Sadyr Zhaparov, President of Kyrgyzstan, said he was speaking from the rostrum not only as a head of State, but as an ordinary citizen of his country, expressing his true opinion and thoughts on international events.  “I have decided to speak openly and directly about the problems that trouble the hearts of millions of people,” he said.  Around the world, new armed conflicts and wars are breaking out and millions of people are losing their homes and forced to leave their native lands.  “Who suffers the most?  First of all - ordinary people,” he said, adding that the world community applies double standards by prioritizing conflicts as "this is more important, and that is less important", as it accounts for its selfish geopolitical interests.  Kyrgyzstan is suffering from the consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, as unilateral sanctions negatively impact a country working to independently strengthen its economy.

He said he views unjustified sanctions as interference in the country’s internal affairs and pressure that hinders the development of its emerging economy.  The sanctions imposed on Kyrgyzstan are based on false information spread by certain non-governmental organizations and dishonest people.  His Government is ready to accept independent international audits to thoroughly check the activities of Kyrgyz banks.  In 2024, the United Kingdom, which imposed sanctions against two Kyrgyz banks, carried out $2.2 billion in trade with the Russian Federation.  “You demand to us not to cooperate with Russia, but you yourself are actively developing trade and economic ties with it,” he said.  “We have far deeper economic relations with Russia than you do.  Therefore, in economic terms, we cannot refuse to cooperate with Russia.”  His primary duty as President is to ensure the security of the country’s citizens and improve their economic situation.  “We oppose the politicization of economic cooperation and trade.”

Stressing the need to strengthen the work of UN peacekeeping, he said Kyrgyzstan has shown its sincere desire to strengthen world peace and security by sending its peacekeepers on UN missions.  “The contribution of a State should not be determined by its size, but by the depth of its commitment and sincere desire for peace and solidarity,” he said, adding that his Government supports strengthening international treaties, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.  “We must educate the young generation to perceive a world without nuclear weapons!”  The International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness, initiated by Kyrgyzstan and supported by UN Member States, is an excellent platform to implement this concept. Kyrgyzstan is one of the initiators and a depository of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia and this year it decided to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Turning to multilateralism, he said the Organization “was born from the horrors of war, but is alive thanks to the belief in cooperation, dialogue and respect.”  Preserving the multilateral system as a shield against anarchy and unilateral decisions is more important than ever and the Organization needs change to respond to contemporary challenges and threats.  “It is also time to improve and reform the work of the UN Security Council,” he said, as its 15 members decide the fate of all States.  Yet more than 60 Member States, including Kyrgyzstan, have never been elected to the Council, while some countries have been elected five or six times.  To draw attention to the problems of small States, Kyrgyzstan has put forward its candidacy for a non-permanent Council membership for 2027-2028.  “Every State should have the opportunity to become a member of the Security Council and contribute to maintaining peace and security in the world,” he said, asking Member States for their support.