Uzbekistan's president at UNGA: Building prosperity at home, partnership abroad

Poverty reduction, new jobs, and stronger regional ties. Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev told world leaders at the UN General Assembly that his country's transformation is under way.

Mirziyoyev said that poverty has dropped from 35% to just 6%, while education, healthcare and green energy have all expanded.

During his speech on Tuesday, Mirziyoyev stressed that millions of jobs have been created through new industries and infrastructure.

Looking beyond domestic reforms, he underlined Uzbekistan's contribution to peace and prosperity in Central Asia.

In recent years, trade, investment, and transport flows across the region Asia have increased fivefold.

"Today, we can confidently declare that we have achieved this strategic goal. The era of closed borders, unresolved disputes and conflicts is in the past," said Mirziyoyev.

Regional and global initiatives

The Uzbek president described Central Asia as an emerging actor in international affairs and proposed several UN-backed initiatives on green technologies, water management and economic integration.

"Our region, thanks to its unity, stability, and distinct identity, is steadily securing a stronger position in the system of international relations as an independent actor," he said.

On global security, Mirziyoyev urged support for Afghanistan's development and warned against isolating the country. He called for immediate peace in Gaza, backing a two-state solution, and welcomed dialogue to resolve the war in Ukraine.

He also announced Uzbekistan's readiness to host a regional Office of Counter-Terrorism, reinforcing the country’s commitment to global security.

Domestically and abroad, he pledged to continue pursuing open, pragmatic policies, with the ambition of joining the ranks of upper-middle-income countries by 2030.

Strengthening global partnerships

The Uzbek president's speech came after a €7.4 billion deal signed between Uzbekistan Airways and Boeing for 22 Dreamliner 787s, an agreement that made international headlines and underscored his message of global partnership and sustainable growth.

President Mirziyoyev also had the chance to meet US President Donald Trump.

The two leaders discussed ways to deepen the Uzbek-American strategic partnership and reviewed the implementation of recent agreements.

President Mirziyoyev praised Trump's role in global conflict resolution, while the US leader voiced strong support for reforms in Uzbekistan.

Both sides welcomed growing political dialogue and business ties, with over 50 US companies engaging in new contracts across aviation, energy, finance, and technology, set to create tens of thousands of jobs.

Mirziyoyev also invited Trump to visit Uzbekistan.

In the framework of the events of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, President Mirziyoyev held meetings with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, President of Albania Bajram Begaj, King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of Jordan, President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Discussions focused on strengthening political, economic and cultural cooperation, further advancing Uzbekistan's role as a proactive global partner.