President Shavkat Mirziyoyev: New Uzbekistan Advocates Solidarity, Open Dialogue, and Close Cooperation with All Countries of the World

On September 23, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the general political debates of the 80th anniversary session of the UN General Assembly commenced, with the participation of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, reports the correspondent of IA Dunyo.

According to the press service of the Head of State, on the first day of the debates, chaired by the session President Annalena Baerbock, participated UN Secretary-General António Guterres, leaders of member states—including President of the United States Donald Trump, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae-myung, President of France Emmanuel Macron—as well as heads of other countries.

At the beginning of his speech, President Mirziyoyev sincerely congratulated the participants on the anniversary 80th session of the UN General Assembly. He emphasized that the current session is taking place amid a rapidly changing and complex global environment, which requires new perspectives and approaches to the work and future of the Organization.

“Today, we are witnessing the weakening of international institutions, the growth of global contradictions, conflicts, and wars, as well as a sharp rise in technological and social inequality, and the intensification of economic and humanitarian crises. All of this creates a completely new, troubling geopolitical reality,” stated the Head of State.

The leader of Uzbekistan highly appreciated the efforts of Secretary-General António Guterres in maintaining the UN as the main platform for reaching compromise solutions on complex and acute global issues. He expressed support for the “UN-80” initiatives and reaffirmed the country’s firm commitment to the Pact for the Future.

President Mirziyoyev also advocated for the transformation and expansion of the UN Security Council to more effectively address contemporary challenges and threats and protect the interests of developing countries.

The Head of State elaborated on the irreversible reform processes underway in Uzbekistan, implemented fully in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals. He emphasized that the country continues the consistent implementation of policies aimed at building a democratic, lawful, social, and secular state—New Uzbekistan.

“Our primary goal is to fundamentally improve the lives of every family, every citizen living in the country, ensuring human interests, dignity, and well-being,” stated the President of Uzbekistan.

It was noted that over the past years, Uzbekistan has reduced the poverty rate from 35% to 6.6%. This achievement is primarily due to reforms in education and science, the creation of innovative sectors and technological industrial enterprises, development of green energy, modernization of transport infrastructure, and comprehensive support for small businesses, resulting in the creation of millions of jobs.

The coverage of preschool education increased from 27% to 78%, and higher education from 9% to 42%. Enhancing the status and prestige of the teaching profession remains a key priority.

To create a unified international platform for the exchange of experience and knowledge among educators, the proposal was made to hold a World Summit on Vocational Education in Uzbekistan.

Regarding the creation of an advanced healthcare system, the President also announced that, at the initiative of the Uzbek side, a high-level event on childhood cancer and other serious diseases will be held at the UN headquarters.

On gender policy, the Head of State emphasized the continued strengthening of the role of women in public, political, and business life. In this context, he proposed the regular holding of the Asia Women’s Forum across the region as a permanent platform.

Emphasizing Uzbekistan’s firm commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the President noted that by 2030, the country intends to enter the ranks of “upper-middle-income” nations.

Special attention was given to the priorities of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy. The President stated: “Eight years ago, from this high podium, we announced our firm determination to transform Central Asia into a space of peace, good-neighborliness, and partnership. Today, we can state with deep satisfaction that this strategic goal has been achieved. The era of closed borders, unresolved disputes, and conflicts is over.”

It was noted that over recent years, the volumes of mutual trade, investments, and transport flows in the region have increased fivefold. Joint investment funds, cross-border trade zones, and industrial cooperation projects are being created, and large infrastructure projects are being implemented.

The Consultative Meetings of Central Asian Heads of State have become an effective mechanism for deepening regional integration.

“I can confidently say that today the process of forming a New Central Asia has begun. Thanks to its cohesion, stability, and growing regional identity, it is increasingly taking a strong place in the international system as an independent actor,” stated the President of Uzbekistan.

The Head of State proposed jointly implementing with UN structures a number of new projects and programs in the region, including holding an international forum under the auspices of ECOSOC and UNCTAD on the development of Central Asian economies, creating a regional hub for green industrial technologies with UNIDO, and adopting programs for the rational use of water resources, creation of green spaces, and ensuring demographic sustainability.

Furthermore, a UN General Assembly resolution was proposed in support of Central Asian countries’ efforts to deepen regional partnership and economic integration.

On global and regional security, President Mirziyoyev addressed the situation in Afghanistan, calling for international community efforts to support the Afghan people’s pursuit of a peaceful life and stressing the importance of avoiding the country’s isolation. Uzbekistan plans to implement major economic and infrastructure projects in Afghanistan. The President also proposed adopting a separate UN resolution on the development of international transport and energy corridors passing through Afghanistan.

Addressing the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, he called for an end to hostilities and the continuation of political negotiations. “We strongly support the implementation of the two-state solution in accordance with UN resolutions,” he stated from the UN podium.

Expressing serious concern about the situation around Ukraine, he welcomed the beginning of high-level dialogue to resolve it diplomatically.

Continuing on security, the President noted the effective implementation of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia. He proposed transforming the Regional Expert Council on Rehabilitation and Reintegration, created in cooperation with the UN Counter-Terrorism Office, into an International Competence Center to serve as a key platform for exchanging experiences on reintegrating individuals returning from conflict zones. He also announced Uzbekistan’s readiness to establish a regional office of the UN Counter-Terrorism Office.

The Head of State stressed that the vulnerability of the global transport system in today’s unstable world negatively impacts the stability of landlocked developing countries. To ensure the security of international transit corridors and efficient logistics, he called for the introduction of the Global Mechanism “Strengthening Mutual Transport Connectivity for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals.”

President Mirziyoyev also addressed climate change, noting the growing severity of its consequences. He highlighted that the adverse effects of the Aral Sea’s desiccation must remain a focus of the international community.

“We are actively working on restoring the Aral Sea ecosystem. In recent years, salt-tolerant desert plants have been planted on 2 million hectares of the former seabed. By 2030, up to 80% of the territory will be covered with greenery,” stated the Head of State.

On water scarcity, the President announced plans to hold a World Water Conservation Forum in Uzbekistan. The forum will aim to define the water crisis as a serious threat to sustainable development and adopt a roadmap for implementing innovative technologies globally.

Another negative effect of environmental change identified by the President is increasing climate migration, emphasizing the lack of international mechanisms and legal frameworks to address this issue. He proposed adopting a Global Pact for broad international cooperation and coordinated policy on this critical matter.

Regarding sustainable development, the President highlighted the urgent need to close the digital and AI development gap among countries. He proposed creating an International Cooperation Mechanism for the free exchange of practical AI solutions and models in healthcare, education, and culture.

“Let me emphasize one more priority. The future and well-being of the world rest in the hands of the younger generation. Our immediate task is to instill in youth the noble ideas of peace, humanism, friendship, mutual trust, and respect,” stated the President. In this context, he proposed establishing a World Youth Movement for Peace, with its headquarters in Uzbekistan.

The President emphasized that, consistently implementing a policy of tolerance, Uzbekistan will continue to actively study and widely promote the ideas of enlightened Islam globally. In the coming months, Tashkent will open a unique Regional Center of Islamic Civilization. A special UN presentation will showcase the rich spiritual and scientific heritage of great scholars, including Imam Bukhari, Imam Termezi, and Imam Maturidi.

In conclusion, Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated that New Uzbekistan advocates solidarity, open dialogue, and close cooperation with all countries, and is ready to contribute to strengthening dialogue among peoples, cultures, and civilizations, and achieving humanity’s goals.