High-level foreign participants and representatives of international organizations included UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. Ennio Boati, Regional Representative (a.i.) of the UN Human Rights Regional Office for Central Asia, delivered an address to the Forum participants on his behalf.
The address highlighted the significance of the Samarkand Forum as an international platform for dialogue among states, international and regional organizations, national human rights institutions, civil society, and the expert community.
Particular attention was paid to the human rights reforms being implemented in Uzbekistan. In particular, the address emphasized:
"Uzbekistan has demonstrated that meaningful reform is possible. The task at this stage is to consolidate the results achieved, address remaining gaps, and ensure that the progress made is felt by all."
The address also noted the importance of further strengthening Uzbekistan's cooperation with international human rights mechanisms and implementing international obligations within national legislation and practice.
Separately, Volker Türk called upon Uzbekistan and the Forum participants to actively engage with the Global Alliance for Human Rights, emphasizing the need to unite the efforts of states, civil society, the business sector, youth, the academic community, and other stakeholders to practically advance human rights.
Press Service of the National Center of the
Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights