Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — This week, a two-day meeting of ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan took place in Almaty, Kazakhstan, aimed at reaffirming the countries’ commitment to ensuring the safety of educational institutions and protecting children from natural disasters.

The meeting was organized with the participation of UNICEF, UNESCO, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the Government of Japan, and the World Bank. It gathered high-level representatives from governments, development partners, and education experts. The main focus of the discussion was to analyze progress in implementing the Comprehensive Program for School Safety (CPSS) for 2022-2030 in Central Asia.

Participants shared best practices and discussed coordinated actions to protect children and educational institutions from natural disasters and climate risks.

“Schools must provide a safe learning environment where children and their education are not at risk,” noted Dr. Rashed Mustafa Sarwar, UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan. He added that this meeting is an opportunity for countries to reaffirm their commitment to protecting children’s education and promoting a culture of safety and resilience in the education sector.

Central Asia faces threats such as earthquakes, floods, and extreme weather events that jeopardize children’s safety and their continuous access to education. Many schools in the region are located in disaster-prone areas, making them structurally vulnerable and exposing them to significant risks. The CPSS offers strategic recommendations to governments and partners to enhance school safety, ensuring equitable and continuous access to quality education for all.

During the meeting, participants analyzed current achievements in school safety and resilience in the education sector, discussed necessary improvements in legislation and policy, and emphasized the need for education on climate risks and disaster risks. They also called for increased investment in strengthening school infrastructure and enhancing cooperation between Central Asian countries to address common challenges.

Taking place one month before the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, all countries reiterated their commitment to implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Stakeholders will work together to create a safer and more resilient educational infrastructure capable of withstanding both natural and anthropogenic disasters.