Mirziyoyev discusses key issues with UN Secretary-General Guterres

On September 23, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, the press service of the Uzbek president reported.

During the talks, the parties discussed ways to further expand cooperation with the UN in implementing national priorities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

At the start of the meeting, Mirziyoyev congratulated Guterres on the anniversary session of the General Assembly and expressed strong support for his initiatives aimed at reforming the organization’s system in line with modern realities.

It was noted with satisfaction that cooperation between Uzbekistan and the UN has reached an unprecedented level. More than 160 joint programs and projects are currently being successfully implemented, and a new five-year cooperation program is expected to be signed in October. In recent years, 13 UN General Assembly resolutions have been adopted at Uzbekistan’s initiative. The country has also been elected to prestigious bodies such as ECOSOC, the Human Rights Committee, and the Statistical Commission.

The Uzbek side also proposed holding a high-level forum on combating childhood cancer and other serious diseases at the UN headquarters on September 24. Meanwhile, preparations are underway in Samarkand for the 43rd General Conference of UNESCO.

Guterres praised President Mirziyoyev’s speech at the anniversary session, highlighting the significance of his initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable development goals, shaping a New Central Asia, advancing global cooperation in digital technologies and artificial intelligence, empowering youth, promoting enlightened Islam, and other areas.

The two sides also exchanged views on pressing international and regional issues.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties agreed to deepen their broad-based partnership in priority areas and to develop new cooperation programs and projects.

As a reminder, on the same day, September 23, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also held talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.