The international conference “The role of parliaments in the formation of effective and strong social policy” was held at UWED

On August 18, 2026, the University of World Economy and Diplomacy hosted an international conference “The Role of Parliaments in the Formation of Effective and Strong Social Policy,” organized jointly by the Center for Foreign Policy Research and International Initiatives under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Institute for Advanced International Studies at UWED.

The conference was dedicated to discussing the practical implementation of the new UN General Assembly resolution “On strengthening the role of parliaments in accelerating social development”, adopted on July 24, 2026 at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The conference was attended by representatives of the Senate and Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country's leading think tanks and universities, the UN system, the diplomatic corps, as well as embassies of more than 20 foreign states accredited in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Welcoming words were delivered by the First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Rector of UWED Sodik Safoev, UN Permanent Coordinator in Uzbekistan Sabine Mahl, Chairman of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis Committee on International Affairs, Defense and Security Issues Ulugbek Shermatov and Deputy Director of the CVPI Valijon Khoshimov.

The main report was made by the Chairman of the Senate Committee of the Oliy Majlis on International Relations, Foreign Economic Relations, Foreign Investments and Tourism Issues Alisher Agzamkhodjaev.

During the speeches, the important role of parliaments in the formation of effective social policy, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, strengthening social justice, as well as the development of international and inter-parliamentary cooperation was emphasized.

During the first session of the conference, issues of legislative support for state social policy, the role of parliaments in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals until 2030, increasing the openness of parliamentary activities and strengthening interaction with civil society were discussed. The participants reviewed modern approaches to parliamentary participation in the implementation of social policy and exchanged views on the role of legislative and public mechanisms in achieving the goals of social development.

During the second session, issues of the role of inter-parliamentary cooperation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, interaction of parliaments with UN agencies and international organizations, as well as prospects for international cooperation in implementing social initiatives and improving the quality of life of the population were considered.

The initiative to adopt a corresponding resolution was put forward by the Head of Uzbekistan during the general debate of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Against the backdrop of the challenges identified during the crisis, the adopted resolution confirmed the increasing role of parliaments in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and implementing the UN 2030 Agenda, strengthening social justice, increasing the participation of women and youth in legislative activities, as well as developing international cooperation in the social sphere.

The document particularly notes Uzbekistan’s contribution to the development of parliamentary diplomacy. In particular, the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union held in Tashkent, which resulted in the adoption of the Tashkent Declaration on Parliamentary Action in the Interests of Social Development and Social Justice, was highly appreciated.

The preparation of the resolution was preceded by large-scale diplomatic work, which included five official and more than 50 informal consultations with the participation of representatives of over 60 UN member states. The document was co-sponsored by 61 states from all regions of the world, including Austria, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Brazil, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Morocco, Tanzania, Uganda, the Maldives and Papua New Guinea.

The conference participants also discussed modern approaches to legislative support for social policy, the development of parliamentary diplomacy, the interaction of legislative bodies with the UN system and international organizations, as well as mechanisms for expanding international cooperation in the interests of improving the quality of life of the population.

As a result of the conference, promising directions and practical recommendations were outlined for expanding the participation of parliaments in the implementation of the international social development agenda, strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and developing interaction between legislative bodies, the UN system and the expert community in the interests of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.