MEDIA ADVISORY - Shaping the future of youth: Europe and Central Asia join forces through the EU’s DARYA initiative
Deputy Ministers of Education and Labour and EU institutions come together for skills and opportunities across the region - 30–31 October 2025, Turin, Italy - Villa Gualino
Turin, 29 October 2025 – Deputy Ministers of Education and Labour from Central Asia are gathering in Turin, Italy, on 30 and 31 October for the high-level conference of the EU-funded DARYA (Dialogue and Action for Resourceful Youth in Central Asia) project. The event is hosted by the European Training Foundation (ETF) under the patronage of the City of Turin.
Deputy Ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan will be joined by the EU Special Representative for Central Asia, Eduards Stiprais; the Director of the European Training Foundation, Pilvi Torsti, the Vice Mayor of Turin, Michela Favaro; the Vice-Rector of the Polytechnic of Turin, Elena Maria Baralis; the Head of Cooperation of the European Union Delegation to Kazakhstan, Johannes Baur; and the Deputy Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for International Partnerships of the European Commission; Fabienne Van Den Eede.
The two-day meeting brings together Europe and Central Asia to advance cooperation on skills development and youth employment, with study visits to centres of excellence in the Piedmont region. The event marks a key milestone in the EU’s partnership with Central Asia to build inclusive and future-ready education and training systems.
“At a time when Central Asia plays an increasingly strategic role between Europe and Asia, the DARYA project reinforces mutual commitment to skills development, youth empowerment, and regional cooperation. By connecting European experience with Central Asian priorities, DARYA contributes to building a shared and sustainable future — where young people can access quality education, decent work, and opportunities to shape their societies,” said Pilvi Torsti, Director of the European Training Foundation.
Strengthening cooperation for skills and youth
DARYA is a five-year, €10 million European Union initiative implemented by the ETF to promote inclusive, labour market-relevant skills development across Central Asia. By supporting regional cooperation and national reforms, the project aims to enhance employability, foster innovation, and create new opportunities for young people.
The Turin conference builds on this ambition by bringing together European and Central Asian partners to identify effective models of skills partnership, co-design a regional roadmap for future collaboration, and explore sectoral approaches that can boost competitiveness and sustainable growth across the region.
Key moments
Following a welcome dinner by the ETF and the Polytechnic of Turin, the institutional opening of the event will take place on Thursday, 30 October 2025, at the European Training Foundation’s headquarters in Turin (Villa Gualino).
09:00 – 09:25 | Welcome
- Pilvi Torsti, Director, European Training Foundation (ETF)
- Michela Favaro, Vice Mayor of Turin
- Elena Maria Baralis, Deputy Rector, Polytechnic of Turin
09:25 – 09:40 | Opening
- Eduards Stiprais, European Union Special Representative for Central Asia (EEAS)
09:40 – 10:40 | Roundtable with Deputy Ministers of Education and Labour from Central Asia
- Askar Saktaganovich Biakhmetov, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population, Republic of Kazakhstan
- Albert Damirbekovich Makhmetkulov, Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Kyrgyz Republic
- Halbibi Tachjanova, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population, Republic of Turkmenistan
- Azat Atayev, Deputy Minister of Education, Republic of Turkmenistan
- Alisher Akmalovich Muratov, Deputy Minister of Employment and Poverty Reduction, Republic of Uzbekistan
- Bakhtiyor Yuldashev, Director, National Agency for Quality Assurance of Education under the Presidential Administration, Republic of Uzbekistan
10:40 – 10:55 | Family picture
Discussions will continue throughout the morning with working sessions on sectoral cooperation and partnerships for skills development.
From global vision to local action
In the afternoon, participants will visit APRO Formazione and the Ferrero plant in the city Alba, two leading examples of how partnerships between education, enterprise, and local communities can generate innovation, excellence, and employment opportunities.
On Friday, 31 October, the second day of the event will feature sessions on evidence-based youth employment policies, regional cooperation on qualifications, innovative teaching and learning, and the development of a skills roadmap for Central Asia. The meeting will conclude with the adoption of shared policy messages and commitments to deepen regional cooperation through DARYA.
Press contacts
For media accreditation or enquiries:
- ETF: Daria Santucci – +39 366 9639638 – mediarelations@etf.europa.eu – www.etf.europa.eu