Uzbek President said: “There is a growing interest of the UN to Uzbekistan and Central Asian states. We highly appreciate the cooperation with UN in ensuring peace and stability in our region, strengthening security, combating drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and other threats, addressing environmental problems and efficient use of water and energy resources.”

Strong ties have been established between Uzbekistan and UN agencies such as UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF, World Health Organization, and this cooperation is actively developing, President Karimov noted. Uzbekistan cooperates with the UN in many areas. The agenda of mutual relations, in addition to security issues, environment, economic development, education and health also includes issues such as reforming UN and enhancement efficiency of its bodies.

The UN highly appreciates the cooperation with Uzbekistan, and pays special attention to relations with the country and the whole Central Asian region, Ban Ki-moon noted during the meeting. The sides exchanged views on issues of the further development of relations between Uzbekistan and UN, UzA reported.