President Mirziyoyev Meets UN Secretary-General in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: On 1 July, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the Kuksaroy residence during an official visit to Uzbekistan. Secretary-General Guterres expressed his sincere gratitude to President Mirziyoyev for the invitation and the warm hospitality.

President Mirziyoyev highlighted that this visit, Guterres’ second to the republic, signifies the UN’s endorsement of the ongoing reforms under the “Uzbekistan-2030” strategy. The discussions centered on global and regional peace, stability, sustainable development, and enhanced cooperation between Uzbekistan and the UN, with a focus on joint projects aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the robust cooperation, noting the implementation of 140 joint programs and projects. In recent years, Uzbekistan has initiated 10 special resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly.

Notably, since the beginning of the year, five Deputy UN Secretaries-General have visited Uzbekistan. The country was recently elected to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the Administrative Council of the International Labour Organization. Additionally, a representative from Uzbekistan has joined the UN Human Rights Committee for the first time, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development has opened an office in Tashkent.

Significant international events on food security, tourism development, poverty alleviation, climate change, and biodiversity protection are being organized jointly. Next year, Samarkand will host the 43rd General Conference of UNESCO.

The leaders exchanged views on pressing international and regional issues. President Mirziyoyev expressed support for the Secretary-General’s initiatives on international security, UN reforms, and the upcoming Summit of the Future in New York.

Discussions also included cooperation on transport connectivity, food, energy, and information security in the region. The situation in Afghanistan was addressed, emphasizing the need for expanded humanitarian aid and a unified international strategy for the country.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to jointly develop a Framework Program for Cooperation with the UN for the Sustainable Development of Uzbekistan for 2026–2030.