Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Chumakov at the HL event in the margins of the HLW of the General Assembly: “Demographic Resilience: Investing in Human Capital for Sustainable Futures”
Excellency, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan,
Madam Executive Director of UNFPA,
Excellencies, dear colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
The role of demographic sustainability and effective investment in human capital is becoming more and more important in the international socio-economic agenda.
Amid global transformations, it is people—their health, well-being, education and comprehensive development—who determine the long-term stability and prosperity of all nations.
The Russian Federation has consistently regarded the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) as one of its key specialized partners within the United Nations system. We highly value UNFPA’s substantive contribution to achieving tangible practical results, particularly in strengthening family institutions, protecting motherhood and childhood, collecting and analyzing demographic data, and assisting States in developing evidence-based demographic policies.
Our cooperation with the Fund, based on the principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality of States and due consideration of national priorities, has demonstrated its continued relevance and value.
The Russian Federation has accumulated extensive and unique experience in implementing large-scale government programmes aimed at improving demographic indicators and promoting comprehensive human development. Our approach is based on the understanding that a strong, multigenerational family provides the foundation of society and serves as a key driver of a sustainable future.
Speaking of global and regional demographic sustainability, I would like to underscore the critical importance of strengthening regional cooperation. For the Russian Federation, cooperation within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is one of the priorities in this area.
The CIS region has a traditionally strong foundation for cooperation in the social and humanitarian sphere. Together with our partners in the Commonwealth, we are implementing comprehensive initiatives aimed at developing coordinated approaches to demographic policy and support for family values; strengthening healthcare systems and maternal and child health; ensuring social protection and labour-market integration of young people; and exchanging best practices in population censuses, demographic forecasting and statistical registration.
Among our flagship international initiatives, I would like to highlight the project “Supporting CIS Countries in Strengthening Systems for the Collection, Analysis and Use of Demographic Data to Inform Development Policies”. During its implementation from 2019 to 2025, the project focused on Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The initiative was aimed at strengthening the capacity of beneficiary countries to use digital mapping and geospatial technologies; expanding the use of population registers to facilitate and accelerate data collection; establishing permanent channels of communication and knowledge exchange among the statistical agencies of CIS countries; and developing a common digital platform for the dissemination of demographic indicators.
It made a fundamental contribution to high-quality population censuses in partner countries. In Uzbekistan, for example, the first population census in 36 years was conducted this year.
We stand ready to continue sharing this accumulated practical experience and innovative solutions on international platforms.
We are convinced that partnership between regional integration organizations and institutions of the United Nations system can generate multiplier effect and represent an effective pathway towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that demographic sustainability cannot be achieved through uniform or one-size-fits-all approaches.
Every State has both the right and the responsibility to formulate its own demographic strategy, drawing on its national traditions, spiritual and moral values, and current socio-economic needs.
The Russian Federation reaffirms its readiness to continue constructive, depoliticized and pragmatic dialogue with all interested parties, as well as to further deepen our productive partnership with UNFPA.
Thank you.
