GENEVA, August 14. /Dunyo IA/.  On the eve of the 35^th Anniversary of the State Independence of Uzbekistan, Gilbert F.Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization, extended his sincere congratulations and good wishes through Dunyo IA:

-  Your Excellency, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev,

Members of the Government,

Representatives of employers’ and workers’ organisations,

Dear citizens of Uzbekistan,

I extend my warmest congratulations on the thirty-fifth anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

This milestone is an opportunity to celebrate the determination, the resilience and the achievements of the Uzbek people, while looking ahead with confidence to a future of peace, prosperity and social justice. There is indeed no lasting peace without social justice. This is the conviction and the raison d’être of the ILO’s work for more than a century.

This year also marks ten years since the launch of the far-reaching reforms inspired by the vision of a New Uzbekistan. Under your leadership, Mr President, the country has embarked on an ambitious programme of reform: strengthening institutions, modernizing the economy and placing greater emphasis on human dignity, the well-being of every citizen and the promotion of decent work. Uzbekistan has also enhanced its international standing through active diplomacy, regional cooperation, and engagement in multilateral institutions, including through its membership of the ILO Governing Body.

The ILO deeply values its partnership with Uzbekistan. Over the past decade, our cooperation has grown steadily, achieving significant progress in advancing fundamental rights at work, including the fight against child labour and forced labour, the promotion of decent employment and stronger labour protection and social dialogue. These achievements demonstrate that sustainable economic transformation is strongest when it is underpinned by rights, dialogue and effective institutions.

As with any reform process, work remains to consolidate progress in some areas, including on fundamental rights at work, notably freedom of association, the full independence of workers' and employers' organisations and the strengthening of effective social dialogue. We are confident that continued cooperation and engagement will help advance these objectives in the years ahead.

As Uzbekistan and the ILO prepare a new Decent Work Country Programme, we look forward to the next chapter of our partnership. Together, we can build on the progress achieved and address emerging opportunities and challenges. The ILO stands ready to continue working closely with the Government and the social partners of Uzbekistan in promoting decent work and advancing social justice for all.

On this historic double anniversary, I wish the people of Uzbekistan lasting peace, unity and prosperity.