Westminster International University in Tashkent and UN system in Uzbekistan celebrate 76th anniversary of the United Nations
21 October 2021
The UN’s 76th anniversary was celebrated in Uzbekistan with an event organised by Westminster International University (WIUT) in Tashkent and the country’s UN system.
The event was held at WIUT’s campus and was attended by more than 300 participants, including national and international partners, organisations, youth, representatives of the UN agencies, funds and programmes based in Uzbekistan, as well as students and academic staff from the University.
In his UN Day address, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres commented that that the values that have powered the UN Charter for the last 76 years — peace, development, human rights, and opportunity for all — have no expiry date.
The joint event aimed to reaffirm joint commitments by the UN system and WIUT to advance the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by youth in Uzbekistan, present practical ways to attain the SDGs and build a community of SDGs’ change makers amongst students and youth networks.
Caption: Westminster International University in Tashkent and UN system in Uzbekistan jointly celebrate the 76th anniversary of the United Nations
“WIUT, as a member of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN), is fully committed to promoting activities and events, and discovering new prospects for the SDGs in Uzbekistan. Universities and youth play a key role in sustainable development”, noted Bakhrom Mirkasimov, Rector, Westminster International University in Tashkent, in his opening remarks.
Caption: Bakhrom Mirkasimov, Rector, Westminster International University in Tashkent
Addressing event participants, Munir Mammadzade, UN Resident Coordinator a.i., UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan, remarked “Youth can play a critical role in advancing the sustainable development goals and it is important that youth are informed and engaged with the global vision for the future though participation in various platforms for discussions, exchange of ideas and innovation.”
Caption: Munir Mammadzade, UN Resident Coordinator a.i., UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan
Divided into 16 teams and based on Uzbekistan’s 16 national sustainable development goals, students presented their respective goals to participants, highlighted problems and proposed actionable solutions for sustainable development, eradicating inequality and other deprivation, to leave no one behind.
The event participants and students exchanged views and discussed how to improve awareness of the national Sustainable Development Goals among students and universities across Uzbekistan.
Today, worldwide, there are 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24 years, accounting for 16 per cent of the global population. The active engagement of youth in sustainable development efforts is central to achieving sustainable, inclusive, and stable societies by the target date, and to averting the worst threats and challenges to sustainable development, including the impacts of climate change, unemployment, poverty, gender inequality, conflict, and migration.
About Westminster International University in Tashkent
Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT) is the first international university in Uzbekistan and the first in Central Asia to offer international education, more specifically United Kingdom (UK) qualifications. WIUT`s mission is to provide education and research opportunities of international standards that contribute to the intellectual, social and professional development of communities in Central Asia and internationally.
About the United Nations in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan joined the United Nations on 2 March 1992 as a new sovereign and independent state. The United Nations Office opened in Tashkent the following year. The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Uzbekistan currently comprises 25 UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes working together to advance national development priorities in line with Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
In September 2020, the UN Country Team finalised the next generation UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2021-2025), which was endorsed and signed by the Government of Uzbekistan. The Cooperation Framework articulates the UN’s collective response to supporting Uzbekistan to achieve the national SDGs, with an emphasis on leaving no one behind. The Cooperation Framework is the primary instrument for planning and implementation of all UN development activities in the country, in support of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. It was developed in close consultation with the Government, Parliament and civil society in Uzbekistan and has three strategic objectives:
Effective governance and justice for all.
Inclusive human capital development leading to health, well-being and resilient prosperity.
Sustainable, climate responsible and resilient development.
