Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Dear friends!

Ladies and gentlemen!

Today, it is no secret that globalization is intensifying worldwide, while complex and increasingly dangerous processes are on the rise.

In such a challenging environment, sport plays an unparalleled role in strengthening dialogue, mutual understanding, and cooperation among states and peoples.

As a true ambassador of peace and friendship, sport has an immeasurable capacity to unite all of humanity – including the peoples of the Asian continent where we live – in ways that cannot be quantified or compared.

The Olympic Council of Asia, uniting more than 4,8 billion people of our continent, actively promotes the noble ideals of the Olympic Movement – friendship, mutual respect, fairness, and equality.

You are making a huge contribution to the positive changes in our region, demonstrating the model of "United Asia" through sports diplomacy.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my special gratitude, both as President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and as President of the National Olympic Committee, to the leadership of the Olympic Council of Asia for the high level of trust shown to us and for holding the 46th General Assembly of the Council in our country.

I am truly delighted to welcome you today, at this historic gathering, here in our beautiful and unique country.

Welcome to Uzbekistan!

Distinguished participants!

Today, you have discussed many issues at the General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia - a major platform that serves to strengthen the bonds of mutual trust, harmony, and solidarity on our continent.

In this context, the election of the President of the Council here in Tashkent is, without doubt, a historic event.

Allow me to sincerely congratulate His Highness Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani, who has been unanimously elected to this prestigious position.

Last April, during our meeting with the newly elected President we had a substantive and in-depth discussion on the development of sport.

His Excellency Sheikh Joaan, as the First Vice-President of the Association of National Olympic Committees, has successfully organized many major sporting events in Qatar, such as World Championships in football and aquatic sports, at a high level, and is a person with extensive knowledge and experience.

Through his unique capabilities and effective leadership, he continues to make an outstanding contribution not only to the development of sport in Asia, but also worldwide.

I believe that today the Olympic Council of Asia made the most appropriate decision by electing such a qualified candidate for the position of President.

I am confident that under the direct leadership of his highness Sheikh Joaan the prestige of the Olympic Council of Asia will rise even further.

Distinguished participants!

In recent years, we have elevated our multifaceted cooperation with the Olympic Council of Asia to a new level.

In particular, in 2022, we successfully hosted the 77th  session of the Executive Committee of the Olympic Council of Asia in our country.

For the first time, a representative of Uzbekistan was elected as a Vice President for the Central Asian region by this prestigious organization.

We consider the selection of Uzbekistan to host the 2029 Asian Youth Games as a high recognition of our country as a responsible sports partner.

This trust is creating a solid foundation for strengthening sports ties with our neighboring and brotherly countries of Central Asia.

In this regard, I would like to especially emphasize that Mr. Husayn Al-Musallam, the Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia and the head of the World Aquatics Federation, is a long-standing and reliable friend of Uzbek sports.

He has been regularly visiting our country since 1993. He has developed a great affection for Uzbekistan and actively supports our country's international sports initiatives.

Mr. Hussein al-Musallam has earned the trust of the wider sports community, not only in Asia but also internationally, for his wisdom, determination, principled leadership, and equal treatment of all.

The advancement of aquatic sports worldwide is a clear demonstration of this.

In particular, the increase in the program of water sports at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games from 49 to 55 events has become a new opportunity, primarily for developing countries.

The recent meeting of the Executive Committee of the World Aquatics Federation in our country and the establishment of its Regional Branch will undoubtedly be a great support and assistance for the sports community of Central Asia.

It is noteworthy that the work carried out by the Olympic Council of Asia is widely recognized and highly valued by the global sports community.

In particular, the video message of the President of the International Olympic Committee, Ms. Kirsti Coventry, to the General Assembly is a clear example of this.

The participation of James Macleod and Nenad Lalovich, President of the United World Wrestling, as representatives of the International Olympic Committee, is also evidence of such high regard.

I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the distinguished leaders of international sports organizations participating in our Assembly, including:

Witold Banka, President of the World Anti-Doping Agency;

Morinari Watanabe, President of the International Gymnastics Federation;

Mohammed Jalood, President of the International Weightlifting Federation;

Gennadiy Golovkin, President of World Boxing;

Muhammad Tayyab Ikram, President of the International Hockey Federation;

Ana Delgado, Vice President of the International Fencing Federation;

Majid Rashid, President of the Asian Paralympic Committee;

Gunilla Lindberg, Secretary General of the Association of National Olympic Committees;

Mustapha Berraf, President of the Association of African Olympic Committees.

We also extend our respect to our honored guests standing with us today:

Paolo Zampolli, Special Envoy of the President of the United States;

Mikhail Degtyarev, Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation;

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud, Minister of Sport of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;

His Highness Sheikh Hamad Al Thani, Minister of Youth and Sports of the State of Qatar;

Prince Faisal Al-Hussein, President of the Jordan Olympic Committee;

Prince Sufri Bolkiah, President of the National Olympic Committee of Brunei Darussalam;

Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, President of the Olympic Committee of Bhutan;

Sheikh Fahad Sabah Al-Sabah, President of the National Olympic Committee of Kuwait.

Dear guests!

In educating our youth in New Uzbekistan in the spirit of loyalty to the humanistic ideas of the international Olympic movement, we rely, first and foremost, on our ancient history and rich culture, national values and traditions.

Speaking of this, it is worth noting that the main characters of our famous national epic "Alpomish" - the brave and invincible hero Alpomish and the determined and courageous Barchinoy - have been ideal role models for millions of young men and women in our country for centuries.

In this sense, I would not be mistaken to say that the noble qualities inherent in the world of sports and sports education have long existed in the genetic code of our people.

Such qualities serve as a great source of experience, skill, and inspiration for our athletes in conquering world arenas.

Today, the level of mass sports participation in our country has reached 15 million people. You all, of course, understand how important this is for our country, where 60 percent of the population consists of young people.

From the very beginning of our reforms, along with all other spheres, we have paid great attention to the development of physical education and sports.

To promote the Olympic Movement from the grassroots level and expand talent identification, we introduced a three-stage system of comprehensive sports competitions known as the “Presidential Olympics.”

International sports standards and requirements have been applied at every stage of these competitions.

Last year, an Olympic Village built on an area of 100 hectares became a fully capable venue for hosting major international sporting events.

Our sports achievements are growing in line with the opportunities and conditions created. Our athletes took 13th place at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Last year, more than 50 of our young athletes achieved record results at World, Asian, and Olympic Games. Our youth teams earned second place at the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain and at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia.

In recent years, Uzbekistan has successfully hosted world championships and world cup events in more than ten sports, including weightlifting, boxing, judo, rowing, volleyball, gymnastics, and futsal.

We have created a new system for Olympic Games preparation and effective athlete selection.

To consistently continue the work on training highly skilled athletes, we will focus on building modern sports infrastructure, widely introducing digitalization and innovation in the sector, actively applying international standards, strengthening sports diplomacy.

In addition, we remain firmly committed to the principle of clean sport and are strong advocates of the fight against doping. In this regard, we fully support the fair policy of the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Today, the Agency is holding a meeting of Central Asian Regional Anti-Doping Organizations and an International Forum in Tashkent, which is of great importance.

This event will undoubtedly provide an opportunity for local specialists to exchange experience on anti-doping rules.

We are also pleased to note that more than 50 representatives of our country are effectively working in international sports organizations participating in today's conference.

We also welcome the fact that, within thez framework of this event, international and Asian sports organizations have signed more than 20 important agreements with our national sports federations.

We are grateful for their support for turn the sports school into genuine model institutions in each of our regions within their respective fields.

For example:

International Weightlifting Federation – develop of the Akbar Djuraev Weightlifting Sports Club in Bostanlyk District based on modern scientific approaches;

United World Wrestling – establish of a Regional Academy for traditional wrestling sports;

Asian Volleyball Confederation – construct the volleyball sports club in each region;

International Field Hockey Federation – construct two stadiums in the Tashkent and Khorezm regions.

It is encouraging that concrete, result-oriented agreements with clear objectives have been reached in these areas. To ensure the full and effective implementation of these projects, my representatives in the regions – the governors – as well as the heads of our sports federations will be personally responsible.

I am confident that such a new mechanism of international cooperation will make an invaluable practical contribution to the development of our national sport.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that New Uzbekistan is always open to comprehensive cooperation in the field of sport with all countries. 

On this noble path, our doors – and our hearts – are always open to close friends like you.

I wish all of you great strength, success, and victories.

Stay healthy and well!