Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has called for stronger international cooperation to protect children’s rights and improve their well-being, proposing a new Samarkand Platform for practical dialogue on child welfare.
Addressing participants at the global summit “Investing in Child Well-being: The Path to Sustainable and Equitable Development for Future Generations”, which opened in Samarkand on 21 October, Mirziyoyev outlined priorities including support from the earliest stages of life, paediatric oncology, a safe digital environment and children’s participation in decision-making.
The president thanked the United Nations, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Bank, the World Health Organization, the International Social Security Association and other partners for helping organise the summit.
“Every child already has the right to love, safety, quality education and necessary medical care. Their value is not measured by who they will become in the future or what income they will generate,” Mirziyoyev said.
He stressed that spending on childhood should remain a consistent and sustainable priority in government policy.
The president also outlined the results of reforms in Uzbekistan. Maternal mortality during childbirth and child stunting have both fallen by half, he said.
Preschool education coverage has increased from 27.7% to 78%, while nearly 100% of six-year-olds now participate in school-preparation programmes. Higher education enrolment has risen fivefold, from 9% to 45%.
Child poverty has fallen nearly fourfold over the past five years, which Mirziyoyev attributed to a social protection system that identifies the needs of children and families at an early stage.
Over the past two years, the number of inclusive schools has increased fivefold, and more than 85% of children with disabilities now have access to educational services. All orphans and children without parental care are now being raised in families, he said.
Mirziyoyev recalled an Uzbek proverb: “One child has parents in seven mahallas.” He said this tradition should be reinforced by concrete state guarantees, the work of qualified specialists and respect for every child’s personal integrity.
Every child in Uzbekistan, regardless of nationality, language, religion, health or family income, should have the opportunity to ask questions, think independently, create and gain knowledge, he added.
Noting the impact of armed conflicts, forced displacement, climate change and economic hardship on children, the president proposed several areas for international cooperation.
The first is continuous support from the earliest stages of life, linking maternal health, proper nutrition, early childhood development and preschool education.
The second is closer cooperation on the early detection and treatment of serious childhood illnesses. This should include exchanging expertise in paediatric oncology, improving diagnostics and expanding access to quality medicines. “A child’s place of residence should not limit their ability to receive care,” Mirziyoyev said.
Uzbekistan supports the First Ladies’ Initiative for International Cooperation on Childhood Cancer. Mirziyoyev said its public engagement and charitable potential should be guided by medical experts’ recommendations, needs-based assistance and transparent spending.
The third priority is creating safe educational and digital environments. The president called for stronger cooperation to combat cyberbullying, exploitation and the misuse of personal data, alongside practical support to help children, parents and teachers develop digital literacy.
He also proposed making children’s participation an integral part of decision-making, in formats that are age-appropriate, voluntary and safe.
To sustain cooperation, Uzbekistan is interested in establishing the Samarkand Platform as a mechanism for practical dialogue. It could facilitate the exchange of effective practices, the development of voluntary joint projects and discussions of results alongside existing organisations.
Mirziyoyev expressed hope that the summit’s final declaration would reflect the participants’ shared aspirations. Implementing it, he said, would require plans developed with interested partners, specifying responsibilities, resources and deadlines. Progress should be discussed openly using agreed indicators.
The president stressed that particular attention must be paid to children who are left without assistance.
