Distinguished President Volkan Bozkir! Distinguished Secretary-General António Guterres!

Distinguished President Volkan Bozkir!


Distinguished Secretary-General António Guterres!


Distinguished Heads of Delegations!


Ladies and Gentlemen!


The seventy-fifth session of the General Assembly is being held for the first time in the history of the United Nations in a completely new format – an online videoconferencing due to the coronavirus pandemic.


Such a global catastrophe has not been observed on our planet in the last hundred years.


This calamity has vividly revealed humanity’s vulnerability.


The current threatening and complex situation has proved that all states and peoples of the world are interconnected and that regular dialogue, trust and close cooperation among us are extremely important.


In this context, all of us have deeply realized the need for consolidating the mutual efforts of governments, parliaments, civil society institutions; strengthening the principles of common responsibility; coordinating international partnership accordingly; increasing the status and capacity, as well as expanding the competences of the World Health Organization.


Our goal is to jointly create fair global system that ensures basic rights, freedoms, health and well-being of every human being.


In this regard, we propose to develop under the UN auspices an International Code of Voluntary Commitments of States during pandemics. This document should reflect each state’s commitments to its citizens and international partners.


Ladies and Gentlemen!


Since the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak in Uzbekistan, we have focused all our efforts and resources to containing this dangerous disease and, most importantly, saving the people’s lives.


Social protection and health systems are being cardinally strengthened to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic; targeted support is provided to the population, sectors of the economy and businesses. Special funds have been set up to this end.


I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to all our friends and partners who have generously supported during this time of trials.


We fully support the international community’s all efforts to effectively combat the pandemic, including the development and widespread use of essential drugs and vaccines.


We also welcome the proposal of Secretary-General António Guterres to hold a summit on the pressing issues of food security in the current context of the crisis.


Dear participants of the General Assembly!


Three years ago, speaking from the high rostrum of the United Nations, I stated that Uzbekistan was firmly determined to implement radical reforms.


As a result of our large-scale measures on political, social and economic modernization of society, a new Uzbekistan is being formed. Today, the process of democratic transformations in our country has become irreversible.


Last year’s parliamentary elections demonstrated the growing political activism of the population and parties, the role of civil society institutions and the influence of the media.


The gender equality policy became a priority for us. The role of women in public administration is growing. In our new Parliament the number of women deputies has doubled.


The human rights situation has also completely changed. The forced and child labour were fully abolished. The National Human Rights Strategy was adopted.


In response to a call from the United Nations to reduce the number of stateless persons, this year alone 50,000 of our compatriots were granted Uzbek citizenship.


The situation with religious freedom in our country has also improved dramatically. Further strengthening the inter-ethnic harmony and inter-religious tolerance is a constant important task for us.


Comprehensive reforms to ensure true independence of the judiciary and the rule of law are being consistently implemented.


The uncompromising fight against corruption has reached a new level. In this regard, important legislation has been adopted and independent Anti-Corruption Agency was established.


The economic reforms are being dynamically continued in our country. For the first time, we have publicly declared our determination to reduce poverty. We are achieving this through development of entrepreneurship and job creation; improving the investment climate and business environment; building a modern infrastructure and providing targeted social assistance to the population through training people to new professions.


In our country, where over half of the population is young, an extensive work is underway to ensure that every young person takes a worthy place in society and demonstrate their potential. The Youth Parliaments and the Agency for Youth Affairs are operating in Uzbekistan.


In August the Samarkand International Forum on Youth Rights was successfully held under the auspices of the United Nations.


I would like to take this opportunity to once again call on you to support Uzbekistan’s initiative to adopt the