By Ayubkhon Yunusov
Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Kuwait
As Uzbekistan marks the 35th anniversary of its independence, the occasion offers more than an opportunity to look back at the country’s journey since 1991. It is a moment to reflect on how far the nation has travelled, the profound changes that have taken place over the past three and a half decades, and the ambitious vision that is shaping its future.
Thirty-five years is a relatively short period in historical terms. Yet for Uzbekistan, these decades have represented an entire era of nation-building, the consolidation of independent statehood, economic and social transformation, and the establishment of the country as an increasingly active and respected member of the international community.
The message delivered by President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of independence reflects both the historic significance of this journey and the opportunities that lie ahead.
Independence rooted in history
For the Uzbek people, independence cannot be viewed simply as a political milestone or a date on the national calendar. Its meaning reaches much deeper. As President Mirziyoyev has emphasized, Uzbekistan’s independence is rooted in a history of more than three thousand years of civilization and traditions of national statehood. It represents the restoration of historical memory, national identity, dignity and self-respect.
Independence gave the people of Uzbekistan renewed freedom to preserve and develop their sacred religion, native language, national traditions and cultural values passed down through generations.
On this important national occasion, we also remember with profound respect those who struggled and sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the homeland. At the same time, it is important to recognize the historic contribution of Uzbekistan’s First President, the distinguished statesman Islam Abduganievich Karimov, to the establishment and consolidation of the independent Uzbek state.
Putting human dignity at the centre
In recent years, Uzbekistan has entered a new phase of development, with human dignity, individual interests and the well-being of society placed at the heart of the reform agenda led by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
One of the defining principles of these reforms has been the importance of listening to people and responding to their concerns. This has gradually translated into wide-ranging changes in social, economic and public life.
Uzbekistan has eliminated forced and child labour, including in the cotton sector, removed restrictions on currency convertibility and fundamentally reformed the restrictive residence registration system formerly known as propiska.
The country has also opened itself more widely to the international community, creating new opportunities for citizens, entrepreneurs, investors and foreign partners.These reforms are increasingly reflected in the country’s economic and social indicators. According to figures highlighted by President Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan’s poverty rate has fallen from 35 percent in 2017 to 4 percent today. This transformation has improved the quality of life of approximately 10 million people and brought greater opportunities and security to millions of families.
Uzbekistan had initially set itself the target of reaching a gross domestic product of $160 billion by 2030. The President has now announced that this target is expected to be achieved this year, creating the possibility of Uzbekistan entering the group of upper-middle-income economies.
The country is already looking beyond that milestone, with a new target of raising GDP to $300 billion by 2030. Behind these numbers are people and their everyday lives — new businesses, employment opportunities, improved roads and infrastructure, better schools and universities, modern healthcare facilities and, perhaps most importantly, a stronger sense of confidence about the future.
Investing in people and the next generation
Economic development alone cannot determine the strength of a nation. Uzbekistan increasingly views its people their knowledge, skills, creativity and ability to innovate as its greatest strategic asset.
Education, science, technology and innovation have therefore become central pillars of the country’s development strategy.
One particularly significant development is the growing participation of women in higher education. Today, women and girls account for more than half of students enrolled in Uzbekistan’s higher education institutions.
The significance of this extends well beyond university campuses. An educated woman contributes to an educated family; an educated family contributes to a stronger generation; and an educated generation lays the foundation for a more enlightened and prosperous society.
This emphasis on human capital is central to the idea of the “New Uzbekistan” — a country seeking to compete globally not merely through its natural resources, but through the capabilities and aspirations of its people.
Against this background, President Mirziyoyev’s vision of transforming Uzbekistan into a centre for progressive technological initiatives has emerged as one of the country’s major long-term priorities.
Healthier lives, better quality of life
The transformation underway in Uzbekistan is also reflected in public health. Between 1991 and 2025, average life expectancy increased from 66.4 years to 75.4 years. During the same period, maternal and infant mortality rates declined fourfold.
The next phase of healthcare reform is expected to place greater emphasis on prevention rather than simply treating illness after it occurs.
Uzbekistan also intends to expand state health insurance to cover every family in the country. This reflects an important principle behind the country’s broader development strategy: economic growth should ultimately serve people. Development has meaning when it enables citizens to live longer, healthier and more dignified lives.
The next decade as an era of national progress
The 35th anniversary also comes at a moment when Uzbekistan is looking firmly towards the future. President Mirziyoyev has described the coming decade as a new era of national progress, with the country preparing to implement seven major national programmes designed to further improve human dignity and quality of life.
Among the priorities are transforming knowledge and skills into the principal capital of future development; building a modern healthcare system centred on prevention; fundamentally improving the management of water resources and environmental protection; strengthening legal safeguards for citizens and entrepreneurs; and giving the mahalla Uzbekistan’s traditional neighbourhood institution an even greater role in community development.
Although these priorities cover different aspects of national life, they share a common purpose: ensuring that development translates into a better quality of life and greater dignity for every citizen.
An Uzbekistan increasingly open to the world
From my position as Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the State of Kuwait, and through my continuing engagement with international partners, I have witnessed the growing interest in Uzbekistan and in the transformations taking place across the country.
Uzbekistan today is not only one of Central Asia’s major markets and an increasingly attractive destination for investment. It is also seeking to establish itself as a country of regional cooperation, connectivity, constructive dialogue and mutually beneficial partnerships.
Our foreign policy remains multivector, prudent and balanced. Uzbekistan seeks to strengthen its role as a centre of economic and technological development while also contributing to international diplomacy and constructive dialogue.
Within this open and pragmatic foreign policy, relations with the State of Kuwait and the wider Arab world occupy an important place.
Uzbekistan and Kuwait: A partnership with room to grow
The relationship between Uzbekistan and Kuwait rests on more than official diplomacy. Our peoples share values that include mutual respect, a commitment to peace, strong family and community traditions, and a genuine culture of hospitality.
These shared values provide a natural foundation for expanding practical cooperation in trade, investment, economic development, culture, education, humanitarian exchanges and other areas of mutual interest.
A particularly important milestone in this relationship was the first official visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Kuwait in February 2025.
The visit, including warm and substantive meetings with His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait, and His Highness Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, reflected the depth of friendship, mutual respect and trust between the two countries.
More importantly, the visit gave a significant impetus to bilateral relations and created a stronger foundation for cooperation across political dialogue, trade and investment, industry, healthcare, education, transport and logistics, culture and tourism.
Today, the understandings reached during that historic visit are increasingly being translated into practical cooperation.
There is growing interest on both sides in expanding trade and economic relations, attracting investment, developing industrial partnerships and pursuing joint initiatives in agriculture, infrastructure, transport and logistics, healthcare, education and tourism.
The potential is considerable. What is needed now is to continue converting political goodwill into concrete projects, business partnerships and exchanges that directly benefit the people of both countries.
Uzbekistan regards Kuwait as an important and reliable partner. The political will of the leadership of both countries, combined with the longstanding friendship and mutual respect between our peoples, provides a strong foundation for taking bilateral cooperation to a new level.
Independence as a responsibility
The 35th anniversary of independence is therefore both a celebration of achievement and a reminder of responsibility. Uzbekistan today is stronger than it was yesterday, but the ambitions for tomorrow are even greater.
President Mirziyoyev captured this sense of confidence when he stated: “Today, we are stronger than we were yesterday, and tomorrow we will be even stronger than we are today.”
These words reflect the spirit of the New Uzbekistan a belief in the strength, resilience and potential of its people. They also convey another important message: when people and the state work together towards a common goal, there are few frontiers that cannot be overcome.
As Uzbekistan celebrates 35 years of independence, it does so with its ancient history providing a sense of identity, its reforms providing confidence in the present, and its aspirations providing a clear direction for the future.
The journey has been significant, but it is far from complete. Uzbekistan is now looking towards a new era one defined by openness, progress, knowledge, innovation and prosperity, while remaining firmly anchored in its history and national identity.
I am confident that the courageous, resilient and noble people of Uzbekistan will continue to pursue the country’s great goals and build a modern, prosperous and globally engaged nation in which peace and stability prevail and development is firmly grounded in human dignity, knowledge and creativity.
