Opening remarks of Yu Yu, UN Uzbekistan RC a.i. at international conference: "Further improvement of the legal framework of state policy in the field of religion at the present stage of development of Uzbekistan."

Let me start by reiterating the message from the UN Secretary General on religion.  He said, “the best way to promote international religious freedom is by uniting our voices for good, countering messages of hate with messages of peace, embracing diversity and protecting human rights everywhere.”

We have a shared vision, clearly communicated in the UN GA Resolution 73/128 on Enlightenment and religious tolerance initiated by Uzbekistan. 

The meeting today came at the right time when Uzbekistan is embarking on the formulating of its next development plan.  The promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development is what the people are aspired for and will center in the national development agenda. 

The UN has long standing partnership with the Government of Uzbekistan and religious authorities. 

We believe religious communities, their leaders, institutions, and faith-based organizations play a critical role in advancing fundamental values, moral influence, provide an outreach to the  most vulnerable and promoting their wellbeing especially women and children.

I would like to emphasize especially that the religious institutions and faith-based organizations are instrumental in social norm change and the elimination of harmful practice, such as child marriages and gender-based violence among others.

We stand ready to continue and expand our cooperation on the subject through the UNSDCF and the inherited results groups which cut across all national SDGs.

We have expertise to support policy and institutional capacity development.

And we can create platform for south-south cooperation and triangular partnership building. 

Lastly, we stand ready to assist further dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief later this year.