The Fifth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights was held in Uzbekistan from September 28 to 29. Tanzila Narbayeva, chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, Nuriddin Ismailov, speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan and Sabine Machl, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan, delivered their remarks at the opening ceremony. Li Hongkui, vice-president and secretary-general of the China Foundation for Human Rights Development (CFHRD), was invited to deliver his speech at the forum via video link.

Li Hongkui stated that human rights embody the common aspiration of people in all countries for a happy life, and that all human rights are interrelated and indivisible. Economic, social and cultural rights, civil and political rights, and the right to development should be given equal importance and advanced in a balanced manner. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development. Inspired and driven by the spirit of international human rights instruments, the global human rights cause has made widely recognized progress. However, in today's world, regional conflicts continue to erupt, while poverty, hunger and inequality are worsening, seriously hampering efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Li Hongkui introduced China’s practical experience in advancing human rights and the work of CFHRD. He noted that effectively addressing the serious challenges facing the global human rights cause requires promoting international development cooperation to lay a solid foundation for human rights progress through high-quality development; maintaining an action-oriented approach and advancing the realization of human rights for people in all countries through concrete, practical actions; and strengthening exchanges and cooperation to improve global human rights governance through mutual learning among civilizations.

The Samarkand Forum on Human Rights was initiated by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in 2018. It is held every two years and organized by the National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights.