The mission of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Uzbekistan celebrated the World Children’s Day on 17 November by launching an international forum themed ‘Ensuring Children’s Rights to a Healthy Environment’.

The hybrid-format gathering drew the chair of the Milli Majlis Family, Women’s and Children’s Affairs Committee Hijran Huseynova alongside parliamentarians from many countries and officials of international organisations.

Uzbekistan’s First Lady and Chair of the ‘Zamin’ International Public Foundation Ziroatkhon Mirziyoyeva opened the forum by greeting its participants and wishing the event success in its upcoming work.

Hijran Huseynova who had a video link-up to the proceedings let it be known how protection of the rights of the child has been an invariable priority in our country. The Convention on the Rights of the Child had been the first international documents for Azerbaijan to join, Mrs Huseynova continued. The state policy regarding children is gathering strength and important projects aiming to ensure our children live in a healthy environment are being carried into life through the tireless care of President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva.

Azerbaijan had restored historical justice as she had freed her lands, towns and villages from the occupation by Armenia during the 44 days’ Patriotic War, Mrs Huseynova went on. The massive mine contamination of our territories is a source of serious concern for the state. Still, the de-mining work goes on in the liberated provinces; projects are undertaken to eliminate ecological disasters and promote the growth of green economy; the smart villages and towns are being built so that the erstwhile IDP families with children can go back to their native parts and live their new lives over there.

Hijran Huseynova concluded her part in the forum by wishing the latter success and saying she hoped that the forthcoming discussions would ultimately provide for more efficient protection of children’s rights around the world.

A video clip about environmental pollution’s impacts on children’s health was played at the forum then.

The discussions culminated in the signing of the Declaration on Children, Youth and Climatic Activities.

The Press and Public Relations Department  

The Milli Majlis