On June 30, UN Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Uzbekistan for an official visit. The event marked the first stop of the high-ranking UN official’s journey to Central Asia.
Welcomed by Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Guterres visited several sites of cultural, historical, and economic significance for the country, including the Monument of Independence of Uzbekistan, the Center of Islamic Civilization, and the “Riverside” solar photovoltaic plant in Tashkent.
On July 1st, talks and negotiations were held with the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Kuksaroy Residence, where Guterres was awarded the highest state award, the “Oliy Darajali Dustlik” (Supreme Friendship). During these meetings, President Mirziyoyev emphasized the importance of Guterres’ personal contribution to strengthening relations between the United Nations and Uzbekistan. At the same time, the UN Secretary-General made significant statements on the issue of human rights in the country, praising the efforts made by President Mirziyoyev regarding forced and child labor and the progressive elimination of statelessness:
“Uzbekistan has made remarkable strides in protecting human rights. The visit of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to your country last year is a testament to this progress. I am optimistic that our collaboration in this critical area will continue to thrive. The elimination of forced labor in cotton fields, granting citizenship to stateless individuals, and the return and reintegration of women and children from camps in Syria and other regions are commendable achievements. These initiatives can serve as exemplary models for other countries.”
These efforts have also been witnessed by UNHCR and ILO, which operate in the country and monitor its development in these areas.
Finally, the Secretary General highlighted Uzbekistan’s commitment to regional stability and cooperation in Central Asia, as well as the promotion of renewable energy. He reaffirmed the United Nations’ support for the implementation of reforms for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Uzbekistan.
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