The New Uzbekistan is becoming a Country of Democratic Transformations, Big Opportunities and Practical Deeds

Answers of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Questions of the Editor-in-Chief of the «Yangi Uzbekiston» Newspaper Salim Doniyorov

The Uzbek people, always looking at the future with great hope and confidence, living and patiently overcoming all challenges, on August 31, 1991, realized their sacred dream – our dear Motherland gained independence. In a few days, we will celebrate the 30^th anniversary of this significant date.

Undoubtedly, during the years of independence, our country has made historical efforts to build a new state and society, as well as high milestones have been reached thanks to a resolute will and enormous potential of our courageous and noble people. In a historically short period of time, our Main Law, the Constitution, was drafted and adopted. Our country as a sovereign state has taken a worthy place in the world community. The foundations of modern statehood have been laid and the constitutional system of Uzbekistan has been established. Three independent branches of government – legislative, executive and judicial – were created. A truly constitutional state has been built.

The Armed Forces that are able to reliably protect the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the inviolability of our borders, the peaceful life of our people and our national interests have been organized. The national currency – the Uzbek Soum has been introduced. The Gold and Foreign Exchange Reserves were formed.

Our ancient history, rich cultural heritage, national and religious values and our identity have been restored.

I am delighted that I had the opportunity to take an active part in such unforgettable historical processes.

It should be noted that along with profound achievements in independent development, our path has not been without some mistakes and shortcomings. The processes themselves, aimed at abandoning the totalitarian regime and building a democratic society, at that difficult and alarming time sharply posed various problems and tasks for us. There were cases when our knowledge and experience, will and firmness have been sufficient and sometimes not sufficient to meet these challenges successfully.

Therefore, revival of our country’s development to a new, higher level, the implementation of the new reforms for this purpose have become an objective necessity, a major strategic task.

The history of mankind shows that the processes of spiritual awakening in the life of any people lead to an awareness of national identity and raise the economic and the cultural development of the country to a new level. We all know that such a unique social phenomenon is called «Renaissance», which means awakening, rebirth and elevation.

As it is well-known that the territory of modern Uzbekistan in the ancient times was the cradle of two great renaissance epochs – the First (enlightenment – IX-XII centuries) and the Second (Temurid – XIV-XV centuries) Renaissance. This is a historical fact, which was proven and recognized by the world science.

Currently, another important process of revival is taking place in our country. Therefore, the words «New Uzbekistan» and «Third Renaissance» harmoniously resonate with our life and inspire our people to great goals.

Today, Uzbekistan is becoming a country of democratic transformations, big opportunities and practical deeds. For me, this process is the greatest result of our reforms. After all, the clarity of the goal is the most important criterion that ensures the effectiveness of actions.

If we briefly describe the true essence and idea of the Action Strategy adopted by us five years ago, then in this unique document we have set ourselves the strategic goal of building a New Uzbekistan and laying the foundations for the Third Renaissance.

It should be noted that the building a New Uzbekistan is not a whim, not a subjective phenomenon, but an objective necessity, which has its own fundamental historical foundations, due to the current political, legal, socio-economic, spiritual and educational situation, based on the centuries-long aspirations of our people and fully conforming to their national interests.

The New Uzbekistan is a state, developing in strict compliance with the universally recognized norms in the field of democracy, human rights and freedoms, on the basis of the principles of friendship and cooperation with the international community, the ultimate aim of which is to create a free, comfortable and prosperous life for our people.

At the same time, I want to emphasize that we are carrying out these democratic transformations not in order to please someone, not for someone’s praise, not to get into various ratings, but because the democratic processes are vital to us, we implement them for the benefit of our people, primarily, thinking about the present and the future of our young generation, for the sake of national interests.

We, the citizens of Uzbekistan, more than anyone else, feel the rapid changes in the political, legal, socio-economic image of our country, the fact that the new relations, the new opportunities and values ​​are being formed in our life. It is noteworthy that today such fundamental democratic concepts and phenomena as «human rights and freedoms», «rule of law», «openness and transparency», «freedom of speech», «freedom of religion and belief», «public control», «gender equality», «inviolability of private property», «freedom of economic activity» are becoming an integral part of our life.

We must explicitly recognize the fact that over time, the reform process is only expanding and the fleeting time sets even more ambitious tasks for us. The life teaches us a lot. Therefore, we are in constant search, and where is a search, there, along with success, deficiencies and shortcomings happen, as well.

The most important thing is as said: «Fortune favors the brave», we have overcome the most difficult stage, that is, we have clearly charted our path and embarked upon a considerable work. Now the task is to resolutely pursue the path of reforms and bring it to its logical conclusion. Certainly, it is not an easy task, but we are capable of it. It is important that in recent years a sufficient political, legal, socio-economic, organizational and institutional framework have been created to fulfill such a huge and challenging task.

The wise words «Justice is the basis of the state and the motto of the rulers», inscribed on the portal of the residence of our great ancestor Amir Temur – the Oqsaroy Palace in Shakhrisabz, carry a very deep meaning.

As you know, our ancestors from time immemorial instructed the younger generation: «Do not do evil. Build a temple of justice and fairness in your heart and soul of the people». We have followed these simple and vital requirements in reforming the judicial and legal system. In particular, we put forward and began to implement the idea that there should be only one goal in the mind of a judge – justice, in the mouth – truth, in the soul – purity.

Actually, the fact that our democratic reforms have become irreversible is the most important result we have achieved today.

The openness and transparency in the activities of the state bodies in our country are expanding. That is, the bodies of state power have opened up to the people, to every citizen and are actively engaged in a dialogue with them.

We have freely admitted the existence of problems in our lives with forced labor, especially among children, unemployment, poverty, corruption, housing, education and health, and we are addressing them along with our general public.

Along with this, we must not forget another truth: today’s Uzbekistan is not Uzbekistan that we dream about. We still have a long and thorny way to go.  Before, our path was not easy, and after it will not be easy, as well. However, we should not be afraid to move forward boldly, to make the unconventional unexpected decisions if it is necessary, the end result of which is effective and goes in the interests of our people.

The New Uzbekistan is, primarily, is the new economic relations, the new economic vision. The economic system of our country is being completely restructured and if it is even difficult, we have begun to put into practice the market mechanisms.

The reforms have a positive effect on the interests of all segments of the population: the entrepreneurs are gaining freedom and the new opportunities to develop their businesses, peasants and farming enterprises, the clusters are becoming the owners of the crops they have been growing.

The highest priority tasks we face at the current stage of development of our country are following:

The first priority task: social policy is one of the most important priorities of the state policy in our country and will remain so in the future.

Today, the most important areas of our economic strategy are a comprehensive increase in the well-being and living standards of people, which demands the creation of new jobs, sources of income, poverty reduction, and the development of our villages and cities.

The second priority task: the identification of growth points in the field of economic development and giving them a special attention, thereby increasing the competitiveness of the economy of the New Uzbekistan are of high importance.

The third priority task: under current conditions of global pandemic, we see our main goals as protecting public health and preventing entrepreneurship from being left alone with its problems. Since, there are jobs, family incomes, their current and future life in every business structure.

The number of small businesses and private entrepreneurship in the New Uzbekistan has more than doubled in recent years. More than 50% of these enterprises were established only in the last three years. Moreover, this serves as a solid foundation for strengthening an important social layer – the middle class in our country.

Therefore, the support for business, protection of entrepreneurship and private property remain the main issue of all the economic reforms. The entrepreneurs have heard many beautiful words about their support, now it is necessary to make them feel the practical effect and results of these words in their daily activities.

All of us should deeply realize that supporting entrepreneurship is the most effective way to improve the well-being of citizens, our people, and at the same time, it is the ultimate goal of building the New Uzbekistan.

The fourth priority task: the pandemic has coincided with a period of fundamental changes in the agriculture. It has made it clear that ensuring the food security and developing the agricultural sector in accordance with the modern requirements is becoming the most topical task for all mankind, including us.

Our main goal is to make this industry to be one of the main drivers of the economy. For this purpose, the Agriculture Development Strategy for 2020-2030 clearly defines the main objectives of the industry development. In particular, a plan is envisaged for the accelerated development of agriculture, the food sector and villages in the coming decade.

The fifth priority is to protect the health and life of our people during the pandemic. For this, a reserve of 3 trillion Uzbek soums was formed in the state budget for 2021. With these funds, many measures are being taken in the field of medicine, including vaccination of the population from coronavirus.

Improving medical culture, widely affirming the principles of a healthy lifestyle is an urgent task not only for the medical sphere but also for our society as a whole. Everyone should, firstly, think and take care of their health. This is especially important today, as the coronavirus pandemic continues throughout the world, including in our country.

The sixth priority task: we strive to strengthen the spiritual and educational work in the new conditions. This approach is a solid foundation for our current and future development.

In this regard, the construction of the New Uzbekistan means an in-depth study of our recent and distant history, our unique cultural wealth and, relying on this, continue our path of independent national development at a new stage.

Certainly, our people are well aware of the work that we have been carrying out over the recent years in the cultural and humanitarian fields – to promote the culture, cinema, dance and fine arts, literature and book-reading. In particular, the organization and holding of International Festivals of Maqom Art (the Uzbek national classical combination of music and song), Bakhshi Art (Bakhshi is a narrator of folk epic, who combines in himself the art of story-telling, music, singing and acting skills) and handicrafts at the top-level played an important role in promoting the New Uzbekistan in the world.

With the aim of study and popularization of the religious and scientific-spiritual heritage of our great muhaddith-ancestors (‘the Hadith Scholars’) , who made immense contributions to the development of Islamic civilization, the International Research Centers of Imam Bukhari in Samarkand and Imam Termiziy in Surkhandarya, as well as the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan in Tashkent and the Imam Maturidi International Research Center are operating.

At the distinguished international and regional organizations, the New Uzbekistan confidently puts forward initiatives in all areas, including spiritual and educational issues. Thus, the initiative put forward by our country at the 72^nd Session of the UN General Assembly to adopt the Resolution «Enlightenment and Religious Tolerance» received broad support from the international community. It should be noted that this resolution was recently adopted.

It should be noted that from the early days since our country has embarked upon the new era, we attach a priority importance to the implementation of an open, pragmatic and constructive foreign policy, strengthening close friendly relations and cooperation with all progressive countries of the world, especially with neighbouring states. Uzbekistan has been and remains committed to this strategic course and fully accomplishes its obligations to its partners and international organizations.

Over the past short time in historical terms, the political role and status of our country in the Central Asian region and in the international arena have increased significantly. The spirit of trust in Uzbekistan and the desire for cooperation with our country have increased in the world.

First, the problems accumulated over the years in our relations with neighboring countries have been resolved. The borders were opened. The broken bonds between the neighbors, brothers, a father and a son, relatives were restored. The people began traveling freely from one country to another. The visa issues have been resolved. The trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties are developing at an accelerated pace.

Our countries, since the ancient times linked by the ties of friendship and fraternity, have started to closely cooperate on the regional and global issues, the socio-economic development. The term «the Central Asian spirit» has appeared in the world political science.

The regular Consultative Meeting of the Heads of the Central Asian States, which took place on August 5-6 this year in Turkmenistan, filled this process with new substance.

These examples alone show how interconnected and consonant domestic and foreign policies are. The main thing is that such harmony in domestic and foreign policy is realized in the name of the interests of our people, the results of which are felt by ordinary citizens in their lives and destiny.

Another aspect is that Uzbekistan today, with its far-sighted policy, has become an active participant in the political processes in our region and in the world. Our cooperation with the United Nations, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Islamic Cooperation Organization and other international and regional organizations has risen to a new level.

Our country became a member of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking States, gained an observer status at the Eurasian Economic Union. For the first time in its history, Uzbekistan was elected a member of the UN Human Rights Council and has successfully participated at its 46^th session held in Geneva on February 22, 2021, via videoconference.

Last year, our country chaired the Commonwealth of Independent States for the first time and, despite the pandemic, all international events envisaged within the CIS were successfully held. About 70 important documents were adopted.

Uzbekistan is playing an increasingly important role in enhancing the processes of integration and cooperation. At the international conference «Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities», our country has advanced the new proposals and initiatives, which aroused interest not only in the states of these regions, but also in the world community. In particular, the issues of creating new transport corridors connecting Central Asia with the Indian Ocean were discussed. The conference has once again demonstrated the «Tashkent spirit» of cooperation.

Currently, the Foreign Policy Concept of the Republic of Uzbekistan is being improved. This important document pays a special attention to strengthening the centuries-long ties of friendship and good-neighborliness, strategic partnership and mutual trust. The multifaceted and mutually beneficial relations with the main foreign partners of Uzbekistan such as Russia, China, the United States of America, Turkey, Germany, France, the Great Britain, South Korea, Japan, India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and other states are further expanding.

Uzbekistan, as the closest neighbor of Afghanistan, is interested in the early establishment of peace and stability in this country.

As it is well known, Uzbekistan will chair the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in 2021-2022. Thorough preparations are underway for this important high-level political event.

In order to support our compatriots in many countries in the world and further strengthen ties with them, the «Vatandoshlar» (‘Compatriots’) Foundation was established.

Our work to strengthen the interethnic accord and magnanimity is taken to a qualitatively new level. July 30, annually celebrated as the International Day of Friendship, is declared the Peoples’ Friendship Day in Uzbekistan. This year, it was widely celebrated in our country for the first time. This can also be called an event that brings together the internal and external political factors.

As in the rest of the world, Uzbekistan pays a serious attention to addressing environmental problems. In cooperation with neighboring states and the international community, we are resolutely continuing our actions to mitigate the impact of environmental disasters resulting from the destruction of the Aral Sea. On a thousand hectares of the dried bottom of the sea, the forests and shrubs are being created. An important role in this is played by the activities of the Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Human Security for the Aral Sea Region in Uzbekistan, jointly created with the United Nations.

As far as it is concerned, it is appropriate to recall the major initiative of Uzbekistan on the adoption of a special resolution of the UN General Assembly on declaring the Aral Sea Region a zone of environmental innovations and technologies, which was unanimously approved by the Assembly on May 18, 2021. The countries such as the United States, Russia, China, Turkey and Azerbaijan took part in the development of this resolution, in all 50 countries acted as its co-authors, which indicates that this initiative has aroused enormous interest in the world community.

We can speak with full confidence that for over the last years the new epoch of modern housing construction has begun in the country. This is confirmed by the growth in the number of housing in the last four years to 4-5 times as compared to the previous period, as well as the large-scale work being carried out this year, which aims to provide 54 thousand families with housing in the current year.

The youth is the nation’s hope and support. The young people act as a decisive force in the effective implementation of the large-scale reforms. The youth with modern knowledge, demanded professions, the knowledge of foreign languages and innovative technologies play a leading role in the further development of the country.

As it is well-known, the young people tend to think in a new way, confidently come up with new ideas and implement them, take a creative and unconventional approach to a problem solving. Therefore, today we attach a priority importance to training representatives of the younger generation, realizing their talent and potential in science, innovation, literature, art, sports, ensuring their active participation in public and political life.

One of the sacred hadiths that collected by Imam Bukhariy states: «A science learned in young age is like a pattern engraved on a stone».

As history showed, our profound thinkers, following this postulate, made great scientific discoveries and made an invaluable contribution to the development of universal human thought.

In the continuation of these glorious traditions – the upbringing of the followers of Khorezmiy, Ferganiy, Beruniy, Ibn Sino, Mirzo Ulugbek and Navoiy is not only our task but also a sacred duty to history and the future.

We have started an extensive work in this direction. In order to train competitive personnel with in-depth knowledge and high skills, we have increased the number of universities in the country to 141, and opened up branches of 26 foreign higher educational institutions. Meanwhile, in 2016, there were only 77 universities in the country. Almost doubling their number in a short period of time is undoubtedly the result of our efforts to increase the intellectual potential of young people, society, as well as to expand their access to modern knowledge and professions.

Over the past five years, the quotas for admission to higher education institutions have been increased threefold. This year, 182 thousand young people were given the opportunity to become students. This means that the overall educational coverage has reached 28%. Just compare: 4 years ago, this figure was only 9%. An example of practical attention aimed at ensuring the future of our youth is the increase in State scholarships from 21 thousand to 47 thousand. Our last years’ experience  was brought to a new stage – in the current academic year, we have allocated 2 thousand scholarships separately for girls from needy families for admission to the institutions of higher learning.

We intend to increase the enrollment rate of school, lyceum and college graduates in higher education to 50% by 2030. We will definitely achieve this.

This year, the «New Uzbekistan University», which meets the highest international standards, was organized in Tashkent. This university will become a model for all higher education institutions in the country. The most gifted and brightest youth will study here.

We pay a particular attention to the harmonious and balanced development of all stages of the national system of continuous education and upbringing. Over the past four years, the coverage rate of children in the pre-school education has grown from 27.7% to 60%, that is, it has doubled. And the number of kindergartens has tripled and exceeded 14 thousand – these are the results of our reforms.