President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will take part in the 80th Anniversary session of the United Nations General Assembly in N
Uzbekistan became a full member of the United Nations on March 2, 1992. This milestone marked a key affirmation of the young independent republic’s readiness not only to actively engage in all international processes but also to base its foreign policy on the principles of respect for international law and the UN Charter.
More than three decades have passed since then, during which Tashkent has become one of the most active participants in global initiatives, with its proposals receiving wide recognition on the international stage.
Uzbekistan’s active participation in the United Nations has played a pivotal role in strengthening the country’s independence, securing international recognition of its sovereignty, and establishing a foundation for equal and respectful dialogue with all nations. The opening of the United Nations Office in Tashkent in 1993 marked a significant milestone, underscoring the long-term nature of Uzbekistan’s cooperation with the UN system.
From the outset, Uzbekistan’s priorities within the framework of the United Nations have focused on ensuring international and regional security, combating contemporary challenges and threats, promoting sustainable development, and addressing environmental issues. Special attention has been devoted to the Aral Sea crisis, which has emerged as a global environmental catastrophe.
It is no coincidence that Uzbekistan has put forward a series of initiatives addressing the challenges of the Aral Sea region, which have garnered broad support from the international community. Notably, in 2018, under the auspices of the United Nations, the Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Human Security in the Aral Sea Region was established.
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has visited Uzbekistan twice: in June 2017 and July 2024. These visits underscored Tashkent’s growing role as a key platform for addressing global issues.
During his visit in July 2024, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres remarked, “Uzbekistan is our reliable partner across all spheres, from peace and security, human rights, to climate and sustainable development. The country stands at the forefront of advancing the UN’s multilateral agenda”. This high appraisal highlights the core essence of the relationship: the cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United Nations is dynamic and comprehensive, spanning from strengthening regional security to the implementation of the global Sustainable Development Goals.
In recognition of his contribution to advancing solidarity and strengthening cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United Nations, António Guterres was awarded the highest degree of the Order of “Dustlik” in 2024.
The President of Uzbekistan regularly delivers speeches at the sessions of the United Nations General Assembly. His addresses at the 72nd, 75th, 76th, and 78th sessions have served as significant policy statements, addressing issues such as regional security, combating climate change, protecting human rights, and promoting intercivilizational dialogue.
The participation of the Uzbek delegation in several international forums has also been notable, including the United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries held in 2025 in Turkmenistan. These events showcase not only Uzbekistan’s active engagement but also its readiness to put forward proposals that reflect the interests of not only the region but the entire international community.
Between 2018 and 2025, Uzbekistan initiated 13 resolutions in the United Nations General Assembly. These resolutions cover a broad range of topics: from regional security to sustainable tourism and environmental challenges.
Among the most significant are the following resolutions: “Strengthening Regional and International Cooperation to Ensure Peace and Sustainable Development in Central Asia” (2018), “Proclamation of the Aral Sea Region as a Zone of Ecological Innovations and Technologies” (2021), “Enhancing the Role of Parliaments in Accelerating the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals” (2022), “United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration” (2025).
Each of these initiatives demonstrated Tashkent’s aspiration to be a generator of ideas aimed at consolidating international efforts. In particular, the proposal to recognize the Aral Sea region as a zone of environmental innovation helped draw global attention to this environmental catastrophe and facilitated the creation of new mechanisms for international cooperation.
Moreover, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Uzbekistan proposed the “International Code on Voluntary Commitments of States” during which was circulated as an official document of the United Nations General Assembly. This initiative underscored the importance of global solidarity in times of crisis.
Uzbekistan was among the first countries in the region to integrate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its national strategic documents. As early as 2018, the country established a National Coordination Council on the SDGs, and by 2020, a comprehensive national framework of 125 indicators, adapted to the country’s specific conditions, was approved.
This year, Uzbekistan climbed 19 positions in the global SDG Index, entering the top five fastest-progressing countries worldwide and emerging as a regional leader.
The Development Strategy “New Uzbekistan” for 2022–2026 and the national Development Concept up to 2030 outline priorities aligned with the United Nations global goals: combating poverty, ensuring quality education, promoting gender equality, safeguarding health, sustainable natural resource management, and advancing digital transformation.
In collaboration with United Nations agencies, Uzbekistan has achieved a number of practical results. Notably, between 2022 and 2024, the poverty rate decreased from 17% to 8.9%, marking one of the most dynamic improvements in the region. The implementation of the Unified Social Benefits Registry, supported by UNICEF, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), doubled the coverage of vulnerable groups, from 600,000 to 1.2 million people. UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) programmes contributed to increasing childhood vaccination rates and modernizing the school education system. Projects by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and UNDP focused on reforestation efforts in the Aral Sea region have helped consolidate the area’s status as a “zone of environmental innovation and technology.”
Currently, numerous United Nations agencies operate in Uzbekistan, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNICEF, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNESCO, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and others. Together, they are implementing 166 projects with a total budget exceeding USD 293 million under the Framework Cooperation Programme on Sustainable Development for 2021–2025.
In recent years, Uzbekistan has welcomed dozens of heads of United Nations agencies: from UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay to UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, and World Intellectual Property Organization Director General Daren Tang. These visits symbolize the growing international interest in the country, which is emerging as an important platform for addressing global challenges.
In 2023, Samarkand hosted the 25th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) followed by the Public Service Forum in 2025.
The United Nations Forum on Public Service held in Samarkand, along with the 2024 “Asian Women’s Forum” organized jointly with UN Women, stand out as vivid examples of Uzbekistan’s growing role as a hub for key international initiatives.
The official opening of the UN Women office in Tashkent in May, 2025 marked a recognition of Uzbekistan’s achievements in promoting gender equality and empowering women across the country.
In 2025, the International Transport and Logistics Hub in Termez was integrated into the global supply network of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), strengthening Uzbekistan’s role in humanitarian operations.
A significant milestone in Uzbekistan’s engagement with United Nations bodies was its election to the Human Rights Council for the 2021–2023 term. This achievement affirmed international recognition of the country’s efforts in human rights protection and the reform of national institutions.
Additionally, Uzbekistan has become a member of several prestigious United Nations bodies, including the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the 2025–2027 term, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Governing Body for 2024–2027, the Human Rights Committee for 2025–2028, the United Nations Statistical Commission for 2026–2029, and the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for 2022–2026.
Tashkent is already actively promoting its candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2035–2036 term, which would mark a new milestone in the development of its international diplomacy.
In October-November 2025, the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference will be held in Samarkand. This event will make history not only for Uzbekistan but for the entire international organization: for the first time in 40 years, the UNESCO General Conference will take place outside Paris, the organization’s traditional headquarters.
The choice of Samarkand as the venue for this significant forum is deeply symbolic. This ancient city, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, embodies a dialogue of cultures and civilizations, bridging East and West. For Uzbekistan, this decision represents recognition of the country’s efforts to preserve cultural heritage and promote international cooperation in science, education, and culture. It also reflects the high level of trust the Republic enjoys on the global stage.
All of this confirms that Uzbekistan has become a focal point for international engagement and cooperation.
Over three decades of cooperation with the United Nations, Uzbekistan has progressed from a young member of the international community to an active initiator of global solutions. Today, the country not only participates in implementing the organization’s goals but also takes the lead in shaping the current agenda, from combating climate change to promoting dialogue among civilizations.
For Tashkent, the United Nations remains a key platform for multilateral diplomacy. And for the international community, Uzbekistan is emerging as a reliable partner whose initiatives and practical actions make a tangible contribution to strengthening international security, advancing sustainable development, and protecting human rights.
Thus, the upcoming participation of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in the 80th anniversary session of the United Nations General Assembly will be a significant event, one that will once again underscore the country’s strategic commitment to strengthening multilateral dialogue and advancing global initiatives. This participation will further solidify Uzbekistan’s position as a state that generates international ideas and reaffirm its meaningful role in shaping the global agenda of the 21st century.
ew York.
