We are planning to increase this figure to 40% by 2030.
In conclusion, I would like to say that Uzbekistan will continue to actively participate in the international dialogue, contribute to the development of a common agenda for global security, and promote the principles of justice and fairness.
Distinguished Mr. President!
Distinguished Secretary-General!
Heads of delegations!
Ladies and gentlemen!
Today’s meeting of the United Nations General Assembly is taking place in the context of significant transformations in the global order.
A crisis of confidence has arisen, and difficulties in the functioning of international security institutions and violations of international law have increased.
This has caused a huge increase in tension.
Geopolitical contradictions are creating new barriers to the free flow of trade, investment, and innovation.
Even on issues concerning the fate of humanity, such as climate change, hunger, and inequality, one can feel that mutual communication has been lost.
In this complex situation, preserving the spirit of practical cooperation and interaction, placing common interests above existing conflicts, and strengthening unity among countries is becoming more relevant than ever.
Last year, we launched the “Samarkand Solidarity Initiative” for common security and development.
Our main goal is:
– to comprehensively understand the responsibility for the present and future of our countries and peoples;
– to engage in a global dialogue all parties that are ready for open and constructive cooperation.
I am confident that holding a Summit of the Future next year at the initiative of the UN Secretary-General will serve to address the current challenges of international and regional development and increase the influence and effectiveness of our Organization.
Dear participants of the Assembly!
We remain committed to continuing our policy of creating a New Uzbekistan, which is a law-governed, secular, democratic, and social state.
Our country is boldly pursuing the path of fundamental reforms aimed at strengthening the principles of democracy and justice, based on the noble idea of “in the name of human values and interests”.
In April this year, for the first time in the history of Uzbekistan, a nationwide referendum was held on the renewed Constitution, which defines the priorities of national development.
More than 90 percent of the voters in the referendum supported this truly popular Constitution.
This has ensured that our reforms have become indeed irreversible.
In our Basic Law, we have reaffirmed our commitment to the principles of equality of all citizens, human rights, and freedom of speech and conscience, regardless of nationality, language, and religion.
On this legal basis, we have adopted the Development Strategy “Uzbekistan – 2030”.
This Strategy is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and we are fulfilling all commitments we have undertaken.
Ladies and gentlemen!
As an outcome of the ongoing reforms, the economy of Uzbekistan, despite the global challenges, is showing steady growth.
Over the past six years, the gross domestic product has grown over 1.5 times.
Our main objective is to double this figure by 2030.
Another priority of our economic liberalization is to become a full member of the World Trade Organization in the near future.
Since 2017, poverty in our country has been halved thanks to the policies aimed at improving the living standards of our people.
We plan to reduce it to 7 percent by 2030.
We intend to increase by several times the scale of water supply, healthcare, education, and other social services to the population.
We support the UN Secretary-General’s initiative Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection.
To share best practices within the framework of this initiative, we propose to hold in 2024 in our country the World Conference “Social Protection: the Path towards Development” under the auspices of the United Nations.
Dear participants of the summit!
In recent years, Uzbekistan has achieved remarkable results in protecting human rights.
Forced labor and child labor have been completely abolished in our country.
Millions of people were forced to pick cotton in Uzbekistan for a century.
Most of the population – teachers and doctors, entrepreneurs, workers and employees, and, unfortunately, schoolchildren and university students – were mobilized to pick cotton every year from September to December.
As a result, boycotts of ‘Uzbek cotton’ were announced, and the country was blacklisted for years.
Thanks to our firm will and determination, now it is all history. Our people have been wholly liberated from cotton slavery.
The ban on forced labour is guaranteed in our renewed Constitution, and criminal liability for the involvement in forced labour has been introduced.
I believe it is necessary to intensify the global fight against forced and child labor. Our experience shows that it is possible to put an end to this.
Ladies and gentlemen!
One of Uzbekistan’s strategic tasks is developing human capital and training a creative young generation.
We believe that high quality education, accessible to all, is the most effective factor in eradicating poverty, improving public welfare, and achieving sustainable economic growth.
In this respect, our country has gained considerable experience in recent years – the education system is undergoing radical transformations.
In the last six years, the coverage of preschool education has increased from 21% to 70% and higher education from 9% to 38%.
By 2030, we will create conditions for every child to access preschool education and for half of secondary school graduates to obtain higher education.
Dear heads of delegations!
In recent years, Central Asia has embarked on a path of good neighborliness, stability, joint partnership, and progress.
Thanks to our joint efforts, Uzbekistan has managed to address problems of state borders, transport corridors, and water use with all its neighbors.
Mutual trade between the countries of the region has grown by more than two and a half times, and the number of joint ventures has increased fivefold.
Our region has become a promising center for economic development, transport, and communications bridge connecting East and West, North and South. This has led to a growing interest in our country.
Central Asia’s openness to the world is becoming the primary condition for ensuring the region’s security and stable development.
It is safe to say that our people unite around a growing sense of regional identity, and this sense is growing even stronger.
It is not only our history that is common, but also our future and our vital interests that are shared.
Expanding our regional cooperation is and will be our only choice.
I am convinced that with the support of the international community, Central Asia will continue on the path of unity.
In this regard, transforming Central Asia into a peaceful and prosperous region will remain a priority goal of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy!
Distinguished participants!
In Central Asia, where almost half of the population belongs to the younger generation, the issues of youth and creating opportunities for realizing their potential have the utmost importance.
To strengthen cooperation in this sphere, the countries of our region have recently signed an Agreement on the Common Dimension of the Youth Policy.
We are currently interested in establishing effective cooperation with the United Nations and its specialized structures, studying best practices and achievements of other regions.
In this regard, I propose establishing a Working Group at the United Nations to support youth development in Central Asia.
As part of this, developing the programme Central Asia’s Youth Agenda – 2030 is expedient.
Dear heads of delegations!
The active participation of women in society and state management is an urgent issue today.
The noblest goal of our national policy is to ensure family stability, legal protection, and peaceful life for women.
In addition, we are carrying out systemic work to achieve equality between men and women.
For example, last year, 49% of university enrolments accounted for girls.
Women’s share in public administration reached 35% for the first time. We are planning to increase this figure to 40% by 2030.
In conclusion, I would like to say that Uzbekistan will continue to actively participate in the international dialogue, contribute to the development of a common agenda for global security, and promote the principles of justice and fairness.