Director of the National Human Rights Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan Akmal Saidov participated in the High-Level Segment of the 61st Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, President of the UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, as well as heads of state, foreign ministers, and heads of delegations of the UN Member States, addressed the opening ceremony.

In his speech, the head of Uzbekistan’s delegation presented the concept of a New Uzbekistan to ensure and protect human rights and freedoms, emphasizing its continued commitment to the principles of the UN Charter and to strengthening international cooperation and solidarity in the face of global challenges.

It was noted that the reforms carried out in the country are being implemented under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The renewed Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy is considered a national roadmap for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It is aimed at ensuring social justice, strengthening the rule of law, and improving the quality of people’s lives.

It was reported on the preparation of the Draft of the Second National Human Rights Strategy for 2026-2030, as well as on the development of a National Human Rights Education Program within the framework of the Fifth Phase of the UN World Programme.

Support was emphasized for the UN Secretary-General’s “UN 80” initiatives and the UN High Commissioner’s proposal to create a Global Alliance for Human Rights.

In 2026, Uzbekistan will host the Fifth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights, devoted to the 60th anniversary of the International Covenants on Human Rights, as well as the Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians.

The UN Human Rights Council opened its sixty-first regular session on February 23, 2026. Representatives of more than 100 countries attend the session.

The agenda includes 29 interactive dialogues, thematic panels on digital technologies and the anniversary of the Durban Declaration, and consideration of situations in individual countries and regions. The session will run until March 31.

Nazokat Usmanova, UzA