On October 21, the global summit titled "Investments in Child Well-being" officially opened in Samarkand, bringing together representatives from over a hundred countries. The high-level event was organized at the initiative of Uzbekistan in partnership with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and the World Bank.

Following the two-day deliberations, participants plan to adopt the Samarkand Declaration, which is intended to serve as a foundational framework for the ongoing development of the National Strategy for Family and Child Support. The message from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was delivered by presidential press secretary Sherzod Asadov, highlighting the country's recent systemic reforms in social protection and child welfare.

Presentations during the sessions detailed improvements in the national social support infrastructure, noting significant reductions in child poverty rates and expanded access to preschool education. Authorities reported that specialized social service centers are actively evaluating family needs and delivering targeted assistance, while measures addressing pediatric oncology and inclusivity continue to scale up nationwide.

Representatives from the UN and various international organizations drew attention to pressing global challenges, including child poverty, healthcare disparities, and violence. International speakers urged governments to move beyond rhetoric, demanding that political commitments be adequately backed by financial resources and measurable accountability to secure a safer future for children.

Source: www.gazeta.uz