TASHKENT, 7 July 2017 – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Uzbekistan and the National Association of Electronic Mass Media (NAEMM) signed the Memorandum of Understanding to guide their joint work until the end of 2018. 

It is important to note that the National Development Strategy of Uzbekistan 2017-21, initiated by the President, pays significant attention to the issues of education, health, intellectual and physical development of children. 

The Memorandum will contribute to improving the lives and well-being of women and children in Uzbekistan, and ensuring that all children have their rights increasingly realized. 

During the signing ceremony the partners agreed to work together to increase the proportion of high quality children’s programming, expand the space for children and youth to freely express their views on the issues that affect their lives, and improve the quality of the content addressing the issues of women and children in non-governmental electronic mass media of Uzbekistan.  

“We are taking our long standing cooperation to the next level today,in our effort to further improve the lives and well-being of women and children of Uzbekistan,” said Sascha Graumann, UNICEF Representative. He added: “We appreciate the Association’s role and contribution in making the children’s voices heard, increasing participation of young people in decision-making processes, and disseminating crucial information pertaining to mother and child health, early childhood education and justice for children, through its wide TV and radio networks.” 

“NAEMM and UNICEF have been successfully working together, as partners and friends, since 2008,” said FirdavsAbdukhalikov, NAEMM Chair of the Board. He continued: “We see the signing ceremony today as the next step to contribute to the noble mission of further improving the lives and well-being of women and children, thus making inputs into implementation of the National Development Strategy of Uzbekistan for 2017-21. The Strategy initiated by President Mirziyoyev foresees comprehensive improvements for children in education, health, their intellectual and physical development. Our mutual interests in taking this noble cause forward will definitely bring about good results.”  

Under this partnership, UNICEF and NAEMM will establish a Children’s TV Studio, continue capacity development of the media professionals, and use innovative technologies to create modern and engaging content for audiences. 

NAEMM and UNICEF will also continue working on the TV and radio shows entitled “Focus on Children” (“MarkazdaBolalar”), interactive monthly series that discuss various critical issues related to children and families of Uzbekistan.