Tashkent Initiative: outcome of the China - Central Asia Human Rights Development Forum

The China – Central Asia Human Rights Development Forum, organized by the China Foundation for Human Rights Development (CFHRD) in collaboration with the National Human Rights Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan, was held in Tashkent. Its theme was the joint promotion of progress in human rights through high-quality development.

The event was attended by about 100 representatives from government agencies, the expert and scientific community, business circles, and the media from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

At the opening of the Forum, it was emphasized that ensuring opportunities for the full realization of human rights is a shared responsibility of the international community. It was noted that China and the Central Asian countries, as developing states, share similar approaches to sustainable development and the promotion of human rights.

Speakers highlighted the particular significance of holding the fourth Forum ahead of the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Right to Development and the 5th anniversary of the Global Development Initiative. It was emphasized that the Forum is taking place amid active efforts to strengthen cooperation within the China – Central Asia format.

Following the forum, a final document – the Tashkent Initiative – was adopted, reflecting the key areas for further cooperation among the countries of the region in the development and protection of human rights.

As part of the event, a Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between the National Human Rights Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the China Foundation for Human Rights Development.

Nazokat Usmanova, UzA