General information note

BACKGROUND

In 2010, at the 122nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Bangkok, Thailand, IPU Member Parliaments adopted a landmark resolution entitled Youth participation in the democratic process. The resolution stated that achieving meaningful democracy required the full and active participation of youth and youth organizations in democratic processes at the local, national, regional and international levels. In that spirit, in 2013, the IPU established the Forum of Young Parliamentarians, a formal and permanent body dedicated to enhancing the quantitative and qualitative participation of young people in parliaments and in the IPU.

In 2014, the IPU established the annual Global Conference mechanism to contribute to: (i) strengthening the role of young parliamentarians and youth participation in parliamentary activities; (ii) making recommendations from the perspective of young people’s views on the activities and agenda of the IPU; and (iii) networking, solidarity and capacity-building, broadening young people’s approaches to issues of mutual concern.

Eleven Global Conferences have taken place, on various topics including: youth participation in politics and democracy (Switzerland, 2014); democracy, peace and prosperity (Japan, 2015); the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (Zambia, 2016); economic, social and political inclusion (Canada, 2017); the promotion of sustainability and the protection of the interests of future generations (Azerbaijan, 2018); achieving the SDGs and empowering youth through social welfare (Paraguay, 2019); post-COVID-19 youth-responsive approach (2021, online conference format); responding to climate change (Egypt, 2022); digital transformation and innovation (Viet Nam, 2023); preserving education and employment in all circumstances (Armenia, 2024); and uniting generations for gender equality (Peru, 2025).

DATE AND VENUE

The 12th IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, under the theme Reclaiming human rights, justice and dignity for all in turbulent times. It will take place from 4 to 6 September 2026. Official working sessions of the Conference will take place on 4–5 September 2026. The third day of the Conference (6 September 2026) is reserved for a cultural programme organized by the Host Parliament (further details to be provided separately).

PARTICIPATION

All IPU Member Parliaments will be invited to send a delegation of young MPs (under 40 years of age) to attend the Conference. As a rule, the number of MPs in each unicameral parliament’s delegation should not exceed four. Bicameral parliaments can register up to eight MPs. Parliaments are invited to send a gender-balanced delegation, including a maximum of two parliamentary staff members.

The IPU Associate Members and observers that work on youth-related matters are also invited to take part in the Conference, as are select international and regional youth associations, organizations and parliaments.

ORGANIZATION OF PROCEEDINGS

In keeping with standard IPU practice, all delegates will have equal speaking rights. In order to ensure that the discussions are as vibrant, dynamic and respectful as possible, the following rules will apply:

• There will be no advance list of speakers on any agenda item. Chairs of Conference sessions will draw up a list of speakers from among the participants who request the floor at the beginning of a particular discussion segment. Session Chairs will endeavour to ensure gender and regional diversity among the speakers selected.

• Participants are asked not to read out prepared statements, but rather to engage naturally in lively discussions. Subject to arrangements that the Chairs of sessions may make depending on the circumstances, oral contributions may not exceed three minutes. Participants may speak several times on each item, particularly to respond to other statements.

• Participants shall not engage in abusive language that is defamatory, intolerant, sexist, racist or xenophobic, or that incites hatred and violence. The Chairs of sessions shall have the prerogative to call a speaker to order when the latter does not keep to the subject under discussion or prejudices the debate by using abusive, discriminatory or hateful language. If the disturbance continues, or if a further offence is committed, the speaker may be denied the right to continue to speak. The Chair may decide to deactivate the speaker’s microphone.

LANGUAGES AND INTERPRETATION

English and French are the official working languages of the IPU. Nonetheless, simultaneous interpretation will be available into and from Arabic, English, French and Spanish.

The Senate of the Oily Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan will provide a simultaneous interpretation system at the Conference venue. Only six additional interpretation booths will be available for those national delegations that wish to bring their own team of interpreters. These will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests for an additional simultaneous interpretation booth should be made by completing the form in Annex 1 and emailing it to the Host Parliament. The delegations themselves will cover the booth rental costs and the fees of their interpreters.

The working languages for the activities and events other than the Conference sessions will be English or French.

REGISTRATION

Parliaments and organizations invited to the Conference are requested to register their participants online no later than 28 August 2026.

Kindly be advised that registrations made after this date will not be guaranteed.

In order to facilitate the welcome service upon arrival and departure, as well as other logistical arrangements provided by the Host Parliament, delegations are requested to complete the online travel form. Please make sure to select “XII Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in cooperation with the Inter-Parliamentary Union” under the question “Select event”.

For any questions, the contact information for the IPU and the Host Parliament can be found below:

Inter-Parliamentary Union

5, Chemin du Pommier

1218 Grand Saconnex

Switzerland

Email: postbox@ipu.org

Tel.: +41 22 919 41 50

Secretariat of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of

the Republic of Uzbekistan

9 Islam Karimov Street

Tashkent

100078

Email: events@senat.uz

Tel.: (+99878) 238-28-37

WhatsApp and Telegram: (+99897) 776-06-81

VISAS

To enter Uzbekistan, all Conference delegates need to have a passport that is valid for at least three months from the date of arrival.

In accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, foreign citizens can enter Uzbekistan and transit through its territory only if they have entry visas, with the exception of countries for whose citizens a visa-free regime is established in Uzbekistan according to bilateral international treaties and decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The full list of such countries and the visa-free period can be found on the Host Parliament’s website.

Visas will be issued free of charge to all official delegates registered to attend the 12th IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians.

If a participant is eligible and prefers an e-Visa, the electronic system can be used, but payment will be required as this system is intended for issuing visitor visas only. If a participant is eligible for an e-Visa and prefers to apply for this option but does not wish to cover the associated fee, they are kindly requested to write to visas@senat.uz.

If your country is not listed among those eligible for visa-free entry or for visas through the e-Visa system, we kindly ask you to contact the Senate Secretariat at the address above to arrange your visa for Uzbekistan.

Please be advised that visa applications will be accepted until 28 August 2026. After this deadline, no further applications or supporting documents will be accepted.

To apply for a visa on arrival, or for any other visa-related enquiries, please contact write to the Senate Secretariat at the address above, with “12th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians” in the subject line.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

Delegates will bear the cost of their accommodation and subsistence. The list of official Conference hotels is available on the on the Host Parliament’s website. For additional information, please write to events@senat.uz.

Delegates are kindly advised to book their hotel accommodation well in advance, as the tourist season in Uzbekistan begins in the autumn and many hotels are likely to be fully booked during this period.

FLIGHTS AND WELCOME SERVICES

Delegates are responsible for arranging and financing their own air travel to Samarkand. There will be a welcome desk for all participants at Samarkand International Airport. The Host Parliament will provide transport for all delegates upon arrival to their official hotels and for their departure.

All delegations are requested to provide accurate arrival and departure information (date and time of arrival and departure, as well as flight details) for their delegates via the online travel form.

LOCAL TRANSPORT

Both the hotels and the Conference venue are located within the Silk Road Samarkand tourist complex. A number of hotels are situated within a five-minute walking distance of the Conference venue. For hotels located at a greater distance within the complex, dedicated shuttle services will be provided between the hotels and the Conference venue, as well as for all official events held in the framework of the Conference.

Delegates arriving in Samarkand via Tashkent or other cities in Uzbekistan are kindly requested to arrange their own transportation to and from Samarkand. Outside the official Conference programme, delegations wishing to book taxis during their free time are advised to do so with companies recommended by the official Conference hotels.

REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION DESK

Badges will be distributed at the Conference venue from 09:00 on 3 September 2026.

LUNCH

Buffet lunches will be provided on 4 and 5 September 2026 to all delegates at the Conference venue. Lunch will also be provided during the cultural activity on 6 September 2026.

RECEPTION AND EVENTS

Details of the reception hosted by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan will be communicated in due course.

HEALTH AND MEDICAL INFORMATION

First-aid services and medical staff will be available at the respective hotels and the Conference venue. All medical services will be at the participants’ own expense. Please ensure that you have international health insurance.

Persons under special medical treatment are advised to bring sufficient medication. The Secretariat of the Host Parliament must be informed of specific medical or other indications (such as dietary needs, allergies or limited mobility) as soon as possible via events@senat.uz.

There is one IPU referral hospital: Samarkand Regional Multidisciplinary Medical Centre. This hospital will provide medical services in case of need during the event.

It is also important that participants with prescribed medication (including prescription glasses and medical devices) bring a copy of their prescriptions or relevant medical recommendation.

SECURITY

All necessary measures will be taken to ensure the security of all Conference delegates and activities. Participants are required to always wear their ID badges visibly during official events. All lost badges must be reported immediately to the Host Parliament.

CLIMATE

In September, the average minimum temperature in Samarkand is 12°C, with an average daytime high of 24–26°C.

CURRENCY

The national currency of Uzbekistan is the sum (UZS). The exchange rate is approximately 12,000 UZS to 1 United States dollar, and may vary in accordance with the official rate determined by the Central Bank of Uzbekistan. Normal banking hours are 09:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday. Banking services are available at all commercial banks. Most banks have cash dispensing machines accepting Visa and MasterCard. Foreign exchange facilities are available in many parts of Samarkand.

Most internationally recognized currencies can be exchanged at commercial banks and hotels and at Samarkand International Airport. Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops.

TELECOMMUNICATION

The country code for Uzbekistan is +998, and the local area code for Samarkand is 66. When dialling with the country code, omit the 0 (zero) and add the phone number, as follows: +998-66 + phone number. For international calls, use the format 00 + country code + area code + phone number.

The following mobile telecommunication service providers are available in Uzbekistan:

• Uzmobile

• UMS

• Beeline

• Ucell

• Perfectum Mobile

These operators provide internet via GPRS, 3G, 4G and 5G. Mobile phone SIM cards are widely available. However, every SIM card user/buyer in Uzbekistan is expected by law to be registered for activation through presentation of an identification document (ID card or passport). The SIM card can be registered at the point of purchase.

BUSINESS AND SHOPPING HOURS

Public offices are open from 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday. The usual business opening hours are

08:00 to 22:00, Monday to Friday, and range between 10:00 to 20:00 on weekends. Most markets and

shopping malls are open from 09:00 to 22:00 daily.

SMOKING

Smoking, including the use of electronic cigarettes, is not permitted inside any venue in Samarkand.

Details of designated smoking areas at the meeting venues will be communicated.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

Any delegate that wishes to bring specialist electronic equipment into the Republic of Uzbekistan

should complete a customs form, which can be downloaded from this web page. For further

information or clarification, please write to info@customs.uz or phone (+99855) 502-55-69.

LOCAL TIME

Uzbekistan is in the GMT+5 time zone.

ELECTRICAL SUPPLY

The power supply in Uzbekistan is 220 AC, 50Hz. There are two associated plug types: types C and F. Type C is the plug which has two round pins, and type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Most hotels provide adaptors on request.

IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS

In Uzbekistan, emergency telephone numbers are as follows:

Ambulance: 103
Police: 102
Fire brigade: 101
Emergency service: 1050

Additional information and assistance can be readily obtained from the Secretariat of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan at:

Telephone: (+99878) 238-28-37
Email: events@senat.uz
Host Parliament website

ANNEX 1

12TH IPU GLOBAL CONFERENCE OF YOUNG PARLIAMENTARIANS

4–6 September 2026, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

INTERPRETATION BOOTHS REGISTRATION

Please complete the form and return it to the Host Parliament

at the following email address: events@senat.uz

DELEGATION: ………………………………………….. (country/organization)

Contact information

First name	Middle name	Last name
Tel	Fax	Email
Department	Position	Affiliation
Mailing address
City/state	Postal code	Country

Date	dd/mm	Time	hh:mm–hh:mm
Date	dd/mm	Time	hh:mm–hh:mm
Date	dd/mm	Time	hh:mm–hh:mm

• Note: Booths will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and payment must be made directly to the provider.

General Information Note