The American Journal of Political Science Law and Criminology
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TYPE
Original Research
PAGE NO.
29-33
10.37547/tajpslc/Volume07Issue08-04
OPEN ACCESS
SUBMITED
19 June 2025
ACCEPTED
15 July 2025
PUBLISHED
17 August 2025
VOLUME
Vol.07 Issue08 2025
CITATION
Bahrom Yuldoshovich Yusufjonov. (2025). Uzbekistan’s initiatives in the
framework of the united nations and its role in global politics: a 2016
–
2025
analysis. The American Journal of Political Science Law and Criminology,
7(8), 29
–
https://doi.org/10.37547/tajpslc/Volume07Issue08-04
COPYRIGHT
© 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the terms
of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License.
Uzbekistan’s initiatives in
the framework of the
united nations and its role
in global politics: a 2016
–
2025 analysis
Bahrom Yuldoshovich Yusufjonov
Uzbekistan State University of World Languages, 2nd-Year Student,
International Relations Program, Uzbekistan
Abstract:
The article analyzes the initiatives of the
Republic of Uzbekistan within the framework of the
United Nations and its role in global politics from 2016
to 2025. It thoroughly examines the main directions of
cooperation with the United Nations, priority principles,
promising projects, achievements in implementing the
Sustainable Development Goals, and significant reforms
in the field of human rights. Additionally, the article
discusses the increasing role of the Republic of
Uzbekistan in the international arena, its transformation
into a significant participant in global politics, and the
prospects for the continuation of this trend.
Keywords:
UN, SDGs, roadmap, national strategies,
human rights, development programs, UN resolutions.
Introduction:
In recent years, the international
presence and political influence of the Republic of
Uzbekistan have grown severalfold. Undoubtedly,
Uzbekistan’s cooperation with the United Nations and
its global-scale initiatives have played a significant role
in this process. In particular, joint efforts with the UN in
areas such as security, combating modern threats and
challenges, achieving stability in Afghanistan and
revitalizing its economy, addressing environmental
issues, promoting socio-economic development,
protecting human rights, developing tourism, and
s
upporting
youth
demonstrate
Uzbekistan’s
commitment to universal values and principles
concerning human rights, socio-economic progress,
labor, and global cooperation.
At the same time, respect for these principles and the
aspiration for joint development are reflected in
Uzbekistan’s
“Action
Strategy,”
“Development
Strategy,” and the “Uzbekistan–2030” Strategy, which
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align with the UN Development Program and the
Sustainable Development Goals.
Looking at Uzbekistan’s initiatives and activities within
the framework of the United Nations over the past
decade (2016
–
2025), we can observe a number of
notable achievements. These include, among others,
the introduction of more than 10 resolutions within
the UN framework and, for the first time in its history,
Uzbekistan’s election as a member of the UN Human
Rights Council.
Uzbekistan’s activities and proactive stance within the
framework of the United Nations have a significant
impact on its position and standing in global politics.
From this perspective, analyzing Uzbekistan’s recent
activities within the UN helps to identify the key
components behind the growth of its role in global
politics, assess the impact of this cooperation on the
country’s development, and determine the areas in
which collaborative efforts should be directed in the
future.
Literature Review
Recent reports prepared by the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) in Uzbekistan, the
United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation
Framework (UNSDCF), and the World Health
Organization’s Uzbekistan Country Office (WHO
Uzbekistan) provide a comprehensive analysis of
cooperation between Uzbekistan and the UN in recent
years. These reports primarily focus on the main areas
of collaboration
—
education, healthcare, human
rights, gender equality, environmental protection,
climate change, and tourism
—
presenting information
on large-scale projects, social programs, and practical
outcomes.
In addition, they highlight the current challenges
hindering the implementation of these programs,
propose solutions, and outline the areas that should
receive greater attention in the future.
Jahongir Jumanov and Abbosbek Nabiyev, in their
scholarly works, emphasize Uzbekistan’s ac
tive
participation in addressing global issues within the
framework of the United Nations General Assembly
over many years, with particular attention to ensuring
peace and stability, resolving environmental issues,
and achieving socio-economic development.
METHODOLOGY
This study employs a qualitative research approach,
with the primary focus placed on Uzbekistan’s
cooperative activities within the UN and the initiatives
it has put forward. The data were collected from
secondary sources, including analytical reports,
scholarly articles, official government documents, and
materials from international organizations. In addition,
content analysis was used to examine the substance of
official statements and initiatives.
RESULTS
Examining the period from March 2, 1992, when the
Republic of Uzbekistan became a member of the United
Nations, up to the present, this timeframe can be
conditionally divided into two phases: the relatively
stable period of 1992
–
2016, and the phase of active
cooperation that began in 2017 and continues to this
day. This shift is largely attributed to President Shavkat
Mirziyoyev’s participation in the general debates of the
72nd session of the UN General Assembly in September
2017, which marked the beginning of a new era of
effective and mutually beneficial dialogue between
Uzbekistan and the organization [1].
In particular, the period from 2016 to 2025 has
witnessed significant achievements in Uzbekistan’s
education, healthcare, socio-humanitarian, human
rights, and economic sectors through its collaborative
relations with the UN. It is well known that Uzbekistan
prioritizes cooperation with the United Nations as one
of the key directions of its foreign policy. This is also
evident in the country’s efforts to strengthen
cooperation with the Central Asian states and establish
close relations with the UN in ensuring stability in the
region.
Recognizing the organization’s vital role in maintaining
global peace and security, Uzbekistan actively
participates in addressing international issues and
supports the United Nations’ initiatives concerning
Central Asia. In particular, the country contributes to
Afghanistan’s sustainable development while taking a
firm stance against terrorism and extremism [2].
Uzbekistan’s active involvement in this area h
as
contributed to its recognition on the international stage
and the enhancement of its political image.
In recent years, several special resolutions initiated by
Uzbekistan have been adopted by the UN General
Assembly, including:
•
“Strengthening Regional
and International
Cooperation to Ensure Peace, Stability and Sustainable
Development in the Central Asian Region” (June 2018);
•
“Education and Religious Tolerance” (December
2018);
•
“Sustainable
Tourism
and
Sustainable
Development in Central Asia” (Dece
mber 2019);
•
“Declaring the Aral Sea Region as a Zone of
Environmental Innovations and Technologies” (May
2021);
•
“Strengthening Connectivity between Central
and South Asia” (July 2022);
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•
“Enhancing the Role of Parliaments in
Accelerating the Achievement of the Sustainable
Development Goals” (December 2022);
•
“Readiness of Central Asian States to Act and
Cooperate as a United Front in Effectively Addressing
and Eliminating Drug-
Related Problems” (June 2024)
[3].
At the same time, within the framework of UN
bodies
—
specifically the Human Rights Council
—
Uzbekistan initiated the resolution “The Impact of the
COVID-
19 Pandemic on the Human Rights of Youth”
(October 2021), as well as the resolution on the “Khiva
Process” (November 2021), adopted at UNESCO
foll
owing the International Cultural Forum “Central
Asia at the Crossroads of World Civilizations” held in
Khiva on September 14
–
16, 2021 [4].
Furthermore, in 2024, the Republic of Uzbekistan
achieved a number of significant results in cooperation
with the UN. One of the most notable achievements
was the election of Uzbekistan’s representatives to the
UN Human Rights Committee (HRC) for the 2025
–
2028
term. In addition, Uzbek specialists were elected as
Deputy Members of the Governing Body of the
International Labour Organization (ILO) for the 2024
–
2027 term and as members of the UN Economic and
Social Council (ECOSOC) for the 2024
–
2027 term
—
important milestones for Uzbekistan. These elections
marked a significant step in strengthening the
country’s international
role and recognizing its efforts
on the global stage [5].
In shaping development programs and strategies in
areas such as education, healthcare, agriculture, the
rule of law, gender equality, tourism, and the
economy, Uzbekistan regularly exchanges views with
UN structures in the country, as well as UN advisers
and experts. The “Action Strategy,” the “Development
Strategy,” and the “Uzbekistan–2030” Strategy were
all adopted on the basis of this cooperation, and these
strategies emdiv the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) and the principle of “Leaving No One Behind.”
Large-scale cooperation between the UN and its
agencies in Uzbekistan on the development of socio-
economic programs and measures in the country
began in 2015. That same year, the Government of
Uzbekistan committed itself to implementing the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development. In 2018, 16
national Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and
125 corresponding targets were adopted. At the same
time, an interagency Coordination Council was
established to implement the national SDG roadmap,
and a web portal (http://nsdg.stat.uz) containing data
on around 100 indicators was launched, with data
collection for the remaining 100 indicators still ongoing
[6].
Since then, cooperation with UN agencies has continued
to integrate the SDGs into Uzbekistan’s national and
regional development strategies and programs.
Notably, the UN developed a dedicated document for
the country “The Comprehensive Socio
-Economic
Development Concept of the Republic of Uzbekistan
until 2030.” Uzbekistan’s long
-term objective is to
double per capita income by 2030 and become an
upper-middle-income country. Achieving this goal
requires the implementation of several domestic
reforms, which importantly align with the SDGs.
Reforms in Uzbekistan are being carried out on the
principle that “the interests of the individual come
above all else,” which corresponds to the core principle
of the 2030 Agenda “Leaving No One Behind.” Over the
past years, significant achievements have been made in
implementing the SDGs. According to the 2024
Sustainable Development Report, Uzbekistan scored
60.9 out of 100 for the effectiveness of its efforts in
achieving the SDGs, ranking 81st among 167 countries.
In particular, a large share of the targets set under
Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education),
12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13
(Climate Action) have been achieved [7]. Significant
progress has also been made in other areas. For
example:
SDG 9
–
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
•
88.6% of Uzbekistan’s rural population has
access to alternative motor roads.
•
High rates of internet usage (83.9%) and mobile
broadband subscriptions (106.7 per 100 inhabitants)
have been recorded.
SDG 15
–
Life on Land
•
Efforts to protect biodiversity through
designated areas have been noted, with the average
protected area in terrestrial regions of biodiversity
importance reaching 20.5% in 2023 [8].
Since committing to the implementation of the
Sustainable Development Agenda, Uzbekistan has also
achieved significant progress in improving human rights
protection and strengthening the rule of law. For
example, the Asian Forum on Human Rights
—
the first of
its kind in the Asian region since the establishment of
the UN
—
was held in the city of Samarkand. At this
forum, the Samarkand Declaration on Human Rights,
endorsed as one of the key documents of the 73rd
session of the UN General Assembly, was adopted. The
Parliament of Uzbekistan approved a “Roadmap” for
implementing the “Spirit of Samarkand” in the field of
human rights. These achievements later laid a strong
foundation for Uzbekistan’s membership in the UN
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Human Rights Council, and on October 13, 2020,
Uzbekistan was elected to the Council for the first time
in history for a three-year term (2021
–
2023) with a
majority vote [9].
Currently, the Republic of Uzbekistan is a party to more
than 80 international human rights instruments,
including six core UN treaties and four optional
protocols, and regularly submits national reports to
the UN Human Rights Council and treaty bodies on
their implementation. Since joining the Human Rights
Council, Uzbekistan has launched a comprehensive
national human rights strategy based on the
recommendations of the UN Human Rights Council and
treaty bodies. This National Human Rights Strategy
includes fundamental objectives such as ensuring
gender equality, freedom of speech and religion, and
the development of civil society institutions. Since
2020, a number of practical results have been achieved
within the framework of this strategy. These include
the revision and alignment with international
standards of more than 20 pieces of legislation in the
field of human rights, reforms in the judicial and legal
system
—
such as strengthening the independence of
the courts and ensuring fair trials for citizens
—
and the
expansion of social protection programs for persons
with disabilities, children, and the elderly [10].
A significant foundation for further strengthening the
National Human Rights Strategy from a legal
standpoint was provided by the new edition of the
Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which came
into force on May 1, 2023. This updated Constitution
contains a number of provisions that reinforce the core
principles of the SDGs. Clearly, the new version reflects
international principles, a commitment to human
rights, and the values of the SDGs.
Deep cooperation and proactive engagement with the
UN have not only led to significant achievements in
Uzbekistan’s domestic policy but have also enhanced
t
he country’s image as an active, peace
-loving, and
constructive participant in the international arena.
Since 2016, Uzbekistan has been putting forward
important initiatives within the framework of the
United Nations, strengthening regional cooperation,
and demonstrating a responsible approach to
addressing global challenges.
Between 2016 and 2025, Uzbekistan’s active
participation and promotion of key initiatives within
the UN have made it a responsible and engaged player
in global politics. This is reflected in milestones such as
the 2018 Samarkand Forum, membership in the
Human Rights Council for the 2021
–
2023 term, and a
meaningful contribution to achieving the Sustainable
Development Goals.
Uzbekistan’s rising role at both the regional and
international levels has also been shaped by its status as
a key actor in ensuring regional security and stability in
Central Asia, promoting a peaceful resolution to the
Afghan issue, advancing environmental diplomacy, and
addressing the Aral Sea tragedy. An analysis of the
2016
–
2025 period shows that Uzbekistan has been a
principal driver of stability and cooperation in the
region. This stems from the fact that, since 2016, under
the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev,
Uzbekistan has adopted a new foreign policy direction
based on openness, pragmatism, and constructive
cooperation, with the Central Asian region designated
as the top priority in its external relations. As a result, in
recent years, the majority of UN resolutions initiated by
Uzbekistan have been related to the Central Asian
region.
It is worth noting that, alongside numerous
achievements in international cooperation, Uzbekistan
also faces certain challenges and obstacles. First and
foremost, the country is striving to maintain neutrality
amid geopolitical rivalry between major powers, which
requires a complex diplomatic approach and creates
several obstacles in implementing sustainable
development programs. Another serious challenge is
the need for additional investment to finance the SDGs
and environmental initiatives.
Nevertheless, despite these challenges, Uzbekistan is
expected to further strengthen its position in global
politics through its support for the green economy and
global initiatives for transitioning to it, as well as
through its leading role in deepening integration in
Central Asia and ensuring regional security.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, it can be stated that during the period of
2016
–
2025, the activities carried out by the Republic of
Uzbekistan within the framework of the United Nations
and on the international stage have not only
strengthened its position in foreign policy but have also
transformed it into an active and significant participant
in global politics. In particular, membership in the UN
Human Rights Council, the Samarkand Forum, initiatives
on the Aral Sea issue, SDG bonds, and diplomacy
regarding Afghanistan have enhanced the country’s
international standing.
Joint programs with the UN have contributed to
significant achievements in key areas of domestic policy
such as education, healthcare, law, the environment,
and tourism. At the same time, cooperation on new
promising projects and the implementation of the SDGs
continues. Overall, Uzbekistan’s active participation
within the UN framework and its international initiatives
indicate that its role at both the regional and global
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levels will continue to grow.
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