Story by ZBC Reporter
PRESIDENT of the Republic of Uzbekistan, His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered his address to the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Tashkent, marking the first time the event has been held in Central Asia.
He welcomed representatives from 181 national parliaments and 15 regional associations, viewing their presence as recognition of Uzbekistan’s democratic reforms.
The event was also attended by the Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, the President of the Senate, Honourable Mabel Chinomona and other Zimbabwean Parliamentarians.
President Mirziyoyev emphasised the critical role of parliaments in addressing global challenges such as armed conflicts, economic inequality, and environmental crises.
He called for greater parliamentary involvement in promoting peace, social justice, and sustainable development.
Highlighting global economic disparities, the President warned that without action, 575 million people could live in poverty by 2030. He called for enhanced cooperation among parliaments to address these inequalities.
He also pointed to Uzbekistan’s progress, particularly the “Uzbekistan – 2030” strategy, which strengthens parliamentary institutions, increases women’s representation to 38%, and establishes youth parliaments.
The President addressed several key global issues, proposing multilateral solutions. He advocated for diplomatic efforts in resolving conflicts such as the situation in Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He also called for parliaments to prioritise national climate policies and support the transition to renewable energy.
He further highlighted the importance of empowering women, stressing that gender equality in economic participation could increase global GDP by 26%.
Finally, President Mirziyoyev urged international cooperation on the development of a model law to regulate artificial intelligence ethically.
In closing, he stressed the need for unity in addressing global challenges and expressed hope for long-term collaboration among nations.
