26 September, 2011
Politics:
Pages of our history: strenuous path to independence
Cooperation in environmental protection
China, Uzbekistan eye deeper energy co-op
China, Uzbekistan agree on closer parliamentary exchanges
Economics:
Uzbekneftegaz to invest US$178m to Alan field
Maxam-Chirchiq to launch capacities on production of low-density
ammonium nitrate
Society:
Peace bell rings in Tashkent
POLICY
Pages of our history: strenuous path to independence
On the eve of the 20th anniversary of our country’s independence, O’zbekiston publisher’s produced a book by President Islam Karimov titled “O’zbekiston Mustaqillikka Erishish Ostonasida” (Uzbekistan on the Threshold of Gaining Independence) in Uzbek. This is a story of Uzbekistan’s extremely complicated and arduous struggle for independence in 1989-1991, a centuries-old dream of our forefathers, an independence that has come to be the greatest and dearest asset of our multiethnic nation, a firm and solid foundation for our noble aspirations, for our creative strides forward.
When people talk about Uzbekistan, the multifaceted activity of the country’s leader, President Islam Karimov, unconsciously stands out in their mind’s eye, and when they talk about the President, there naturally emerges the image of a free and dynamically advancing Uzbekistan.
Therefore, anyone willing to have a complete understanding of Uzbekistan’s recent history, of the emergence of its independence, will certainly refer to the life and activity of Islam Karimov, whose thorough political thinking, ability to foresee as much as to calculate steps for years and decades ahead have been granted due acknowledgement by many prominent statesmen and public figures both in Uzbekistan and far beyond its borders. From this perspective, of comprehensive interest have been his opinions and views expressed in works, speeches, conversations and interviews – all built on tremendous theoretical knowledge and practical experience, combined with a gift of being able to perceive of the potential developments.
To be sure, the truest and most objective picture of an event does not come from judgments of outside observers, but from the person who was in the very core of most intricate of the events, a man who let them through the heart and soul.
To fully understand the circumstances in which the leader of Uzbekistan came to the high office, of the state that today is in leading positions in Central Asia, one can cite the following words of Islam Karimov: “Let us recall the year 1989, when the Soviet communist system was still there. The menacing events, known as ‘Ferghana Tragedy’ took place in late May–early June, which shocked the entire Soviet Union and could blow up the situation not merely in Uzbekistan, but also in Central Asia as a whole.
“It is in these days, at the end of June 1989, when the things in the country were extremely tense, while in the Ferghana Valley and some parts of Tashkent, Sirdarya and other regions the land was literally burning under the feet, I was appointed the leader of Uzbekistan.
“I must say that at that toughest period of time, these undeniably extremely dangerous events could not be brought to an end without thoroughly examining, understanding and revealing the genuine causes of the ever increasingly expanding tragedy. Many people remember how these events were given biased evaluations habitual for those times at the highest levels of USSR’s political leadership, with lies and slanders spreading, with attempts to accuse our people of nationalism.
“And some people, in order to divert the public opinion from the real causes of the tragedy, used to invent stories that the reason behind those events was allegedly a scandal in the market around a plate of strawberries. In fact, at the heart of all this lay the bankrupt administrative-command system, a policy of ignoring national, economic and social interests of the republic, a policy of diktat and indignity of the people, catastrophic deterioration of economic conditions, primarily because of the cotton monoculture. The patience of people in the republic, especially in the densely populated Ferghana Valley, dissatisfied with their socio-economic status, was overfilled.
“Just imagine how one could tolerate a situation whereby four or five families in rural areas lived in small cramped courtyards, while cotton was sown on the 80-90 percent of the land in Uzbekistan, and there was no leader who would listen to people and embark on tackling their pressing problems.
“Along with other radical measures, an unprecedented decision was made in Uzbekistan to assign around 400 thousand hectares of irrigated land to homestead land for nearly 2.5 million families, indisputably a major step in addressing burning social issues, maintaining peace and stability in the country as a whole. One fact would be appropriate to cite here for comparison; namely, just a total of about 300,000 hectares of land was allocated for rural population in Uzbekistan for the entire period of Soviet rule.”
Without any doubt, the figures and facts mentioned above that reflect the realities of those harsh times, are more convincing than abundance of words, and do not require comment.
In the media, particularly in the recent series of narratives aired on “Uzbekistan” channel, the renowned historians and philosophers, political scientists, representatives of literary and arts communities, and journalists have expressed their first reflections and impressions on the magnitude of this book. Rather naturally, exchange of views on the topical theme will continue in academic and artistic organizations, institutions of culture and education, among the wider public, and a variety of evaluations and judgments will be articulated in their course. However, all who have already read the volume will be positive on one thing: this work is quite critical for a profound understanding of the value of today’s free life, the opportunities provided by independence, the importance of nurturing a sense of love and devotion to one’s Motherland.
The speeches and reports by Islam Karimov compiled in the book are distinct with a deep practical and logical foundation, an analytical spirit, testifying to the high intellectual vigor of the author, and his principled stand to consistently defend the interests of Uzbekistan in any situation whatsoever.
Unfortunately, most of the historical evidence, especially photographs and videos relating to those speeches first published in the form of book, have not survived. Therefore, the texts of some addresses have been recovered from archival documents, as indicated in endnotes. In other words, the compilation building on primary, original sources further enhances its historical and scientific value.
Worth noting that in order to carry out an in-depth analysis of the intricate political and socio-economic situation in the country on the eve of independence, the chain of tremendously looming events that fell to the lot of our people during those years is not presented in the book in chronological order, but reflects the logic of political change of the time. The critical strategic views on the foreseeable and distant future, along with conceptual approaches and conclusions have also found detailed description. The idea of sovereignty and independence of Uzbekistan permeates all speeches. The book is read thus with great excitement and interest as a holistic work.
If we take into account the fact that the ranks of people who had witnessed the events of those years have been thinning out, whereas the younger generation is not sufficiently familiar with this recent history, it becomes apparent that this book is in demand as the most reliable source documenting those dreadful times, reflecting the aspirations and the thorny struggle of our people for independence.
This grand work embodies the political-economic, ideological, historical and spiritual methods of analysis and reasoning; it re-creates the pages of our people’s history, generating thus due conditions for a comprehensive and objective study and perception of the history of our independence by current and future generations. In this sense, the book will undoubtedly prove invaluable source for strengthening the succession bonds between the past and the present, between generations.
The texts in the book attract one’s attention with their analytical and pragmatic spirit, the absolute absence of communist rhetoric inherent in those days, of pomposity and empty words. The author sounds convincing in his every argument and word, backed by facts and figures, logic and conclusions. Lifelike and vital events, coupled with insightful, profound judgment, personal experiences, and crucially, individual courage and bravery allow the reader to vividly imagine a pretty tricky political situation at that time in all its controversies.
In this regard, it would be relevant to cite one example: “We had always taken pride in stating that 1,500 major industrial associations and enterprises function in our [Soviet Uzbek - translator] republic, every four days we produce as much energy as during an entire year before the revolution. We are fourth in the country [i.e., the USSR] in extracting natural gas. The agricultural sector produces two-thirds of cotton in the country, over a third of Karakul, more than 60 percent of silk cocoons, huge volumes of kenaf, fruits, grapes, vegetables and melons. By the number of students per thousand people, Uzbek SSR is ahead of many developed nations.
“These facts used to be reiterated several times from high rostrums, in academic theses, reports and summaries. One would wonder what was behind these phrases. We have to admit that our economy had become contracted, hypertrophied, raw-materials oriented, and not directed at integrated development, at addressing the needs of population. The share of finished products in industrial production was only 50 percent, while more than 80 percent of agricultural output was taken out from the country without any processing. Profound imbalances in the structure of public production were confirmed by the fact that two-thirds of the goods exported from the republic used to be raw materials and semi-processed goods. Whereas 60 percent of imports to the republic accounted for machinery, equipment, light and food industry products.
“It is quite a paradoxical situation. The republic produces the most valuable raw materials – cotton, nitron, caprolactam, yet at the same time, because of the low degree of their processing, the incomplete technological chain, Uzbekistan has to import fabrics, acetate fiber, finished goods made from those same raw materials.”
(“O’zbekiston Mustaqillikka Erishish Ostonasida”, Tashkent, O’zbekiston, 2011. Pp. 169-170).
We call attention to one more characteristic passage: “As statistics show, today nearly 8.8 million people in Uzbekistan, or 45 percent of the population, have income per capita not exceeding 75 rubles. And when you consider that the minimum of subsistence, according to expert estimates, is around 85 rubles, you can judge for yourself how hard it has been for these people today to make ends meet.
...It cannot be considered normal when the merely 5 percent of the rural population has access to sewage and water supply, about 50 percent to clean drinking water, 17 percent to natural gas, etc.” (pp. 47-49).
Getting acquainted with materials cited in the book, we gradually begin to understand how the imperial forces of the former center, the ruthless and repressive apparatus of the totalitarian system intensified pressure on Uzbekistan and its new leader, and displayed growing discontent and anger. With resentment and pain do we read about targeted political campaigns developed into mass repressions on so-called “cotton issues”, “the Uzbek case”, when the central press tended to offend the dignity of our people, slander and, not bothering to provide evidence, accuse the Uzbeks of various kinds of “doctored records”, “embezzlement”, “eyewash”, “parasitism”. In these hard circumstances, the fighting spirit, so to speak, of Islam Karimov emerged. He decisively countered not only the powerful pressure of the center, but also those people, radical political and religious groups, who in those troubled times, instead of supporting their republic, danced to the tune of the center by allegedly struggling for independence, actually opposed this idea sacred for our people. With enormous political courage, Islam Karimov fought them, by relying on his people, by being able to find the way to their hearts. Resolute measures were taken to improve the situation, to carry out reforms, take the country out from the abyss of destructive crisis and achieve independence. And then came that historic day, August 31, 1991, when Islam Karimov declared Uzbekistan independent. The most dramatic and exciting pages of the book narrate on those magnificent moments.
We got convinced in this owing to the recent film aired on Uzbek television, “On the Eve of Independence, or the Final Death Throes of Soviet Authorities”.
To be sure, the cotton monopoly and the disastrous consequences of a biased economy inherent in the colonial rule used to affect primarily the lives of the people, manifested in the extremely low levels of per capita income, the sharp decrease in homestead lands, the intensification of negative impact on the health and national gene pool, deterioration in maternal and child mortality, the environment in our country and the wider region as a whole, and in many other ways. However, no comprehensive volume has been published until now, which could disclose all this tragedy on the basis of concrete cases and figures in relation to the overall indicators in the USSR and their exhaustive analysis. The heretofore vacuum in the socio-political cognition of history is thus filled up today owing to this fundamental book in every sense of the word.
Irrefutably, large-scale studies to reveal the underlying causes and negative consequences of the abovementioned social problems were not and could not be conducted in any academic institution during the totalitarian regime. After all, it would be unambiguously interpreted as an attempt to strike a blow at a vast empire called the USSR, as such facts and figures would clearly confirm disenfranchisement of the peoples who lived in the Soviet Union surrounded by iron walls, and reveal the true face of the existing system. Consequently, any person who dared carry out an academic research on this topic was unequivocally declared enemy of the people.
Therefore, the real facts and figures on Uzbekistan, describing the true socio-economic situation in it, as in other republics as well, were not published, but on the contrary, kept in strict secret from the public. And the personnel of research institutions, journalists, agitators and propagandists were accustomed to work on the basis of false information and sources approved by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and its divisions in union republics.
Drawing conclusions from all this said, the head of our state stresses that “The independence should be filled not with slogans about freedom, but with political, economic, spiritual content” (p. 355) and considers this point of view the principal criterion in his work. Therefore, by reflecting comprehensively on every issue related to Uzbekistan’s life, the author comes to a natural and logical conclusion that the only correct and cardinal solution is the national independence. From the highest rostrums of the Union, Islam Karimov openly discussed his ideas that required courage and fortitude. In particular, he was clear and precise about the necessity for a decent reward of our people for their painstaking and difficult work in cultivation of cotton, an issue that used to be the most painful one for us during the totalitarian regime.
We would like to draw attention to the author’s thoughts stated in an interview published in the Moscow newspaper Rabochaya Tribuna:
“Cotton fiber at low fixed prices has been going outside Uzbekistan and still does, and what do we have in return? We are allocated as high as 84 percent of labor-intensiveness in cotton growing and entitled to as little as 16 percent of the revenue from its primary processing. In other republics who receive cotton, you can observe an inverse proportion; that is, the ready shirt woven and sewn in, say, Russia, brings a huge profit. We are assigned with labor, while the money goes to others. That’s what it means to be a ‘cotton workshop’ of the country.” (pp. 353-354).
The reader may ask a natural question: where and what sources do these facts and figures not found in other studies come from?
It is known that the head of our state for many years used to work in senior positions in the State Planning Committee (Gosplan) of the republic, followed by chairmanship in this very Committee, and then as minister of finance, vice chairman of the Council of Ministers of Uzbekistan. In the process, he had access to thousands of official documents, and he used to analyze and compare the huge volume of statistical data, including classified.
Prior to his election as leader of Uzbekistan, when he was chairman of Gosplan, Islam Karimov worked on these complex issues for a long time in systemic manner, and persistently, in writing, used to inform the government of the republic of his academically sound conclusions, alarmed the leadership that if the economy of Uzbekistan were to continue to evolve in that single-sided direction, the treacherous process would ultimately inevitably lead to catastrophic consequences. In lieu of considering the well thought-out proposals worked out with much suffering and deriving from the interests of state and people, from deliberation of the future, the central government and its proxies in the republic decided to punish the man who dared come out with such courageous and stanch ideas, and, essentially, sent him as if on internal exile to the distant Kashkadarya region, appointing him to manage a region with the severest socio-economic conditions.
The day following his election as leader of Uzbekistan, that is, on June 24, 1989, Islam Karimov, who had overcome all the tests of time, and who had for a short period of time managed to cardinally transform the state of affairs in so large and complicated a region like Kashkadarya, emphatically pointed out during a government meeting, “From now on, we cannot live as we used to, even the times will not allow us to,” testifying to the immense extent of determination and responsibility with which he commenced his deeply thought-out program of development of the republic.
The book “Uzbekistan on the Threshold of Gaining Independence” is particularly significant in that it has on the basis of solid historical documents shed an ample light on the periods of independence history not available earlier in detailed form. The volume basically does not leave room for various sorts of fabrications and false interpretations, attempts to fill in the earlier existing vacuum in self-serving purposes, for fulfilling some third parties’ schemes and orders on this issue, for misrepresented interpretation of historical events endured by us.
The publication is critical yet in that the author discloses pages of severe tests and events of our recent history by building on truth, and truth time and again. The hardback is an evidence of insightful, strategic thinking manner, infinite love and devotion of the President to his nation.
It should be borne in mind that unfortunately, there are still forces in the former Soviet space who dream of restoring in one form or another the empire called the USSR, who attempt to mislead the wider public, especially the youth who are not sufficiently informed about that period, by absolutely misrepresenting, and in some cases even falsifying, if need be, the recent historical facts. In this regard, to achieve their mean goals, they are willing to do anything, even orchestrate the worst possible scenarios.
In this respect, the book by President Islam Karimov “Uzbekistan on the Threshold of Gaining Independence” that has enriched the political thought of our people, calls on all of us to be vigilant and attentive in the current disquieted and alarming times. The manual also teaches us to have a profound grasp of the newest history of our Motherland, to extract necessary lessons and conclusions from this, to feel the responsibility to deserve the glory of our great ancestors, the heroic history of our nation and consolidate its might and capacities as well as international standing.
(Source: ut.uz)
Cooperation in environmental protection
On September 23, 2011, the Committee on the Issues of Ecology and Environment Protection of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan in cooperation with the Senate of the Oliy Majlis and Republican fund “Makhalla” held a joint seminar on “Current issues of increasing the activity of civil society institutions in solving environmental problems”.
As it was noted at the event, the report of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov at the joint session of the Oliy Majlis on “The Concept of further deepening democratic reforms and establishing civil society in the country” was an important step towards improving the legal system in the country, including system of environmental legislation. On the assumption of the nature of the concept, promising areas of environmental law by reforming the institutions of civil society were identified. Improvement of legal provisions related to further expansion of activities of NGOs and public associations in the field of ecology is required. Today in our country there are over 200 NGOs engaged in environmental protection and healthcare. During the discussions, the need to strengthen environmental legislation in the current data authority of NGOs and public associations in the field of ecology in a separate rate, as well as further expansion of legal norms that strengthen the powers of civil society institutions in the field of ecology were noted. At the same time, proposals were made on strengthening the mechanism guaranteeing the rights of NGOs and community organizations for environmental information, the need to consolidate separate standards for levels of environmental information, as well as additional responsibilities of state bodies in this area.
At the conclusion of the event it was once again underlined that in the country radical reforms are carried out on the development of civil society institutions, and in this process main attention is paid to the development of the sphere of environment protection, expanding the foundations of social control in this system, which is an important prerequisite for sustainable development of the country.
(Source: parliament.gov.uz)
China, Uzbekistan eye deeper energy co-op
China and Uzbekistan on Thursday pledged to further their cooperation in areas like energy and minerals as China's top legislator Wu Bangguo pays an official goodwill visit to the Central Asian country.
"The two countries should deepen cooperation in such areas like energy and minerals, as well as in non-resource factors like high- tech, telecommunication, transportation, chemicals and tourism, and increase export of natural gas, rare metals and cotton to China," said Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC).
During his meeting with Uzbek President Islam Karimov in Tashkent, Wu called on the two countries, with complementary economies and solid cooperative foundation, to launch an inter- governmental cooperation committee at an early date for the sake of strategic planning and coordination of bilateral cooperation.
China will continue to encourage its enterprises to invest in Uzbekistan and welcome more Uzbekistan enterprises to come to China, said Wu, adding he hopes the two sides will create favorable conditions for mutual investment.
Karimov appreciated China's firm support and sincere assistance, saying Uzbekistan and China should carry out mutually beneficial cooperation in a wider way, and that Uzbekistan welcomes the Chinese firms to make investment in areas like energy, minerals, infrastructure and high-technology.
Wu and Karimov also agreed to enhance cooperation on safeguarding regional peace and stability, and vowed to join hands to fight against drug trafficking, organized transnational crimes and "three forces" of separatism, extremism and terrorism.
Also on Thursday, Wu held talks with Dilorom Toshmuhamedova, speaker of the Legislative Chamber, Uzbek Parliament's lower house.
China has always treated relationship with Uzbekistan from strategic height and a global perspective, said Wu, adding that as the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relationship draws near, the cooperation between the two countries should "turn on a new page" in the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.
China will, as always, support Uzbekistan to continue its development path in conformity with its domestic situation, and its government's efforts to safeguard the country's independence, sovereignty, security, stability and economic development, he said.
Wu hoped the two legislative bodies could boost exchanges to inject vigor into bilateral relationship, Xinhua reported.
Toshmuhamedova, for her part, said that a prosperous China will bring more opportunities to the cooperation among the countries in the region, and that the two parliaments should learn from each other on legislation on developing economy and improving people's livelihood.
Toshmuhamedova reiterated Uzbekistan's adherence to the One- China policy and pledged to support each other on issues concerning core interest and back China's efforts to fight against the "three forces".
Wu arrived in Tashkent on Tuesday after concluding his visit to Belarus. He had previously visited Russia and will also visit Kazakhstan during his four-nation Eurasian tour.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
China, Uzbekistan agree on closer parliamentary exchanges
China and Uzbekistan pledged Wednesday to step up their parliamentary exchanges in an effort to advance the bilateral relationship.
"China's National People's Congress (NPC) is ready to maintain high-level visits and friendly exchanges with the parliament of Uzbekistan and support each other on major issues concerning core interests to contribute to nation-to-nation relations," said visiting Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo.
Wu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, made the remarks during talks with President of the Uzbek Senate Ilgizar Sabirov in Tashkent, Xinhua reported.
Wu urged the legislatures of the two countries to speed up the approval of agreements to facilitate cooperation on large projects related to energy, minerals and high technology.
The two sides would benefit from more exchanges of experience on how to promote economic development and secure social harmony, and take more effective legislative measures to improve the investment environment and protect the legal rights of enterprises and people, Wu said.
He also called on the two sides to enhance coordination within multilateral parliamentary organizations to play their constructive role in helping boost comprehensive cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Wu spoke highly of China-Uzbekistan cooperation in politics and trade as well as the fight against the "three evil forces" of separatism, extremism and terrorism. He said his visit to Uzbekistan, the first as China\'s top legislator, was aimed at "implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and lifting bilateral ties to a new level."
Sabirov said Uzbekistan regarded China as a sincere friend and an important cooperative partner, and would further cooperation with China in such areas as politics, and work with China to combat the "three forces" to safeguard regional security.
After the talks, Wu and Sabirov signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the NPC and the Uzbek Senate, and witnessed the signing ceremony of five agreements on trade and economy.
Wu arrived in Tashkent on Tuesday after visiting Belarus and Russia. He will also visit Kazakhstan during his four-nation Eurasian tour.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
ECONOMY
Uzbekneftegaz to invest US$178m to Alan field
Uzbekneftegaz national holding company will attract US$178.3 million in 2012-2015 to gas-field re-construction in Alan field in Kashkadarya region of Uzbekistan.
Prime agency reported quoting source in the Government of Uzbekistan, the company developed feasibility study of the project, which envisages construction of booster station.
The project will allow to support production of gas at the field at the level of 1.5 billion cubic meters a year.
The project will be financed due to foreign investments and loans, credits of the Uzbek banks and own resources of Uzbekneftegaz.
The source said that Uzbekneftegaz holds talks with several foreign banks on attracting loans to implementation of the project.
The source said that the company can announce a tender on selection of general contractor for project implementation till the end of 2011. The project will be implemented in three years.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
Maxam-Chirchiq to launch capacities on production of low-density ammonium nitrate
Maxam-Chirchiq open joint stock company is planning to commission capacities on production of low-density ammonium nitrate in October 2011.
The construction-assembly works on organization of production of low-density ammonium nitrate is close to completion at Maxam-Chirchiq.
The project is implemented in line with the presidential resolution “On programme of measures on speeding up construction and utilizing production of new types of chemical products” from 11 March 2009 in cooperation with Maxam Corp. S.A.U. (Spain).
Currently, foreign partner supplied equipment and materials for US$10.63 million. Specialists of the company underwent training in France.
The enterprise will be commissioned in October. It is planned to produce 15,000 tonnes of low-density ammonium nitrate by the end of 2011 for 3.94 billion soums. All products will be exported.
The designed capacity of the plant is 60,000 tonnes. It is expected that annual volume of exports will reach 55,000 tonnes.
The project cost is US$15.4 million and it is financed due to own resources of Maxam Corp. within its investment obligations, which it undertook at purchase of Maxam-Chirchiq assets. The project payback term set at about six years.
Maxam-Chirchiq OJSC, former Elektrohimprom, was commissioned in 1940 and specializes on production of ammonia, ammonium nitrate, and carbamide. MaxamCorp S.A.U. purchased 49% stake at Elektrohimprom for US$22 million in 2007. The company undertook obligation to invest US$55 million in next five years. The charter capital of the company is 24.996 billion soums.
Maxam-Chirchiq is leading chemical enterprises in Uzbekistan, which produces 30 types of goods. The company realizes its products in internal market and exports to the countries of the CIS, European Union, USA, Latin America, and Australia.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
Society
Peace bell rings in Tashkent
The Fund Forum, Kelajak ovozi (Voice of the future) YIC, Special Olympics Uzbekistan, the UN Information Center, UN Women and Uzbekistan Football Federation have launched a series of events commemorating the International Day of Peace marked worldwide on September 21. The Peace Bell was rung in Tashkent`s Bobur Park in what was a call for non-violence and cease-fire as well as a commitment to the ideals of friendship and concord.
The peace bell ceremony was attended by representatives of the UN agencies in Uzbekistan, members of the diplomatic corps and national culture centers as well as students. The event started with a concert featuring performances by children`s music and dance groups, with representatives of several international organizations and embassies making greeting speeches.
Michel Tayad, head of WHO country office in Uzbekistan: “This day is very important for all of us. I`m happy to be here today and to see so many people coming together to support our goal. We welcome and express our thanks to all those who have organized this noble event in Uzbekistan. This is your day and we are with you!”
Jorge Espinal, head of the UNESCO Tashkent Office: “The International Day of Peace is organized, first of all, in the name of our future and for the sake of our children. The youth and young minds are the main force that protects our peace. This noble event is important to all of us. We must always remain committed to universal values.”
Following the concert and greeting remarks, representatives of international organizations rang the Peace Bell, which signaled people`s readiness to devote themselves to building a safer and fairer world in the name of a better future for their country and for the entire world.
The Peace Day events in Tashkent will include a youth exhibition on September 22 at the Youth Creativity Palace and a friendly football match among teams of UN agencies in Uzbekistan, diplomatic missions, and public and governmental entities on September 24 at Pakhtakor Stadium.
(Source: fundforum.uz)