Initiative of the President of Uzbekistan presented at the OSCE

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 20 December 2018, a special resolution of the UN General Assembly “Education and Religious Tolerance” initiated by Uzbekistan and adopted by the UN, was presented at the last meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe this year.

Sherzod Asadov, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the OSCE, briefed the ambassadors of the OSCE participating States and partners on the fundamentals and significance of the UN General Assembly resolution, as well as the policy on inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony being pursued in Uzbekistan.

It was emphasized that the adoption of the resolution was the practical implementation of the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, put forward from the rostrum of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly in September 2017 in New York, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan said.

It was noted that the main objectives of the document proposed by Uzbekistan are to ensure universal access to education, the elimination of illiteracy and ignorance. The resolution adopted by consensus is designed to promote the establishment of tolerance and mutual respect, ensure religious freedom, protect the rights of believers, and prevent their discrimination.

Permanent representatives to the OSCE of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan, who are co-sponsors of this special resolution, made statements in support of the document. They welcomed the initiative of the head of Uzbekistan and commended the “timely, relevant and relevant nature of the resolution” in the international arena in an era of growing intolerance, continued discrimination based on religion or belief.

It was emphasized that this document can serve as an important guide to action on the path of strengthening harmony, interreligious tolerance, peace and tranquility in the OSCE space.

It was noted that the adoption of this resolution is fully consistent with the goals and objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and called for OSCE members to intensify international efforts to combat intolerance and discrimination against Christians, Muslims and followers other religions, and fostering an international dialogue on promoting a culture of tolerance and peace at all levels.

Following the meeting, the report of the Permanent Representation of Uzbekistan was circulated as an official document of the OSCE Permanent Council.