Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Permanent Mission of Uzbekistan to the UN organized a virtual solemn event on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Dunyo news agency reported.

At the event, which brought together about 180 guests from among the leadership and experts of the UN and its specialized agencies, as well as ambassadors of foreign states, the Chairman of the 74th session of the General Assembly Tijani Muhammad-Bande, Assistant Secretary General of the UN for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca, Resident Coordinator UN in Uzbekistan Helena Fraser and other diplomats.

In his video message to the participants, Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov said that Uzbekistan has resolutely entered a qualitatively new stage of its development. In the process of modernizing the country, strengthening the protection of human rights and freedoms, ensuring the rule of law, a new, democratic image of the state is being created. The reforms laid down in the Country Development Strategy for 2017-2021 are fully in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

The rapid expansion and strengthening of friendly and trusting relations with neighboring countries, the active development of multifaceted dialogue and cooperation with the European Union, as well as the multilateral activities of Tashkent within the UN, OSCE, SCO, CIS and other international and regional organizations were noted.

It was emphasized that Uzbekistan for the first time presented its candidacy to the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2021-2023 and expressed hope for broad support of foreign partners during the upcoming elections.

The Chairman of the General Assembly, Tijani Muhammad-Bande conveyed his sincere congratulations to the leadership and people of Uzbekistan on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of independence.

He highly appreciated the close cooperation between Uzbekistan and the UN in order to ensure global peace, security and sustainable development. He emphasized the key role of our country as a reliable partner in maintaining stability and development in Central Asia and beyond.

The UN General Assembly Chairman welcomed the efforts of the leadership of Uzbekistan to improve the well-being of the population not only within the country, but also to actively promote these goals throughout Central Asia. He expressed hope for continued constructive cooperation between the UN and Uzbekistan, especially in the framework of the General Assembly.

UN Assistant Head Miroslav Jenca said: “Uzbekistan has made significant headway in recent years, decisively embarking on the path of reform and openness to the outside world, which has had a catalytic effect on the entire Central Asia. Thanks to the important role of Tashkent, the region today is characterized by a high level of trust, cooperation between all five Central Asian countries has significantly expanded and also covered Afghanistan. "

Miroslav Jenca welcomed the reforms and transformations carried out under the personal leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the tremendous results achieved in the field of empowering youth and women, ensuring gender equality, developing an international convention on the rights of youth and promoting the participation of young people in decision-making, repatriation and reintegration. families of foreign terrorist fighters. He stressed that similar efforts are now being made by other countries in the region.

The UN Assistant Secretary General expressed confidence that despite the current challenges, including those associated with the pandemic, Uzbekistan "will persistently continue its efforts to reform, paving the way for the country’s" Third Renaissance ".

Resident Coordinator Helena Fraser congratulated on behalf of the UN Country Team in Uzbekistan on Independence Day.

She stated the republic’s commitment to multilateralism, as evidenced by the growing participation of the Uzbek side and constructive dialogue with the UN system at all levels. She thanked the Government for its close partnership in the health and socio-economic response to COVID-19 and post-crisis recovery, which has created an enabling environment for a more proactive, people-centered response and sustainable, green and inclusive recovery.

The Resident Coordinator highly appreciated the ambitious laws adopted over the past three years aimed at achieving gender equality in matters of sexual and reproductive health, combating domestic violence, child marriage and human trafficking, and ensuring the rights of people with disabilities. She noted the significant progress Uzbekistan has made in respecting basic labor rights, preventing forced labor and eradicating the use of child labor in the cotton industry.

Congratulations were also made by over 20 permanent representatives of the UN member states, including the heads of diplomatic missions of the countries of Central Asia, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Benin, Great Britain, Hungary, Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Qatar, China, Latvia, Mongolia, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Senegal, Turkey, Equatorial Guinea and others.

Most of the speakers highly appreciated the reforms and transformations carried out in Uzbekistan in recent years, significant achievements and progress in the field of ensuring human rights and freedoms, the rule of law, and also welcomed the increased activity of Uzbekistan in the framework of the UN in recent years in the field of peace, security and sustainable development. The constructive and open foreign policy pursued by Tashkent, contributing to the strengthening of mutually beneficial and trusting relations in the region, was especially noted. The delegations voiced strong support for Uzbekistan’s candidacy to the UN Human Rights Council.

The participants of the celebration were shown a special video about Uzbekistan prepared by the National TV and Radio Company.

With the assistance of Uzbekconcert, a live broadcast of the performance of the Yalla ensemble and the Toshkent Zebolari dance group from the Turkiston Palace of Arts was organized.