In this June 15, 2020 file photo, the president of the Human Rights Council, Austrian Ambassador Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger, wearing a protective face mask arrives at a press conference during the resuming of a UN Human Rights Council session after it interruption in March over the coronavirus pandemic in Geneva. (FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP)

TASHKENT - Uzbekistan's election to the United Nations Human Rights Council is a historic achievement and the Central Asian country is committed to continuing broader reforms, an Uzbek official said Wednesday.

The UN General Assembly elected Tuesday 15 new members to the 47-seat Human Rights Council. China, Nepal, and Pakistan were also elected in the Asian region

"Historic Day! Uzbekistan is elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the first time in the country's history!" Uzbek Deputy Foreign Minister Sherzod Asadov wrote in his Twitter account.

"Uzbekistan is committed to furthering broad reforms under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and contributing to the promotion of human rights globally," he tweeted.

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The UN General Assembly elected Tuesday 15 new members to the 47-seat Human Rights Council. China, Nepal, and Pakistan were also elected in the Asian region.

Uzbekistan announced its intention to be a member of the UN human rights body at the 37th session of the Council in Geneva, in February 2018. This year President Shavkat Mirziyoyev approved the country's National Human Rights Strategy.

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Since Mirziyoyev took office in 2016, Uzbekistan has taken a series of measures to open up the country and promote economic and social reforms, including liberalization of the judicial system.