Samarkand, October 21, 2026 – The Europe Today: Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, attended the opening ceremony of the World Summit on Investing in Children’s Well-being: A Path to Sustainable and Equitable Development for Future Generations, and the Second International Congress on Childhood Cancer in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on October 21.
Prior to the opening ceremony, First Lady of Uzbekistan Ziroat Mirziyoyeva welcomed Leyla Aliyeva and other participants attending the international gatherings. The attendees subsequently posed for a group photograph.
The events, being held on October 21–22, have brought together representatives from more than 100 countries to discuss issues concerning children’s well-being, equitable development and the prevention and treatment of childhood cancer.
Initiated by Uzbekistan, the summit has been jointly organised with the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank.
The summit provides a platform for international cooperation on strengthening child protection, improving access to healthcare and promoting investment in the well-being and development of future generations.
The discussions are also expected to highlight the importance of coordinated international efforts to address challenges affecting children, particularly those facing violence, social vulnerability and serious health conditions.
The summit is expected to conclude with the adoption of the Samarkand Declaration, outlining a shared commitment to advancing children’s rights, well-being and opportunities for a sustainable and equitable future.
