Tashkent: Uzbekistan successfully hosted the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) , marking the first time the prestigious forum was held in Central Asia. Addressing the grand opening ceremony in Tashkent, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan made an impassioned appeal for parliaments worldwide to amplify their role in promoting peace, justice, and sustainable development amid rising global challenges.
Welcoming parliamentary delegations from 181 national parliaments and 15 regional bodies, President Mirziyoyev said the assembly’s location was a tribute to Uzbekistan’s democratic strides, progressive constitutional reforms, and strengthened parliamentary institutions. “As a former member of parliament for 15 years, I know the weight of the noble mission you carry – to shape a more peaceful and just world,” the Uzbek President stated.
The Assembly, held under the theme “Parliamentary Action for Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions,” drew over 2,000 participants from nearly 140 countries. President Mirziyoyev emphasized that such a large turnout reflected the IPU’s status as the most influential multilateral parliamentary platform and highlighted global recognition of Uzbekistan’s transformation into an open, reform-driven state.
Citing alarming global trends, including armed conflicts, environmental disasters, economic inequality, and declining access to education, the Uzbek leader urged parliaments to mobilize their full intellectual and legislative capacity to counter these threats. He warned that if current disparities persisted, 575 million people would remain in poverty by 2030, and 84 million children could be deprived of education.
President Mirziyoyev proposed several concrete initiatives during his address. These included:
- Establishing a Global Platform of Youth Parliaments under the IPU system, with its inaugural forum to be held in Uzbekistan.
- Developing a UN General Assembly resolution to promote the socio-economic and political inclusion of Asian women.
- Drafting a model law on artificial intelligence ethics to guide responsible and human-centered legislation globally.
- Reinforcing support for the Paris Agreement, green technologies, and renewable energy to address the climate crisis.
- Promoting constructive engagement with Afghanistan, encouraging parliaments to foster dialogue rather than isolation.
- Advocating peaceful resolutions to conflicts, including support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue and diplomatic solutions to the Ukraine crisis.
He also reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s support for a strong United Nations and welcomed Secretary-General António Guterres’ reform initiatives. “Multilateralism must remain at the core of our global governance,” he stressed.
Highlighting Uzbekistan’s domestic achievements, President Mirziyoyev pointed to the 2023 constitutional reforms, which significantly expanded parliamentary powers. The representation of women in parliament has surged to 38 percent, the fastest growth rate in Asia over the past 30 years. Youth parliaments have been established, and over 80 parliamentary friendship groups have been launched with global partners. He also noted a remarkable drop in the national poverty rate from 35 percent to 8.9 percent in eight years under the “From Poverty to Prosperity” program.
Throughout the week-long event, nearly 70 sessions and side events provided platforms for delegates to deliberate on priority global issues, including climate change, gender equality, economic justice, and parliamentary diplomacy. These discussions are expected to culminate in the adoption of the Tashkent Declaration, a landmark document that aims to set the course for future parliamentary collaboration in tackling global crises.
President Mirziyoyev concluded with a powerful message of unity and action: “Parliaments are not just legislative institutions, they are bridges of hope and peace. Let us work together, not only to represent our peoples but to serve humanity.”
As the curtains fell on this historic assembly in Tashkent, the IPU’s 150th milestone served as both a celebration of progress and a clarion call for deeper parliamentary cooperation in building a more equitable, peaceful, and sustainable world.
