Official information and published materials from the Samarkand Forum on Human Rights.
CONCEPT NOTE Fifth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights "60th Anniversary of the International Human Rights Covenants and 40th Anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development: Global Partnership for Human Dignity, Equality andSustainable Development" Samarkand, Republic of Uzbekistan 28–29 September 2026 I. INTRODUCTION The Samarkand Forum on Human Rights has become one of the leading international platforms for promoting dialogue and cooperation on contemporary human rights issues. It brings together representatives of governments, the United Nations system, international and regional organizations, national human rights institutions, academia and civil society to exchange experience, discuss emerging human rights challenges and identify practical approaches to strengthening the implementation of universal human rights standards. The foundations of the Forum were laid in September 2017, when the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, addressing the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, proposed the establishment of a permanent international platform in Samarkand dedicated to dialogue on the evolving global human rights agenda and the promotion of international cooperation in the field of human rights. Since then, Samarkand has hosted four major international human rights forums, each reflecting key priorities of the international human rights agenda—from the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to discussions on human rights education, environmental protection, climate change and sustainable development. Through these successive forums, Samarkand has established itself as a recognized venue for inclusive dialogue and international cooperation on human rights. The Fifth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights will be held in Samarkand on 28–29 September 2026 under the theme: "60th Anniversary of the International Human Rights Covenants and 40th Anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development: Global Partnership for Human Dignity, Equality and Sustainable Development." The Forum will provide a high-level platform for dialogue on strengthening the international human rights system, promoting the effective implementation of international human rights obligations, advancing the right to development and reinforcing international cooperation in response to contemporary global challenges. The Forum will conclude with the adoption of its outcome document, Samarkand Vision 2040: Global Partnership for Human Dignity, Equality and Sustainable Development. II. RATIONALE The year 2026 marks two historic milestones in the development of the international human rights framework: the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), as well as the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. These anniversaries provide an important opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the international human rights system, assess progress in implementing international human rights obligations and identify priorities for addressing contemporary and emerging global challenges. Over the past six decades, the International Covenants have established a comprehensive legal framework for the promotion and protection of universal human rights and fundamental freedoms. Together with the Declaration on the Right to Development, they have contributed to strengthening international cooperation, advancing human dignity, promoting equality and supporting sustainable development. At the same time, the international community faces increasingly complex and interconnected challenges, including armed conflicts, climate change, environmental degradation, rapid technological transformation, artificial intelligence, demographic shifts, widening inequalities, forced displacement and humanitarian crises. These developments underscore the need for renewed international cooperation, effective multilateral action and stronger national implementation of international human rights obligations. The year 2026 also marks the 30th anniversary of the National Centre for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Over the past three decades, the National Centre has played a leading role in promoting international human rights standards, supporting the implementation of Uzbekistan's international human rights obligations, strengthening cooperation with the United Nations human rights system, and advancing human rights education, research and institutional development. The anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the evolving role of national institutions and National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up (NMRFs) in translating international human rights commitments into effective national implementation. Against this background, the Fifth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights will provide a high-level international platform for dialogue, cooperation and the exchange of experience among governments, the United Nations system, international and regional organizations, national human rights institutions, academia and civil society. The Forum will contribute to identifying practical solutions for strengthening the implementation of universal human rights standards, promoting the right to development and reinforcing global solidarity in response to contemporary challenges. III. OBJECTIVES The Fifth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights aims to provide a high-level platform for dialogue, cooperation and the exchange of experience on contemporary human rights issues, while contributing to the effective implementation of international human rights obligations, the promotion of the right to development and the strengthening of international cooperation in the face of emerging global challenges. The Forum will pursue the following objectives: · Assess progress in the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil...