Section 6
United Nations and its Specialized Agencies
6.1. General Assembly
General Assembly (GA) occupies a central position as the chief deliberative organ of the United Nations. It is comprised of all Members of the United Nations, each having one vote. It is authorized to discuss full spectrum of issues covered by the Charter. The UNGA on September each year.
The 77th Session of the UN General Assembly themed “A watershed moment: transformative solution to interlocking challenges” was opened under the chairmanship of Csaba Korosi, Hungary in New-York on 13 September. Climate change, combating the COVID-19 and other infections, sustainable development, developing countries' depts, contemporary conflicts and crises were in the focus. The High-Level Week (20-26 September) formed the core events and brought together Heads of State and Government and foreign ministers all over the world. For the CA countries, the year of 2022 marked the 30th anniversary of membership in the UN.
Statements from Central Asia countries at the general debate of the UNGA 77th Session
Address by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
“Kazakhstan have pledged the total transformation of the oil-and coal-dependent energy sector into a net zero economy by 2060”
The world fell victim to a new round of conflicts. “The world appears to have entered a new, increasingly bitter period of geopolitical confrontation. The long-standing international system based on order and responsibility is giving way to a new, more chaotic and unpredictable one. The security architecture is eroding and mutual distrust between world powers is dangerously deepening. The world is falling prey to a new set of military conflicts. For the first time in two generations, we face the prospect of the use of nuclear weapons and not even as a last resort. New fault lines are creating artificial barriers and economic isolation.”
The three most important UN principles are interdependent. The President stated about the need to promote the three most important UN principles: sovereign equality of states, territorial integrity of states, and peaceful coexistence between sates. “These three principles are interdependent. To respect one is to respect the other two.” President of Kazakhstan called to rethink the linkages between three primordial principles, “staunchly defend these values, the UN as its core, and the spirit of cooperation.” “In other words, we cannot simply shrug our shoulders and agree with polarization and division.”
Disarmament. The President advocated for elaborating new mechanisms to ensure disarmament and nonproliferation, called for urgent measures to reduce biological risks and dangers. In this context, he reiterated his earlier proposal to establish an International Agency for Biological Safety.
Climate change. Kazakhstan has pledged the “total transformation of the oil-and coal-dependent energy sector into a net zero economy by 2060.” To save the planet, investments are needed “at greater levels than we have ever seen”; “climate action cannot come at the expense of development or modernization.”
Reliable supplier of grain. Kazakhstan will be a reliable supplier of grain and other food-staples” to world markets: "My country, as the world’s seventh largest grain producer, is the breadbasket of Central Asia. We are committed to utilizing this agricultural potential to fight global food insecurity. Kazakhstan will continue to act as a reliable supplier of grain and other socially important food products, especially to the poorest countries.”
Caspian Sea. While advocating the development of a diversified global transit and transport infrastructure, in particular the land corridor from Asia to Europe, the President of Kazakhstan said that the Caspian Sea should become a "sea of new opportunities." “The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route or Middle Corridor has received a new impetus. We expect cargo volume through Kazakhstan to increase significantly in the years ahead.”
Regional cooperation. […] “We intend to work together with all stakeholders to address a pressing regional agenda that includes climate change, the Aral Sea, rational use of water resources, border delimitation, combating extremism, and expanding intra-regional trade. That is why we consider it is important to establish the UN Regional Centre for SDGs for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty. Kazakhstan sees the future Afghanistan as a truly independent, neutral, united, prosperous state, living in peace with its neighbors. Therefore, we support the difficult process of nation-building in that country including life-saving humanitarian assistance.” […]
Access to energy. Kazakhstan will help mitigate the most immediate impacts of limited access to energy and critical raw materials caused by trade and supply chain disruptions.
Address by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic
“Kyrgyzstan fully supports the UN as the only universal structure authorized by all of us – the member states of the UN – to solve the challenges faced by humanity”
The UN is a moral authority. “Perhaps the founding states of the UN, who signed the international agreement to establish the organization in San Francisco in 1945, naively believed that wars, destruction, hunger, and suffering would end forever? I don't think so. Success can always be achieved if there is a mutual understanding that disputes and disagreements must be resolved in a spirit of good faith and compromise.” The UN has played an important unifying role as a moral authority in maintaining peace and security and providing for people's needs and wants. The country has consistently and strictly followed the UN Charter and have been fulfilling its commitments in good faith.
Kyrgyz-Tajik border. Speaking about the situation related to the recent aggravation on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border, President Zhaparov noted that two close neighboring peoples “have been living side by side for a long time, united by common values, culture, traditions and customs, a common religion.” […] “It is all the more painful for me to report that on September 14, 15 and 16 of this year, military clashes took place in the south of Kyrgyzstan.” About 140 thousand civilians have been evacuated from border settlements. Great material damage was caused to civilian and military facilities: houses, administrative buildings, schools, frontier posts. […] Taking into account that our trust has been weakened by the recent lawless actions of our neighbor, Kyrgyzstan is “ready to continue negotiations in any format with Tadjik side in conformity with the principles of justice and international law.”
“The Kyrgyz side does not claim foreign lands, nor does it intend to give a centimeter of its land to anyone. We are convinced that all border and internal issues should be resolved over the negotiation table, and there is such will and readiness on our part.”
Sustainable development based on own capacity. The Kyrgyz Republic is committed to the SDGs and their gradual implementation, taking into account national capacity. The country’s own potential should be the main source and engine of sustainable development. As it is known, Central Asia has no direct access to the sea, in this regard, the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad is an important regional project. Its implementation will expand international trade and investment, transit and tourism opportunities for Central Asia, which is located on the route of the Great Silk Road.
Creative Economy. As part of the ongoing policy, priority is given to the development of a “green”, “digital” and “creative” economy. The country is actively developing the locomotive of the “green economy”: hydropower industry; small and medium-sized hydropower plants are put into operation. Our esteemed neighbors - Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan - will participate in the construction of the largest hydroelectric power plant - Kambarata, because this will strengthen the energy security and optimize the use of water resources in the region.
Address of the Foreign Minister of Tajikistan
“The impact of climate change on water resources is another crucial topic that requires our concerted efforts”
Conference on Border Security. As the existing world order transforms, such threats as terrorism, extremism, drug and arms trafficking, cybercrime and other forms of cross-border organized crime have a tendency to increase exponentially. To further discuss the abovementioned issues, the Government of Tajikistan, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and its partners will be holding a High-Level International Conference "International and Regional Border Security and Management Cooperation to Counter Terrorism and Prevent the Movement of Terrorists" in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on October 18-19.
Sustainable Development Goals. “Tajikistan strongly reaffirms its commitments to the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. As we are lagging behind on many SDGs, the Government of Tajikistan has taken bold steps toward integrating SDGs into national policies and development plans. Despite substantial progress made towards the achievement of SDGs, there are significant risks, such as climate-related hazards and disasters that could slow or reverse Tajikistan's path towards the realization of 2030 Agenda and threaten agricultural productivity and food security.”
Water–Climate issues. “This year the world has witnessed unprecedented water-related natural disasters. While we all have been struggling with the consequences of these water-related disasters, we are becoming increasingly aware that water is vital and a resource we must value, protect, and manage effectively. We need actions that can make a real difference. On June 6-9 2022, we successfully held the Second Dushanbe Conference in Tajikistan, which became a key preparatory meeting for the midterm review of the Water Decade "Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028 in 2023.
As you are aware, on March 22-24 2023, the UN will convene its second water conference after 46 years. The UN 2023 Water Conference will be a good opportunity for all of us to review and evaluate the progress made and the gaps and obstacles we have encountered in realizing the goals of the Water Decade "Water for Sustainable Development.” 2018-2028. Tajikistan and the Netherlands, leading the preparations for this global event, are diligently working and are determined to make the Conference a watershed moment for the whole world. To this end, we launched the Water Action Agenda as one of the outcomes of the UN 2023 Water Conference. We expect and encourage everyone to come to the Conference with new commitments to enrich the Water Action Agenda. This is important and necessary not only for us today, but for our children, our future generation!
The impact of climate change on water resources is another crucial topic that requires our concerted efforts. Alongside the increase in mudflows and floods, water scarcities and droughts, and changes in the hydrological cycle, today, the accelerated melting of glaciers, the primary sources of fresh water on the planet, is of great concern. To this end, Tajikistan is actively promoting an integrated approach to addressing water and climate issues, including within Water and Climate Coalition. During the Coalition's first meeting, H.E. Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, proposed declaring 2025 as an international year of Glaciers' Preservation. We are currently working on the draft resolution to advance the said initiative through the second committee of the U.N. General Assembly. We seek your constructive engagement and support for this important resolution.” […]
Afghanistan. “Tajikistan, a peace-loving country that went through a devastating imposed Civil War, is very aware of its cost and long-lasting consequences. Therefore, we can't stay indifferent to the fate of our immediate neighbors….” To ease the suffering of the Afghan people during these difficult times, Tajikistan has offered its infrastructure, territory, and communication means to all stakeholders and donor countries to deliver humanitarian assistance directly to the people of Afghanistan. We have also never stopped providing the people of Afghanistan with much needed electricity since the Taliban came to power. In the current alarming situation, it is paramount for Tajikistan to strengthen its border with Afghanistan and create the necessary border infrastructure along its entire length, which share 1400 km of border with this country. Tajikistan is convinced that the international community shall begin working to engage Afghanistan in multifaceted regional cooperation.
Tajik-Kyrgyz border. All hostilities on the border between the two States have ceased, the parties are negotiating settlement options and joint inspection was organized in the border area. […] “As a result of military aggression of Kyrgyzstan, more than forty civilians of Tajikistan were killed and about two hundred were injured […]. In addition to border facilities, schools, hospitals, religious buildings, residential buildings, infrastructure and utilities were destroyed.”
Since 1950s, Kyrgyzstan has arbitrarily seized more than 2 thous. km2 that rightfully belong to Tajikistan. Over the twenty-year history of negotiations with Kyrgyzstan, we have signed dozens of protocols. As of today, both countries managed to agree on and develop a draft description of about 600 km of joint border, which is approximately 61% of its total length. ”Tajikistan, relying on the international practice of border delimitation, has repeatedly offered its neighbors to document the results of this many years of work, by signing an agreement on separate sections of the border. But our neighbors strictly decline this proposal. Border issues are not resolved by the populist statements and the creation of crisis situations. We need daily, thoughtful, joint work based on the political will of the parties. We stand ready to continue negotiations and firmly believe that the Tajik and Kyrgyz peoples have the right to live and build together an atmosphere of peace, friendship and harmony.”
“The time has come for Tajikistan to seek for the first time, its non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2028-2029. We are looking forward to closely working with all the U.N. member states to gain the trust and support for this vital campaign.”
Address by the Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the UN
“We are particularly concerned about the currently growing threats to global food security, which are rapidly spreading to an increasing number of countries and entire regions”
Cooperation for peace. Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the UN, A. Ataeva urged the countries to peacefully resolve conflicts and disagreements, referring to a dialogue as the only acceptable way of interstate cooperation. “Further promoting the philosophy of trust-based dialogue in international relations, Turkmenistan intends to propose to the UN General Assembly to consider the draft resolution "Dialogue is a guarantee of peace". […] Reinforcing our efforts in this direction, we propose that the international community declare 2025 the "Year of Peace and Trust", based on the provisions of the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly adopted earlier at the initiative of Turkmenistan. […] Turkmenistan will continue working actively with partners to expand the membership of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for peace, security and sustainable development.” […]
Global food security. “We are particularly concerned about the currently growing threats to global food security, which are rapidly spreading to an increasing number of countries and entire regions. […] In order to maintain the stability of the global food market, jointly search for solutions to complicated problems of providing food to the most vulnerable countries, as well as supporting the efforts of the UN Secretary-General in this direction, we propose to hold an International Forum on Food Security in Turkmenistan.”
Climate change and water. “In Central Asia, for objective reasons, climate change and water issues are the most important, and in some cases, determining factors in the development of regional processes, having a significant impact on the overall situation, the implementation of socio-economic development programs, and the solution of serious environmental issues. Based on the positions of Turkmenistan on adaptation and mitigation of climate change, presented in November 2021 at the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) in Glasgow, as well as practically considered during multilateral consultations within the framework of the Climate Conference in Bonn in June this year, Turkmenistan is preparing for the establishment in Ashgabat Regional Center for Climate Technologies for Central Asian Countries. At the same time, noting the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) of Turkmenistan in May 2022 within the framework of the implementation of obligations under the Paris Agreement, Turkmenistan intends to intensify efforts to implement the goals outlined in this document, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting the Global Methane Pledge. We will persistently and purposefully strive to single out the Aral Sea issue as a separate area of the UN's activities. To this end, in May 2023, we intend to resume negotiations on the draft resolution of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) on the establishment of the UN Special Program for the Aral Sea Basin, which will be based on the provisions of the UN General Assembly resolutions "On cooperation between the United Nations and the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS)" adopted in 2018 and 2019.”
Strengthening the health care system. The impact of the pandemic requires us to continue our coordinated efforts to address the identified vulnerabilities of global and national health systems. Turkmenistan will continue to support the joint activities of the world community to combat this new type of coronavirus infection, to establish tools for health diplomacy. Emphasizing the key role of WHO in developing consolidated responses to common challenges, we support the global One Health concept and will promote it within the framework of the Roadmap for health and well-being in Central Asia until 2025).”
Address by the Foreign Minister of Republic of Uzbekistan
“We are ready to actively participate in multilateral efforts to promote topical issues of the green agenda and curb climate change processes.”
Strengthening trust. “The world today is facing a deep crisis of trust at the global level, an intensification of numerous challenges to stability and security, growth of geopolitical confrontation and increase of risks of bloc mentality. No country can avoid global risks and challenges or cope with them alone. Under the current conditions, we strongly believe it is important to strengthen the central role of the UN in addressing global and regional challenges. The UN should evolve to respond effectively to transformation taking place. The establishment of inter-civilizational and inter-cultural relations and dialogue is also extremely important in finding the coherent approaches and solutions, relieving global tension, uncertainty and unpredictability. With this in mind, at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Samarkand on September 16 the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev put forward the Samarkand Solidarity Initiative for Common Security and Prosperity. Its goal is to contribute to the restoration of mutual trust and stability in international relations, as well as to strengthen solidarity through the establishment of a broad dialogue free from geopolitical rivalry, ideological contradictions, and disputes.”
Reforms are for young people. Uzbekistan is on the eve of an important political event – a constitutional reform, the key goal of which is to make the process of transforming the system of state and public administration sustainable. [...] In many ways, this reform is focused on young people. They should play a key role in processes that have a direct bearing on the country's future. Uzbekistan plans to convene the first meeting of the Youth Council of the countries of Central and South Asia in 2023, which will become a platform for new ideas and specific initiatives. On November 14-16, 2022, jointly with the UNESCO we will host a World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education in Tashkent.
New political atmosphere in Central Asia. Thanks to the joint efforts of the Central Asian states, a fundamentally new political atmosphere has been created in the region. Launched at initiative of Uzbekistan, the mechanism of consultative meetings of the Heads of State of the region has become "a vivid symbol of a new era of regional cooperation". High-level international forums are organized regularly in the region, with the international conference on the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia becoming one of them in March 22 in Tashkent. “Taking into account the outcomes of the forum, we propose opening the UN Counter-Terrorism Regional Office in Central Asia to successfully implement the global strategy.”
Assistance to Afghanistan. The prospects for the development of Central Asia are inextricably linked with ensuring peace in neighboring Afghanistan. Uzbekistan is concerned about the decline in international attention to this country, which is experiencing a deep humanitarian crisis and considers it extremely important to prevent the isolation of Afghanistan. The International Conference on Afghanistan was held in July in Tashkent with the participation of the delegation of the interim government. "We are convinced that the general priority of the international community should be the restoration of the Afghan economy, its integration into interregional economic processes, the implementation of infrastructure and socially significant projects. To solve these problems, the support of the UN, international financial institutions, and donor countries is needed. Uzbekistan is making a feasible contribution to the international efforts to assist Afghanistan. Uzbekistan has established the International Transport and Logistics Hub in the border city of Termez, which is actively used by UN agencies to provide humanitarian assistance to this country.
Combating climate change. "Today, the negative consequences of climate change are acutely manifested in our region. We stand ready to actively participate in the multilateral efforts to promote the topical issues of the green agenda and curb climate change processes. Uzbekistan has taken on an additional obligation to reduce greenhouse emissions under the Paris Agreement and is implementing a comprehensive strategy for the transition to a green economy and the development of renewable energy. In 2021, President of Uzbekistan launched a massive initiative called “Yashil Makon” (Green Land) on planting 1 billion trees and shrubs across the country over the next five years. The Aral Sea is the biggest environmental crisis in our region. Over the past 5 years, 1.7 million hectares of forest plantations have been planted on the dried sea bed. I take this opportunity to thank the General Assembly for adopting the resolution on declaring the Aral Sea region a zone of ecological innovations and technologies. This year we plan to host the First Aral Sea International Forum under the UN auspices in Nukus. In 2023, for the first time, we will host the 14th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, as well as a meeting of the Committee to Review the Implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Uzbekistan."
Selected Resolutions on Water, Environment and Development Adopted by the UNGA 77th Session
Protection of the environment in relation to armed conflicts (A/77/104); The law of transboundary aquifers (A/77/112); Information and communications technologies for sustainable development (A/77/150); Towards the achievement of sustainable development: implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including through sustainable consumption and production, building on Agenda 21 (A/77/162); Disaster risk reduction (A/77/164); Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind (A/77/165); Convention on Biological Diversity (A/77/167); Harmony with Nature (A/77/169); Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all (A/77/170); Agriculture development, food security and nutrition (A/77/186).