Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have signed a memorandum of cooperation aimed at strengthening social protection and improving services for vulnerable groups.

The agreement was signed in Samarkand by Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration and Uzbekistan’s National Agency for Social Protection under the President, on the sidelines of a global summit, Kabar reports.

According to the Kyrgyz ministry, the two sides plan to exchange expertise in social protection, improve the delivery of social services, and expand the use of digital solutions.

The agreement also places particular emphasis on training social workers and supporting their professional development.

The cooperation is expected to help both countries share best practices and improve the quality and accessibility of social services for people in need.