Uzbek president, UN sec gen discuss bilateral cooperation

TASHKENT. Aug 31 (Interfax) - Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres have discussed ways to broaden Tashkent's cooperation with the UN and its institutions, Mirziyoyev's press service said in a statement.

Mirziyoyev said he supports Guterres' initiatives aimed at reforming the organization's system, the statement said.

An intensive dialogue is underway between Uzbekistan and the UN, and Uzbekistan's participation in the work of the UN's elective bodies is expanding, the sides said.

In recent years, the UN General Assembly has adopted 15 resolutions initiated by Uzbekistan, the statement said.

Guterres welcomed Uzbekistan's progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and the sides reaffirmed their readiness to continue to actively cooperate in this area.

They also exchanged views on key international and regional issues and discussed the schedule of upcoming joint events.

Guterres congratulated Mirziyoyev and the people of Uzbekistan on the 35th anniversary of the country's independence, to be marked on September 1.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek.