02.03.2023

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressed the Contact Group Summit of Non-Aligned Movement in Baku on March 2.

At the event chaired by the President of Azerbayjan Ilham Aliyev, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the President of Iraq Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, the Chairman of the Presidential Council of the State of Libya Muhammad Yunis Al-Manfi, the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zeljka Cvijanovic, the Vice Presidents of Cuba Salvador Mesa, Gabon Rose Raponda, Tanzania Philip Mpango and the Prime Minister of Algeria Ayman Benabderrahman took part.

The international organizations were represented by the President of the 77th session of the UN GA Chaba Körösi, UN Deputy Secretary General Tatiana Valovaya, the ECO Secretary General Khusrav Noziri, the OTS Secretary General Kubanichbek Omuraliev, the CICA Secretary General Kairat Sarybay, the Executive Secretary of the UNECE Olga Algayerova, the IOM Director General Antonio Vitorino, the IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, and the UNWTO Secretary General.

Following the agenda, the issues of overcoming the coronavirus pandemic consequences, food security, environmental protection and other topical problems of sustainable development in the post-pandemic recovery period of the world were discussed.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his speech emphasized the challenges and risks associated with climate change, natural disasters and man-made catastrophes, which in recent years humanity has faced in addition to combating the pandemic.

“The scale of challenges is growing and poses a serious threat to the security and sustainable development of not only individual states, but also entire regions”, said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

It was noted that in this regard, Uzbekistan stands for the strengthening of cooperation within the framework of the Global Platform to achieve the main objectives of the Sendai program until 2030.

For deep study of such emergencies and effectively preventing their consequences, the President of our country proposed to create a special Monitoring and Scientific Research Network of the Non-Aligned Movement.

The President stressed that the post-pandemic period has seen an intensification of geopolitical and ideological confrontations have intensified in the post-pandemic period, under the influence of which new hotbeds of instability have emerged in various regions of the world.

“We have not yet found global solutions to the conflicts that have persisted for a long time in the Middle East and Afghanistan”, said the President of Uzbekistan.

The sides stressed the growing relevance of expanding practical cooperation within the Non-Aligned Movement in the context of the increasing threats of terrorism and extremism in every country.

In this regard, the sides expressed confidence that the Non-Aligned Movement should take the lead in strengthening the international legal framework to fight all manifestations of terrorism. This would help boost multilateral cooperation of all NAM member-states within the UN framework.

The President of Uzbekistan pointed out that systemic coordination and effective solution of these problems at the international level are essential to the fight against terrorism. The United Nations and its specialized agencies must play the principal role in systemic coordination and effective resolution of these issues at the international level.

As part of the UN reform process, members of the Non-Aligned Movement should be granted permanent members of the Security Council.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev raised another important issue on the global agenda reducing the impact of the ongoing economic crisis.

“The worsening shortage of food, water and energy resources is becoming a serious test for the socio-economic systems of our countries”, said the President.

“Unfortunately, in such a difficult situation the main burden of this negative impact falls on the developing countries”, said the President.

To open broad economic opportunities for the development of practical cooperation, promotion of regional joint programs and major projects, we have proposed holding regular Economic Forums on the eve of NAM Summits.

These important events will accelerate the exchange of innovation, modern knowledge and advanced technology and, in general, create a solid foundation for the fourth industrial revolution, in particular the development of the smart economy.

The President of Uzbekistan noted that the negative impact of the pandemic primarily affects the younger generation. There is a sharp decline in opportunities for young people to receive quality education and professions, medical services and sports.

“It is especially alarming that the younger generation has less confidence that they will be able to take a decent place in life in the future. The influence of destructive and radical ideologies on the minds of thousands of young people is also increasing”, said the President of Uzbekistan.

The intention was expressed to organize next year’s “Summit of Unlimited Possibilities” of the Youth Network of the Non-Aligned Movement in one of the centers of world civilization - ancient Samarkand, in order to harmonize policies and plans, exchange experiences gained in this direction.

In conclusion, Shavkat Mirziyoyev once again sincerely congratulated the Azerbaijani side for its effective chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement and the successful holding of the Summit.