President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on 10 May. 

The Head of our state, greeting the guest, particularly underlined the significance of further developing and reinforcing a constructive and open dialogue between Uzbekistan and the UN, institutions of this authoritative universal international organization, including with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. 

It was stressed that a comprehensive protection of human rights is a priority in the deep structural reforms, carried out in out country. 

Uzbekistan has formed an effective legislative system in ensuring human rights. Along with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 16 codes and over 400 corresponding legislative acts have been adopted. A parliamentary Ombudsman and the National Human Rights Centre operate in our country, a new non-judicial mechanism of protecting the rights of entrepreneurs- Business Ombudsman has been established. 

The recently approved Actions Strategy on further development of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2017-2021, which, in essence, has become a "roadmap" for implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, has a program of concrete measures on improving the construction of a democratic, legal state and a strong civil society. 

Besides, our country has joined over 70 international documents on human rights, including ten UN treaties. Today a systemic work on their implementation to the national legislation and practice is being carried out. 

The parties exchanged opinions in detail on prospective areas of cooperation. 

Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein expressed a sincere gratitude to the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for a warm reception, high attention and practical measures on human rights protection in Uzbekistan. He reaffirmed the willingness of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to develop a longterm and systemic bilateral cooperation. 

UzA