Long standing cooperation between the UN and the Republic of Uzbekistan that has been ongoing since March the 2^nd, 1992 has reached a new level in the last years. Speech by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan during the 46^th session of UN Human Rights Council marked a new historical milestone.

Last five years in the history of cooperation between the UN and Uzbekistan has been highlighted with new strategic partnership carried out under the United Nations Development Assistance Framework 2016-2020. The Framework had successfully been aligned with National Development Strategy of the Republic for 2017-2021. This phase of strategic cooperation between Uzbekistan and the UN focused on inclusive economic development, provision of quality health and education services, protection of environment and promotion of effective governance. This stage of cooperation culminated with the speech of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh. Mirziyoyev at the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

New phase of cooperation between the UN and Uzbekistan was marked with inclusion of the Republic of Uzbekistan in UN Human Rights Council for the first time in history. Uzbekistan has proven its commitment to irreversible democratic reforms to guarantee inalienable human rights once more.

Inclusion of Uzbekistan in UNHRC came as a result of ongoing reforms in all spheres of economy, politics, social and cultural life in Uzbekistan. International community has been able to verify for themselves the path this country has taken in the protection of human rights through the adoption of National Strategy for Human Rights in 2020. While the Strategy details the roadmap and priority directions for Uzbekistan in protecting and promoting human rights, the President announced several initiatives during his speech addressed to UNHRC.

President highlighted guarantee of human rights by achieving Sustainable Development Goals as a priority for the country. This is reflected in the new strategy for cooperation between Uzbekistan and the UN too. Finalized in 2020, UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2021-2025) focuses on assisting Uzbekistan to achieve Sustainable Development Goals by leaving no one behind.

Gender equality will be given boost by improving the overall standing of females in the society by affording them role of decision-makers and change-makers. Rather than only accepting laws, Uzbekistan has chosen the path of welcoming women to business, industry, and politics so they will become part of the or leader of the decisive structures in government and society. The President of Uzbekistan offered the initiative of holding Dialogue of Women-Leaders of Central Asian countries and a Regional Women's Business Forum, which allow for regional and global cooperation and exchange of experience and expertise in empowering women.

Rights of people with disabilities have always been under close monitoring of Uzbek government. President highlighted this once more in his speech that Uzbek Parliament will ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and offered to create Regional Council to assist with self-realization of people with disabilities. Uzbekistan has already taken decisive steps in the direction of facilitating full enjoyment of life by people with disabilities by adopting law on “Rights of People with Disabilities”. Publishing of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the law on “Rights of People with Disabilities” in Braille alphabet has been welcomed by international community.

Major part of world population consists of young people. Neglecting the rights and needs of this layer of global population will directly amount to ignoring the future of the planet. As a country half of the population of which consists of young people, Uzbekistan is determined not to leave the issues related to young people to fate and to take targeted steps to allow for full realization of human potential of the country’s youth. Year 2021 has been announced the Year of Supporting Youth and Strengthening Public Health. As such the country has embarked upon holding a Global Conference on the Rights of Youth under the auspices of the UN, developing a project of Convention on Youth Rights, and proposing the creation of Special Rapporteur on Youth Rights. All of these three initiatives presented by the President in his speech are directed at serving not only the youth of Uzbekistan, but of the whole world.

Progress in the field of human rights cannot be realized without proper education and training of ordinary citizens and the people holding key positions. Especially in developing countries such as Uzbekistan human rights education plays essential role in ensuring rapid spread of awareness of rights among population. With hindsight to positive results achieved with progress achieved via human rights education and training, President of Uzbekistan proposed to hold a Global Forum dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training in cooperation with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. This is expected to align global, regional, and national measures being taken to implement human rights education.

Speech of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan has highlighted the most important issues awaiting decisive measures in global arena and in Uzbekistan itself.

Honest evaluation of Uzbekistan’s progress in guaranteeing human rights and work to be done in future adds to the credibility of actions being taken in Uzbekistan.

It is clear that Uzbekistan has identified the way forward and is progressing at a high pace.

Robiya Arslonova
Senior Specialist
of Human Rights Education and Training Department,
National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan
for Human Rights