UZBEKISTAN, UN PLEDGE TO BOLSTER COOPERATION FOR PEACE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
13.06.2015
The meeting between President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon took place at the Kuksaroy residence on June 12, 2015.
The United Nations is a major international organization with 193 member countries. In six months of national independence, Uzbekistan acceded to this institution as a full-fledged member on 2 March 1992. Cooperation has been advancing consistently in the name of consolidating the peace and security, boosting healthcare, in environmental issues, education, culture, tourism and other realms.
This visit has afforded a good opportunity to keep with the productive dialogue, exchange views on issues related to cementing the mutually advantageous interaction between Uzbekistan and the UN, including in such areas as countering nuclear proliferation, sustainable socioeconomic development, addressing environmental problems and rational use of water resources, resolution of crisis in Afghanistan and the latter’s reconstruction, combating the threat of international terrorism and drug trafficking, among others.
The peace-loving policies of Uzbekistan, its efforts directed at providing for security and stability in the region are in tune with the activities of the UN. At the initiative of the President of our country, Central Asia has become a nuclear weapons free zone.
Representative offices of a number of UN agencies are operating in our country, such as the World Health Organization, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization, UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Development Program, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS. Together with these organizations more than 440 projects are implemented. Currently, in excess of 70 projects are in progress.
“Uzbekistan considers you as a prominent politician, who has for many years been consistent and energetic in carrying out fruitful activities aimed at bolstering international security, promoting the ideas of a nuclear-free world, solving issues of sustainable development urgent for the entire humanity, as well as the many pressing global problems, environmental, social and humanitarian nature that earned you well-deserved prestige and recognition of the international community,” Islam Karimov said.
The achievement of high Millennium Development Goals – an integrated orientation for all the states during the last fifteen years – has been acquiring an important place in the activities of the UN, along with the forthcoming new agenda of the future – the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Your current visit to Central Asia and the Republic of Uzbekistan in particular as the chief of the UN will offer a great opportunity to get closely familiar with the situation unfolding in the region and to thoroughly exchange views on pressing issues bothering all of us,” the President of our country stressed. “And, first and foremost, the growing radicalization, conflicts and violence, the mounting political and economic confrontation and the ongoing global financial and economic crisis – all of these cannot but raise grave concern. In an increasingly complex global environment, we consider the United Nations as the only universal international organization for the maintenance of global security and stability, a unique structure to address the many intricate inter-state and international issues.”
“Uzbekistan has made significant progress in furthering the Millennium Development Goals, ensuring the rule of law and protecting human rights, safeguarding motherhood and childhood, improving the education system,” Ban Ki-moon said. “All these achievements are the result of sustainable and people-oriented socio-economic reforms.”
The Secretary General emphasized the interest of the United Nations to further strengthen its cooperation with Uzbekistan.
During the negotiations the two sides discussed a wide range of issues of regional and international character, identified priorities in building up the interaction between Uzbekistan and the United Nations and its specialized institutions and agencies.
Uzbekistan well remembers Ban Ki-moon’s trip to the Aral Sea region during his previous visit in 2010, which once again attracted the world community’s attention to one of the planetary ecological disasters of our time.
As it is known well, the increasingly expanding desert in the Aral region has been overwhelming greater areas. Over the past 50 years the water vicinity of the Aral Sea has shrunk by more than fourfold, while the volume of water has decreased by 10 times, and its mineralization amplified by the same fortitude. Under the impact of factors affecting the quality of life, health and gene pool of the local population encompasses not only the regions around the drying sea, but also the territory far beyond its perceptible borders. Addressing the existing socioeconomic problems of the population residing in the Aral Sea region is impossible without joint efforts and close cooperation with the United Nations.
An international conference entitled “Development of cooperation in the Aral Sea region to weather the impact of the ecological disaster” was organized in Urgench in 2014.
The head of our state expressed gratitude to Ban Ki-moon for his personal support for the program of measures to eliminate the consequences of the drying of the Aral Sea ecosystem and prevent disasters in the Aral region, elaborated in the context of the current presidency of Uzbekistan in the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, which was adopted as an official document of the 68th session of the General Assembly.
Maintenance and bolstering the security and stability in Central Asia, the protracted nature of the crisis in Afghanistan lied at the heart of the issues discussed.
The distinguished guest welcomed the active participation of Uzbekistan in the multilateral discussions within the United Nations and its contribution to the solution of regional and global issues. In particular, the UN Secretary General praised Uzbekistan’s input into the efforts directed at achieving stability and development in Afghanistan.
Ban Ki-moon emphasized the efforts of Uzbekistan, which, as a friendly neighbor of Afghanistan, has provided extensive assistance to accomplishing these objectives. Our country, with the support of international financial institutions, in particular the ADB, is implementing projects for the construction of transport communications, supllying electricity to the population of Afghanistan and delivering humanitarian aid.
The parties to talks noted that the only solution to the Afghan problem is political negotiations and the achievement of internal consensus and agreement, the creation of an enabling international environment, continuation of financial and humanitarian support and active participation of the United Nations.
Islam Karimov said that Uzbekistan, attaching great importance to maintaining close partnership with the UN and its institutions, is ready for the progressive development of effective cooperation. And that includes the furthering of the Millennium Development Goals by the end of the year and the Sustainable Development Goals, to be adopted at the forthcoming General Assembly.
Ban Ki-moon expressed confidence that interaction between the UN and Uzbekistan will become even more productive. The signing of the framework program of the United Nations to assist in development for 2016-2020 is an important milestone.
The Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon later the same day visited Bukhara, and got familiar with the historical monuments and modern buildings of the city.
Cooperation of Uzbekistan in the framework of the United Nations Organisation
The Republic of Uzbekistan became a member of the United Nations Organisation on March 2, 1992 at the 46th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. For the last eleven years close contacts are established with all main structures of the Organisation.
Under the aegis of the United Nations the following major events were held in Tashkent: Conference "Central Asia - nuclear weapon free zone", Conference of "6+2" Group, Conference on "Strengthening the security and stability in Central Asia, integrated approach in struggle against drug-trafficking, organised crime, terrorism and othersФ.
Uzbekistan intensively cooperates within the framework of the UN General Assembly agenda, and with the various specialised institutions of the UN system. The Republic has most productive cooperation with the following institutions: the UNDP, UNODC, OPCW, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and others.
In the framework of the United Nations Uzbekistan put forward the major initiatives in the field of ensuring international peace and security:
creation of Nuclear Free Zone in Central Asia;
introduction of embargo on deliveries of the weapon to Afghanistan;
creation of Group "6+2" on settlement of situation in Afghanistan;
creation of the International Centre for Struggle against Terrorism
The United Nations Department for Disarmament Affairs actively participated in development and financing of the contract draft on Nuclear Free Zone in Central Asia, which is planned to be signed this year.
In 2000 Uzbekistan is elected as a member in the structure of the Commission of the United Nations on Prevention of Crime and Criminal Justice for the period of 2001-2003.
A visit of the Secretary General of the United Nations K.Annan to Uzbekistan, 18-20.10.2002
The initiative on creation of Nuclear Free Zone in Central Asia
The initiative on creation Nuclear Free Zone in Central Asia was put forward by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan I.Karimov from a rostrum of the United Nations at the 48-th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1993.
Performance of the President of Uzbekistan I.Karimov at the 48-th session of the GA of the United Nations.
Tools of the initiative were the Almaty Declaration of the Presidents of the Central Asian (CA) states in 1997, the Tashkent Declaration of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of five Central Asian states (C-5) dated on September 17, 1997 and the Communique of an advisory meeting of five CA states and the countries of the Nuclear Five (P-5) in Bishkek on July 10, 1998.
International Conference "Central Asia - nuclear weapon free zone" was successfully carried out in Tashkent on September 15-17, 1997. It became a "corner stone" of legal registration of the Agreement on Nuclear Free Zone in Central Asia.
The Regional Commission of experts on drafting the Agreement on Nuclear Free Zone in Central Asia, with an active assistance of the United Nations Department for Disarmament Affairs and MAGATE experts, has chaired some working meetings in Geneva, Bishkek, Tashkent, Sapporo, Ashkhabad and Samarkand within the last six years.
In order to ensure taking of obligations by the nuclear states within the framework of the Report to the Agreement on Nuclear Free Zone in Central Asia, the C-5 countries held consultations with them to discuss the draft of Agreement. After the last Samarkand meeting of the C-5 two advisory meetings were chaired in New York in C-5/P-5 format, which resulted in the nuclear countriesТ presentation of the amendments and offers to the Agreement draft.
The international support to the Nuclear Free Zone in Central Asia initiative is getting stronger. Four resolutions have been adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations. The initiative was included in final documents of three sessions of the Preparatory Committee to the Survey Conference dated 2000 on consideration of action of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapon (TNPNW) and in its Final document, and also in final documents of 2 sessions of the the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapon Subcommittee dated 2005.
Cooperation of Uzbekistan in the framework of the Organization for the Prohibition
of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and their Destruction (CCW) is the first effective multilateral agreement in the field of disarmament, which provides liquidation under the international control of one kind of the weapon of mass destruction, including objects of its production, and also sets restrictions on trade in chemical substances.
The Republic of Uzbekistan signed the Convention on November 24, 1995 and ratified it on April 26, 1996, becoming the 60th state-participant of the OPCW. On July 23, 1996 the ratification letter was transferred for the depositary of the Convention - the Secretary General of the United Nations. On December 10, 2001 the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Belgium Mr. Alisher Shaykhov was accredited as the Constant Representative of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the OPCW.
As soon as the convention came into power on April 27, 1997, the national body - the Commission of the Cabinet of Ministers on realization of Conventions the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical, Bacteriological and Toxic Weapons and their Destruction was created in the Republic. The Agency "Sanoatkontexnazorat" is appointed as the Secretariat of the Commission.
According to the requirements of the Convention the initial announcement of the cumulative national data on chemicals and corresponding objects was submitted to the OPCW Secretariat. The announcements of the activity of the past calendar year are sent to the OPCW annually.
After the introduction of the Convention, since 1998 the OPCW has begun to inspect the objects of the Republic with the purpose of checking the conformity of the activity of Uzbekistan to the CCW requirements.
The representatives of the Republic of Uzbekistan annually take part in work of sessions of the Conference of the OPCW states-participants, regional seminars, training courses. Regional seminar of national bodies of the Central Asian states on practical realization of the Convention is to be held in Tashkent, in September 2003.
New challenges to security raise an urgency of participation of Uzbekistan in that international institution.
Cooperation of the Republic of Uzbekistan with the Temporary Technical Secretariat
of the Preparatory Commission
of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CNTBTO)
The policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of non-proliferation is focused on increase of a role of the non-nuclear states in enhancement of the WMD non-proliferation mode. Entirely supporting the principle of indivisibility of security and taking up the responsibility for strengthening of a universal mode of nuclear non-proliferation, the Republic of Uzbekistan suggested to create a nuclear free zone in Central Asia.
The CNTBT was authorized by the General Assembly of the United Nations on September 10, 1996. Uzbekistan joined it on October 3, 1996 and ratified it on April 25, 1997. By February, 2003 the Contract was signed by 166 states.
The Republic of Uzbekistan considers the CNTBT as the second most effective, after the TNPNW, tool of restraint of nuclear proliferation and, accordingly, supports the prompt introduction of the Treaty.
Within the framework of the CNTBT the Republic of Uzbekistan is interested in close cooperation in order to develop national science in such spheres as nuclear physics and seismology.
On May 10-13, 2002 the Executive Secretary of the CNTBTO V.Hoffmann paid a visit to Uzbekistan. He had meetings in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
According to the clause III of the CNTBT, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan is determined as a national liason body to cooperate with the CNTBTO. Now the issue of defining of the national data center of Uzbekistan is in progress.
Cooperation of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the framework of Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxic Weapons and their Destruction (CBW)
The Republic of Uzbekistan, having recognized the importance of signing of the Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare dated back to June 17, 1925 (Geneva), has accepted the obligation on realization of the CBW.
Therefore, the Republic of Uzbekistan on December 22, 1995 joined the Convention, and on January 26, 1996 the CBW came into force in the Republic of Uzbekistan.
For the past period the relevant legislative mechanisms were created in Uzbekistan to allow observing of the obligations under the Convention.
According to the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers (Government) of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated December 14, 1998, the national body of the Republic of Uzbekistan on realization of CBW was created in the form of the Commission of the Cabinet of the Republic of Uzbekistan on realization of Conventions on the Prohibition of the Chemical and Biological Weapons.
The national body of the Republic of Uzbekistan annually prepares and sends information on compliance of obligations of the Republic of Uzbekistan with the requirements of the mentioned Convention to the UN Department on Disarmament.
Cooperation of the Republic of Uzbekistan with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
In 1946 at the first session of the UN General Assembly the resolution, which began the activity of the Organization on affairs of refugees, was adopted. The structural body - the International Refugee Organization (IRO) was founded.
In 1951 on base of the IRO the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was created.
In the UNHCR Charter, which was adopted in the resolution of the General Assembly in December, 1950, the duties of the High Commisioner are stated where the most important is "to support and protect the rights of refugees internationally and search for the long-term resolution of refugee problems", and also it is expressed that the activity of the Organization has humanitarian character and is apolitical.
With the opening of the UN Office in Tashkent on September 24, 1993 within the framework of the organization the UNHCR Office with a branch in Termez began to function in Tashkent. Since April 1, 2003 the Office is renamed into the UNHCR Mission to Uzbekistan. In June, 2003 Abdul Brown Gul (Lebanon) was designated as a Chief of the Mission.
Since 2002 Nicolas Kussidis has been appointed as a UNHCR Regional Coordinator for Central Asia. Now its office is located in Dushanbe.
The beginning of the practical activities of the UNHCR branches in Tashkent and Termez in 1993-1997, including rendering of the humanitarian assistance and organizational support, is connected with a repatriation of the Tajik refugees from Afghanistan home. The UNHCR Office has started to register persons, define their status and deliver "mandatory refugee" certificates to them since 1994.
During May 29-31, 1997 the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata paid a visit to Uzbekistan.
In September, 1997 in close cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan the UNHCR Office in Tashkent has carried out evacuation of the UN employees and international non-government organizations from Mazar-i-Sharif through Termez to Pakistan.
On January 15, 1998 a process of repatriation of the Tajik refugees from Turkmenistan through the territory of Uzbekistan to Tajikistan began.
Within the framework of other spheres of cooperation the UNHCR also renders technical assistance to the development programs in training the staff on human rights issues, language learning, carrying out of seminars on international law, publishing the literature on human rights.
With a direct UNHCR assistance the Studying Centre for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law was created at the Tashkent State Law Institute.
About cooperation of the Republic of Uzbekistan with the
United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) - the largest multilateral channel of grants directed on the purpose of sustainable human development. It has been functioning since 1965. First of all it has a goal to transform the United Nations into a tool of support of sustainable development of human resources.
The UNDP is the main organization of the UN system on rendering technical assistance to less developed countries and the countries with transition economies. Today 175 states are recipients of the UNDP assistance. The program finances the diversified economic and technical assistance which is directed only to governments or through them.
The UNDP started to function in the Republic of Uzbekistan in 1993. Since 1999 the preparation and realization of projects is carried out on a UNDP Country Cooperation Program (CCP) basis, providing a three-year period of assistance to the Republic of Uzbekistan. The main task of the Country Cooperation Program is granting of technical and advisory assistance to the Government of Uzbekistan in decision of short- and mid-term priority prospects of social and economic development of the country. The UNDP Representative in Uzbekistan simultaneously carries out functions of the Chief Office, that is responsible for coordination of operational activity of the UN institutions in Uzbekistan.
Up to now more than 50 projects are undertaken in the Republic with the UNDP participation. Now the UNDP Regional Bureau for the countries of Europe and the CIS coordinates the realization of 12 programs and projects, which somehow concern Uzbekistan. A national executor supervises over each project.
Annually the UNDP issues a Report "On human development in Uzbekistan". Since 2001 the UNDP has started to release the General Country Estimation (GCE). The GEC is aimed at gathering of the information and publication of the statistic data including practical proposals and recommendations to the Government in such spheres as economy, poverty reduction, government management, public health services, education, security and environment. In preparation of the GCE the United Nations is looking for the support of the greater information transparency in the designated spheres. The statements and purposes proclaimed at the world conferences of the United Nations in 90Тs years are recognized as the GCE.
President of Uzbekistan participates in UN MDG summit
21.09.2010, Jahon News
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov on the invitation of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, took part in the UN General Assembly high-level plenary session on Millennium Development Goals in New York. The head of our state spoke at the summit.
The relations between Uzbekistan and the United Nations cover a wide range of issues. Uzbekistan became a member of UN in 1992. Since then, Uzbekistan has had a consistent cooperation with UN in the fight against the threats and challenges to peace and stability, prevention of environmental problems and development of social and economic issues.
In 2002, the former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan visited Uzbekistan.
In April of 2010, the current Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon paid a visit to Uzbekistan. During his stopover, the UN Secretary-General first visited the Aral Sea region and was directly acquainted with the environmental crisis, which adversely impacted the entire world. It became important factor to strengthen the world’s attention to the environmental problems of Central Asia.
Declaration on Cooperation between the UN Secretariat and Shanghai Cooperation Organization was signed within the visit of Ban Ki-Moon, becoming the key factor in expanding the participation of these two structures to activate the integration processes in Central Asia, strengthening the regional security.
The initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on giving the Central Asia the status of nuclear weapons free zone was widely supported by the UN, who’s been striving to unite the world community for strengthening the peace and stability and preventing the spread of nuclear weapon.
The UN also appreciates and supports the initiatives of Uzbekistan in the joint fight against terrorism, extremism, separatism and drug trafficking, as well as stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan, expanding international cooperation in this direction.
During his speech at the UN, President Karimov highlighted the activities undertaken in Uzbekistan in the framework of MDG, the country’s cooperation with UN, the issues of regional security and environment in Central Asia and the situation in Afghanistan.
Uzbek President noted that the wars and conflicts on the example of Afghanistan prevented the solution of international problems. Islam Karimov also stressed the need to stabilize the situation in this country by providing economic aid and implementing social, humanitarian and infrastructure projects. At the same time, the centuries-old traditions and values of the people of Afghanistan should be honored, the president said.
The environmental protection is essential in achieving the MDG, Uzbek President noted during his speech. Over the past 40 years, Aral Sea shrunk to seven times and its water volume decreased by 13 times. Given that the Aral Sea region is provided with water by Amudarya and Sirdarya rivers, the decline of water level in them would worsen an already difficult environmental situation.
The proposals and initiatives addressed Uzbek President were received with great interest by the participants of the session of UN General Assembly, UzA informs.
Islam Karimov meets Ban Ki-Moon
21.09.2010, Jahon News
On September 20, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon at UN headquarters in New York. President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov at of the United Nations, met with UN Secretary General.
Prior to the talks, Uzbek head of state made a record in the book of honorary guests of the UN.
“There is a growing interest of the UN to Uzbekistan and Central Asian states,” said Islam Karimov. “We appreciate the cooperation with UN in ensuring peace and stability in our region, strengthening security, combating drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and other threats, addressing environmental concerns and efficient use of water and energy resources.”
Strong ties have been established between Uzbekistan and UN agencies such as UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF, World Health Organization, and this cooperation is actively developing, President Karimov said.
Uzbekistan cooperates with the UN in many areas. The agenda of mutual relations, in addition to security issues, includes environment, economic development, education and health as well as issues such like UN reform and improvement of the efficiency of its bodies.
Uzbekistan supports the proposal to consolidate the UN structure in Uzbekistan in a single representation. This will allow the further development and intensification of cooperation between Uzbekistan and UN, contributing to effective coordination of its structure in Uzbekistan.
The UN highly appreciates the cooperation with Uzbekistan, and pays special attention to relations with the country and the whole Central Asian region, Ban Ki-Moon noted during the meeting.
The sides exchanged views on issues of the further development of relations between Uzbekistan and UN, UzA informs.
Uzbekistan and UNFPA
The previous UNFPA country programme (2005-2009) was approved for $4 million: $2.7 million from regular resources and $1.3 million from other resources.
In the area of reproductive health, the programme strengthened the capacity of the health system to provide high-quality reproductive and maternal health care. The programme improved the quality of services at the primary-care level by training health-care providers, developing policies and guidelines, and providing essential equipment. It also helped to establish a viable system for emergency obstetric care, and strengthened the contraceptive logistics system.
The programme helped to increase the knowledge of young people about sexual and reproductive health and the prevention of HIV and AIDS through peer education and the media. The programme supported life skills-based education for in-school youth. UNFPA also helped to build the national technical capacity to collect, analyse and use population information for socio-economic policies and strategies.
Lessons learned include the need to: (a) increase the national technical capacity to plan, implement, coordinate and monitor programme implementation; (b) improve the skills of national partners in integrating population and development; (c) take into account the difficulty of involving civil society in the programme and the lack of reliable data on poverty, employment, health and other population-related issues; and (d) improve the coordination of programme interventions among government entities and international and bilateral donors.
The proposed country programme has been harmonized with the programmes of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and UNDP. The Government participated actively in the programme preparation process and in the development of the United Nations Development Framework (UNDAF).
The UNFPA programme takes into account national development policies, the goals and objectives of the International Conference on Population and Development and its five- and ten-year reviews, the Millennium Development Goals and the UNFPA strategic plan, 2008-2011. The programme will mainstream humanitarian concerns and security risks, including the impact of the global economic crisis and environmental concerns. It will emphasize partnership, coordination and joint programming.
The goal of the UNFPA country programme is to improve the quality of life in Uzbekistan by supporting the following UNDAF outcomes: (a) the economic well-being of vulnerable groups is improved; (b) enhanced access to and utilization of high-quality, essential social services; and (c) the effectiveness, inclusiveness and accountability of government at national and local levels are enhanced.
The country programme has three components: (a) reproductive health and rights; (b) population and development; and (c) gender equality. Increasing access to high-quality reproductive and maternal health services and promoting reproductive rights will be the focus of the reproductive health and rights component. In the area of population and development, the programme will seek to strengthen the national capacity to incorporate population factors into national development frameworks. In the area of gender equality, the programme will focus on improving national mechanisms to implement the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Interventions related to young people, marginalized and excluded populations, emergency preparedness, and humanitarian responses to natural calamities are addressed throughout the programme.
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Proposed indicative UNFPA assistance: |
8.9 million: $7.8 million from regular resources and $1.1 million through co-financing modalities and/or other, including regular, resources |
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Programme period:
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6 years (2010-2015) |