Tashkent Successfully Hosted the International Conference "Inclusion in Action: Challenges and Opportunities of Volunteering"
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The International Conference "Inclusion in Action: Challenges and Opportunities of Volunteering" successfully took place in Tashkent, bringing together representatives from Central Asian countries, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, and Azerbaijan.
The conference was organized by the Association of Volunteers of Uzbekistan with the support of the Agency for Youth Affairs, the National Agency for Social Protection under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation. Partners included the Ministry of Culture, National Guard, Ministry of Emergency Situations, SCO Public Diplomacy Center, Ziyo Forum, and other organizations.
The event gathered coordinators and mentors of volunteer initiatives, government officials, international organizations, and civil society representatives.
Opening remarks were delivered by:
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Shirin Abidova — Advisor to the Director of the Agency for Youth Affairs, Head of the Youth Association;
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Head of the Rossotrudnichestvo Representative Office in Uzbekistan;
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Kazymzhan Kasymov — Head of the SCO Public Diplomacy Center;
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Farkhod Pattakhovich — Representative of the Association of Disabled People of Uzbekistan.
A major highlight of the opening day was the launch of the first Central Asian Volunteer Academy and the "Voices of Practitioners" expert panel, which showcased successful inclusive volunteering models.
On April 25–26, the program continued with the "Time of Miracles" charity fair, field visits to social institutions including the "Tabassum" inclusive workshop, Earth Day eco-initiatives, and a working session titled "The Future of Inclusive Volunteering: 2030".
The event concluded with the adoption of the final document — the Tashkent Declaration on Inclusive Volunteering, establishing a sustainable platform for consolidating efforts and developing long-term solutions in inclusive volunteering across the region.