Today, the UN chief delivered a lecture at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy. Ban Ki-moon touched such issues as ecologic problems, human rights, Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and others.

UN chief commend Uzbekistan for abolishing the death penalty and signing the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. He called the government to strengthen cooperation with the UN to implement signed international agreements in human rights.

Later, the UN Secretary General met the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov. During the meeting, the sides considered issues of regional cooperation, security, ecology, human rights and achievement of the MDG.

UN Secretary General expressed gratitude to the Uzbek leader for cooperation in improving situation in Afghanistan. In particular, he expressed gratitude for providing electricity and transport communications, as well as creating opportunity for trade and regional integration.

The sides also considered issues of cooperation between the UN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

After the talks, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and SCO Secretary General Muratbek Imanaliev signed a joint declaration of cooperation.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon completed his visit to Uzbekistan and headed to Dushanbe, Tajikistan.