Leadership, Transparent Governance, Inclusive Dialogue Key to Achieving Human Rights, Secretary-General Says in Video Message for Asian Forum

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the Asian Forum on Human Rights, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, today:

I am pleased to greet the Asian Forum on Human Rights, and I commend the Government of Uzbekistan for convening this event.

As the world marks the seventieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, I welcome this Forum’s focus on the intrinsic links between human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Indeed, the 2030 Agenda [for Sustainable Development] goes hand in hand with the Universal Declaration, which recognizes the dignity of every person and the equal rights of women and men, and which proclaims a broad range of rights – civil, political, economic, social and cultural.

Bringing these ideals to life requires leadership, institutions, transparent governance and inclusive dialogue.  Today’s presence of civil society representatives and other stakeholders is a welcome step.  In that spirit, I wish you fruitful discussions.