Evidence increasingly shows that children from disadvantaged backgrounds who receive high-quality early learning are far more likely to pursue higher education, earn better incomes, and lead productive lives with fewer interactions with the criminal justice system. Yet in many regions, early childhood teachers remainamong the least qualified, highlighting the urgent need for investments that strengthen teacher preparation and give every child the opportunity to succeed.

For IsDB, these initiatives align with its Member Country Partnership Strategy (2022-26), which emphasizes developing human capital to support sustainable and resilient growth.

About IsDB

Rated AAA by the major rating agencies of the world, the Islamic Development Bank is the pioneering multilateral development bank (MDB) of the Global South that has been working for over 50 years to improve the lives of the people and communities it serves by delivering impact at scale. The Bank brings together 57 Member Countries across four continents, touching the lives of nearly 1 of 4 people worldwide. It is committed to addressing development challenges and promoting collaboration to help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by equipping people to drive their own green economic and sustainable social progress, putting planet-friendly infrastructure in place and enabling them to fulfil their potential. Headquartered in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, IsDB has 10 regional hubs and a center of excellence.  Over the years, the Bank has evolved from a single entity into a group comprising: the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI); the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC); the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD); the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC); and the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development. For more information about IsDB and its work, visit https://www.isdb.org/. Follow IsDB at:

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About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children visit www.unicef.uz Follow UNICEF on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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