With 412 million children living in extreme poverty, a global summit in Uzbekistan has called for greater investment in children's healthcare, education, and protection, alongside closer coordination between services that often operate separately. The Samarkand Declaration, adopted on Thursday at the end of a two-day gathering attended by representatives from more than 100 countries, urges stronger social protection systems, nationally determined targets, and regular reporting on the quality and effectiveness of services for children.
According to UNICEF, two-thirds of the child-related UN Sustainable Development Goal indicators it monitors are off track, raising concerns about progress towards the 2030 targets. The declaration reflects a growing recognition that simply expanding access to essential services does not guarantee that children receive the care and support they need.
Access is not enough
Summit participants argued that services must be integrated rather than delivered in silos. "We should invest not sector by sector, but we should complement each other and this will give a better result for the children," said Édouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Regional Director, in an interview with Euronews. He also stressed the importance of investing in social workers and healthcare professionals, rather than focusing exclusively on infrastructure.
Uzbekistan's First Lady, Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, who received the WHO Director-General's Award 2026 for her contribution to childhood cancer care, echoed this call. "Let us integrate medical, social and psychological support so that parents do not have to go from one institution to another in search of assistance," she told the summit.
Turkey's First Lady, Emine Erdoğan, questioned whether conventional indicators adequately reflect children's experiences. "However, going to school does not always mean receiving a quality education, not being hungry does not mean being properly nourished, and not being subjected to violence does not mean being loved and valued," she said.
Protecting children from violence requires services to work together, particularly when victims need medical treatment, psychological support, social assistance, and legal protection. Rebecca Smith, Global Head of Child Protection at Save the Children International, told Euronews that children face violence at home, in conflict zones, and increasingly online. She stressed the importance of ensuring that survivors can seek support without facing stigma.
Uzbekistan presents its approach
Uzbekistan used the summit to showcase how different services can be brought together to support children and families. "Because for a parent, a child is not the future. A child is the present," said Shahnoza Mirziyoyeva, First Deputy Director of Uzbekistan's Social Protection Agency, in an address to participants.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasised that children's wellbeing should be measured by their quality of life today, not their future economic contribution. According to figures presented by Mirziyoyev, preschool enrolment has increased from 27.7% to 78%, while the number of inclusive schools has risen fivefold over the past two years.
Visiting First Ladies also attended the opening of the new Imkon rehabilitation centre in Samarkand, which combines preschool education with medical, psychological, and educational support for children with disabilities. The facility can accommodate 150 children and provide outpatient rehabilitation services to up to 100 children aged three to 18 each month. Lebanon's First Lady, Nehmat Aoun, who visited the centre, told Euronews that countries should learn from one another's experiences to improve children's education, care, and protection.
Childhood cancer exposes global inequalities
The importance of coordinated healthcare becomes particularly evident in childhood cancer, where a child's chances of survival differ dramatically depending on where they live. A parallel international congress in Samarkand examined inequalities in early diagnosis, specialist treatment, and access to essential medicines.
According to the World Health Organization, around 400,000 children and adolescents develop cancer worldwide each year. High-income countries cure more than 80%, compared with fewer than 30% in many low- and middle-income countries. Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, Executive Vice President of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, told Euronews that delayed or missed diagnoses are among the main obstacles. "The only way to address childhood cancer is by a comprehensive package," he said, requiring earlier diagnosis, specialist care, reliable access to medicines, and continued support for children and families.
The WHO has set a global target of at least 60% survival for childhood cancer, but reaching that goal will demand sustained political will and cross-border cooperation. As European countries grapple with their own challenges in school funding debates and budget pressures, the Samarkand Declaration offers a reminder that children's wellbeing is a universal priority that transcends borders.
