BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 31. Uzbekistan and the
United Nations agreed to strengthen cooperation on sustainable
development and international initiatives.


This was reflected in a statement by the press service of the
Uzbek president, following the talks between President Shavkat
Mirziyoyev and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the
sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in
Bishkek.


According to the information, the talks focused on expanding
Uzbekistan’s cooperation with the UN and its agencies, as well as
advancing joint work on sustainable development and other
international and regional priorities.


In the course of the meeting, Guterres congratulated Mirziyoyev
and the people of Uzbekistan on the country’s 35th anniversary of
independence and wished the country peace, prosperity and continued
development, according to the Uzbek presidential
administration.


Mirziyoyev highlighted Guterres’ contribution to strengthening
relations between Uzbekistan and the UN and expressed support for
the secretary-general’s initiatives aimed at reforming the
organization.


The Uzbek president also noted the growing intensity of
political dialogue and high-level exchanges between Uzbekistan and
the UN. The country’s participation in UN elected bodies has
expanded in recent years, while 15 UN General Assembly resolutions
have been adopted on Uzbekistan’s initiative, according to the
administration.







“Uzbekistan highly values the United Nations’ support for the
country’s reform agenda and its sustainable development
priorities,” the administration said, reflecting the emphasis
placed on continued multilateral cooperation.


Guterres, in turn, welcomed Uzbekistan’s progress in
implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals and confirmed the
organization’s readiness to further support the country’s efforts
in this area.


The parties also exchanged views on pressing issues on the
international and regional agenda and reviewed the schedule of
upcoming joint events.


The meeting underscores Uzbekistan’s efforts to use its
expanding engagement with the UN to advance national development
priorities while increasing its role in multilateral diplomacy.
With sustainable development, regional cooperation and
international institutional reform remaining key areas of common
interest, closer coordination could give Uzbekistan additional
opportunities to promote its priorities on global platforms.


The sides reaffirmed their readiness to maintain regular
dialogue and strengthen practical cooperation across areas of
mutual interest.