On the eve of the 80th jubilee session in New York, Tashkent is once again bringing important issues to the global agenda – climate for Central Asia, youth, and social protection – reaffirming its commitment to responsible and constructive international cooperation.

Already in his very first address from the UN General Assembly podium, the President of Uzbekistan outlined the radical changes in the country’s domestic and foreign policy. In September 2017, at the 72nd session of the UN, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev presented to the world the New Uzbekistan program – a course toward deep reforms, democratization, and the protection of human rights – and put forward several major international initiatives to strengthen peace and stability. In particular, the President of Uzbekistan proposed the development of a UN International Convention on the Rights of Youth as a unified act to safeguard the interests of younger generations. At the same time, he suggested the idea of regular consultative meetings of Central Asian leaders on regional security and development issues. Special attention was given to the Aral Sea. The President of Uzbekistan called on the world to consolidate efforts for the rehabilitation of the region and submitted to the General Assembly a special resolution on Education and Religious Tolerance to combat ignorance and extremism. The document aimed to ensure universal access to education, eliminate intolerance, and protect freedom of religion. These initiatives underscored the new tone of Uzbekistan on the world stage – the transformation of national reforms into global ideas.

Implementation of Uzbekistan’s Initiatives (2018)

As early as 2018, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s initiatives began to be implemented. In March, an international high-level conference on Afghanistan (under the auspices of the UN) was held in Tashkent to seek ways of peaceful settlement. In the summer, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution “Strengthening regional and international cooperation to ensure peace, stability and sustainable development in the Central Asian region”, which formalized a new level of cooperation among the Central Asian states. In November, the Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region was established to provide coordinated assistance to the population of the area. And on December 12, the UN approved the resolution “Education and Religious Tolerance”, initiated by Uzbekistan and co-sponsored by nearly 50 countries, calling for universal access to education and the protection of believers. Additionally, a draft Convention on the Rights of Youth was developed, which was later discussed in August 2020 at the Samarkand Human Rights Forum.

Jubilee 75th Session: New Initiatives Amid the Pandemic

In September 2020, the UN General Assembly session was held online for the first time. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered his address in Uzbek, calling for global solidarity in the era of COVID-19. He proposed the creation of an International Code of Voluntary Commitments of States during a Pandemic under the auspices of the UN, with the principle “No one should be left behind”, to strengthen coordination and crisis assistance. The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev also drew attention to poverty and social inequality, proposing to designate poverty eradication as one of the central themes of the session and to convene a Global Summit on Poverty Reduction. He further suggested the adoption of a special resolution to enhance the role of parliaments in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and protecting human rights. On December 14, 2022, the General Assembly adopted the resolution “On strengthening the role of parliaments in accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” co-sponsored by around 80 countries.

Addressing environmental issues, the President of Uzbekistan proposed declaring the Aral Sea region a Zone of Environmental Innovations and Technologies and establishing a special day dedicated to ecosystem protection. In May 2021, the Aral Sea region was officially recognized as a zone of environmental innovation. Thus, several ideas voiced at the jubilee session, including the pandemic code, the role of parliaments, the fight against poverty, and the innovative status of the Aral Sea region, were translated into real UN documents and cooperation programs.

Ideas of the 76th Session: Regional Connectivity and Ecology

At the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2021, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev continued to advance the course toward regional integration and sustainable development, and emphasized UN support in combating the pandemic, recalling that the Code on Voluntary Commitments of States during Pandemics developed in Uzbekistan had been circulated at the UN as an official document. The President of Uzbekistan once again addressed the issue of sustainable regional connectivity and proposed the establishment under the UN of a Regional Center for the Development of Transport and Communication Connectivity in Central Asia to coordinate infrastructure projects. This idea was later reflected in the 2022 initiative: in July 2022, the General Assembly unanimously adopted the special resolution “Strengthening Connectivity between Central and South Asia”. The document, initiated by Uzbekistan at the Tashkent Conference, highlights the importance of transport corridors and Afghanistan’s role in linking the regions.

Environmental efforts also continued at the 76th session. By that time, the Uzbekistan Trust Fund for the Aral Sea was already functioning, and preparations were underway for the resolution on the Zone of Innovation. Tashkent also hosted the international cultural forum Central Asia at the Crossroads of Civilizations (in cooperation with UNESCO), as a manifestation of growing global cooperation. In addition, Uzbekistan was preparing to host an international conference in November 2021 on a joint regional plan to combat terrorism. At the 76th session, Uzbekistan reaffirmed its commitment to advancing ideas of sustainable regional connectivity and ecological cooperation.

Active Stance at the 78th Session: Climate and the Youth Agenda

At the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2023, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev led the country’s delegation. In New York, he emphasized that the common interests of nations must prevail over contradictions and recalled the Samarkand Solidarity Initiative (2022) as a call for dialogue in the name of global security. Particular attention was given to sustainable development, human rights, and regional cooperation. The President spoke about new constitutional and economic reforms, as well as the country’s GDP growth and poverty reduction efforts in Uzbekistan. He also placed special emphasis on youth and gender policy in Central Asia. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that almost half of the region’s population consists of young people, and proposed the establishment under the UN of a Working Group on the Development of Central Asian Youth and the program CA Youth Agenda 2030. This initiative is intended to coordinate international projects in the fields of education and youth employment. As part of supporting women leaders, Uzbekistan also proposed holding the Asian Forum of Women Leaders (UN Women) in 2024.

The climate agenda once again came to the forefront. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev presented data on the intensification of tropical cyclones, rising temperatures in Central Asia, and the reduction of river flow, and called on the UN Climate Change Conference and the international community to step up adaptation efforts. The Head of Uzbekistan proposed the establishment of a Central Asian Dialogue on Climate Change and the adoption of a special resolution titled “Central Asia Facing Global Climate Threats: Solidarity for Common Prosperity”. The proposals envisioned discussing the document at an international climate forum in Samarkand. All of this complemented the UN’s adopted measures to create the post of Special Representative on Water Resources and the establishment of a Platform for Water-Saving Technologies in the region.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev did not overlook the issue of Afghanistan: he called for not isolating the country but to consolidate efforts through the UN, direct Afghanistan’s frozen assets toward assisting its population, and promote dialogue among partners. Initiatives to deepen interfaith tolerance were also announced, in particular, a proposal to establish in Uzbekistan, with UNESCO’s support, an International Center for Interfaith Dialogue and Tolerance and to hold in 2024 the conference “Islam – Religion of Peace”.

The 2023 address reinforced the image of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev as a constructive leader of the global agenda – from economics and human rights to climate and public security. The UN highly commended the issues raised concerning sustainable development and solidarity, and recognized the New Uzbekistan as an example of reform and responsibility.

Participation in the Jubilee 80th Session – A New Milestone of Cooperation

In September 2025, the United Nations will mark its 80th anniversary, and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is expected to deliver an address. The discussions will focus on global security, the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, reforms of the UN and the international financial architecture, as well as the fight against climate change. On the sidelines of the summit, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev is expected to hold talks with the UN Secretary-General, world leaders, and representatives of financial institutions. Agreements and contracts with foreign companies are planned to be signed.

In his speech, the President of Uzbekistan will address the issues of climate threats in Central Asia in light of the summits and agreements of 2024, support for youth and women, cooperation with the UN in the fields of social protection and the economy, as well as the nation’s achievements and plans through 2030.

In summary, it can be said that between 2016 and 2025, Uzbekistan has become a notable player at the United Nations. At its initiative, several UN General Assembly resolutions have been adopted, including those on Education and Religious Tolerance (2018) and strengthening cooperation in Central Asia, as well as declaring the Aral Sea region a zone of innovation (2021) and recognizing the importance of parliamentary involvement in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. All of them addressed new challenges – education and tolerance, regional integration, and combating ecological catastrophe – and proposed solutions. In each document, one can hear Tashkent’s aspiration for peace, progress, and responsible international cooperation. Uzbekistan’s voice at the General Assembly now resonates with confidence and weight: the country is building a New Uzbekistan and contributing to the creation of a New World based on enlightenment, tolerance, and sustainable development.