TASHKENT,  Uzbekistan --

The United Nations confirms its support for the efforts of Uzbekistan and other countries in Central Asia to achieve mutually acceptable solutions to regional challenges, including trans-boundary water sharing through regional cooperation, Miroslav Jenča, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs said during his official visit to Uzbekistan.

In Uzbekistan, Mr. Jenča met with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, First Deputy Speaker of the Senate Sodiq Safoev and Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov, as well as Yevgeniy Sysoyev, Director of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (SCO/RATS) and the diplomatic community.

During his meetings, Mr. Jenča conveyed the congratulations of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the 25th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s membership in the United Nations. He welcomed the initiatives of the country’s new leadership, including concrete actions in the areas of sustainable development and good neighborly relations, and the declaration of 2017 as the “Year of Dialogue with the People and Human Interests”. He emphasized that human rights are an essential factor for long-term and sustainable peace and stability.

Mr. Jenča, who was accompanied by Mr. Petko Draganov, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Asia and Head of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), expressed his appreciation for President Mirziyoyev’s support for the Centre as an effective mechanism supporting and developing constructive dialogue among the States of the region.   

Mr. Jenča also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and the region, including in light of Foreign Minister Kamilov’s recent visit to Kabul. With Mr. Sysoyev of the SCO/RATS, Mr. Jenča encouraged closer cooperation between the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, notably on counter-terrorism and preventing violent extremism.

Mr. Jenča also delivered a lecture at University of World Economy and Diplomacy on the Secretary-General’s priorities and the role of the United Nations in preventive diplomacy and mediation.

Photo Courtesy: Shahriyor Turgunbayev, MFA Uzbekistan