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Welcome by Ambassador of Uzbekistan HE Mr. Otabek Akbarov
Welcome by Ambassador of Uzbekistan
HE Mr. Otabek Akbarov
at the “Pearl of the East” Women’s Cultural
and Business Forum UK / Uzbekistan
(28 October, 2009, London)
Your Excellencies, My Lords,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am very delighted to greet you in this beautiful conference room at One Great George Street situated right in the heart of London.
The Embassy of Uzbekistan is particularly glad to have such a senior delegation from our country representing the main government and social institutions specialized in women’s affairs.
Respect and care of women constitute one of the pillars of the Uzbek society. As said our President Islam Karimov: - “to value women means to value the family, motherhood and life”.
From ancient times our women have been playing significant and active role not only in social and cultural life but also in state affairs. I’ll give you some examples.
Saray Mulk Hanum, senior spouse of Amir Temur, had been educating their grandson Mirzo Ulugbek who then became a great scientist and created in XV century the first observatory and celestial map in the world. She inspired construction of the biggest and most impressive architectural ensemble in the Temur’s empire, commonly known as Bibi Hanum Mosque.
Gulbadan Begim – the daughter of our great ancestor – Emperor Babur, was the first woman-writer who had been chronicling the life of her brother Humayun, including his glory days of victories and sad moments of defeats. Her manuscript of XVI century known as Humayun Nama is the earliest example of such a work done by a woman.
Along with them I’d like to mention such our poetesses as Nodira Begim, Zebunniso and Uvaysiy whose verses are the pearls of Uzbek literary art. All those great women’s values today are incarnated in characters of our mothers, wives, sisters and daughters.
The status of women has been in the focus of the state policy from very beginning of Uzbekistan’s independence. We created solid legislative basis to guarantee respect and care of women.
The equality of their rights with the men’s is ensured by our Constitution, Family and Civil codes, two special Presidential Decrees and a number of Government resolutions.
Uzbekistan was one of the first countries in Central Asia who ratified the UN Convention about the “Liquidation of all forms of discrimination against women”. We incorporated and are fulfilling Millennium Development Goals, including Goal number 3 on gender equality and empowerment of women, in our national development programs.
Today, women occupy 21 places out of 120 in the Legislative chamber of Oliy Majlis (Parliament), including the Chair, and 15 places out of 100 in the Senate. Women from four political parties will take active part in the elections to the Parliament of Uzbekistan on 27th December.
16% of high level positions in the Government are held by women. The Chairman of the Women’s Committee in Uzbekistan is the Deputy Prime-Minister at the same time. Governors in all regions of the country have deputies responsible for women’s affairs.
Along with this, women lead a number of non-governmental bodies as “Women’s Council”, “For Healthy Generation”, “Fund Forum of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan” and many others. I am pleased that the Chair of the “Women’s Council”, which is leading charitable organisation in our country, Mrs Jafarova is with us here today.
On other side, I would like to underline that we know the significance and place of women in the United Kingdom and the respect they enjoy in this country. I admire the role of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth the Second who I, as foreign ambassador, had a privilege to meet in Buckingham Palace, The Baroness Thatcher who was one of the greatest prime-ministers in the world, as well as many other women contributing into prosperity of the society.
I am confident that contacts between Uzbek and British women can be very interesting and useful in terms of mutual cultural enrichment and social development. Women’s relationship is an important element of the “people’s diplomacy”. 12 years of partnership between The Sabr Center and The Haven Wolverhampton shows how successful can be these ties. The Embassy is prepared to support further such cooperation.
In conclusion, I would like to thank organisers of the forum and wish all participants enjoyable evening.
