TASHKENT, April 14. /Dunyo IA/. Akmal Saidov, Director of the National Center for Human Rights (NCHR) of Uzbekistan, met with Biljana Milosevic, Head of the Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for Central Asia, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The meeting was dedicated not only to analysing current achievements but also to forming a long-term cooperation strategy.

During the conversation, the parties touched upon the practical implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL) norms into national legislation. Particular attention was paid to the creation of the National Information Bureau (NIB). According to the Geneva Conventions, states are obliged to create or provide for mechanisms for the creation of the NIB—a body tasked with ensuring the exchange of information about prisoners of war, civilians, and missing persons during armed conflicts—in peacetime. A. Saidov, Director of the National Center for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan, confirmed the Center's readiness to act as a link between state bodies and the Red Crescent Society to develop effective coordination mechanisms for establishing such a bureau.

An important item on the agenda was the discussion of legislative initiatives. The meeting participants noted the need to develop a special law on the Red Crescent Society of Uzbekistan, which would clearly regulate the organization's activities in accordance with international standards. It was proposed to use the format of broad consultations with the involvement of the diplomatic corps and international experts in the preparation of the draft law, which has already proven itself in the development of the draft National Strategy for Human Rights until 2030.

Head of the Regional Delegation of the ICRC in Central Asia B. Miloshevich also provided information on the Global Initiative on International Humanitarian Law (IGL), launched by the President of the ICRC together with six co-founder states (Kazakhstan, South Africa, Brazil, China, Jordan, and France) to strengthen the political will of states to comply with international humanitarian law. The consultation process already covers several thematic areas: the protection of medical and humanitarian workers, naval warfare, cybersecurity and IPC, autonomous weapons, as well as the best practices of national IPC commissions. The next conference is scheduled for December 2026 in Jordan.

Additionally, the Regional Delegation of the ICRC in Central Asia was invited to co-organize the anniversary V Samarkand Forum on Human Rights, scheduled for September 2026 and dedicated to the 60th anniversary of two fundamental human rights covenants - the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

The parties also touched upon issues of education and improving the legal culture of young people. In particular, the issue of providing the academic environment with high-quality literature by republishing the Geneva Conventions and Optional Protocols in the Uzbek language in Latin script was discussed. According to the parties, the updating of educational materials will become an important support for students of legal universities in Uzbekistan.

Continuing the topic of enlightenment, it was noted that supporting young talents remains a common priority. In this regard, A. Saidov and B. Miloshevich discussed the launch of a national essay competition on the topic of IHL, which could not only stimulate young people's interest in humanitarian disciplines but also open the way for winners to participate in major regional educational platforms in Central Asia.

At the end of the meeting, the parties expressed confidence that the continuation of close cooperation will serve to further strengthen humanitarian values and legal standards in the republic. The meeting was held in a constructive and trusting atmosphere, confirming the high level of partnership between the parties.