On September 28, 2026, the Fifth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights began its proceedings in the capital. This traditional international event is dedicated to the theme: "The 60th Anniversary of the International Human Rights Covenants and the 40th Anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development: Global Partnership for Human Dignity, Equality, and Sustainable Development."
More than 200 representatives from international, regional, foreign, and national organizations are participating in the forum in both in-person and online formats. Participants include representatives from 10 international organizations, 8 regional organizations, and the national human rights institutions of 8 foreign countries, as well as over 30 leading national and international human rights experts, research centers, civil society groups, media outlets, and the business community.
Akmal Saidov, Director of the National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights, welcomed the participants of the Fifth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights and expressed sincere gratitude to all the guests. The moderator highlighted that this international conference—held biennially—has rapidly evolved into a unique, accessible, and distinctive global platform for discussing pressing human rights issues and identifying effective solutions.
The Fifth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights represents a logical continuation of this noble tradition. There are significant historical milestones associated with this year's Forum. Notably, this year marks the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It also marks the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development. Furthermore, this year commemorates the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights. Today, humanity faces complex and deeply interconnected global challenges. In particular, the rapid development of artificial intelligence and new digital technologies is giving rise to new legal and ethical risks alongside immense opportunities for human life.
Therefore, enhancing the universal human rights protection system in light of modern realities is one of the most pressing tasks of our time. The program of the Fifth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights is dedicated precisely to this objective.
Speeches were delivered at the opening ceremony by Tanzila Narbayeva, Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Nuriddin Ismoilov, Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan; and Sabine Machl, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan.
Congratulatory remarks from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk were read out by Ennio Boati, Acting Representative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for Central Asia, while the message from Mirjana Spoljaric, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), was delivered by Biljana Milosevic, Head of the ICRC Regional Delegation for Central Asia. A video address by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) end Maria Telalian, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), was also shown.
According to the program, the first day of the Forum features two plenary sessions and seven parallel breakout sessions held in Tashkent. The second day will see the concluding plenary session take place in Samarkand, where the Forum’s final document will be discussed and adopted.
The Forum was organized by the National Human Rights Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the OSCE, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the International Center for Development and Justice.
Reflecting the diverse geographical background of the participants, the proceedings of the Fifth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights are being conducted in three languages: Uzbek and two official UN languages—English and Russian. The Forum’s activities are receiving extensive coverage through official information channels, mass media, online platforms, and social networks.
Press Service of the National Center of the
Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights