NEW YORK: Speaking at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the urgency of multilateral cooperation, sustainable development, and regional integration, besides proposing new global initiatives to tackle inequality, security, and climate challenges.
In a time of rising global tensions and “an entirely new and unsettling geopolitical reality,” President Mirziyoyev reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to the values of the UN, voicing support for Secretary-General António Guterres and the “UN80 Initiative.”
He also endorsed reforms of the UN Security Council to better reflect the needs and voices of developing countries.
“Today, across the world, the role and place of international institutions are weakening,” said Mirziyoyev. “We fully support the Pact for the Future and call for a transformation of the Security Council.”
The Uzbek leader outlined significant domestic progress, notably reducing poverty from 35% to 6.6% recently. He credited this to major reforms in education, healthcare, green energy, and entrepreneurship.
Preschool coverage has grown from 27% to 78%, and university enrollment has jumped from 9% to 42%, Mirziyoyev told the UNGA.
To build on this momentum, he proposed hosting a World Summit on Professional Education in Uzbekistan and invited partners to a high-level event on childhood cancer, held at the UN headquarters.
On gender equality, he reiterated his government’s efforts to elevate the role of women and proposed institutionalizing the Asian Women’s Forum as a permanent platform for collaboration.
Highlighting regional progress, the president declared that Central Asia has entered a “new era” of openness, stability, and cooperation after decades of closed borders and unresolved disputes.
Trade, investments, and infrastructure projects across the region have grown fivefold, driven by platforms like the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia.
Turning to global crises, Mirziyoyev called for “united international efforts” to support Afghanistan’s reintegration and proposed a UN resolution for developing international transport and energy corridors through Afghan territory.
He also expressed deep concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, reaffirming support for a two-state solution.
Regarding the conflict in Ukraine, he welcomed the launch of diplomatic dialogue aimed at a peaceful resolution.
Security remained a key theme of his address, with a proposal to upgrade the country’s existing Regional Council on Rehabilitation and Reintegration, developed with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, into a full International Competence Center, and to host a regional UN Counter-Terrorism Office.
Addressing global logistics and environmental issues, the president called for the creation of a global mechanism to enhance transport connectivity for landlocked developing countries.
“We are at the beginning stage of forming a New Central Asia,” Mirziyoyev concluded, “one that stands as a stable, united, and distinct actor in international relations.”
