From 16 to 18 June 2025, the Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA 10), funded by the European Union (EU), in cooperation with UNICEF, organised a seminar in Tashkent to strengthen child protection systems in Uzbekistan’s border regions.

Bringing together representatives of the National Agency for Social Protection (NASP), the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Association of Makhallas and international experts, the seminar provided a platform to explore practical ways of delivering coordinated child protection services in vulnerable border communities in line with the Law “On the protection of children from all forms of violence”.

“Protecting children from all forms of violence is our shared responsibility. By strengthening child-friendly response systems, applying unified operating procedures and supporting the reintegration of children returning from abroad without parental care, we can ensure that every child grows up in a safe, supportive environment” 

- said Dilnoza Khusanova, сhief specialist of the department of developing social services for children in difficult life situations, National Agency for Social Protection under the President of Uzbekistan.

Children living in border areas face heightened risks of violence, neglect and social exclusion due to limited access to services, high levels of migration and a lack of coordinated inter-agency responses. While the adoption of the Law on protection of children from all forms of violence in 2024 was a significant step forward, its effective implementation continues requiring targeted support for both national and regional systems. Strengthening institutional capacity and fostering cross-sectoral collaboration remain essential to ensure a safe and protective environment for every child.

Through interactive sessions and expert-led discussions, participants examined international practices, reviewed real-life case studies and developed concrete recommendations to improve cross-sectoral coordination and referral mechanisms at the local level. The seminar builds on the outcomes of the training held in June 2023, reinforcing ongoing efforts by EU-funded BOMCA 10 and UNICEF towards safer environment for children.

About BOMCA

The Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA), funded by the EU, aims to enhance security, stability and sustainable growth in the region, while supporting cross-border cooperation and improving living conditions for people in the border areas of Central Asia. Since its implementation in 2003, BOMCA has played a leading role in strengthening cooperation between border control authorities through the application of the concept of integrated border management, as well as in bringing border control in line with international and EU standards.

BOMCA’s tenth phase, launched in April 2021, covers four areas: institutional development of border management agencies, improvement of detection capacities, trade facilitation, and improvement of cross-border cooperation. With a budget of EUR 21.65 million and an implementation period of 4.5 years, BOMCA 10 is the largest regional initiative in the field. It is implemented by a consortium of border management institutions of selected EU Member States and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development led by the State Border Guard for the Republic of Latvia. 

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For additional information on BOMCA 10, please contact Rakhat Abdykhalikova, Junior Communications Officer: bomca-communications@icmpd.org