The previous stage of Central Asian cooperation has become a breakthrough in the overall process of regional construction

The Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian States, held on September 14 in Dushanbe, had literal historical and political significance.

It completed the full cycle of Central Asian summits began in 2018 at the initiative of Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and endorsed by the leaders of all countries in the area. The Dushanbe summit was held in an atmosphere of open and trusting communication, as well as a productive exchange of ideas. The leaders of Central Asian states evaluated the outcomes of past Consultative meetings and emphasized their unwavering commitment to continuing collaborative efforts toward the gradual building of a sustainable regional cooperation architecture.

The main conclusion of the five-sided meeting is that the process of regional rapprochement has reached a qualitatively new phase of integrational development, as evidenced by the greater willingness of the region's states to formalize and institutionalize multidimensional interaction, making it systematic and continuous.

The leaders of Central Asian states stated that it is in their best interests to continue to strengthen interstate cooperation, good neighborliness, and mutual trust in Central Asia.

The decision to form a Council of National Coordinators for the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian States, aimed at increasing the effectiveness of interstate cooperation, is evidence of this.

And there's a reason for it. Regional countries were able to “make serious progress in resolving vital issues and to fill cooperation among Central Asian states with a qualitatively new content” thanks to shared political will and concerted efforts, as the President of Uzbekistan underlined.

Many barriers that were sources of interstate tension have been dismantled in recent years. Primarily, neighboring countries were able to address critical border issues, allowing transportation communications to resume.

The discourse on mutually beneficial use of water and energy resources, as well as guaranteeing water, energy, and food security, is currently underway. 

Cooperation links among Central Asian states are strengthening in
a variety of fields. They formed joint investment entities, work is underway to build cross-border industrial and trade zones, and interstate projects in the industrial, agriculture, automotive, and energy sectors are being launched. 
A visa-free regime has been implemented, as well as circumstances for free movement of citizens and active cultural and tourism interactions.  

Since 2016, Uzbekistan has increased the number of checkpoints with Central Asian countries to 78, tripled the number of bus services, and more than doubled the number of air flights.

Today, the boundaries between Uzbekistan and Central Asian countries can legitimately be referred to as bridges of peace and goodwill. For example, the Uzbek-Kyrgyz border can now be crossed with the display of an internal document - a general civil ID-card - starting September 1 of this year.

The work on trade and economic, transport and energy cooperation has reached a new stage. Thus, in 2020-2021 Uzbekistan created joint investment funds and companies with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, in 2022 and 2023 began construction of cross-border industrial-trade and industrial zones with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

Projects are underway with Kyrgyzstan to build the China-Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan railroad and the Kambarata hydroelectric power plant, with Tajikistan - the Yavan hydroelectric power plant on the Zarafshan River, and with Kazakhstan - a multimodal transport and logistics center in Tashkent. These are just some examples, of which there are many in other Central Asian states.  

Of course, there are still concerns to be addressed. The most important thing, though, is to sustain dialogue and a solid course toward mutually accepted concessions. Today, it is critical to overcome narrow national egoisms, see the inextricable relationship between the region's sustainable future and its own development possibilities, and reach mutually beneficial solutions that fulfill the interests of all parties. And given the inertia of regional collaboration, this appears to be feasible.

“It is necessary to find common approaches and join efforts to find mutually acceptable solutions”, President of Kyrgyzstan stated. “There are no intractable problems, all we need is political will”.

Akramjon Nematov,

first deputy director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The multidimensional poverty index will serve as a barometer of changes within the country

On September 20, 2023, a high-level conference was held at the UN Headquarters in New York within the framework of the UN General Assembly on the topic: "Leveraging the Multidimensional Poverty Index to Topple Interlinked SDGs", organized by the Multidimensional Poverty Peer Network (MPPN) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).

The purpose of the event was to put the problem of poverty at the center of the discussion, as well as to stimulate action and develop cooperation to develop sustainable solutions that have a greater impact on people living in poverty and contribute to the well-being of the whole society.

Director of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) Obid Khakimov made a report at the high-level event.

In his speech, the head of CERR noted that in recent years the government of Uzbekistan has made significant progress in solving the problem of poverty within the country. Uzbekistan is a country with a lower–middle income and a population of more than 36 million people. In 2022, approximately 14% of the population, which is about 5.4 million people, lived in poverty.

The solution to the problem of poverty also includes the adoption of the Strategy "Uzbekistan – 2030", which aims to reduce poverty by 7% by 2030. In addition, the approved Social Protection Strategy outlines plans to create a system that provides a minimum level of social protection for all citizens.

«This will be achieved by expanding the coverage and increasing the targeting of social assistance. Today, all social protection mechanisms are integrated within the newly established National Social Protection Agency in accordance with the guidelines of UNDP and UNICEF», — noted O.Khakimov.

In addition, in order to accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 1, which is aimed at the widespread eradication of poverty in all its forms, the Government of Uzbekistan has recognized the problem of multidimensional poverty and has set the development of this indicator as one of the highest priorities. So, the national poverty line is based on minimum consumer spending.

During the speech, it was noted that currently in partnership with UNDP, UNICEF, Innocenti UNICEF and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, Uzbekistan has initiated a pilot project to measure the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). This work is aimed at a comprehensive analysis of the scale and depth of poverty, including child poverty, in the context of Uzbekistan.

The Director of the CERR told the participants of the event that the study included two stages: the first survey was conducted in 2022 among 1,500 households, where a definition of multidimensional poverty was developed.

In 2023, data was collected from 4,515 households, focusing on various socio-economic factors affecting the well-being of the people.

«These factors include education, employment, health, social protection, standard of living, access to information, nutrition, and so on. All the questions were carefully adapted to the specific context of Uzbekistan, which allowed us to develop an indicator that accurately reflects the unique aspects of deprivation in the country», — noted O.Khakimov.

Speaking about indicators of multidimensional poverty, it was noted that MPI includes 13 indicators grouped by 3 dimensions of well-being:

basic infrastructure and living conditions

health and social capital

financial inclusion and employment

«The preliminary results of the MPI study give us a complete picture of poverty in our country. To solve this problem, the Strategy "Uzbekistan – 2030" defines key goals, such as doubling the country's GDP and increasing the incomes of 4.5 million people at risk of poverty», — noted O.Khakimov.

During the speech, it was noted that the Strategy emphasizes social obligations related to the further development of the education system, including the expansion of pre-school education coverage and a minimum of 50% level of enrollment of young people in higher education institutions.

In addition, the priority is the development of the healthcare sector by doubling the financing of healthcare and achieving 100% digitalization of medical institutions.

In conclusion, O.Khakimov noted that the Strategy is aimed at ensuring full coverage of social protection for those in need and reducing the unemployment rate to 7% by providing stable and effective employment opportunities for everyone, including young people and people with disabilities.

Therefore, MPI will serve as a barometer of real changes within the country over the next 7 years.

CERR Public Relations and Media Sector

Uzbekistan: Sustainable Development Requires Continued Efforts

In the context of globalization, climate change, economic instability and shortage of food resources, active interaction within the UN framework is becoming an important reference point for addressing the complex challenges of our time.

The upcoming 78th session of the UN General Assembly will launch a new phase in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and set targets for the period until 2030. In addition, it will identify concrete proposals and ideas for further sustainable interaction of all UN member states.

Uzbekistan with its strategic position in Central Asia pays great attention to the development of cooperation with the UN and other high profile international and regional organizations. The development of relations with international organizations plays an important role in the integration of our country into the world community.

In this direction, it is important to note that Uzbekistan's ties with the UN and its specialized structures such as UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO, UNODC, UNAIDS, UN Women, UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, ILO and FAO have been strengthening year by year.

Thanks to the initiatives and proposals of the leader of Uzbekistan, the country's cooperation with the UN has risen to a whole new level over the past five years.

In particular, the Head of State delivered a speech at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly held on September 19, 2017, the 75th jubilee session organized in the format of a videoconference, and the 76th session of the General Assembly. During these sessions, Uzbekistan's initiatives aimed at strengthening international and regional security, further development of education, spirituality, ecology, tourism, protecting human rights and in other areas were expressed.

Uzbekistan's efforts in recent years have been internationally recognized by the adoption of the following United Nations General Assembly resolutions

- Enhancing Regional and International Cooperation for Peace, Stability and Sustainable Development in Central Asia;

- Strengthen Connectivity Between Central and South Asia;

- Education and Religious Tolerance;

- Sustainable Tourism and Sustainable Development in Central Asia;

- Declaration of the Aral Sea Region as a Zone of Ecological Innovations and Technologies;

- On Strengthening the Role of Parliaments in Accelerating the Achievement of the SDGs.

It is important to mention that in 2015, the world community witnessed the embodiment of a new global sustainable development agenda. The 70th anniversary of the UN Summit in New York provided a platform for more than 150 states to join efforts to address global challenges such as poverty, economic instability and environmental crises.

At the heart of the new agenda were 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with 169 targets covering economic, social and environmental aspects of development. Having supported this initiative, Uzbekistan is actively integrating the SDGs into the national development strategy.

The New Uzbekistan Development Strategy and the UN Sustainable Development Goals go hand in hand, emphasizing socio-economic development, environmental stability and improving the quality of life of citizens.

The principle "For the sake of human honor and dignity" is the basis of the reforms carried out in Uzbekistan. These reforms are aimed at creating an active civil society and guaranteeing the rights and freedoms of every person, consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 in our country will be carried out in accordance with the fundamental principle of the UN "Leave no one behind" to ensure the rights and legitimate interests of every person.

In this direction, it is important to emphasize the adopted National Human Rights Strategy of Uzbekistan. It provides for the implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Human Rights Council and treaty committees. In adopting the national strategy, the views not only of expert circles but also of the general public and international organizations were taken into account.

Uzbekistan was the first Central Asian State to establish a system of national human rights institutions, which includes a parliamentary ombudsman, a children's ombudsman, a business ombudsman and a national human rights center.

In today's world, the role of parliaments in achieving the SDGs is of particular importance. The UN General Assembly emphasizes the need for active involvement of legislatures in monitoring and implementing the SDGs, stressing the importance of voluntary national reviews.

Special attention should be paid to the UN resolution "On Strengthening the Role of Parliaments in Accelerating the Achievement of the SDGs" adopted on December 14, 2022, initiated by our President at the 75th session of the General Assembly.

This document emphasizes the importance of the role of parliaments in renewing the commitment to unity, solidarity and multilateral cooperation for a sustainable and durable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The document was co-authored by 80 states from all continents of the world, as well as UN agencies and other international organizations. It is expected that this document will become a unique guide for parliamentarians, mobilizing their efforts to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs.

Special attention is given to gender equality, which should be at the heart of efforts to accelerate progress towards the SDGs. This, in turn, will facilitate women's full, equal and meaningful participation in legislative bodies and parliamentary processes.

In recent years, Uzbekistan has adopted more than 40 legislative acts and important conceptual documents related to gender equality, in particular the Law "On the Guarantee of Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men," the Law "On the Protection of Women from Harassment and Violence," and the Law "On Amendments and Additions to Article 15 of the Family Code."

Of particular importance in this area are the specific measures taken to ensure gender equality, in particular, the adoption of the National Program to Increase the Activity of Women in All Spheres of Economic, Political and Social Life for 2022-2026 and the Strategy for Achieving Gender Equality in the Republic of Uzbekistan by 2030.

As a result, today the share of women employed in health care and education is 77 %, in economy and industry 46 %, and about 2,000 compatriots work in leading positions in state and public organizations.

Opportunities for women's education have been expanded over 6 years, with the number of women enrolled in higher education institutions increasing 6-fold.

The important role and contribution of young people to the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda is recognized, as is the need to ensure the full, equal and meaningful participation of young people in parliamentary processes.

In this direction, Uzbekistan is implementing the Concept for the Development of State Youth Policy until 2025, which is based on the principle of "working with youth in the interests of youth" set out in the UN Youth 2030 Strategy.

It should be emphasized that the Youth Parliament under the Senate was established in 2020, which consists of 100 members of young activists. The purpose of the Youth Parliament is to increase political and legal awareness and literacy of young people, social activity, protection of their rights and legitimate interests.

In turn, it is important to emphasize that over the past three years, 250 thousand young people have been allocated the equivalent of more than 500 million dollars in soft loans. 210 youth industrial and entrepreneurial zones have been created in the country and 2.5 thousand investment projects worth more than 300 million US dollars have been realized. As a result, the number of young entrepreneurs has doubled and exceeded 200 thousand.

Within the framework of sustainable development, our country is actively involved in providing quality education and access to it, seeking to create the basis for long-term social and economic growth. Education is seen not just as a tool for transferring knowledge, but also as a mechanism for building skills that meet the requirements of the modern labor market.

As a result of the reforms adopted over the past 5 years, the number of higher education institutions in the country has almost tripled to 210, and the coverage of higher education has increased from 9% to 38%, which opens up wide opportunities for young people to master modern knowledge and professions.

Over these years, the number of teaching staff in higher education institutions increased 1.6 times, the share of higher education in the total volume of educational services increased to 51%, the number of foreign students studying in higher education institutions of Uzbekistan increased 4 times and amounted to 5.1 thousand people, the volume of expenditures on research and development in higher education institutions increased 1.3 times, the number of general education institutions at the beginning of 2023 reached 10.6 thousand.

Particular attention is paid to improving the working conditions of teachers and tutors, improving their qualifications. In particular, teachers' salaries have increased 2.5 times on average over the past period.

Uzbekistan is also actively working to develop human potential and improve the quality of life of the population. Large-scale programs are being implemented to improve health care, ensure access to quality medical care and reduce maternal and newborn mortality. Uzbekistan was also working to reduce health inequalities and ensure access to healthy food and water.

In 2022, more than 20 laws, decrees and resolutions and other necessary regulations related to health care were adopted and are being consistently implemented.

In particular, in 2022 alone, more than 100 family doctor's offices, polyclinics and more than a thousand district health centers were established in the most remote and hard-to-reach areas. As a result, an additional 3.5 million people have been covered by primary health care.

The amount of funds for 70 types of medicines, given free of charge to the population by family physicians, has increased threefold compared to the previous year.

Today, socio-economic reforms and programs aimed at stimulating entrepreneurship, improving the business climate and creating new jobs are being actively adopted. Measures have also been taken to combat poverty and social exclusion, providing support to the most vulnerable segments of the population.

In the last 6 years, the scale of social assistance has increased fivefold and covered more than two million families. If in 2016 the budget allocated $181 million for these purposes, today the amount has been increased to $1.5 billion.

So far, certain results have been achieved. In 2022, one million residents are removed from the poverty line. This number is expected to increase significantly this year.

The environmental component of sustainable development is also not neglected. Uzbekistan is taking an active part in the international fight against climate change and implementation of programs to improve the state of natural ecosystems, as well as striving for sustainable modernization of energy, transport, agriculture and other sectors in order to reduce pollutant emissions and improve energy efficiency.

As a result, in accordance with the initiative of the Head of State, saxovul and other desert plants have been planted on an area of 1.732 million hectares in 2019-2022, and the area of green areas has been increased by 2 million hectares.

It is determined that works in this direction will be systematically carried out in the following years. In particular, in 2023-2026 it is planned to create "green covers" on the area of 400 thousand hectares on the dried up bottom of the Aral Sea. This is, undoubtedly, a significant contribution to solving the consequences of the ecological catastrophe, which goes far beyond the regional scale.

At the moment, one of the large-scale and effective initiatives of the Head of Uzbekistan is the national project "Yashil Makon" (Green Space), launched in 2021.

With the start of this important work, 85 million seedlings were planted in the fall season of 2021, and 126 million seedlings were planted in the spring season of 2022.

This initiative aims to prevent the negative effects of climate change by increasing green spaces in our country, planting tree seedlings and their effective maintenance.

This nationwide project plans to plant more than 200 million tree and shrub seedlings per year. As a result of this program, 1 billion trees and shrubs will be planted in the next five years.

It is important to emphasize that Uzbekistan's successes in the field of sustainable development have become possible thanks to the decisive actions of the Head of State Shavkat Mirziyoyev, nationwide support of his programs and initiatives for the development of the state and their endorsement by international partners.

The adopted reforms aimed at sustainable development have allowed Uzbekistan to rise eight positions in the UN SDG index, which testifies to the significant successes and changes taking place in the country, and this confirms the correctness of the chosen course on sustainable development.

All initiatives presented by Uzbekistan within the UN framework have made a significant practical contribution to maintaining world peace, stability, protecting human rights and ensuring sustainable development. Our country adheres to the principle of further expansion and deepening of mutually beneficial cooperation with the UN and its specialized agencies.

The example of Uzbekistan shows that sustainable development is a process that requires constant efforts and harmonious interaction between all spheres of society.

Given the above, Uzbekistan deservedly attracts the attention of the international community with its achievements in the field of sustainable development. This experience is not only a valuable lesson for other countries, but also an inspiration for creating a more equitable and prosperous future for the next generations.

Shavkat Alimbekov,

Leading Researcher at

the International Institute of Central Asia

Interaction of the Republic of Uzbekistan with the UN in Ensuring Regional Security and Stability in Central Asia

In recent years, the leadership of Uzbekistan, while implementing a fundamentally new proactive foreign policy strategy, has paid special attention to building practical cooperation with international organizations. One of the priority directions in this regard is the development and strengthening of multifaceted cooperation with the United Nations (UN) and its specialized structures.

Currently, Tashkent is comprehensively expanding its contacts with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and other UN entities. In this context, particular importance is attached to ensuring security and stability in Central Asia and enhancing its role in the international relations system.

Thanks to the revitalization of Uzbekistan's partnership with the UN, significant progress has been made in fostering a new atmosphere of mutually beneficial cooperation in Central Asia, based on mutual trust and good neighborliness.

As a result, there has been a noticeable consolidation of regional states, which have become more active in advancing joint regional and international initiatives, programs, and projects aimed at promoting sustainable development in Central Asia.

For instance, while from 1991 to 2016, about 20 resolutions were adopted in the UN at the initiative of Central Asian states, and from 2016 to the present, 18 resolutions have been adopted.

These documents address important issues such as sustainable development, security, peacebuilding, and trust-building in the region, as well as the preservation of water resources, climate change, ecology, and the prevention of radiological threats. Protecting the rights of youth and promoting tolerance have also gained significant attention.

         Moreover, Uzbekistan has become an active participant in advocating for the interests of Central Asia within the UN framework. For instance, between 2018 and 2022, six UN General Assembly resolutions were adopted at the initiative of our country. These resolutions include "Strengthening Regional International Cooperation for Peace, Stability, and Sustainable Development in the Central Asian Region" (June 2018), "Education and Religious Tolerance" (December 2018), and "Declaration of the Aral Sea Region as a Zone of Environmental Innovations and Technologies" (May 2021).

Furthermore, within the framework of the UN Human Rights Council, a resolution on "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Human Rights of Youth" was adopted in October 2021. In UNESCO, the "Khiva Process" was recognized in November 2021, following the international forum "Central Asia at the Crossroads of World Civilizations" held in Khiva from September 14 to 16, 2021.

The Code of Voluntary Commitments of States during a Pandemic, developed by Uzbekistan, has been circulated as an official document of the UN General Assembly, contributing to global efforts to combat COVID-19.

Additionally, the Tashkent and Bukhara Declarations have also been recognized as official UN documents, calling for international support for multi-confessional and intercultural dialogue and the promotion of multilateral cooperation in the prevention and counteraction of terrorism.

Collectively, all the resolutions and documents initiated by Central Asian countries within the UN have undeniably laid a strong foundation for uniting the efforts of regional states and the international community in ensuring the political, economic, social, and environmental security of Central Asia.

Several key factors have played a significant role in the successful promotion of Uzbekistan's interaction with the UN:

Firstly, intensive diplomacy by the President of Uzbekistan and the intensification of political dialogue within the UN. Starting in 2016, thanks to the political will of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tashkent has actively participated in the activities of the UN General Assembly and its specialized agencies. In particular, the President of Uzbekistan took part in and addressed the 72nd, 75th, and 76th sessions of the UN General Assembly, as well as the High-Level Segment of the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

During this period, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held three meetings with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (in June and September 2017 and April 2019), which allowed for comprehensive discussions and coordination of effective measures to develop mutually beneficial cooperation, primarily in ensuring regional security and sustainable development in Central Asia.

It is worth noting that on November 10-11, 2017, during an international conference under the auspices of the UN in Samarkand, titled "Central Asia: One Past and a Common Future, Cooperation for Sustainable Development and Mutual Prosperity," Central Asian states emphasized the need for closer and coordinated cooperation among Central Asian countries in anticipating new challenges and threats. They also stressed the importance of strengthening the central role of the UN in addressing security challenges in the region.

         The conference's communiqué called on all UN entities, other international organizations, and interested partner countries to increase and strengthen their cooperation with the countries of Central Asia on issues related to regional security and sustainable development. This cooperation should align with the priorities, interests, needs, and national programs of Central Asian countries, providing them with the necessary technical, expert, legal, financial, and other assistance.

Furthermore, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit held in Samarkand in September 2022, a meeting between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and UN Deputy Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo took place, resulting in the adoption of a "Roadmap" for further development of practical cooperation.

         In 2022 and January 2023, Uzbekistan hosted the first Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed.

There are 11 Plans of Practical Measures for the Development of Cooperation between Uzbekistan and the UN and its specialized agencies, adopted and being implemented between 2021 and 2023. These measures undoubtedly contribute to enhancing the resilience of Central Asia to external challenges.

Secondly, it promotes a constructive agenda in combating terrorism, drug trafficking, and other transnational challenges.

         Today, Uzbekistan is a party to 14 major international legal instruments and actively participates in global efforts to counter international terrorism.

Our country was among the first to support the fight against this threat, including the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (GCTS), which has become a comprehensive, collective, and universally recognized legal framework for uniting national and international efforts in countering terrorism.

Uzbekistan has become an active participant in the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia, which was adopted in 2011. The implementation of this Strategy has allowed for the strengthening of regional consensus on common principles and approaches to counterterrorism, the establishment of effective mechanisms for cooperation on both a bilateral and multilateral basis, the enhancement of counterterrorism potential, and the strengthening of regional security.

The logical continuation of practical activities in this direction was the holding of the International High-Level Conference on "Regional Cooperation of Central Asian Countries within the Framework of the Joint Plan of Action for the Implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy," proposed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly.

The organization of this conference allowed for the identification of new priorities and directions for cooperation, giving a fresh impetus to regional cooperation in countering the threats of extremism and terrorism. The Tashkent Declaration and the updated Joint Plan of Action for the Implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia adopted as a result of the forum, will be of paramount importance for the region's sustainable development.

At the same time, effective implementation of the tasks set requires the strengthening of mechanisms for continuous monitoring and coordination of interaction among Central Asian countries. In this regard, in October 2022, a "Roadmap" was signed between Uzbekistan and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office. As part of this "Roadmap," work has commenced on the establishment of a United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office in the region.

Simultaneously, with the growing threat of cyberterrorism and for effective counteraction to the use of digital technologies for terrorist purposes, Uzbekistan has intensified efforts to implement the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre's (UNCCT) Program on Cybersecurity and New Technologies in Central Asia, adopted in 2020.

In particular, from September 25 to 26 of this year, for the first time in Tashkent, a regional seminar on this topic is planned in collaboration with the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia. During the event, the parties intend to discuss the creation of a virtual network on cyberterrorism in Central Asia.

Uzbekistan also actively cooperates with the United Nations and its specialized agencies in countering transnational threats related to drugs and crime.

Specifically, effective cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in implementing practical projects to strengthen national and regional capacity is underway. At the initiative of Tashkent, a regional program for Central Asian countries for 2022-2025 was developed and signed jointly with UNODC in 2021, providing a solid foundation for work in this direction.

Uzbekistan also plans to develop a Joint Anti-Drug Action Plan with UNODC covering Central and South Asian countries.

One of the important institutions in countering drug-related crimes is the successful operation of the Central Asian Regional Information Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances, and their Precursors (CARICC) in Tashkent. CARICC has significantly increased the level of coordination and cooperation in this area.

Continuing efforts in this regard, an agreement reached in 2021 between the President of Uzbekistan and the Executive Director of UNODC resulted in the opening of the UNODC Information Centre in Tashkent in May 2023. Its main tasks include assisting in strengthening the state borders of Central Asian countries bordering Afghanistan and countering the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, firearms, human trafficking, and illegal financial flows.

Thirdly, the expansion of cooperation on establishing peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Uzbekistan consistently advocates for the peaceful, political, and diplomatic settlement of the situation in Afghanistan. In this regard, Uzbekistan's pragmatic and constructive policy towards Afghanistan has become comprehensive and dynamic since Shavkat Mirziyoyev assumed the presidency of the country. Thus, Tashkent has intensified its efforts to address the Afghan issue and continues to call for the coordination of all countries' efforts to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan within the framework of the UN.

It is important to note that in all of President Uzbekistan's speeches at the United Nations, special attention is given to the resolution of the Afghan issue. Concrete initiatives are put forward to assist in achieving stability in this country. These initiatives also demonstrate Tashkent's commitment to preserving the central role of the UN in resolving the Afghan issue and its interest in uniting the efforts of the entire international community to establish lasting peace in Afghanistan.

In particular, Sh. Mirziyoyev has repeatedly stated at the UN General Assembly that 'issues of peace and stability in Afghanistan should remain at the center of the UN's attention' and 'the role of the UN in resolving the situation in Afghanistan needs to be strengthened, and its voice should be louder than ever.'

Another important contribution of Uzbekistan in this direction was the hosting of the 2018 High-Level International Conference on Afghanistan in Tashkent under the auspices of the UN. This conference marked a new stage in mobilizing the efforts of the international community to address the Afghan issue.

Similarly, the International High-Level Conference 'Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity, Challenges, and Opportunities,' held jointly with the UN in Tashkent in 2021, reinforced the ongoing efforts of our country.

A distinctive feature of Uzbekistan's Afghan policy is that Tashkent views Afghanistan not only in terms of security threats but also as a country capable of acting as a bridge between Central and South Asia and strengthening trade and economic ties between the two regions.

Furthermore, Tashkent continues to call on the UN and the international community not to reduce international aid and attention to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a source of permanent threats once again.

That is why Uzbekistan is taking active steps to consolidate the efforts of the entire international community in transforming Afghanistan into a peaceful, stable, and prosperous state, free from terrorism, war, and narcotics. In particular, the Uzbek city of Termez, located on the border with Afghanistan, plays an important intermediary role by facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid sent by foreign countries to Afghanistan.

The international logistics hub in Termez, known as the 'Cargo Center,' was opened in 2021 at the initiative of President Sh. Mirziyoyev under the auspices of the UN currently serves as the main point of dispatch for UN humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. In just two years, it has delivered over 1,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan from the World Food Programme, UNICEF, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Furthermore, Uzbekistan is interested in developing a unified international approach to the Afghan issue that would bring together the positions of various states in Afghanistan and expedite the country's exit from the complex socio-economic situation.

To achieve this goal, President Sh. Mirziyoyev has initiated the formation of a high-level International Negotiating Group under the auspices and with the support of the UN. Its implementation will help strengthen international consensus on key issues related to the settlement of the situation in Afghanistan and keep the Afghan issue at the center of global attention.

This, in turn, will mobilize resources from the international community for the implementation of infrastructure and socio-economic projects that will create a foundation for long-term and sustainable peace in Afghanistan.

Fourth, progressive cooperation with the UN on youth policy.

In the context of the growing population in Central Asian countries, where youth make up a significant demographic group - about 30%, Uzbekistan, aware of the increasing demand for socialization, education, and employment from the youth, actively collaborates with the UN in this direction. Effective youth policy is a crucial condition for ensuring stability and sustainable development in Central Asia.

That is why President Sh. Mirziyoyev pays special attention to positioning youth not as a risk but as agents of positive change and a source of new opportunities for the sustainable development of Central Asian countries and the region as a whole.

In this context, significant work has been done in recent years. In particular, the Samarkand International Forum on Youth Rights was successfully held under the auspices of the UN in August 2020, resulting in the adoption of the Samarkand Resolution 'Youth 2020: Global Solidarity, Sustainable Development, and Human Rights.' The document defines the important role that youth can play in promoting peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights, as well as the significance of active, meaningful, and inclusive youth participation in decision-making processes, especially in Central Asian countries.

Also, in December 2022, in Samarkand, in collaboration with international partners, including the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and its Regional Office, UNICEF, UNDP, and others, a Global Forum on "Human Rights Education" was organized. The Samarkand Action Plan for 2023-2025 on the development of human rights education was adopted as a result, outlining tasks, proposals, and recommendations for the international community, national governments, educational and research institutions, and civil society institutions for the effective implementation of human rights education and training. It is important to note that the initiative to hold this forum was put forward by the President of Uzbekistan at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly and the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

A significant achievement can be considered the UN General Assembly resolution on "Enlightenment and Religious Tolerance" initiated by the President of Uzbekistan, Sh. Mirziyoyev. The document aims to ensure universal access to education, eradicate illiteracy, and promote tolerance, mutual respect, and understanding in the interest of strengthening security and peace.

Furthermore, Tashkent actively advocates for the adoption of the UN International Convention on Youth Rights, which should emphasize the need for active youth participation in democratic processes, provide the right to comprehensive support and family protection, the right to social support and care, legal capacity, equality before the law, participation in decision-making at national and international levels, protection from violence and exploitation.

Undoubtedly, Uzbekistan's measures to ensure the interests of youth help address challenges and open up opportunities for harnessing the potential of young people, thereby enhancing the stability and security of Central Asia.

Fifth, consolidating efforts to address regional climate change issues.

Currently, the Central Asian region is increasingly experiencing the consequences of global climate change. Climate change contributes to the exacerbation of water scarcity, land degradation, desertification, and the increasing number of natural disasters, which pose a critical problem for the region and a serious threat to sustainable development.

According to the United Nations, Central Asia is experiencing a faster rate of warming than other parts of the world. While the average global temperature has increased by 1.1°C since 1900, the average annual temperature in our region has increased by 1.6°C, rising from 13.2°C to 14.8°C. According to forecasts, by 2050, air temperatures could rise by another 1.5°-3°C.

In this context, as well as recognizing the importance of the issue and the need for effective measures to address the mitigation and adaptation to the effects of climate change, the climate agenda becomes a priority for Uzbekistan. President Sh. Mirziyoyev has repeatedly stated that "Uzbekistan attaches serious attention to the issues of combating climate change, protecting the environment, and biodiversity. This is our human duty to present and future generations."

Today, it can be confidently affirmed that these words are substantiated by concrete actions. Thanks to Tashkent's efforts, the Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region was established in 2018 under the auspices of the UN, which has become a reliable platform for practical assistance from the international community to the population of the region living in an environmentally challenging area. To date, the Fund has attracted $134.5 million in financial resources from donor countries.

The UN also supported the establishment of the International Innovation Center for the Aral Sea in 2018. The center's tasks include the development of scientific research and practical work, improving the ecosystem and sustainable livelihoods, and the introduction of advanced research and innovation in the salt-affected lands of the dried-up Aral Sea.

A significant achievement was the unanimous adoption of a special resolution by the UN General Assembly during its 75th session in 2021, proposed by the President of Uzbekistan Sh. Mirziyoyev declared the Aral Sea region a zone of environmental innovation and technology. Approximately 60 states co-authored the resolution, in which the UN General Assembly expressed support for regional initiatives and measures aimed at improving the environmental, social, economic, and demographic situation in the Aral Sea region.

In addition to this, in 2023, the Central Asian University for Environmental Studies and Climate Change was established in Tashkent, which will be engaged in the training, retraining, and advanced training of specialists, scientists, researchers, leaders, and entrepreneurs capable of addressing important environmental, socio-economic, and scientific and technical problems of Uzbekistan and Central Asia.

Uzbekistan actively participates permanently in the annual sessions of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. During the 27th session held in 2022, the Uzbek delegation advocated for the consolidation of efforts to achieve carbon neutrality, the promotion of renewable energy sources, climate adaptation projects, desertification, and land degradation control, the introduction of water-saving technologies, and other climate actions in Central Asia.

Another important aspect is that the UN has supported Uzbekistan's intention to host the first "Samarkand International Forum for Solidarity for the Sake of Common Security and Prosperity" in the spring of 2024, dedicated to climate change issues. The forum will also include discussions on opportunities for international cooperation in reducing risks and threats in the Central Asian region and attracting climate financing.

Considering the escalating challenges and emerging new threats to the Central Asian region, Uzbekistan, led by President Sh. Mirziyoyev will continue to strengthen cooperation with the UN in ensuring regional security and sustainable development in Central Asia. This will also be facilitated by the dynamic pace of regional processes and cooperation and the consolidation of efforts by Central Asian countries to address regional issues.

Furthermore, Uzbekistan's participation in the 78th session of the UN General Assembly will contribute to the formation of a broad and effective agenda for further engaging the potential of global cooperation in strengthening the security and stability of the region.

Overall, it can be noted that Uzbekistan's proactive diplomacy within the framework of the UN to promote the interests of Central Asia opens up wide opportunities and prospects for practical interaction with the international community. Uzbekistan's and Central Asia's openness to developing global relationships will transform challenges into opportunities, ultimately contributing to the formation of a new model of regional cooperation in changing circumstances.

Murad Uzakov,

Head of the Center for Regional Studies Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan