UN Secretary General sends message to Mirziyoyev

The UN Secretary-General has sent a message to the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev:

To His Excellency Sh. M. Mirziyoyev

President of Uzbekistan

Your Excellency,

I would like to sincerely thank you for your letter in support of my call for a global ceasefire. I was encouraged by the positive response to this call from world leaders and governments around the world, as well as regional partners, civil society and religious leaders. It is particularly important that the appeal elicited the first positive responses from a number of conflicting parties.

I remain concerned about those disproportionately affected by the conflict and who have become more vulnerable to the pandemic, and I continue to emphasize our shared responsibility to protect civilians, especially women, children and marginalized groups. In this regard, I am deeply grateful for your country's efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to states affected in the region, including the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Let me also appreciate the resolute measures taken by your government to contain the spread of the virus in the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as to mitigate the socio-economic consequences of the pandemic, including for the most vulnerable segments of the population. I am also encouraged by the high level of cooperation between your government and the UN country team led by the resident coordinator.

The UN will continue to work with all government agencies and interested organizations to help the warring parties move from declarations of good intentions or a temporary cease-fire to ending wars, achieving long-term political solutions and building sustainable peace. I look forward to your continued support for our efforts.

I would also like to note that it was with deep sadness that I learned about the dam break in the Syrdarya region. I would like to express my solidarity with the people of Uzbekistan and neighbouring Kazakhstan, who were affected by the flood as a result of the dam break. I highly appreciate the close cooperation between the governments of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in providing assistance to people in need.

Please accept, your excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

With my warmest personal wishes,

Antonio Guterres

UN Secretary-General