DUSHANBE, May 15, 2024 – The World Bank and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan have joined forces with several other ministries and development partners to host the International Human Capital Forum 2024 in Dushanbe. This forum took place from May 14-15 under the banner "Investing in People for Economic Growth". It emphasized the Tajik government's commitment to prioritizing individuals, particularly women, children, and adolescents from hard-to-reach communities, in their development initiatives.
The event convened experts from across Central Asia to share experiences related to targeted investments and innovations aimed at enhancing human capital outcomes. Human capital, which includes knowledge, skills, and health, is considered a crucial asset that allows individuals to contribute productively to society. The World Bank's Human Capital Project, launched in 2017, provides a framework for leaders to prioritize transformative investments in people by quantifying the impact of health and education on future workforce productivity.
Tatiana Proskuryakova, World Bank Country Director for Central Asia stated: “At the World Bank, we believe that human capital is the foundation of national strength... Our goal is to raise human capital outcomes in Central Asia."
Faiziddin Qahhorzoda, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan echoed this sentiment: “This forum underscores our belief that investing in people is not only a moral imperative but also an essential strategy for achieving sustainable economic growth."
The International Human Capital Forum facilitated comprehensive dialogue on human capital accumulation and policy development for equitable economic growth. It attracted close to 250 participants including civil society organizations and youth. Speakers shared experiences from countries including Australia, China, Colombia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkey,Turkmenistan,Tajikistan,and Uzbekistan.
Michal Rutkowski,the World Bank’s Regional Director for Human Development said: “As the economies of the Central Asian countries grow with investments in infrastructure, energy and hydropower, it is critical to maintain a focus on development of human capital”.
In conjunction with the Forum, the Government of Tajikistan launched the Prioritized Action Plan, supported by the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF). This plan focuses on health sector reforms and investments to ensure access to healthcare for women, children and adolescents, particularly in poorer communities.
The Human Capital Forum is a continuation of Tajikistan's commitment to the Year of Human Capital declared in 2023. It served as a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and sharing of best practices.