Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Singapore

Spotlight on Global Youth Issues

Samarkand Web Forum “Youth 2020: Global Solidarity, Sustainable Development and Human Rights” has kicked off on August 12.

The forum is organized by the National Center for Human Rights and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as UN Agencies in Uzbekistan, OSCE and Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

The forum is attended by well-known scientists and experts, representatives of prestigious international structures, Youth Parliaments under the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, agencies for youth affairs, as well as more than 30 youth organizations from all regions of the country, students.

Director of the National Center for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan Akmal Saidov, as well as UNODC Regional Representative Ashita Mittal addressed the forum.

Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis Tanzila Norboyeva read out President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's greetings to the participants of Samarkand Web Forum.

Forum participants were also welcomed by leaders and representatives of the United Nations, UNESCO, Inter-Parliamentary Union, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, International Labour Organization, International Organization for Migration, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Commonwealth of Independent States and many other international and regional organizations.

The development of international standards on the rights of youth was discussed at the first plenary session. International legal instruments and mechanisms on the rights of youth were also reviewed at the session, led by OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan John MacGregor and Deputy Foreign Minister Sherzod Asadov.

Forum participants discussed the draft Convention on the Rights of Youth initiated by Uzbekistan at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly. The Convention, as a new and particularly important document, reflects the rights of youth, which should now be recognized globally.

The second plenary session was devoted to the rights of youth and Sustainable Development Goals. The session was conducted by UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan Matilda Dimovska and Chairman of Yuksalish Nationwide Movement Bobur Bekmurodov. The role of youth in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals was under discussion. Problems in implementation of youth rights were also discussed in detail.

Samarkand Web Forum will continue its work on August 13.

Gayrat Khonnazarov, UzA