The first day of the debate, chaired by the President of the 76th Session Abdulla Shahid, was attended by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, leaders of member states – Presidents of the United States Joe Biden, People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping, Federative Republic of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro, Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in, Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda, Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as well as leaders of several other countries of America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

The delegations of the UN member states exchanged views on key issues of global and regional security, sustainable development in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and overcoming its socio-economic consequences, protection and promotion of human rights and freedoms.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his speech emphasized the growing role and importance of the United Nations and its specialized agencies in the new conditions.

– The transnational threats to peace, security and sustainable development are growing. The climate is rapidly changing. The mass migration flows are increasing and traditional values are declining.

It is the United Nations that must continue to play a leading role in these important processes of global destiny with new substance and quality. We support the Secretary-General’s efforts to strengthen solidarity and accord in the international relations, increase the efficiency and transparency of the Organization, – said the Leader of Uzbekistan.

The President expressed full support for the United Nations’ approach that ensures equal and fair access to vaccines based on the principle of «no one should be left behind».

– We are committed to further strengthening the coordinating role of the World Health Organization in effectively combating pandemic in the international recognition of vaccination results. The Code of Voluntary Commitments of States during Pandemic, developed on the initiative of the Republic of Uzbekistan and distributed as an official document of the UN General Assembly, is our practical contribution in this regard, – the President continued.

The President of Uzbekistan dwelt on large-scale and rapid democratic reforms that are underway in the country in recent years, which became irreversible.

– Ensuring and protecting human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests are the basis of our democratic reforms. The strict measures are being taken to ensure the freedom of speech and mass media, freedom of religion and conscience, gender equality and interethnic harmony, – the President noted.

Attention was paid to the New Uzbekistan Strategy, the concept of which is to strengthen the role of civil society institutions, protect human rights, reduce poverty, provide each citizen with a guaranteed source of income and achieve sustainable environmental development.

– Our main goal is to become one of the countries with above-middle income in terms of the per capita income by 2030. It should be emphasized that this plan is in line with the spirit of the UN Sustainable Development Goals until 2030, – the Leader of Uzbekistan said.

In this regard, it was proposed to hold an International Conference in Tashkent dedicated to studying the problems of global economic recovery, the implementation of the best practices in poverty reduction in the post-pandemic period.

The President noted that the World Conference on Involving Youth in Global Action was successfully held in Uzbekistan. The Head of the state informed about the conduction of a Global Educational Forum within the framework of a regular dialogue on human rights in the ancient city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan to continue the efforts in this direction.

The Head of the state expressed his firm intention to further strengthen the new political atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect, good neighborliness and strategic partnership in the Central Asian region.

– Our main objective is to make Central Asia a place of prosperity and sustainable development, trust and friendship. To this end, we attach priority to strengthening the interactions with neighboring and adjacent regions, – the Leader of Uzbekistan noted.

The initiative put forward by Uzbekistan to adopt a special resolution of the UN General Assembly on strengthening the connectivity between Central and South Asia was emphasized. In this context, it was again emphasized that Afghanistan is an integral part of Central Asia.

– It is not only us and the neighboring states, but also the whole world is interested in the establishment of peace and tranquility in this country. During these challenging times, it is impossible to isolate Afghanistan and leave it within the range of its problems. The influence and voice of the United Nations on Afghanistan must be heard louder than ever, – the President said.

The Leader of Uzbekistan paid attention to the growing number of threats and conflicts, transnational threats. It was noted that the holding in November this year in Tashkent of the International Conference dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Joint Action Plan within the framework of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy will serve to further strengthen international cooperation.

The Head of the state dwelt on the measures taken in Uzbekistan to combat climate change, protect the environment and biodiversity, and switch to renewable energy sources.

– This is our noble human duty not only for today, but also before the future generations, – Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

Confirmation of the effectiveness of Uzbekistan’s efforts in this area was the adoption of a Special Resolution of the UN General Assembly declaring the Aral Sea Region as a zone of environmental innovation and technology.

As a logical continuation of measures in ecology, an initiative was put forward to hold in 2022 a High-Level International Forum in cooperation with the United Nations on green energy in the Aral Sea Region in the city of Nukus.

Along with this, it was proposed to hold the Sixth High-Level Assembly under the auspices of the United Nations in 2023 in Uzbekistan for in-depth discussions of the priorities of global environmental policy.

– The participants of the Assembly will have an opportunity to learn about the difficult situation in the Aral Sea Region, which is the center of an ecological disaster caused by the drying up of the Aral Sea and draw the necessary conclusions. In addition, we intend to put forward an initiative in the Assembly to develop a Global Environment Charter aimed at laying the foundations of a new environmental policy of the United Nations, – the Leader of Uzbekistan said.

Following his speech, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev confirmed the readiness of Uzbekistan to develop a mutually beneficial, long-term and multifaceted partnership with all countries of the world and global organizations. It was emphasized that Uzbekistan will continue to strengthen cooperation aimed at sustainable growth, safe and a prosperous future, inform UzA.