United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that investing in children is investing in the future, warning that global challenges continue to put them at risk, especially in the most vulnerable and impoverished areas. The UN News Centre relayed a message from the Secretary-General, delivered by Sabine Maehl, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan, at the opening of the "Global Summit on Investing in Child Well-being" on Wednesday in Samarkand. She stated: "Progress in child well-being is threatened. Conflicts, economic pressures, health emergencies, poverty, and climate shocks put children at risk, especially those from vulnerable groups."
In the same context, Guterres noted in his message the decline in humanitarian and development aid, while developing countries continue to bear heavy debt burdens. He stressed that the conference does not focus on a single program or service, but on systems requiring joint action. For his part, UN General Assembly President and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalil Rahman called for greater focus on translating commitments to children into tangible results, expressing that goals are meaningful only when they lead to a child receiving food, education, treatment, and a safe return home.
Khalil Rahman added that achieving only 36% of measurable Sustainable Development Goals progress urges countries to accelerate collective action rather than lower their ambitions. He outlined four priorities to be implemented: placing children first before measures, building social services and protection tailored to their needs, reaching the most marginalized groups, and linking political promises with financing, accountability, and deadlines. He also called for a child-centered approach in artificial intelligence and other technologies, stating: "Digital transformation must expand opportunities while protecting children from exploitation, discrimination, manipulation, and privacy violations."
The General Assembly President emphasized the need to close gaps in supporting children, especially those most at risk, including those living in poverty, persons with disabilities, displaced persons, and those affected by conflicts and climate shocks, and to demonstrate their commitments in their budgets. He stated: "A statement cannot vaccinate a child, a promise cannot pay a teacher's salary, and applause cannot buy cancer medications." The Samarkand summit also includes the Second International Conference on Childhood Cancer – "From Cure to Well-being" – dedicated to pediatric tumors and blood diseases.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 80% of children with cancer in high-income countries recover, while this rate is less than 30% in many low- and middle-income countries. The UN Secretary-General described this situation in his message as an unacceptable disparity resulting from lack of investment and weak social services. According to international statistics, approximately 400,000 children and adolescents worldwide are diagnosed with cancer annually, and the WHO aims to raise the global survival rate to 60% by 2030.
It is noted that the Government of Uzbekistan organized the summit in partnership with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization, and the World Bank, to affirm that child well-being depends on multiple factors, including health, education, protection from violence, family support, and access to assistance when needed. More than 600 people from 100 countries are participating in the summit, including ministers, academics, and experts, along with representatives of civil society and the business sector, as well as children and adolescents themselves.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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