SAMARKAND VISION — 2040 Global Partnership for Human Dignity, Equality and Sustainable Development Outcome Document of the Fifth Samarkand Human Rights Forum Samarkand, 29 September 2026 PREAMBLE We, the participants of the Fifth Samarkand...
SAMARKAND VISION — 2040 Global Partnership for Human Dignity, Equality and Sustainable Development Outcome Document of the Fifth Samarkand Human Rights Forum Samarkand, 29 September 2026 PREAMBLE We, the participants of the Fifth Samarkand Human Rights Forum, representatives of state authorities, parliaments, judicial bodies, national human rights institutions, bodies and mechanisms of the United Nations, international and regional organizations, academia, and civil яociety, reaffirming our commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and universal international human rights standards, noting the 60th anniversaries of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, as well as the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, recalling the 1993 Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the 2024 Pact for the Future, recognizing the interdependence of human rights, peace, security, development, as well as the need for the practical implementation of international standards at the national level, taking into account the challenges associated with digital transformation and artificial intelligence, climate change, environmental degradation, demographic changes, inequality, migration, armed conflicts, and humanitarian crises, forced displacement, seeking to strengthen international cooperation, mutual learning, and the exchange of national experiences, hereby adopt the present Samarkand Vision — 2040 and declare as follows: I. THE SAMARKAND VISION — 2040 1. We aspire to see, by 2040, further significant progress towards a world in which the human rights enshrined in international treaties and universal standards are effectively respected, protected and realized in the daily lives of every person. 2. In this regard, the international human rights system should be strengthened on the basis of universality and equality; national implementation of international law and standards; social justice and the reduction of poverty and inequality; inclusion and equal opportunities; the protection of human rights in digital and natural environments; the protection of human dignity in situations of conflict and crisis; and international solidarity and multilateral cooperation. 3. The Samarkand Spirit envisages mutual enrichment: international standards find practical expression through national institutions and decisions, while national experience, shared in a spirit of open dialogue and mutual respect, contributes to international cooperation and mutual learning. II. GUIDING PRINCIPLES 4. Basing our vision on the universal norms and principles of international human rights law, we emphasise that its implementation must be guided by the following interrelated principles: Universality and Equality. The universality, indivisibility, interdependence, and interconnectedness of all human rights, as well as equality and non-discrimination, must be upheld. No One Left Behind. Particular attention should be paid to individuals and groups facing poverty, discrimination, disability, social exclusion, and other barriers to the full enjoyment of human rights. Good-Faith Fulfilment of International Obligations. International human rights obligations should be implemented through legislation, judicial and administrative practice, effective institutions, capacity-building, and the necessary resources. Human Rights, Democracy and Development. Democracy, human rights and development are mutually reinforcing and should be advanced through inclusive participation, accountable governance, social justice and equal opportunities. Human Rights and Peace. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms., gender equality and non-discrimination, and applicable international humanitarian law is fundamental to protecting human dignity, preventing violence and sustaining peace, particularly in situations of armed conflict and other crises. Multilateralism and Solidarity. International cooperation should be based on multilateralism, international solidarity, equal, inclusive and open dialogue, respect for the diversity of national and regional experiences, and mutual learning. III. PRIORITY AREAS FOR ACTION International human rights treaties and their effective implementation at the national level 5. We reaffirm that the principal outcome of the 60th anniversary of the Covenants should be strengthening of their effective implementation. We support the initiative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights establishing a Global Alliance for Human Rights and call for: a) strengthening effective realization of the rights enshrined in the Covenants and other international human rights treaties; b) improving application of international standards by courts and other competent bodies; c) strengthening national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up on the recommendations of treaty bodies and the UPR; including by encouraging parliaments to regularly review their implementation and promote transparent public reporting on progress, challenges and results; d) improving national systems for implementation of views and recommendations of treaty bodies and special procedures on individual cases; e) developing legal education and professional training for specialists. The right to development and social justice 6. We reaffirm the need to further strengthen a human rights-based approach to development. We call for: a) integrating human rights into national strategies, programmes, and budgets; b) ensuring equal access to education, healthcare, decent work, and social protection, with particular attention to women, girls, young people, and those facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination; c) paying par...