Summit in Samarkand, a boon for child wellbeing and health

Representatives from across the international community are meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to ensure that children everywhere can thrive in a world marred by war, climate chaos and other fundamental challenges.The UN-backed World Summit Investing in Children’s Wellbeing opened on Wednesday, bringing together more than 600 participants from over 100 countries.A child’s wellbeing depends on many factors, including health, access to education, protection from violence, family support and access to help when they need it. Progress in perilIn a message to the summit, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed that “when we invest in children, we invest in the future”. The Secretary-General’s message was read at the opening by Sabine Mahl, the UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan. Mr. Guterres warned that progress on child wellbeing is under threat. Conflicts, economic pressures, health emergencies, poverty and climate-related shocks put children at risk, particularly those from vulnerable groups. He also noted that humanitarian and development assistance is declining, while developing countries continue to carry heavy debt burdens, which is why the summit is focusing not on a si...