Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan’s Minister of Digital Technologies, Sherzod Shermatov, has been elected Co-Chair of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9 Council on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure until the end of 2026.

The announcement was made during the World Government Summit in Dubai (UAE) at a session on Global Councils for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The UAE Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, Ohood Khalfan Al Roumi, emphasized that developing nations must prioritize innovative solutions to achieve SDGs, enhance international cooperation, and manage time effectively.

Shermatov highlighted the rapid growth of the digital economy, noting that developing countries can accelerate their progress by adopting cutting-edge technologies from the outset. He stressed the importance of international collaboration in this process.

Key points from his address:

Demographic shifts impact global economies—developed countries face population decline and aging, while developing nations experience rapid population growth, affecting labor markets.

The demand for labor is rising, prompting various countries to regulate migration. Developing nations should focus on remote work expansion and the growth of BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) and KPO (Knowledge Process Outsourcing) industries.

Online education is a priority, ensuring equal access to advanced learning resources for young people in developing nations.

Innovation must be accessible to all—scientific research and technology development are currently concentrated in developed nations, but open access to innovations can benefit humanity, particularly in healthcare, education, and critical sectors.

SDG 9, adopted by the UN in 2015, aims to boost economic growth through industrial development, innovation, and improved infrastructure.