Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan, said his country’s priority goal is “to fundamentally transform the lives of each and every family and citizen in our country”, adding that it is building a democratic, social and secular “new Uzbekistan in full alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals”.

His country has managed to reduce its poverty rate from 35 per cent to 6.6 per cent in recent years through the transformation of the education and science sector, establishment of innovative industries and modernization of green energy and transport infrastructure, among others.  Preschool education coverage has increased from 27 per cent to 78 per cent, while higher education rates have risen from 9 per cent to 42 per cent.  The country is also investing in advanced healthcare and is aiming to “strengthen the role of women in social, political and business life”, he said, advocating for holding the Asian Women's Forum regularly in his region, turning it into a permanent platform.  ”By 2030, we intend to join the ranks of upper-middle income countries,” he emphasized.

Turning to his region, he said:  “The era of closed borders, unresolved disputes and conflicts is in the past.”  In recent years, the volume of mutual trade, investments and transportation of goods in the region has increased fivefold, and its countries are implementing “joint investment funds, cross-border trade and industrial cooperation zones”.  The Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia have become an effective mechanism for deepening regional integration, he said, adding:  “I can confidently affirm that, as of now, we are at the beginning stage of forming a New Central Asia.”

To deepen such cooperation, he proposed several projects, such as holding an international forum under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) dedicated to the economic development of Central Asian States.  Another proposal is to establish a regional hub for green technologies in industry.  Also stressing the need to support “the aspirations of the Afghan people for a peaceful and stable life”, he said it is crucial “to prevent this country's isolation” and proposed adopting a UN resolution on the development of transport and energy corridors of international significance through its territory.  Highlighting the vulnerability of the global transport system and the impact on landlocked developing countries, he said it is important “to ensure the security of international transit corridors and to establish efficient logistics networks”.

Turning to climate change, he highlighted the consequences of the Aral Sea desiccation.  His country is working to restore that ecosystem, he said, noting that “salt-tolerant desert plants have been planted on 2 million hectares of the dried seabed”.  By 2030, there will be green cover on 80 per cent of this area, he said, adding:  “The water crisis is a serious threat to sustainable development.”  Another adverse consequence of climate change is the intensifying trend of climate migration, he said, advocating for the adoption of a global pact for a broad international partnership on this issue.

He also proposed the creation of an international mechanism to facilitate “the gratis exchange of practical solutions and models of artificial intelligence in healthcare, education and culture”.  In addition, he put forward a proposal to establish a World Youth Movement for Peace and locate its headquarters in his country, adding that in the coming months his country will open a Centre of Islamic Civilization.