Samarkand, 23 October. Participants in the World Summit "Investing in Child Well-being: a Path to Sustainable and Equitable Development for Future Generations", held in Samarkand on 21–22 October, adopted the Samarkand Declaration, committing to develop social protection for children and families, healthcare and education, combat violence against children and expand funding for children's programmes, Asia-Plus reports.
The summit brought together about 600 representatives from more than 100 countries: first ladies, ministers of social protection, health, education and finance, representatives of international organisations, science and business, as well as children and young people. It was organised by Uzbekistan together with the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on Violence against Children, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the World Bank and Uzbekistan's National Agency for Social Protection.
In the declaration participants reaffirmed their commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and noted that children make up about a third of the world's population. Its priorities include expanding benefits for families with children, including during crises; protecting children from violence and exploitation, including online threats; early development, inclusive education and the fight against childhood cancer; supporting parents to prevent unnecessary separation of children from families; and preparing young people for the labour market with digital and "green" skills.
Shakhnoza Mirziyoyeva, first deputy director of Uzbekistan's National Agency for Social Protection, stressed the importance of investing in the younger generation. The account of the declaration gives no amounts or commitments by individual countries.
What it means: Samarkand hosted a global agreement on children, but the declaration sets directions rather than figures. How countries implement it will be up to national governments.
Who benefits: Uzbekistan gains an international summit under UN auspices and the role of host. Children and families benefit if countries actually increase spending on social protection, healthcare and education.
Background: The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted in 1989 and has been ratified by all Central Asian countries.
List of sources used: Asia-Plus
Artificial intelligence was used in preparing this material.
