Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of Uzbekistan’s Presidential Administration, called for a more effective United Nations and outlined the Central Asian country’s priorities on global cooperation, regional security and sustainable development while addressing the 81st gathering of the annual UN General Assembly in New York.

Mirziyoyeva stressed that global challenges required stronger multilateral cooperation and a UN system capable of responding more effectively to international crises.

Nearly 130 heads of state and government are taking part in the general debate at the 81st session, held under the theme “ Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”

“We do not need the UN that discusses the conflict after it occurred. But the organisation capable of preventing one. We need the UN, capable of implementing decisions, not just making them. We need the UN where the voices of every country are heard,” Mirziyoyeva said.

She observed that Uzbekistan’s approach was based on openness, dialogue and cooperation, adding that the country “stands with humanity” and supports efforts to protect peace and human dignity amid growing geopolitical tensions and global uncertainty.

Mirziyoyeva added that Uzbekistan supports the UN80 initiative and the expansion of the Security Council. She announced that the country would assume the chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement next year and had submitted its candidacy for a non-permanent Security Council seat for 2035–2036.

On regional issues, Mirziyoyeva highlighted Central Asia’s shift toward greater cooperation, saying countries in the region increasingly viewed each other as partners rather than rivals. Addressing Afghanistan, which neighbours Uzbekistan, she noted that isolating the country would not resolve its challenges and that its people should be given opportunities to build a peaceful future.

Mirziyoyeva also presented Uzbekistan’s domestic reform agenda, citing economic growth, poverty reduction, increased foreign investment and expanded access to education. She said the economy had grown from $50bn to $147bn over the past decade, while the poverty rate had fallen to 4%.

Environmental protection was another focus of her address. Mirziyoyeva highlighted efforts to restore areas affected by the Aral Sea disaster, expand green zones and increase renewable energy capacity, with Uzbekistan aiming to raise the share of renewables in its energy mix to 54% by 2030.

She also called for a human-centred approach to artificial intelligence and digital transformation, saying technological progress should remain connected to human rights, security and equal opportunity.

Ahead of the General Assembly debate, Mirziyoyeva met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on September 21. The two discussed areas of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the UN, with Mirziyoyeva thanking Guterres for his “strong global leadership and support for our country in all key areas of security.”

Mirziyoyeva’s participation follows her father President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s address to the 80th UN General Assembly session in 2025, where he outlined Uzbekistan’s priorities on international cooperation and global challenges.

She previously represented Uzbekistan at a UN conference on water resources in March 2023, where she presented the “Aral Sea Culture Summit” initiative and discussed the country’s experience in addressing water-related challenges.

Mirziyoyeva’s growing role in Uzbekistan’s state institutions has fuelled speculation among observers about her future political trajectory and whether that might see her succeed her father as president. The speculation intensified after President Mirziyoyev recently appointed her governor of the planned Tashkent International Financial Centre (TIFC), adding to her existing positions as head of the Presidential Administration and deputy chairperson of the Presidential Security Council, which was lately provided with a stronger role within the presidency.