Statement attributable to Helena Fraser, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan

In his speech, the President highlighted the Action Strategy 2017-2021 and the ongoing reforms, stressing that peace, prosperity and people’s interests are at the heart of the Government’s reform agenda, which echoes with the pillars of United Nations – Peace and Security, Development and Human Rights. We welcome the fact that the President also affirmed that the protection of human rights is an important component of these reforms. The UN notes with appreciation that the President underlined that the Action Strategy is fully consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals, and that he underscored his commitment to implementing the Roadmap on UN-Uzbekistan cooperation developed following the visit of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in June 2017. The President also emphasized his commitment to strengthen international cooperation and sub-regional collaboration to address common challenges, including management of water resources, violent extremism, the Aral Sea crisis, and the situation in Afghanistan.

All these messages are clear signals of Uzbekistan’s steadfast commitment to the universal values enshrined in the United Nations Charter. The speech also underlines the President’s commitment to pursuing a path of strengthened bilateral and multilateral cooperation to achieve peaceful resolution of common challenges, and the importance of strengthened national dialogue, including with citizens and civil society organizations, to build a prosperous, sustainable and equitable society.

Since 1993, the UN system in Uzbekistan has been supporting the Government in realizing its national development priorities. Today, we commend the enhanced collaboration between the UN in Uzbekistan and the Government, under the auspices of the global Sustainable Development Agenda and the Government’s Action Strategy.

In cooperation with national and international development partners, the United Nations in Uzbekistan remains committed to further support the Government in achieving its ambitious agenda to deliver greater prosperity and dignity to all citizens of Uzbekistan.