Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, during an international conference on the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia, put forward a number of initiatives and proposals for further cooperation. In his speech, the head of state paid special attention to the importance of joint promotion of the agenda for ensuring interethnic and interfaith harmony.

To this end, he proposed holding a high-level international conference in Uzbekistan in 2023 on the topic: "Enlightenment and religious tolerance." As you know, on 12 December 2018, the UN General Assembly adopted a special resolution "Enlightenment and Religious Tolerance". This document has become a practical implementation of the initiative of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, put forward at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly in September 2017 in New York. Given the relevance of the approach proposed by Uzbekistan to ensure peace and harmony at the international level, the resolution was unanimously supported by all UN member states, and 50 countries became its co-sponsors.

It should be noted that the problem raised is unfortunately topical. In many parts of the world, there is an increase in inter-confessional and inter-ethnic contradictions, hatred is incited. This is confirmed by the report on the "Global Terrorism Index" published annually by the Institute for Economics and Peace at the University of Sydney (Australia). According to this index, in some regions of the world, the number of xenophobic, Islamophobic and anti-Semitic attacks at the height of the pandemic increased by 250% compared to 2015.

It is important to know that the main points and principles of the resolution "Enlightenment and Religious Tolerance" are in harmony with the tasks that were outlined in the updated Joint Action Plan for the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia, drawn up on the basis of multilateral consultations and consensus. In these documents, the main emphasis is placed not only on the application of security measures, but on the prevention of conditions that create fertile ground for extremism.

In addition, the goals and provisions of this resolution are fully consistent with fundamental international documents, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Sustainable Development Goals until 2030, the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.

In turn, in the ongoing efforts of Uzbekistan in the fight against extremism and terrorism, a key place is given to the promotion of ideas and principles of tolerance, mutual respect, interreligious and intercultural dialogue with the participation of all sectors of society. To date, a set of measures is being systematically implemented in Uzbekistan to protect the population from the negative impact of destructive ideas that reflect radical extremist ideology and religious fanaticism. Thus, under the slogan "Enlightenment against ignorance", work is being carried out to early warning of the radicalization of the population and comprehensive support for representatives of different sectors of society, mainly young people.

Thus, it can be expected that the initiative of the President of our country to hold a high-level conference "Enlightenment and Religious Tolerance" will allow representatives of government agencies, international organizations and civil society to exchange experiences, identify promising areas of practical cooperation to solve pressing problems.

Such a dialogue will make it possible to develop common approaches and effective measures that will help prevent radicalization processes in society, ensure prosperity and stability. The conference will contribute to establishing an atmosphere of tolerance and mutual respect, ensuring religious freedom, protecting the rights of believers, and preventing their discrimination.

All this shows that the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan to hold a high-level international conference on the topic: “Enlightenment and Religious Tolerance” reflects, on the one hand, global trends, takes into account international threats, and on the other hand, is a response to the threats and challenges faced by Central Asia.

Samariddin Sattorov,

chief researcher at ISMI

under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan