I’m truly delighted to extend my congratulations to you with the 80th anniversary Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Our meeting today is taking place in a complex, rapidly changing global situation that calls for new approaches to the work of our Organization and its future.
All of this is creating an entirely new and unsettling geopolitical reality.
In this regard, we fully support the UN80 Initiative and reaffirm our strong commitment to the Pact for the Future.
Distinguished participants of the session!
To this end, we are consistently continuing our irreversible reforms.
In recent years, we have managed to reduce the poverty rate in Uzbekistan from 35 percent to 6.6 percent.
In our country, preschool education coverage has increased from 27 to 78 percent, while the higher education uptake among our youth has risen from 9 to 42 percent.
Most importantly, we consider enhancing the prestige of the teaching profession as a key issue.
In order to create a single international platform for the exchange of teachers’ experience and knowledge, we propose to hold a World Summit on Professional Education in Uzbekistan.
We are also creating an advanced healthcare system in our country.
We invite all our foreign partners to participate in a high-level event dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer and other serious diseases, which will be held tomorrow at our initiative at the United Nations headquarters.
Another important area is gender policy.
We advocate for holding the Asian Women’s Forum regularly in our region, turning it into a permanent platform.
By the year 2030, we intend to join the ranks of “upper-middle-income” countries. To this end, we will consistently continue our open and pragmatic policy.
Ladies and gentlemen!
Eight years ago, from this esteemed podium, we declared our firm determination to transform Central Asia into a region of peace, good neighborliness, and partnership.
In recent years, the volume of mutual trade, investments, and transportation of goods in our region has increased fivefold. We are implementing joint investment funds, cross-border trade and industrial cooperation zones, and major infrastructure projects.
We also recognize as a common achievement that the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia have become an effective mechanism for deepening regional integration.
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.
In order to achieve our goals, we intend to give top priority to expanding mutually beneficial ties with all our foreign partners.
In this regard, together with the UN structures, we propose to implement a number of new projects and programs in our region.
In particular, we propose:
In addition, we propose the adoption of a UN General Assembly resolution supporting the efforts of the Central Asian countries aimed at deepening regional partnership and economic integration.
Distinguished heads of delegations!
Speaking about global and regional security and sustainable development, it is impossible to overlook the issue of Afghanistan.
I would like to emphasize that it is of utmost importance to prevent this country’s isolation.
We intend to implement large-scale economic and infrastructure projects in that country. We propose to adopt a dedicated UN resolution on the development of transport and energy corridors of international significance through the territory of Afghanistan.
At the same time, we cannot turn a blind eye to the deeply worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of political negotiations.
We are also deeply concerned by the situation around Ukraine. We welcome the start of high-level dialogue aimed at resolving this crisis through diplomatic means.
Distinguished participants of the event!
In cooperation with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, a Regional Council on Rehabilitation and Reintegration was established. We propose to transform this Council into an International Competence Center.
This body will serve as an important platform for exchanging experiences on adapting to peaceful life for those repatriated from conflict zones.
Dear ladies and gentlemen!
In today’s world, full of threats, we are witnessing how vulnerable the global transport system is. These challenges primarily have a negative impact on the stability of landlocked developing countries.
It is of utmost importance to ensure the security of international transit corridors and to establish efficient logistics networks.
In this regard, we believe the time has come to introduce a global mechanism on “Strengthening transport connectivity to achieve Sustainable Development Goals”.
For instance, the consequences of the Aral Sea desiccation must remain at the constant focus of the international community.
In recent years, salt-tolerant desert plants have been planted on 2 million hectares of the dried seabed of the Sea.
By the year2030, green cover will be created on 80 percent of this area.
We are planning to hold a World Forum on Water Saving in our country.
Another adverse consequence of climate change is the intensifying trend of climate migration.
Unfortunately, clear international mechanisms and a legal framework in this direction have not yet been created.
Dear participants of the meeting!
We propose to create an International Cooperation Mechanism aimed at the gratis exchange of practical solutions and models of artificial intelligence in healthcare, education, and culture.
It is our urgent task to instill in the hearts and minds of our sons and daughters the most noble ideas, such as peace, humanism and friendship, mutual trust, and respect.
We are consistently implementing a policy of tolerance in our society. At the same time, we will actively continue our efforts to deeply study the ideas of Islamic enlightenment and promote them to the world.
We intend to hold a special presentation at the United Nations of the rich spiritual and scientific heritage of our great ancestors – thinkers and scholars such as Imam Bukhari, Imam Termizi, and Imam Maturidi.
The New Uzbekistan is a supporter of mutual solidarity, open dialogue, and close partnership with all countries.
Thank you for your attention.