STRENGTHENING SOCIAL PROTECTION IN UZBEKISTAN: THE SAMARKAND WORLD SUMMIT AND PUBLIC OPINION

On 21 October 2026, the World Summit “Investing in Children’s Wellbeing: A Path to Sustainable and Equitable Development for Future Generations” and the Second International Congress on Childhood Cancer opened in Samarkand. These international events reflect Uzbekistan’s commitment to social protection, improving children’s health, supporting families and developing human potential.

The events brought together representatives of foreign countries, the United Nations, the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the World Bank, alongside leading international experts. At the opening ceremony, a welcome message from Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, was read out.

Key topics included improving social support for families, expanding access to quality healthcare, introducing modern medical technologies and strengthening international cooperation to promote children’s wellbeing.

The Republican centre of the study of the public opinion “Ijtimoiy Fikr” is represented at the summit by its Deputy Director, Timur Ravilievich Muratov.

Public Views on the Development of Social Protection

The Summit’s agenda is closely linked to the ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan’s social protection system. In recent years, the country has steadily developed a modern social support system centred on people’s needs, with a focus on better-targeted state assistance, wider access to social services and the introduction of digital technologies.

Public opinion surveys provide an important source of information for assessing these changes. In June 2026, The Republican centre of the study of public opinion “Ijtimoiy Fikr” conducted a sociological survey entitled “Citizens’ Assessment of the Current State and Development of the Social Protection System in Uzbekistan”.

The survey findings provide insights into public perceptions of the social protection system, including greater access to government assistance and better ways of providing it. Among respondents who had applied for assistance, child benefits were the most commonly requested form of support (71.7%), highlighting the importance of government support for families with children.

The digitalisation of social services has also received positive public feedback. In particular, 55.7% of respondents believe that digital services make it significantly easier to access social assistance.

Another important indicator is the extent to which the social protection system meets citizens’ needs. According to the survey, 76.9% of respondents believe that the current system fully, largely or partially meets the needs of people requiring assistance.

These findings highlight the significance of ongoing social reforms and help identify priorities for further developing the social protection system, particularly improving the targeting of assistance, enhancing social services and strengthening support for families.

International Cooperation for Children’s Wellbeing

The World Summit in Samarkand provides further opportunities to exchange best practices, strengthen cooperation with international organisations and introduce modern approaches to promoting children’s wellbeing.

In this context, the findings of research conducted by the “Ijtimoiy Fikr” сentre are particularly valuable, offering insights into the development of social protection through public opinion, people’s needs and citizens’ expectations.

Investing in children’s wellbeing, improving the social protection system and strengthening the family as a social institution are essential to sustainable development, improving quality of life and developing human potential in New Uzbekistan.