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 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, 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 andresilient growth.
IsDB President Underlines Transforming Resilience into Sustainable Prosperity in MENAP
In another connection, Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) President and Group Chairman, Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, has emphasized the importance of credible fiscal frameworks, stronger regional integration, and greater diversification to transform resilience into sustainable prosperity anchored in solidarity and homegrown development.
Dr. Al Jasser made the remarks at a high-level meeting convened by International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, and Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors, and Heads of Regional Financial Institutions from the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAP).
The meeting took place concurrent with the ongoing Annual Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in Washington D.C., United States.
Dr. Al Jasser underlined that since its inception more than half a century ago, the Islamic Development Bank Group has approved over US$ 91.8 billion in funding for the Middle East, North Africa, and Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAP) primarily focusing on energy, industry, and agriculture. The Bank is also intensifying its support for human capital development, youth employment, and concessional financing for its most vulnerable member countries.
According to Dr. Al Jasser, the Islamic Development Bank Group is aligning support with the evolving needs of its member countries and the Bank’s new Ten-Year Strategic Framework places ordinality, solidarity, and intergenerational prosperity at the core of its mission.
He also referred to IsDB’s newly adopted concessional financing window as a key milestone that supports the Bank’s most vulnerable member countries.
Held at the IMF Headquarters, the meeting provided a platform for regional leaders to address shared challenges, including conflicts, climate shocks, tighter financing conditions, and fragmented trade and investment flows.
At ACG-IDB Roundtable: President Al Jasser Reaffirms Importance of Partnerships in Driving Sustainable Impact Across Regions
The Arab Coordination Group (ACG) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) organized a high-profile round table on “Strengthening Arab-LAC (Latin America and the Caribbean) Partnerships” on the margins of the ACG golden jubilee concurrent with the ongoing Annual Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) on 15 October 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Speaking for the Arab Coordination Group at this ACG-IDB event, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Group, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, reaffirmed the importance of partnerships in driving sustainable impact across regions.
H.E. Dr. Al Jasser, furthermore, underlined the Arab Coordination Group’s renewed vision for the future, focusing on development effectiveness, digital transformation, and modernized governance, to ensure stronger coordination and impact.
“Let us act with urgency, creativity, and unity to leave a legacy of impact, resilience, and hope”, he stated.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the IsDB Group Chairman highlighted the Bank’s growing collaboration with the Inter American Bank and the wider Arab Coordination Group to deliver transformative results, including major co-financed projects in Guyana and Suriname, and a joint pipeline exceeding US$ 700 million.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Douha Essafi)
