UNODC Executive Director and the First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of Uzbekistan discuss human rights and youth policies

On 1 November, 2017, during his mission to Tashkent, the UNODC Executive Director, Mr. Yury Fedotov met with Mr. Sodiq Safoyev, the First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of Uzbekistan.

During the meeting, the parties noted the importance of increased engagement with the parliamentarians as well as legislators in addressing the reforms including human rights, health and the development agenda at the national, regional and global levels on issues related to drugs, crime and terrorism.

Mr. Fedotov commended the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, for putting strong emphasis on youth policies, anti-corruption measures, and criminal justice reform as noted during the President's address at the 72 nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Mr. Safoyev emphasized that the national legislators were working towards ensuring that human rights are upheld in the country, especially the rights of young people.

Furthermore, the First Deputy Chairman drew the delegation's attention to the fact that youth had always been at the heart of the Government's reforms, stressing that young people should be a priority in responding to drugs, crime and terrorism related challenges as they are the future of this country. Moreover, Mr. Safoyev called for expanding further cooperation between Uzbekistan and UNODC in the field of criminal justice reforms, providing information and education opportunities for young people.

Mr. Fedotov further assured that UNODC was fully committed to supporting Uzbekistan's Action Strategy for Development 2017-2021, especially related to the mandates of the organization on the prevention of drugs, crime, terrorism and corruption, as well as youth protection.