At the 80th anniversary session of the UN General Assembly, held in New York on September 23 of this year, the speech delivered by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev became a significant event not only for the country but also for the entire Central Asian region and the international community. The Head of State’s views clearly demonstrated that Uzbekistan is pursuing an active, responsible, and open policy in the path of global peace, security, and sustainable development.

In his speech, the President placed special emphasis on key global threats, sustainable development, and regional cooperation issues, while presenting Uzbekistan’s broad-ranging initiatives. His proposals and initiatives outlined not only the country’s progress but also a practical program of action for the entire international community.

A crucial point of the address was the need to strengthen the role of the United Nations in global politics. In this regard, he emphasized that amid growing international conflicts, wars, and social inequalities, the UN’s primary mission must be to promote reconciliation and solidarity among nations. Therefore, he proposed reforming the UN Security Council, expanding its membership, and ensuring full representation of the interests of developing countries.

In his remarks, the Head of State noted that in recent years trade and investment in the region have increased fivefold, borders have been opened, and economic cooperation has intensified. The President proposed the adoption of a resolution under the auspices of the United Nations in support of economic integration among the Central Asian states, the holding of a regional development forum together with ECOSOC and UNCTAD, as well as the establishment of a Regional Hub for Green Technologies in partnership with UNIDO.

Afghanistan’s stability was assessed as a decisive factor for the security of Eurasia. In this regard, the Head of State proposed the adoption of a separate UN resolution aimed at developing international transport and energy corridors.

Another important initiative put forward by the Head of State focused on climate change and water security. In this regard, he reminded that the Aral Sea tragedy must remain in the focus of global attention. He proposed restoring 80 percent of the Aral Sea’s dried seabed with green cover by 2030, hosting a World Water Conservation Forum in Uzbekistan, recognizing the water crisis as a global threat, and developing an international program that includes a roadmap for innovative technologies. He also emphasized the need to adopt a Global Pact on regulating climate migration.

Youth were recognized as the main driving force in ensuring peace and stability. In this regard, the Head of State proposed the creation of a World Youth Movement for Peace, the organization of a World Summit on Professional Education for teachers, and the establishment of an international mechanism for the fair use of artificial intelligence. The essence of this initiative lies in fostering a global platform for cooperation by harmoniously advancing youth, education, and innovation to ensure peace and stability worldwide.

Based on the experience accumulated in implementing the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia, the initiative was proposed to transform the Regional Expert Council on Rehabilitation and Reintegration into an international center and to establish a regional office of the UN Counter-Terrorism Office in Uzbekistan. This initiative by the Head of State is significant as it aims to bring Central Asia’s achievements in ensuring peace to the global stage and to shape new, comprehensive mechanisms for combating terrorism and extremism based on international solidarity.

The primary and global initiatives proposed by the Head of State carry significant importance for contemporary international security and sustainable development. In our view, this year’s address from the historic rostrum became the logical continuation of Uzbekistan’s consistent diplomatic activity at the United Nations.

In 2017, at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly, President Mirziyoyev first proposed the idea of transforming Central Asia into a space of peace, good neighborliness, and partnership. As a result of this call, the region made significant progress in opening borders, expanding mutual trade, and developing transport corridors in the following years. Likewise, the initiative to transform the Aral Sea region into a zone of ecological innovation was also first announced from this very rostrum.

Likewise, in 2020, as the world grappled with the severe consequences of the pandemic, the Leader of Uzbekistan put forward several important initiatives at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly. Among them were the development, under the auspices of the United Nations, of an International Code of Voluntary Commitments of States during Pandemics, the adoption by the General Assembly of a resolution on enhancing the role of parliaments in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring human rights, the designation of poverty eradication and the fight against poverty, as well as the development of the Aral Sea region as a UN regional center for environmental innovations and technologies, as key themes of the session, and the holding of a global summit dedicated to these issues.

In 2021, Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressed the UN General Assembly via a video message, expressing Uzbekistan’s support for strengthening the World Health Organization’s role in coordinating the global response to pandemics. The text of the Code of Voluntary Commitments of States during Pandemics, developed by the Republic of Uzbekistan, was adopted as an official UN document.

The initiatives put forward by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly represent the logical continuation of previously set goals, aimed at strengthening regional cooperation. The initiatives launched at the 72nd and 75th sessions of the UN have now been elevated to a new stage at the 80th session. By prioritizing peace, solidarity, and sustainable development, Uzbekistan has once again demonstrated to the world that it is pursuing a consistent and responsible policy on the international stage. The voice of New Uzbekistan from the global rostrum is turning into practical action for the future of all humanity. New Uzbekistan has shown the world that it possesses its own voice and authority in the international arena, not only through its reforms but also as an initiator in addressing global challenges.

Mahinnora Mirkhamidova

Associate Professor, Faculty of International Law

University of World Economy and Diplomacy