March 2 of 1992 is an important date in the history of Uzbekistan – on this day, the country became a member of the United Nations, and the flag of Uzbekistan was raised before the UN headquarters, in New York.
For a young state that had gained independence only six months ago, this was a significant event. Starting from that day, the world community began to perceive Uzbekistan as a full-fledged subject of international relations.
Uzbekistan closely and consistently cooperates with the UN in issues of combating threats to peace and security, solving environmental problems, and socio-economic development.
The foreign policy concept of the Republic of Uzbekistan, adopted in 2012, provides that our country firmly adhere to the principles of peaceful resolution of problems and non-use of force.
Thanks to the efforts of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, important steps have been taken recently on solving problems in relations with neighboring countries. In particular, important agreements have been reached in 2017 to address a number of important issues, including the rational use of water resources, definition of borders, opening of checkpoints, restoration and expansion of transport links, and this process continues. Roads have been opened for movement of people between Uzbekistan and neighboring countries, cooperation has been established between the regions and border territories. All this strengthens friendship and trust between the countries of the region and gives a new impetus to cooperation.
Uzbekistan cooperates with the UN in various directions. The organization has a number of representative offices in the country — the Development Programme, the World Health Organization, the Population Fund, the Children’s Fund, the Organization for Education, Science and Culture, the International Labour Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Organization for Migration.
This cooperation has been intensified over the past year. In 2017, the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief by the UN Human Rights Council Ahmed Shaheed visited Uzbekistan. Under their leadership, authoritative delegations got acquainted with the ongoing socio-economic reforms in the regions, held negotiations in a number of ministries and departments.
In September 2017, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated and addressed at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly. This speech, in its content and significance, aroused great interest of the world community, as it touched upon the most urgent problems of our time, and forwarded very valuable initiatives. This historic event brought cooperation of Uzbekistan and the UN to a new level.
The conference “Central Asia: one past and common future, cooperation for sustainable development and prosperity” held in Samarkand under the auspices of the UN contributed to strengthening this trend.
At the same time, two important documents on cooperation between Uzbekistan and the UN should be highlighted. In particular, following the visit of the UN Secretary General to Uzbekistan, a Roadmap for further development of cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the UN in 2017-2020 was adopted. It provides for measures in the areas such as development and economic growth, effective management, the rule of law and human rights, social protection, environmental protection, education and healthcare, protection of cultural heritage, children’s and women’s rights, and prevention of natural disasters. At the same time, it should be noted that no country in the world has signed such a document with the UN.
The resolution of the President of Uzbekistan on measures of further strengthening and development of cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the UN and its structures, international financial institutions and other foreign policy partners of September 27, 2017 serves as an important guide to action in raising the relevant work to a new level.
In March this year, Tashkent will host an international conference on Afghanistan “Peace process, cooperation in the sphere of security and regional interaction”, which should become an important milestone on the way to peace in this country. Since the first years of independence, Uzbekistan has been focusing the world’s attention on issues of stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan. This forum will become another demonstration of the fidelity and validity of Uzbekistan’s calls for a peaceful solution of the Afghan problem, a worldwide recognition of the initiatives of the country.
