On 13–14 October, the fifth meeting of the High-Level Group was held in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, within the framework of the regional project Dialogue and Action for Resourceful Youth in Central Asia (DARYA), implemented by the European Training Foundation (ETF) with funding from the European Union. The meeting focused on “Shaping the Skills Dimension of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor.”

The event brought together representatives of the education and labour sectors of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of European Union institutions and EU Member States, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and businesses operating in the transport and logistics sectors. The Uzbek delegation included A. Allabergenov, Director of the Institute for the Development of the National Qualifications System.

On the first day, participants presented their countries’ national priorities for skills development and strengthening transport connectivity. The Institute’s Director provided an overview of Uzbekistan’s ongoing efforts to develop its national qualifications system, align occupational standards with labour market requirements, and improve the qualifications assessment system.

On the second day, participants held in-depth discussions on the draft Regional Roadmap for Skills Development in Central Asia, cooperation in the transport and logistics sectors, and monitoring labour market needs along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. The Institute’s Director also took part in a panel discussion entitled “Responding to Changing Skills Needs: New Approaches to Skills Development and Cooperation.” The meeting concluded with the presentation of conclusions aimed at advancing skills development and strengthening regional cooperation in transport and logistics.

Regional cooperation is essential to ensuring the comparability of Uzbekistan’s qualifications with those of other countries. It also helps align the training of skilled professionals in priority sectors, such as transport and logistics, with the workforce requirements of investment projects.