On September 19, 2017 the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressed the general debate of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly. 

The Head of our state has informed the international community in detail about the reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan. "Carefully preserving the wisdom of past generations, we consciously taking on the resolute reforms and are committed to shaping the new image of the country", – the President of Uzbekistan has declared fr om the UN high rostrum. 

According to the President of our country, the goal of deep reforms implemented in all spheres is "to build a democratic state and just society, wh ere the priority is implementation of a simple and clear principle – "The human interests come first". 

In his address Shavkat Mirziyoyev has accentuated on the course of implementation of the Strategy of development of Uzbekistan on five priority areas. "While developing it, as if we have looked at ourselves from outside, so as not only to objectively assess our potential and opportunities, but also pay a close attention to our failures and mistakes", – the Head of our country has stated. 

Dwelling on the essence and content of the Year of Dialogue with People and Human Interests, the President has underscored its objective is to strengthen the mechanisms that make the people's power in the country not nominal, but real. "We are deeply convinced: it is not the people who must serve the government bodies, but rather the government bodies that must serve the people", – Shavkat Mirziyoyev has noted. 

The President has also informed the broad international audience about the concrete steps undertaken as a part of realization of this principle in Uzbekistan. In particular, he has spoken about full eradication of the child and forced labor in the country, stirring up the dialogue with international NGOs in terms of issues of human rights protection. Commenting on the decision on abolishment of foreign travel permission sticker, President had labeled the so-called exit visas as "an absolutely outdated legacy of the past". 

The Head of the state has elaborated on revision of many individual cases of detention of persons in custody. According to the President, the stumbled citizens who came under the influence of the ideology of extremism are undergoing a social rehabilitation with conditions being created for them to return to a normal life. 

Besides, Shavkat Mirziyoyev underscored that now the activities of all law enforcement agencies in terms of protection of human rights and freedoms are under constant parliamentary and civil supervision. 

Among the large-scale transformations in our country President has highlighted liberalization of an entire economic system and creation of favorable investment climate. "We proceed from one simple truth: the richer the people are – the stronger shall be the state", – the President of Uzbekistan has emphasized. 

The agenda for this current session of the General Assembly includes such an outstanding issue as UN reform. Noting the importance of the United Nations in world affairs, the President of Uzbekistan stated that this universal organization must continue to play a central role in international relations. "Uzbekistan stands for its gradual reform" – the Head of the state said. In his opinion, in accordance with the realities of the modern world, the Security Council needs to be expanded. Besides, the President of our country has expressed a firm support to the steps taken by the new leadership of the United Nations to improve the system of its management. 

Describing the core directions of Uzbekistan's modern foreign policy, Shavkat Mirziyoyev has confirmed that the region of Central Asia is a main priority and named it to be "a conscious choice". "A peaceful and economically prosperous Central Asia is our most important goal and key task", – the President has stated. He has once again spoken of his readiness to reasonable compromises with the countries of Central Asia on all issues without exception. 

Assessing the dynamics of latest developments in Central Asia, the Leader of Uzbekistan has stated that "the level of political confidence" had significantly increased among countries of the region. "In a short period of time absolutely new political atmosphere was created in the region", – Shavkat Mirziyoyev has underscored. 

Noting the intensification of the interstate contacts at various levels, including the top-level one, the President of Uzbekistan has initiated summoning the summit of heads of Central Asian states. According to the Head of the state, "holding the regular consultation meetings" of presidents would promote consolidation of the trend towards rapprochement with neighbors. 

Speaking about the problems of ensuring security and stability in Central Asia, Shavkat Mirziyoyev drew attention to such an important issue as the joint use of shared water resources of the region. President expressed a firm belief that there is "no alternative to addressing the water problem other than equally taking into account the interests of the countries and nations of the region". 

President of our country has named stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan to be an important condition to ensure not only regional but global security, as well. "We are convinced that the only way to peace in Afghanistan is a direct dialogue, without preconditions, among the central government and main domestic political forces", – the President of Uzbekistan has stated. 

Noting the international efforts on normalizing the situation in Afghanistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has supported the appeal of the administration of the U.S. President Mr. Donald Trump to Afghanistan's neighbor-states to promote the peace process of the inter-Afghan settlement. 

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized that Uzbekistan makes and will continue to make a feasible contribution to the economic reconstruction of Afghanistan, development of its transport and energy infrastructure, training of national personnel. 

The President of Uzbekistan has urged not to weaken the common determination of the international community to promote peace and stability in this long-suffering country. 

Stating the aggravation of terrorist threats in the world, especially in recent years, the President of our country has noted that the use of mainly forceful methods of counteraction does not justify itself. In his opinion, the ignorance and intolerance, along with other factors, are at the heart of international terrorism and extremism. 

In this regard, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has defined ensuring conditions for self-realization of youth and creating a barrier against the spread of the "virus" of ideology of violence, as a key task. The Head of the state has proposed to develop the UN International Convention on the Rights of Youth. 

The President of our country has appealed to communicate the truly humanistic essence of Islam to a broad world community. "We cherish our sacred religion as the focus of the time-honored values. We strongly condemn and we will never reconcile with those who rank our great faith together with violence and bloodshed", – President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has noted. "Islam calls us to kindness and peace, preservation of a genuine human beginning", the Head of the state has added. 

Noting the invaluable contribution of a whole galaxy of outstanding representatives of the Central Asian Renaissance to the development of the Islamic and world civilization, the President of Uzbekistan has addressed the session delegates with a proposal to adopt a special resolution of the General Assembly "Enlightenment and religious tolerance". Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that its main goal is to promote universal access to education, elimination of illiteracy and ignorance. 

In conclusion, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated that Uzbekistan, while maintaining the non-aligned status, is open to dialogue. "We are interested in expanding cooperation with all partners in the name of peace, progress and prosperity. In this we see a decisive condition for the successful implementation of the most important tasks of reforms carried out in our country, the main goal of which is a human, his needs and interests", – the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan has concluded. 

UzA