Tazeen Akhtar
Republic of Uzbekistan has proved herself the true torch bearer of regional and international collaboration for peace and development in all spheres of the governance for the well being of her own people as well at all international interactions to share the ideas, initiatives, experiences and expertise for prosperity of the public of the other states , in the region and in the world.
The highest forum for multi lateral initiatives and joint efforts for the above mentioned noble cause is United Nations Organization. The United Nations has acknowledged the significant progress made by Uzbekistan on the international stage.
Uzbekistan is actively increasing cooperation with the UN and its institutions. Uzbekistan has constructed a complete calculated mechanism to play her supportive role in the achievement of the goals of UN with her self motivated initiatives and by following the targets set by the world body in different sectors including human rights, press freedom , environment safety, climate action and others. UZ and UN are hand in hand to make the globe, a peaceful land, in short.
Uzbekistan has become more involved in the activities of the General Assembly and specialized agencies of the UN. In particular, the head of Uzbekistan made speeches at the 72nd, 75th, and 76th sessions of the UN General Assembly, as well as at the High-Level Segment of the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ second visit is the proof of how much importance the world org attaches to the contributions of Uzbekistan in fulfilling its sustainable development goals.
He was in Tashkent on 30 June and 01 July 2024. He had a warm welcome in Tashkent, was engaged in talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, visited historical monuments in the city that are the World Heritage at UNESCO of the UN. The press and the civil society had an interaction with him in a well attended forum. All his activities and the body language during this visit depicted clearly that he was very happy to visit and holds very high place for Uzbekistan in his heart and mind.
For that, Uzbekistan has no doubt worked very hard during last many years under the guidance of President Shavkat who takes special interest when it is about UN and its charter and resolutions. Uzbekistan has been the pioneer of 10 important resolutions passed by the UNGA.
Uzbekistan has been part of many other steps taken by other states jointly. Uzbekistan has another feather in her cap when the country was elected as the Chair of the Human Rights of UN couple of weak ago. No doubt , it is pride of the whole Central Asia.
Second Visit of Secretary General UN to Uzbekistan – Development of Multifaceted Interaction
The UN Secretary General rightly appreciated Uzbekistan for his standing out as one of the few countries eager to collaborate closely with the UN. He said what Uzbekistan deserves and it speaks a lot about the efforts Uzbekistan has made always to the best of her capabilities.
The recognition by UN Secretary General is not only encouraging for the team of Uzbekistan working on UN-UZ affairs but it is motivating for other countries as well they can follow Uzbekistan to be recognized by the world.
Uzbekistan is supporting UN for global collaboration in tackling the pressing challenges of the time. Five directions of the Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy not only correspond to the UN Agenda 2030, but also fully cover all National goals and objectives of Uzbekistan for sustainable development. Secretary General appreciated The Strategy and its 100 goals that reflect the desire of Uzbek people to build a New Uzbekistan.
The state of Uzbekistan, in line with the principals of UN, strives to create all opportunities for every citizen to develop their own potential, raising a healthy, educated and morally mature generation, forming a strong economy, which is an important link in global production, ensuring justice and the rule of law, security and stability.
The involvement of citizens and civil society in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals defined by the 2030 Agenda and the implementation of their objectives is the aim of Uzbekistan.
The UN GA approves a resolution entitled “International Day of Dialogue Among Civilizations” drafted by Uzbekistan and China
Uzbekistan, First CARs State as Member of Human Rights Committee of UN
Latest by May 29, at the UN headquarters in New York, during the 40th session of the states parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), elections were held for nine members of the Human Rights Committee (HRC) for the 2025-2028 term.
In a historic achievement, Akmal Saidov, Director of the National Center for Human Rights and an academician from Uzbekistan, received the highest number of votes from ICCPR member countries. This marks the first time Uzbekistan, and indeed any Central Asian country, has joined this key UN body.
As member of the UN Human Rights Council, Uzbekistan has put forward over 30 initiatives on a global, regional and national scale to ensure human rights and freedoms. The adoption of 7 resolutions of the UN General Assembly on the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan received special recognition from the international community.
Uzbekistan Representative Elected to UN Human Rights Committee for First Time
Some Initiatives and Other Steps of Uzbekistan in Line with UN Agenda
1- The UN General Assembly unanimously approved a resolution entitled “International Day of Dialogue Among Civilizations” drafted by Uzbekistan and China on 07 June 2024.
2-In Dec 2023, The UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution initiated by Uzbekistan “Central Asia in the face of environmental challenges: strengthening regional solidarity for the sake of sustainable development and prosperity”.
The text specifically mentions a number of initiatives of the President of Uzbekistan, including the “Green Agenda for Central Asia” and its role in promoting sustainable development in the region. In the resolution, member states welcomed the initiative of Uzbekistan to hold the International Climate Forum in Samarkand in 2024.
3- In the same month and year, On the initiative of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the “Month of Sustainable Development Goals” is being held in the country. Within its framework, over 20 events are held – international conferences, round tables, public hearings dedicated to each of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted in Uzbekistan.
4- An international conference was held in Tashkent on the topic “Expanding the participation of civil society institutions and persons with disabilities in achieving the SDGs,” organized by the Senate and the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The main emphasis of the event was on the implementation of the sixteen National Goals for Sustainable Development of Uzbekistan until 2030, as well as discussion of the draft resolution of the UN General Assembly “On expanding the participation of citizens and civil society in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”
5- On February 26, 2024, at the UN Headquarters in New York City, the General Assembly of the Organization unanimously approved the Resolution “2027 – the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism”. Over 80 member countries of the Organization are co-authors of the resolution initiated by the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The main goal of the document is entirely based on the thesis put forward by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Samarkand session of the UNWTO General Assembly in October 2023 on the sustainability and flexibility of the tourism sector to new problems and challenges of our time.
At the initiative of Uzbekistan, 2027 will be declared the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism
6- Uzbekistan’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a huge achievement, indicating the country’s policy in ensuring the dignity, rights and freedoms of people, especially people with disabilities. This step accelerates achievement of the SDGs.
7- At the initiative of Uzbekistan, a resolution was adopted “On the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for the human rights of youth” (October 2021) and at UNESCO – “The Khiva Process” (November 2021) following the results of the international forum “Central Asia at the crossroads of world civilizations” (September 14–16, 2021, Khiva).
8- Uzbekistan provides all possible assistance to international organizations and individual countries in carrying out their humanitarian activities in Afghanistan through Termez.
9- President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called attention to another acute and urgently solving planetary problem—the tragedy of the Aral Sea—and calls for focusing the efforts of the world community. In 72nd session of the UN General Assembly, in 2018, a Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) was created on the proposal of the President.
10- Uzbekistan has facilitated UN to open offices of all concerned organizations in Tashkent. This is called UN Family in Uzbekistan. It is a fine model of joint working on the SDGs and other intitiatives.
The official visit of the Secretary General to Uzbekistan was full of candid meetings, insightful discussions, and friendly conversations with both Government officials and locals.
The President H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev awarded H.E. António Guterres with the Order of Oliy Darajali Dustlik (Highest-level Friendship) for the active promotion of solidarity and unity in the world, increasing the efficiency of the organization, as well as strengthening UZUN cooperation.
In June 2017, the visit of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his negotiations with the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, took place. The head of state also held meetings with the UN Secretary General in September 2017 in New York (USA) and during the 2nd International Forum “One Belt, One Road” in April 2019 in Beijing (PRC). As a result of these meetings, plans for practical measures to develop cooperation between Uzbekistan and the UN were adopted and are being implemented.
UZ appreciates the UN family’s full support of all ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan for the long-term prosperity of people in the country, region, and beyond. UN looks forward to strengthening cooperation with UZ to advance peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights. That reciprocal approaches make the relationship exemplary for other countries of the world.
UNGA Unanimously Adopts a Resolution put forward by Uzbekistan on Environmental Challenges in Central Asia
