“PRESIDENT’S SPEECH AT THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY — A CALL FOR GLOBAL SOLIDARITY”

On September 23, 2025, the jubilee 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened at the UN Headquarters in New York. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered a speech during the general political debates. The event, chaired by Annalena Baerbock, was attended by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, as well as leaders of major states such as the United States, Brazil, Turkey, South Africa, Korea, France, and others.

At the beginning of his address, the President noted the decline in the authority of international institutions and the intensification of conflicts and wars around the world, emphasizing the need to preserve the role of the UN as the main international platform. At the same time, he proposed transforming the Security Council and expanding its membership.

In his speech, Shavkat Mirziyoyev elaborated on the democratic, legal, and social reforms being carried out in New Uzbekistan. As an example, he noted that in recent years the poverty rate had dropped from 35 to 6.6 percent, while historic results had been achieved in the field of education. In particular, preschool education coverage increased from 27 to 78 percent, and higher education coverage rose from 9 to 42 percent.

The President stressed: “Our priority goal is to fundamentally transform the life of every family and every citizen in our country, to enhance human dignity and well-being.”

In his address, the Head of State announced initiatives important not only for Uzbekistan but for all of humanity. In particular, he proposed holding the World Summit on Vocational Education in Uzbekistan to elevate the status of teachers and create a unified international platform.

In the field of healthcare, he put forward the initiative to organize a high-level conference at the UN Headquarters dedicated to combating childhood cancer and severe diseases.

In terms of gender policy, the President emphasized the need to strengthen the role of women in public and political life and in entrepreneurship, proposing to grant the Asian Women’s Forum the status of a permanent platform.

Special attention was paid by Shavkat Mirziyoyev to regional security issues, particularly the situation in Afghanistan. He stressed that isolating this country must not be allowed, and that it requires the support of the international community. The President proposed adopting a separate UN resolution on the development of international transport and energy corridors through Afghanistan.

Touching upon the situations in Gaza and Ukraine, the President called for peace and political negotiations. He also expressed Uzbekistan’s readiness to open a regional UN office in Tashkent within the framework of the global counterterrorism strategy.

In the field of ecology and sustainable development, the President proposed holding the World Forum on Rational Use of Water Resources in Uzbekistan, underlining the need to address climate change and the Aral Sea crisis at a global level, as well as to create an international mechanism to counter climate migration.               It was announced that by 2030, 80 percent of the Aral Sea region is planned to be covered with greenery.

Addressing digital development and the potential of artificial intelligence, Shavkat Mirziyoyev stressed the importance of preventing digital inequality, ensuring equal access to technologies, and promoting the selfless sharing of AI solutions, proposing to establish international cooperation mechanisms in this area.

On youth issues, the President proposed the establishment of the “World Youth     Movement for Peace” with its headquarters located in Uzbekistan.

Each of the announced initiatives strengthened Uzbekistan’s image as a responsible partner in addressing global challenges. Sociological surveys in the country also show that the population supports a foreign policy course based on openness and cooperation.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s speech from the UN rostrum went down in history as the firm voice of New Uzbekistan — a call for peace, solidarity, and justice.