On September 23, general political debates of the 80th anniversary session of the UN General Assembly commenced at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, where President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered a speech.

On the first day of the debates led by the session chair Annalena Baerbock, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, leaders of the member-states took part – President of the United States of America Donald Trump, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of the Republic of Türkiye 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, and heads of other countries. 

In the beginning of his speech, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev sincerely congratulated the participants with the 80th anniversary session of the UN General Assembly. He drew attention to the issue that the current meeting is taking place in a complex, rapidly changing global situation that calls for new vision and approaches to the work and future of the Organization.

- Today we are witnessing the weakening of the role of international institutions, intensifying confrontations, conflicts and wars, as well as a rapid increase in the technological and social inequality, deepening of economic and humanitarian crises, - stated the leader of Uzbekistan.

The leader of our country gave a high assessment to the efforts of the Secretary-General António Guterres on maintaining the UN as the main platform for the peaceful resolution of the most difficult and pressing global issues. Support for the “UN80” initiatives and firm commitment of our country to the Pact for the Future were expressed.

The President of Uzbekistan also spoke in favour of transforming and expanding the membership of the UN Security Council in order to effectively address current threats and challenges, protect the interests of the developing countries.

The Head of State reviewed in-detail the processes of irreversible reforms in Uzbekistan, carried out in full alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals. As was noted, our country consistently pursues the policy to build a democratic, rule-based, social and secular New Uzbekistan. 

- Our main goal is to fundamentally transform the lives of each family and each citizen in our country, to ensure human interests, human dignity and well-being, - stated the President. 

It was mentioned that in recent years, it has been managed to reduce the poverty rate in Uzbekistan from 35 to 6.6 percent. This result was achieved primarily through the education and science sector transformation, establishment of innovative industries and technological industrial enterprises, green energy development and transport infrastructure modernization, comprehensive support of small businesses, and, consequently, the creation of millions of jobs.

Preschool education coverage in our country has increased from 27 to 78 percent, the higher education – from 9 to 42 percent. Enhancing the prestige of the teaching and mentoring profession remains the most important priority. 

In order to create a single international platform for the exchange of teachers’ experience and knowledge, it was proposed to hold a World Summit on professional education in Uzbekistan.

Mentioning the creation of an advanced healthcare system, the leader of our country also informed that at the initiative of the Uzbek side a high-level event will be held dedicated to the issues of combating children cancer and other catastrophic diseases. 

Touching upon the topic of gender policy, the Head of our state announced on further strengthening the role of women in the social, political and business life of the country. In this context, he advocated for regular holding of the Asian Women’s Forum in the vast region, turning it into a permanent platform. 

Highlighting Uzbekistan’s strong commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the President noted that by 2030 the country intends to join the ranks of “upper-middle-income” countries.

Separate attention has been paid to the priorities of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy. The leader of the country mentioned: “Eight years ago, from this esteemed podium, we declared our strong determination to transform Central Asia into a region of peace, good neighbourliness and partnership. Today, we can confidently declare that we have achieved this strategic goal. The era of closed borders, unresolved disputes and conflicts is in the past”. 

It was noted that in the past years the volume of mutual trade, investments and transportation of goods in the region has increased fivefold. Joint investment funds, cross-border trade and industrial cooperation zones are being created, and major infrastructure projects are being implemented.

An effective mechanism for deepening regional integration became the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia. 

- I can confidently affirm that as of now, we have started the process of forming the New Central Asia. Our region, thanks to its unity, stability and distinct identity, is steadily securing a stronger position in the system of international relations as an independent actor, - stated the President. 

The Head of State proposed to implement a number of new projects and programs in the region jointly with the UN structures, in particular - holding an international forum under the auspices of ECOSOC and UNCTAD dedicated to the economic development of the Central Asian states, establishing a regional hub for green technologies in industry jointly with UNIDO, adopting programs on the rational use of water resources, creating “green” spaces, and ensuring demographic resilience.

Moreover, the adoption of a UN General Assembly resolution supporting the efforts of the Central Asian countries aimed at deepening regional partnership and economic integration was initiated. 

In the context of global and regional security, the President of Uzbekistan touched upon the situation in Afghanistan. To support the aspirations of the Afghan people for a peaceful and stable life, he advocated for the united efforts of the international community, especially emphasizing the prevention of this country’s isolation.

It was mentioned that Uzbekistan plans to implement major economic and infrastructure projects in this country. 

The leader of our country proposed to adopt a separate UN resolution on the development of transport and energy corridors passing through the territory of this country.

Speaking about the deepening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, the President called for the end to military actions and continuation of political negotiations.

- We strongly support the implementation of the principle of “two state solution” in accordance with UN resolutions, - mentioned the President from the Organization’s high podium.

Expressing serious concern about the situation in Ukraine, he welcomed the start of high-level dialogue on its resolution through diplomatic means. 

Continuing the topic of security, the Head of state pointed to the effective implementation of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia. It was proposed to transform the Regional Council on Rehabilitation and Reintegration, created in cooperation with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, into an International Competence Center. The center would serve as an important platform for exchanging expertise on adapting to peaceful life for those repatriated from conflict zones.

The President also announced the readiness to create all the necessary conditions for the establishment of a regional Office of Counter-Terrorism in Uzbekistan. 

The leader of our country highlighted that the vulnerability of the global transport system in the current turbulent world creates negative impacts on the stability of landlocked developing countries.

To ensure the security of international transit corridors and to establish efficient logistics networks, he called for the implementation of a Global mechanism on “Strengthening transport connectivity to achieve Sustainable Development Goals”.

The President of Uzbekistan also drew attention to the climate change problem, which is becoming increasingly acute. As he mentioned, the negative consequences of the Aral Sea desiccation must remain at the constant attention of the international community.

- We are consistently continuing our work to restore the Aral Sea ecosystem. In recent years, salt-tolerant desert plants have been planted on 2 million hectares of the dried seabed of the Sea. By 2030, green cover will be created on 80 percent of this area, - emphasized the Head of State. 

Turning to the issue of water resources scarcity, the President shared plans on organizing a World Forum on water saving in Uzbekistan. Following the event, it’s planned to recognize the water crisis as a serious threat to sustainable development, as well as to adopt a “roadmap” for the wide introduction of innovation technologies globally.

The President identified the intensifying trend of climate migration as another adverse consequence of climate change, highlighting the absence of clear international mechanisms and a legal framework for resolving this issue. In this regard, he advocated for the adoption of a Global Pact for a broad international partnership and leading a coordinated policy on this serious issue. 

In the context of ensuring sustainable development of all countries, the leader of Uzbekistan drew attention to the significance of preventing inequalities in digital development and the use of artificial intelligence between countries. In this context, it was proposed to create an International cooperation mechanism for the gratis exchange of practical solutions and models of artificial intelligence in healthcare, education and culture.

- I would like to emphasize another priority issue. Our future, the destiny, and the prosperity of the world are in the hands of the younger generation. It is our urgent task to instill in the minds of our youth the noble ideas, such as peace, humanism and friendship, mutual trust and respect, - stated the Leader of our country. 

In this regard, the proposal was put forward to establish the World youth movement for peace and to locate its headquarters in Uzbekistan. 

As mentioned the President, Uzbekistan will actively continue to deeply study and promote Islamic enlightenment ideas to the world, while consistently implementing a policy of tolerance in the society. In the coming months, the Center of Islamic Civilization will open in Tashkent, which is unique for the region. It’s planned to hold a special presentation at the UN of the rich spiritual and scientific heritage of our great ancestors – thinkers and scholars Imam Bukhari, Imam Termizi and Imam Maturidi.

Concluding his speech, Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated that the New Uzbekistan advocates for solidarity, open dialogue and close cooperation with all countries in the world, and is ready to contribute to strengthening dialogue among nations, cultures and civilizations, achieving universal human goals.