Protection of human rights and legitimate interests is the main goal of all reforms carried out in Uzbekistan in recent years. These reforms place particular emphasis on youth policy, which is not only a fundamental human right, but also a necessary foundation for achieving peace, prosperity and sustainable development.

The speech of the President of Uzbekistan Sh. Mirziyoyev at the 46th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council and the definition of ensuring the rights of youth as one of the priorities for further deepening democratic transformations in Uzbekistan, once again proves that youth policy is central to the reform of Uzbekistan.

In order to strengthen the legal foundations of the state youth policy, the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan on «State youth policy» was adopted. June 30 is declared as a Youth Day in Uzbekistan.

The strategy of actions on five priority directions of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the period 2017-2021 defines youth as one of the five priorities in the formation of state policy.

This increased focus underscores the importance of investing in youth development. In order to raise the state youth policy to a new level, on June 30, 2020, the Decree on "Measures for radical reform and raising to a new level of state youth policy in the Republic of Uzbekistan" was adopted, which states the need for effective solutions to the problems faced by young people, and on the creation of the Agency for Youth Affairs with the aim of developing a universal youth strategy, monitoring its implementation and protecting the rights and interests of youth. In addition, youth policy is one of the key areas of cooperation between the government and the United Nations.

Speaking at the 46th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan noted that within the framework of «Year of Support for Youth and Population Health» Uzbekistan plans to hold a World Conference on Youth Rights under the auspices of the UN.

This conference will be held with the aim of discussing the role of youth in sustainable development, enhancing the civic and political participation of youth, creating conditions for the comprehensive development of youth, ensuring the observance and respect of all the rights of youth, as well as improving existing international and regional instruments and mechanisms to protect and promote the rights of youth.

During the Conference, it is also planned to discuss the draft Convention on the Rights of Youth, which is a new document reflecting the specific rights of youth, which is necessary for recognition in the modern world.

The Convention is also significant in that it takes into account international and national experience in regulating relevant aspects of the protection of the rights of young people and is aimed at building up efforts at the international, regional and national levels to meet the needs of young people, build capacity and guarantee rights, freedoms and advocacy youth in all its diversity around the world.

The adoption of this Convention will become a timely and effective response to the challenges and opportunities facing states and the world community as a whole in the harmonious development of youth, realizing its enormous potential in order to ensure the well-being and sustainable development, and overcome the negative consequences of the pandemic.

Yaroslav Kvitkov - Chief Specialist of the National Human Rights Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan