The ILO emphasized the role of decent work, social justice and international labour standards in advancing human rights and sustainable development at the Fifth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights in Uzbekistan.
TASHKENT (ILO News) – The Fifth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights, held in Tashkent and Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on 28-29 September, brought together more than 200 representatives of international and regional organizations, national human rights institutions and experts to discuss contemporary human rights challenges and opportunities under the theme "The 60th Anniversary of the International Human Rights Covenants and the 40th Anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development: Global Partnership for Human Dignity, Equality and Sustainable Development".
The International Labour Organization (ILO) was represented by Yuri Sterk, Senior Coordinator for Uzbekistan, who participated in a session marking the 60th anniversary of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development.
The discussion focused on the role of decent work, social protection and inclusive economic growth in advancing sustainable development and human dignity. Participants also examined the rights to education and health, including the provision of quality, inclusive and lifelong learning opportunities, the strengthening of resilient health systems, poverty reduction, the elimination of inequality and the promotion of inclusive development.
In his intervention, Sterk emphasized the close links between the Covenant and the ILO's mandate, particularly the rights to work, fair remuneration, safe and healthy working conditions, freedom of association, social security, maternity protection and the protection of children and young people. The recognition that economic progress and social justice must advance together has been at the core of the ILO's mandate since its establishment in 1919.
International labour standards also need to continue responding to profound transformations in the world of work. In this context, Sterk referred to the adoption by the International Labour Conference in June 2026 of the Decent Work in the Platform Economy Convention, 2026 (No. 193), the first international labour standard specifically addressing work in the platform economy. The new Convention was presented as an example of how long-standing labour principles can be applied to emerging technologies and evolving business models.
Sterk noted that the challenge today is not only to establish new rights, but also to ensure the effective realization of existing rights in the context of digital, demographic and environmental transitions, persistent informality and inequality and evolving forms of work. The ILO calls for a renewed social contract, supported by effective institutions, sound policies and fundamental rights, with social dialogue among governments, employers and workers serving as its cornerstone.
The Fifth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights provides an important platform for advancing dialogue on human rights, sustainable development and social justice, while reinforcing international cooperation in support of human dignity and inclusive societies.