From education to cancer care: Global summit calls for better support for children

The United Nations-backed World Summit Investing in Children’s Wellbeing concluded in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Thursday after a two-day gathering that drew more than 600 participants from over 100 nations. Delegates adopted the Samarkand Declaration, a framework urging governments to strengthen social protection systems, establish nationally determined targets, and implement regular reporting mechanisms to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of services for children. The summit addressed a critical gap in current policy, noting that mere access to essential services does not guarantee that children receive adequate care. Organized by the Government of Uzbekistan in partnership with the Office of the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and the World Bank, the event featured ministers, academics, civil society representatives, business leaders, and young people themselves. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a message read aloud by Sabine Mahl, the UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan. Guterres warned that progress toward child wellbeing faces severe threats from conflicts, economic pressures, health emergencies, poverty, and climate-related shocks. He emphasized that these risks disproportionately affect vulnerable groups. Guterres noted that humanitarian and development assistance is declining even as developing countries struggle with heavy debt burdens. Consequently, the summit focused on integrating systems rather than isolating specific programs or services. He stated that investing in children constitutes an investment in the future. Khalilur Rahman, President of the UN General Assembly, addressed the assembly with a call to translate political commitments into tangible results. He observed that only 36 percent of assessable Sustainable Development Goal targets related to children are currently on track or showing moderate progress. Rahman outlined four priorities: prioritizing children over bureaucratic processes, building services around their actual needs, reaching those left furthest behind, and aligning political promises with financing, accountability, and deadlines. He challenged governments to demonstrate commitment through budget allocations, arguing that declarations alone cannot vaccinate children, pay teachers, or purchase cancer medicines. He also advocated for child-centered approaches to artificial intelligence, aiming to expand opportunities while shielding minors from exploitation, discrimination, and privacy violations. Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, First Lady of Uzbekistan, highlighted alarming demographic trends during her remarks. She cited expert estimates that deaths among children under five are expected to rise in 2025 for the first time this century due to a sharp drop in international humanitarian aid. Mirziyoyeva also pointed out that one billion children reside in countries highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. She called for the integration of medical, social, and psychological support systems to prevent parents from navigating multiple institutions for basic assistance. In recognition of her contributions to childhood cancer care, Mirziyoyeva received the WHO Director-General’s Award 2026. Other dignitaries offered distinct perspectives on measuring success. Emine Erdogan, Turkey’s First Lady, questioned whether standard metrics accurately reflect children’s lived experiences. She argued that attending school does not equate to quality education, nor does the absence of hunger ensure proper nutrition. Similarly, the lack of physical violence does not guarantee emotional security. Rebecca Smith, Global Head of Child Protection at Save the Children International, stressed the need to protect survivors of violence from stigma, noting that abuse occurs in homes, conflict zones, and increasingly online environments. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan underscored the national priority placed on child wellbeing, noting that more than half of the country’s population is under the age of 30. He argued that wellbeing should be measured by current quality of life rather than future economic potential. According to figures presented at the summit, preschool enrollment in Uzbekistan has surged from 27.7 percent to 78 percent. Additionally, the number of inclusive schools has increased fivefold over the last two years. More than 10,000 children with disabilities now attend mainstream schools. Participants toured the newly opened Imkan rehabilitation center in Samarkand, a facility designed to combine preschool education with medical, psychological, and educational support for children with disabilities. The center can house 150 children and provides monthly outpatient rehabilitation services to up to 100 individuals aged three to 18. Nehmat Aoun, Lebanon’s First Lady, suggested that nations should exchange best practices to enhance education and protection standards. The summit coincided with a parallel international congress addressing childhood cancer, highlighting global disparities in survival rates based on geography. UNICEF data presented during the event indicated that two-thirds of monitored child-related SDG indicators are off track, casting doubt on the feasibility of meeting 2030 targets. Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Regional Director, advised delegations to invest in human resources such as social workers and healthcare professionals rather than focusing solely on infrastructure. He emphasized that complementary investments across sectors yield superior outcomes for children compared to isolated sector-by-sector spending. The declaration serves as a blueprint for coordinating fragmented services, aiming to close the gap between policy intent and daily reality for the world’s most vulnerable populations.