Strategic Cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkey in the Labor Market and Professional Qualifications: A New Stage

In the context of globalization, modernizing the labor market, ensuring employment, and reducing poverty cannot be effectively addressed without international cooperation. From this perspective, the systematic collaboration between the Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Employment of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of the Republic of Turkey holds strategic importance for both countries. This cooperation encompasses comprehensive reforms aimed at increasing the competitiveness of labor resources, aligning the professional qualification system with international standards, and creating sustainable employment opportunities for citizens.

Within the framework of the Memorandum of Cooperation signed between Uzbekistan and Turkey, the first meeting of the Joint Working Commission was held in Tashkent on May 7, 2025. During this meeting, the Joint Action Plan for 2025–2026 was approved, and priority areas of cooperation were defined.
As part of the plan’s implementation, in October of this year, a delegation from the Ministry, led by Acting Deputy Minister of Poverty Reduction and Employment A. Muratov, visited the Republic of Turkey. During the visit, the delegation thoroughly studied the formation and implementation practices of the Turkish National Qualifications Framework (TQF), developed in accordance with European standards (EQF).
Specifically, the role of testing and certification centers, their accreditation and monitoring mechanisms, and opportunities for implementing joint projects in professional qualifications were reviewed. Additionally, discussions were held on jointly developing mechanisms for aligning Uzbekistan’s National Classifier of Occupations with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).
Within this cooperation, practical work has begun to deeply analyze the differences between Turkish and Uzbek professional standards, utilize Turkey’s experience in establishing Qualification Assessment Centers, and define the role of professional standards and assessment tools in the functioning of these centers. Special attention is given to ensuring that evaluation procedures fully meet employer requirements.
To develop professional standards aligned with international benchmarks for occupations in high demand in the local labor market, the initial stage involved translating Turkey’s professional standards and qualification requirements for 22 occupations from Turkish into Uzbek. These documents are currently undergoing comparative analysis with the professional standards in force in Uzbekistan.
The ongoing initiatives are intended to create modern and optimal professional standards that fully meet the needs of the local labor market and will serve as a solid foundation for the activities of the Qualification Assessment Centers.
Furthermore, assessment tools, including tests, practical assignments, and evaluation criteria, are being developed for these 22 occupational fields. In the next stage, it is planned that the qualification certificates issued by these centers will be directly recognized within the territory of the Republic of Turkey.
Overall, the cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkey in the labor market and professional qualifications clearly demonstrates a transition of bilateral relations to a new, qualitatively higher level. These efforts play a key role in reforming Uzbekistan’s professional qualification system in accordance with international standards, achieving global recognition of national certificates, and expanding citizens’ opportunities to work abroad.
Moreover, these initiatives represent a logical continuation of the systematic reforms implemented by the Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Employment, aimed at evaluating qualifications, ensuring employment, and reducing poverty, thereby contributing to sustainable socio-economic development.