UNGA ADOPTS RESOLUTION
ON STRENGTHENING COOPERATION IN CENTRAL ASIA
Batir Tursunov,
Deputy Director, the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies
under the President of Republic of Uzbekistan
Annotation
The adoption of the resolution was a historical event, not just for the Central Asian countries. Indeed, it is
difficult to overstate its significance in a broader, international context. It marked a new stage in the history of the
Central Asian countries and signaled the region’s consolidation. For the first time since their independence in 1991,
the Central Asian states confirmed their ability not only to take joint action in order to resolve common regional
problems, but also to ensure the wellbeing and prosperity of their citizens.
At its June 22, 2018 plenary session, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on
“Strengthening regional and international cooperation to ensure peace, stability and sustainable
development in the Central Asian Region.” According to Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry, all UN
members unanimously supported the draft document, developed by Uzbekistan along with the other
Central Asian states.
Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev initiated the process of developing the document
at the UNGA’s 72nd session in September 2017. Speaking in New York on the organization of an
international conference on Central Asia in Samarkand in November 2017, Mirziyoyev proposed to
develop a UN resolution after the conference in order to support the Central Asian countries’ efforts
to ensure security and strengthen cooperation in the region.
The fact that the resolution is now adopted signifies the implementation of Uzbekistan’s
initiative, and confirms international recognition and support of Tashkent’s new regional policy. As
Mirziyoyev noted during the Samarkand Conference, “Our main goal is to turn Central Asia into a
stable, economically developed and prosperous region through joint efforts.” Indeed, Uzbekistan’s
foreign policy under Mirziyoyev has unlocked regional divisions and opened the way for the
development of the entire region 1 .
The other Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan –
not only actively supported Uzbekistan’s initiative, but also co-sponsored the UNGA resolution on
Central Asia. The document reflects mutual support for the initiatives of the Central Asian states,
which have made a significant contribution to strengthening regional security and ensuring
sustainable development.
The resolution particularly reflected the outcomes of the debate in the Security Council on
Afghanistan in January 2018, when Kazakhstan chaired the UN Security Council, as well as the
regular arrangement of the World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan. Moreover, the resolution included
the results of the international conference dedicated to combating terrorism and extremism,
organized in Tajikistan in May 2018. Central Asian countries welcomed an upcoming summit of the
International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea in Turkmenistan. They also supported Uzbekistan’s
initiative to hold annual consultative meetings of the Central Asian countries’ leaders.
In sum, the resolution has become the Central Asian states’ consolidated response to regional
problems and threats, and the challenges stemming from globalization. The region’s consolidation
has allowed the Central Asian countries to significantly strengthen their role as independent actors
in the international system as well as their capacity of taking responsibility for the region’s present
and future.
Cornell: Uzbekistan in its politics has changed from the position of the defender to the attacker
June 30 of 2018, http://podrobno.uz/cat/politic/komell-uzbekistan-v-svo/
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