Extending Horizons of Cooperation with Eminent International Institutions

Дата публикации: Mar 15, 2012 11:58:36 AM

Uzbekistan has established mutually beneficial and equal relations with many countries and prominent international organizations during the years of its national independence.

Close cooperation with the United Nations and its constituent agencies has contributed to further enhancement of our nation’s standing in the world community.

At the 46th session of the United Nations, Uzbekistan unanimously became a member of the UN.

President Islam Karimov’s initiatives in combating international terrorism, religious extremism, illicit arms and drugs trafficking, voiced during various sessions of the UN General Assembly have stirred remarkable interest across the globe.

Proposals and ideas pushed forward by the leader of Uzbekistan gained importance in affording Central Asia a status of nuclear weapons free zone, in adressing the situation in Afghanistan, in mitigating the impact of the Aral Sea crisis, and providing for environmental security in the region.

President Karimov came up with the idea to establish an international center for countering terrorism at the Istanbul 1999 summit of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

The Committee for Combating Terrorism at the UN Security Council, a practical application of that initiative, was established in September 2001.

Preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction has been one of priority tasks within cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United Nations.

It should be noted that the proposal to declare Central Asia a zone free from nuclear weapons was also put forward by the President of Uzbekistan.

In September 2006, officials of Central Asian nations signed the treaty to establish Central Asia as a nuclear weapons free zone, itself an important step toward ensuring general nuclear security.

Giving its support for the Declaration of Millennium Development Goals adopted by the UN in 2000, Uzbekistan has achieved steady economic growth rates for the past period. Consistent implementation of social programs, particularly in education and healthcare, has contributed to a great success made in furthering the Millennium Development Goals.

The 2011-2015 National Action Plan approved in Uzbekistan was aimed at accelerating the realization of Millennium Development Goals and has served to further expand the scope of efforts undertaken on this front.

Our country has been actively cooperating with a number of structural units within the UN Development Program, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Office for Drug Control and Crime (UNODC), World Health Organization, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the institution of gender equality and empowerment of women, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

In collaboration with UNICEF, Uzbekistan has embarked on diverse activities to promote children’s health, in particular in preventing infectious diseases, vaccination, uplifting the medical culture and awareness in schools and pre-school establishments, securing good hygiene standards and healthy lifestyle.

UNESCO has been actively involved in the cultural life of our nation. A number of events to celebrate anniversaries of historical cities and great ancestors of Uzbekistan are made possible in cooperation with the Organization.

Sharq Taronalari international music festival is also organized in interaction with UNESCO. The Organization is active in reconstruction efforts and general promotion of ancient monuments in Uzbekistan.

The list of UNESCO’s Pearls of the World Cultural Heritage includes the historical centers of Samarkand, Bukhara, Shahrisabz, and Ichan Kala in Khiva. Boysun national folk customs are acknowledged by UNESCO as oral and intangible treasure of mankind.

Dozens of motion pictures and documentaries created by Uzbek filmmakers are included in the list of world cinematography, suggesting that not only the ancient monuments, but also examples of modern art and culture are highly valued in the international community.

UNFPA and the World Health Organization have been energetic in cooperating with our country in promoting reproductive health, maternal and child healthcare, environmental security, assistance in emergency situations as well.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon paid a visit to Uzbekistan in April 2010, during the latter’s presidency in Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The Secretary General signed a Declaration on Cooperation between the UN Secretariat and the SCO. The document has been instrumental in enhancing the participation of the two organizations toward intensification of integration processes and consolidation of regional security.

President Islam Karimov, in his address to UN General Assembly session on Millennium Development Goals in September 2010, conveyed practical proposals and recommendations to address global issues, including in particular the efforts undertaken in Uzbekistan within the framework of Millennium Development Goals, our country’s cooperation with the United Nations, the processes in Central Asia, regional environmental issues and security, peaceful settlement of the Afghan conflict – with all these ideas inviting acknowledgement and support by the international community. These facts and figures are suggestive of Uzbekistan’s mounting reputation in the international arena.

The UN leadership has voiced its high appreciation and support for the strides made by our nation in joint combat against terrorism, extremism, separatism and drug trafficking, to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan, and aspiration to enhance international cooperation in this area.

From one year to another, Uzbekistan’s cooperation with the UN has been advancing and enlarging in scope. Firm on the path of enthusiastic cooperation with this pre-eminent international organization, Uzbekistan is set to continue to make noteworthy contribution to consolidating peace and security.

UzA