OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities focuses on inter-ethnic relations and regional co-operation in visit to Uzbekistan

On his official visit to Uzbekistan from 28 July to 2 August 2022, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov met representatives of the national and regional authorities and civil society in the Tashkent and Fergana regions to discuss inter-ethnic relations and regional cooperation.

In Tashkent, the High Commissioner met President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and other high-level officials. They discussed the participation of national minorities in cultural, social, economic, and public life and the best ways to accommodate the rich ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity of society in Uzbekistan.

High Commissioner Abdrakhmanov reaffirmed his availability to assist with the HCNM thematic Recommendations and Guidelines and underscored the importance of regional cooperation and sharing best practices in diversity management among OSCE participating States in Central Asia to promote regional stability, security, sustainable development, and economic growth.

“Effective consultations with national communities on matters that concern them at national and local levels are key to ensuring that ongoing reforms in different fields of life reflect national minorities’ aspirations and bring the best results,” Abdrakhmanov said.  He also encouraged both the authorities and representatives of national minorities to continue their efforts in this direction.

The High Commissioner also met with Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Olij Mazhlis Nurdinzhon Ismoilov, Minister of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education Abdukodir Toshkulov, Minister of Public Education Bakhtiyor Saidov, Acting Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov, First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Olij Mazhlis and Director of National Human Rights Centre Akmal Saidov, and Chairman of the Committee for Interethnic Relations and Friendly Cooperation with Foreign Countries Rustambek Kurbanov.  

Abdrakhmanov congratulated the authorities on the Week of Friendship of Peoples, which Uzbekistan has celebrated since 2011. He also commended ongoing reforms, including education reform aimed at increasing inclusivity and access to education for vulnerable groups, in particular girls, including those with minority backgrounds. He welcomed the government’s intention to engage in the HCNM Central Asia Education Program, which aims to develop bilateral and multilateral co‑operation in the region as well as to improve the education of national minorities and the integration of diverse societies through multilingual and multicultural education.

In the Fergana region, Abdrakhmanov met with local authorities and representatives of national cultural centres.