Uzbekistan Showcases Youth Support and Gender Equality Initiatives at Regional Conference in Manila

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 3–5 September 2025, Bahrom Abdullaev, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Science, Education, and Healthcare, took part in the regional conference “International Conference on Population and Development: Programme of Action and Implementation of Commitments towards the 2030 Development Goals” held in Manila, Philippines, and organized by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

The forum brought together parliamentarians from more than 30 countries, along with representatives of government institutions and international organizations.

In his speech on “Youth at the Center of Policy: Reforms on the Path to Sustainable Development”, Abdullaev highlighted Uzbekistan’s large-scale reforms, measures to expand opportunities for young people, ensure gender equality, and provide social support for girls from low-income families.

During plenary and thematic sessions, participants discussed a wide range of issues, including women’s rights and gender equality, improving youth well-being, promoting healthy lifestyles, addressing population aging, enhancing demographic analysis, and fulfilling international commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals. Special focus was placed on strengthening international cooperation, sharing best practices, and introducing innovative approaches in the field of population and development.

As part of the conference, Abdullaev also joined an open dialogue on “Cybersecurity: Risks and Harmful Online Content for Young Users” organized by Meta. The discussion focused on protecting youth in the digital space and fostering a safe online environment.

In addition, he met with members of the House of Representatives of the Philippine Parliament, where he presented information on Uzbekistan’s reforms and international initiatives, and explored prospects for inter-parliamentary cooperation.

The forum concluded with recommendations aimed at enhancing youth engagement in politics, ensuring economic and social stability, and effectively leveraging digital platforms for educational purposes.