Libraries play a key role in education, culture, and community development, providing an invaluable resource for accessing knowledge, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting intellectual growth. In the modern information society, they remain an important institution that promotes the education and self-development of people of all ages.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasised during the opening ceremony of the People's Library under the President of the Republic of Turkey in Ankara: “Intellectual potential, high morale is what makes a nation strong. The source of this invincible power is books and libraries – the great invention of mankind”.  

At the present stage, education has become one of the most important areas of state policy. The government of the Republic of Uzbekistan pays special attention to the development of this sphere, recognizing its key role in the prosperity of the country. In recent years, the republic has achieved significant success in the educational domain. These achievements are aimed at modernizing the system, improving the quality of education and training, and expanding access to education for all citizens of the country.

At the same time, special attention is paid to the promotion of reading and the fostering of the reading culture of the population. And in the Presidential Decree adopted on September 13, 2017, “On the program of comprehensive measures to develop the system of publishing and distributing book products, improving the culture of reading”, clear goals are outlined for the creation of an effective system of information and library services to the population, which served to move this area to a new stage of development and contributed to raising the level of social and information culture and the role of libraries, made it possible to develop and implement modern innovative and educational technologies that increase the competitiveness of Uzbekistan in the world market.

In addition, the Presidential Decree “On further improvement of information and library services for the population of the Republic of Uzbekistan” was adopted on June 7, 2019. The main goals of the decree are:

• improving the regulatory framework in order to ensure high-quality social guarantees to the population for information and library services;
• development of information and library institutions taking into account modern requirements;
• promoting the sustainable development of information and library services the for population in the regions;
• strengthening the material and technical base of information and library institutions;
• development of public-private partnerships in the library sector, a network of private and electronic libraries;
• expanding cooperation with Internet resources that specialize in distributing electronic books to improve the efficiency of libraries and the efficiency of servicing (including paid) users;
• ensuring the safety of information and library institutions and the safety of information and library collections as part of the national and world cultural heritage;
• formation and enhancement of the information culture of society, sustainable interest in national history and culture, enhancement and promotion of a reading culture;
• staffing information and library institutions with qualified specialists.

The adoption of this decree expands the range of services in the country, including access to electronic resources and holding cultural and educational events, as well as improving staff qualifications and introducing modern methods of user service. In addition, these changes not only contribute to the development of the information society and economic growth by attracting investment in education and culture, but also promote the formation of a literate and informed society, which is an important step in the development of the country.

The Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers dated December 14, 2020 approved the National Program for the Development and Support of a Reading Culture for 2020-2025, which includes the publication of quality books that meet the spiritual, educational, artistic and aesthetic needs of the population; supporting the activities of publishers and artists, publishing children's literature; translation of the best examples of national and world literature; simplification of the organization of book sales; improving the delivery system for newly published books and distribution of information sources; expansion of international cooperation in the field of online ordering of foreign work, their delivery and distribution.

In turn, it should be noted that within the framework of the “Uzbekistan - 2030” Strategy, special attention is paid to the popularization of masterpieces of Uzbek and world literature. The country's leadership strives to instil in citizens a love of reading and ensure access to libraries and information services for everyone.

The Strategy “Uzbekistan - 2030” puts forward such main goals as increasing the number of young book lovers to five million, the annual creation of 100 works of art and 50 books for children and adolescents, the publication of the multi-volume book “Uzbek adabiyoti khazinasidan” (“From the Treasury of Uzbek Literature”), the 100-volume book “Jakhon Bolalar Adabiyoti Durdonalari” (“Pearls of World Children’s Literature”) in Uzbek, as well as the digitalization of a book fund of almost 40 million books.

On November 28, 2023, there was signed the Presidential Decree “On measures to implement the project “A Thousand Books for Youth”, aimed at creating a system for translating books popular in the world into Uzbek, that contribute to increasing the intellectual and scientific potential of the younger generation.

At the same time, within the framework of the “Olympiad of Five Initiatives”, the following 5 projects in the field of reading and intellectual games are annually implemented: “Young Reading Family”, “Poetry Competition”, “Young Reader”, the intellectual game “Zakovat” and the project “Example of Foreign Languages”. These projects increase the interest of young people in reading books and help expand logical thinking and knowledge through intellectual games.

The “Young Reader” and “Young Reading Family” competitions are important events held to promote reading, the spiritual enrichment of youth, and increase their intellectual potential. This competition serves to increase interest in books among young people and expand their knowledge and horizons.

Also, within the framework of the project “A Thousand Books for Youth”, the Agency for Youth Affairs will have to work on acquiring rights to use works from authors, translating them into Uzbek, and preparing for printing and publishing books on the basis of a state order and at the expense of the State budget (with the exception of books, published for state higher educational institutions).

Two stages have been established for translation into Uzbek and the publication of popular books in the world. First: a preliminary list of books is formed annually by the Expert Council. Second: the preliminary list is posted in the information systems of the Agency for Youth Affairs for selection by the population by voting, and thus the final list is formed.

The list of books published annually must include at least 20 percent of popular science works. The rights to the works prepared for publication will belong to the Agency for Youth Affairs, which will provide them free of charge to publishing houses.

It is also planned to create and ensure the continuous operation of a special mobile application that accumulates literature in the Uzbek language and provides the population with free access to a wide range of information. On the recommendation of the Expert Council, the works will be distributed to information and library institutions (including libraries of public and administration authorities), and electronic versions will be donated free of charge to the Alisher Navoi National Library of Uzbekistan and the relevant institutions of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan for wide use by readers.

The necessary spiritual, legal, material, and technical basis has been created in the Republic to develop children's literature and improve the quality of textbooks and teaching aids. The country's publishing houses have increased the publication of works by authors of world and Uzbek children's literature. In accordance with a number of documents adopted to promote book reading, systematic measures are being taken in all regions to popularise literature among children and adolescents. Over the past four years, a number of presidential decrees and government resolutions have been adopted to guide the country's publishing, printing, and bibliographical information institutions.

Thus, bibliographical information services play a critical role in ensuring public well-being by providing citizens with easy access to information, knowledge, and culture. In addition, the development of digital services, collaboration with communities, and the use of new technologies strengthen the role of libraries as centres of learning, information, and communication. This helps to enhance the capabilities of people and stimulates their desire for education. The development of the potential of information and library services contributes to lifelong learning, self-improvement, cultural and spiritual enrichment of the population. This is of crucial importance for modern society.

Ramzidin Nuridinov

Expert of the Development Strategy Center.

On February 21, under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Shavkat Mirziyoyev a meeting was held on strengthening military security and defense capacity of the state.

The meeting was attended by members of the Security Council, heads of ministries and departments within the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan, commanders of military districts, as well as the chairmen of the Jokargy Kenges and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regional and Tashkent city khokims, as well as responsible persons of local authorities in the videoconference format.

At the beginning of the meeting, the adopted measures on strengthening the country's defense capacity and their results were reviewed, certain shortcomings in this work were pointed out.

It was noted that the national army is being equipped with modern weapons and equipment, the level of combat and moral-psychological training of servicemen has significantly increased. 

In view of international experience and the analyses carried out, new combat units have been formed to prevent and eliminate internal and external threats, and the organizational structure of the troops has been optimized.

It was underlined that the creation of a new system of modernization and modern equipment of the army continues - the defense industry is developing and additional enterprises have been set up. The Armed Forces of Uzbekistan have established bilateral military cooperation with more than 20 countries and successfully participated in more than 400 joint exercises.

The infrastructure of higher military schools within the Armed Forces has been completely modernized, their curricula and methodology brought in line with modern requirements. 

The social and legal protection of servicemen and their families has been strengthened. In particular, about 30,000 families have been provided with housing, and more than 2,000 children of servicemen have received benefits when enrolling in higher educational institutions. 

Military administrative sectors, government and public organizations are involved in creating favourable conditions for homeland defenders. Attention to the issues of educating young people in the spirit of patriotism and initial pre-conscription military training in schools is being intensified.

The meeting identified priority tasks for 2025 and subsequent years. 

The need to consider contemporary armed conflicts, existing threats to national security and the peculiarities of the theater of military operations when planning for the further development of the army was emphasized. 

It has been indicated that artificial intelligence, robotic systems, missiles, drones and means of countering them are widely used in today's regional conflicts. In this connection, it has been instructed to create new units in the armed forces to combat drones, use robotic equipment, air defense, and cyber structures utilizing artificial intelligence technologies.

The Supreme Commander-in-Chief emphasized the need to further improve the combat readiness of the army, raise the level of combat training, create a unified automated troop management system using artificial intelligence technologies, as well as introduce dual training in military education and training of military personnel. 

Priority tasks have been set to improve the activities of the “Corps of Master Sergeants”, which is the backbone of the army, further develop the defense industry, provide social support to servicemen and their families, educate young people in the spirit of patriotism and involve them in military sports.

Reports and proposals by the Minister of Defense, commanders of military districts and other responsible persons were heard at the meeting.

May 13. /Dunyo IA/. Uzbekistan has nominated its candidacy for the Chair of the UN Tourism Comission for Europe (CEU) for the 2025–2027 term.

This marks the first time in its history that Uzbekistan has put forward a candidate for this prestigious position, underscoring the country’s growing engagement in global tourism affairs and the high level of trust it has earned within international tourism bodies.

The UN Tourism Comission for Europe consists of 41 member countries from Europe as well as Central and Western Asia. It plays a pivotal role in shaping tourism policy across the region, promoting regional cooperation, and advancing sustainable and inclusive tourism development.

The 71st meeting of the Commission will be held on June 4–6, 2025, in Baku, Azerbaijan. During this session, elections are scheduled to take place for the Chair of the CEU for the 2025–2027 term.

Uzbekistan’s nomination for this position is viewed as recognition of the country’s consistent reforms in the tourism sector, its practical efforts to strengthen regional cooperation, and its contribution to the development of sustainable and inclusive tourism.

If elected, Uzbekistan intends to promote new initiatives aimed at positioning Central Asia as a unified tourism destination, developing cross-border routes, widely implementing digital solutions, and enhancing regional dialogue within the framework of the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

In the modern world, freedom of speech and information is a key element of a democratic society.

Uzbekistan is actively moving towards strengthening the constitutional rights of citizens in this important area, striving to create favorable conditions for the free exchange of information and development of the information society.

The country remains firmly committed to further improving the system of ensuring human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests. The efforts made by the country's leadership in this direction are holistic, sustainable and irreversible.

The following key aspects of state policy in areas of obtaining and disseminating information:

Firstly, creating conditions for free expression of opinions, independent and safe work of the media. Freedom of speech and press are fundamental principles of a democratic society. Uzbekistan strives to ensure pluralism of opinions and prevent any form of censorship, which contributes to the development of an open and informed society.

For this purpose, the necessary legal frameworks have been formed and are being improved in accordance with international standards and recommendations. To date, the country has adopted more than 10 relevant laws, among them - “On guarantees and freedom of access to information”, “On the openness of the activities of public authorities and management”, “On the media”, “On the principles and guarantees of freedom of information” , “On the protection of the professional activities of a journalist”, “On informatization”, etc.

Under Uzbek legislation, journalists are guaranteed personal inviolability in the performance of their professional duties and may not be prosecuted for publishing critical material.

In addition, to further liberalise media activities and ensure the rights of journalists, in 2018, the legislation clarified the legal status of journalists and guarantees of freedom of journalistic activity, as well as the procedure for accreditation of foreign media representatives in the country in accordance with modern requirements.

Mechanisms have also been established for government support of the mass media (provision of privileges on taxes, other compulsory payments and tariffs, preferences, provision of government subsidies, grants and social orders, as well as social support for editorial staff).

The consistent expansion of conditions and opportunities for media outlets is also reflected in their quantitative characteristics. From 2016 to date, their total number has increased by 49 per cent, reaching 2,200. At the same time, the total share of non-state media in the country is over 60%. Alongside traditional media, online publications are also developing rapidly, the number of which has reached 716, and their audience is steadily growing.

It is important to note that in 2023, a number of issues of ensuring freedom of information were enshrined at the level of the country’s Basic Law. Thus, the new version of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, adopted at a national referendum, outlines guarantees for the state to ensure free activity of the media, as well as responsibility for interference in the work of the media.

Another main difference of the new version of the Constitution in terms of freedom of information is the specification of the legal conditions under which restrictions on the search, receipt, use and dissemination of information can be introduced.

Similar provisions were identified in the Basic Law earlier, but were not detailed, which could lead to ambiguous interpretation and be used to unjustifiably restrict the rights of citizens.

The 2023 amendments establish that restrictions can only be imposed on certain grounds and only to the extent necessary. This represents a significant step forward in ensuring that restrictions on the right to seek, receive and disseminate information are transparent, legal and proportionate. These measures help strengthen the rule of law, protect the rights and freedoms of citizens and increase public confidence in government institutions.

A new provision has also been introduced into the country's Constitution guaranteeing free access to the Internet. Thus, the state at the constitutional level confirms its obligations to create all the necessary conditions for this, including in the context of supporting the processes of active digital transformation of the country and expanding the range of online services provided to the population.

Secondly, ensuring unhindered and equal access to information, including strengthening the accountability of government bodies to society. This includes expanding access to data on the work of government agencies and socially significant information in general. Availability of information allows citizens to be better informed, make informed decisions and actively participate in public life.

Openness and transparency in the activities of government agencies remain one of the key indicators of the effectiveness of the system of public control, ensuring continuous dialogue between the state and citizens, minimizing bureaucracy and combating corruption. It is the full implementation of this aspect that will reflect the principle laid down by the Head of State: “It is not the people who serve the state bodies, but the state bodies should serve the people”.

The work carried out by the Republic of Uzbekistan in this regard is becoming increasingly systematic. Thus, in addition to the current Law on Openness in the Activities of State Authorities and Government Bodies, a number of normative acts have been adopted since 2018 and up to the present time aimed at radically improving the work of the press services of State bodies and raising the status of press secretaries to the level of deputy head of department.

Increased requirements were set for the heads and employees of information services of state bodies, including timely and comprehensive coverage of key events and decisions within the work of their departments, as well as prompt response to requests from journalists and the public.

At present, the combined staff of the press services of ministries and departments includes 778 press secretaries and more than 500 employees.

In addition, the Agency of Information and Mass Communications, together with the press secretaries of government agencies, has created a mechanism for promptly responding to citizens' appeals, as well as critical and widely discussed news items in the media. As part of this work, more than 10,000 responses and expert opinions on the identified materials were published in the media, social networks and messengers.

The new version of the Constitution also obliges public bodies to act in a transparent and open manner. This means that all significant decisions and actions of public institutions must be publicly justified and documented. Authorities are obliged to publish regular reports on their activities and inform the public about important initiatives and programmes.

In 2021, in accordance with the Presidential decree, the possibilities of public control over the activities of government agencies were expanded. A list of socially significant information to be published as open data was approved, government bodies and organizations developing data, as well as the procedure for their publication were clearly defined.

The practice of determining indicators of openness and assessing it based on advanced international standards has been successfully introduced. The corresponding national Openness Indexes were published for 2022 and 2023.

At the same time, in 2022, liability was established for violating the legislation on the openness of the activities of public authorities and management, including for non-disclosure of socially significant information, failure to comply with the deadline and procedure for publication, or falsification of information.

Thirdly, protecting the rights of citizens to privacy and personal data. In the era of digital technology and big data, government policy is aimed at ensuring the security of citizens' personal information and preventing its misuse. This includes the development and implementation of legal regulations and technical solutions to protect personal data.

These issues are regulated by the relevant Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Personal Data” dated July 2, 2019. In particular, it regulates the need to ensure the collection, systematization and storage of personal data of citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the country in order to suppress the risks and threats of their leakage and misuse.

At the same time, it should be noted that the new version of the Constitution also enshrines the right to protection of personal data as a personal right of the individual. Consequently, their processing is allowed only with the consent of the individual. From now on, the Basic Law creates a direct possibility for citizens to demand correction of inaccurate data and destruction of data collected illegally or no longer having legal grounds, i.e. to realise the established international practice of the so-called ‘right to be forgotten’.

Such amendments are designed to promote the protection of privacy, increase trust in data processing systems, reduce risks and abuse, develop the digital economy and comply with international standards. Together, these measures create the conditions for a more transparent, secure and sustainable society in the digital age.

At the same time, the development of the population's information literacy remains an important factor in the formation of an effective and self-regulated national media environment against the background of various global challenges. The need to meet the needs of citizens for quality content and improve critical thinking skills has been repeatedly emphasised by the President of Uzbekistan.

The relevance of this task is confirmed by the fact that disinformation is recognised as one of the main short-term global threats, according to an expert report by the World Economic Forum. In addition, a long-term study of media consumption in Central Asia, conducted by the United States Agency for International Development and the non-governmental organisation Internews, shows an increase in the share of citizens in Uzbekistan who lack basic skills in working with information on the Internet (from 3% in 2021 to 25% in 2023).

Uzbekistan continue the country's course of strengthening openness and to develop fruitful and constructive international co-operation in the area of freedom of speech and the press with a view to turning the media into a real ‘fourth estate’. This will certainly create the necessary conditions for the creation of an informed, safe and progressive society ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.

           Aziz Yengalychev,

  Chief Researcher at the Institute for Strategic and Regional studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The traditional annual Address of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered on the eve of the New Year, became an important programmatic statement summarizing the results of the outgoing year and outlining the country’s strategic development priorities for the period ahead.

As the Head of State emphasized, the past year marked a period of steady progress in reforms and the strengthening of Uzbekistan’s socio-economic position, despite ongoing instability in the global economy and a complex international environment. In this context, the announcement of the coming year as the “Year of Mahalla Development and Society as a Whole” gained particular significance, signaling a transition toward a deeper focus of state policy on people’s quality of life and the development of civil society.

In his Address, the President noted that the national economy continued to demonstrate confident growth. The year 2025 concluded with landmark achievements: for the first time, the country’s GDP exceeded 145 billion US dollars, exports increased by 23 percent to 33.4 billion dollars, and foreign exchange and gold reserves surpassed 60 billion dollars. Investment inflows totaling 43.1 billion dollars enabled the implementation of dozens of major projects in industry, energy, and infrastructure. International rating agencies upgraded Uzbekistan’s sovereign credit rating from BB- to BB, opening more favorable conditions for external financing.

It was particularly emphasized that these macroeconomic results were accompanied by positive changes in the social sphere. Owing to active employment policies, the unemployment rate declined from 5.5 percent to 4.9 percent, and around five million people gained sustainable sources of income. Significant attention was devoted to supporting low-income families, developing targeted social assistance mechanisms, and improving access to basic services. The poverty rate decreased from 8.9 percent to 5.8 percent within a year, lifting approximately 1.5 million citizens out of poverty.

These outcomes were the result of consistent reforms aimed at enhancing economic resilience and creating a solid foundation for social development. Economic achievements expanded the state’s capacity to address social challenges and implement long-term support programs for the population. The President noted that social policy has become more responsive to the concrete needs of citizens, which represents a fundamental achievement of the current reform agenda.

Special attention in the Address was devoted to Uzbekistan’s foreign policy course, which was characterized as pragmatic, open, and oriented toward long-term national interests. The President emphasized that an active and balanced foreign policy remains a key factor in ensuring sustainable development, expanding economic opportunities, and strengthening Uzbekistan’s international standing. It was noted that in recent years the country has significantly expanded the geographical scope of its foreign economic relations, reinforced partnerships both with neighboring states and leading global centers, and consistently continued to promote regional cooperation initiatives. This course reflects Uzbekistan’s aspiration to assume a more visible and responsible role in international affairs, guided by the principles of mutual benefit and respect.

The Address also addressed the reform of the public procurement system as one of the key elements in enhancing transparency and efficiency in public administration. The President stressed that improving public procurement mechanisms is aimed at creating equal conditions for businesses, fostering competition, and ensuring the efficient use of budgetary resources. These measures are viewed as an important part of Uzbekistan’s preparation for accession to the World Trade Organization. In this context, reforms in the field of public procurement acquire not only domestic but also external economic significance, as they contribute to aligning national procedures with international standards and rules. Thus, the outlined steps reflect a systemic approach to Uzbekistan’s integration into the global trade and economic system.

A separate section of the Address focused on anti-corruption efforts, which were identified as one of the key priorities for further development. The President underscored that the fight against corruption is regarded not as a one-time campaign, but as a long-term state policy aimed at establishing an honest, transparent, and accountable system of governance.

“Allowing corruption is a betrayal of our reforms. We declare 2026 a year of ‘extraordinary measures’ to combat this scourge,” the President stated.

It was noted that the measures already being implemented—such as the digitalization of public services, increased transparency in decision-making, and strengthened public oversight—are producing tangible results, though they require further deepening. The emphasis on the anti-corruption agenda demonstrates a commitment to strengthening trust among citizens and international partners in state institutions.

Considerable attention in the Address was also given to environmental issues and sustainable development. The President noted that the environmental agenda is becoming an integral part of state policy and is directly linked to the quality of life of the population and the country’s long-term security. The importance of rational use of natural resources, the expansion of green technologies, and the implementation of programs to improve environmental conditions—especially in the most vulnerable regions—was underscored. Plans were announced to hold the next Assembly of the Global Environment Facility and the Central Asian International Environmental Exhibition in Samarkand in 2026. These events will create valuable opportunities to identify partners for industries, regions, and businesses, and to jointly launch new environmental projects. It was emphasized that environmental initiatives are viewed not only as a social necessity, but also as a key element of economic modernization and enhanced resilience.

Taken together, these priorities demonstrate the comprehensive nature of the ongoing reforms. They indicate that the course toward socially oriented development is inseparably linked with institutional transformation and international integration. This approach reflects Uzbekistan’s determination to build a balanced development model in which economic growth, social sustainability, and responsible governance mutually reinforce one another.

Summarizing the results of the concluding year, the Head of State stressed that all these achievements became possible due to a well-structured reform system and the active participation of society. At the same time, he underlined that further development requires not only economic resources but also a stronger social environment, trust, and solidarity. It was within this logic that the proposal was made to declare the coming year the Year of Support for the Mahalla, as the institution closest to people and their everyday concerns.

In the Address, the mahalla was characterized as a unique form of social organization that has absorbed centuries-old traditions of mutual assistance, responsibility, and respect. The President emphasized that the stability of the state begins with the stability of the mahalla, with an atmosphere of harmony and engagement at the local level. “If there is order and trust in the mahalla, there will be stability in society as a whole,” this idea became one of the key messages of the Address, logically linking past achievements with future objectives.

Support for the mahalla in the coming year is viewed as a systemic measure aimed at further strengthening social policy. The President pointed out that it is precisely at the mahalla level where family issues, employment challenges, education, social protection, and the prevention of social vulnerability can be identified most effectively. In this sense, the development of mahalla structures becomes a tool for increasing the targeting of state assistance and enhancing social justice. The economic achievements discussed earlier thus find their continuation in the social domain.

A significant part of the Address was devoted to citizen participation and the development of civil society. The President stressed that a modern state is impossible without active and responsible citizens involved in decision-making and oversight of implementation. In this context, the mahalla is seen as a space for fostering civic initiative and dialogue between authorities and the population.

“We must create conditions under which every person feels involved in the destiny of the country,” the Head of State noted, outlining a strategic commitment to expanding public participation.

Special emphasis was placed on the role of the mahalla in youth education and the strengthening of social values. The President noted that alongside economic indicators, the formation of a moral, educated, and socially responsible individual remains no less important. Support for projects in education, culture, and sports implemented at the mahalla level is regarded as an investment in the country’s future. “The future of Uzbekistan depends on the environment we create for our children today,” this quotation from the Address clearly reflects the long-term orientation of state policy.

Thus, the declaration of 2026 as the “Year of Mahalla Development and Society as a Whole” demonstrates the state’s intention to move from macro-level achievements toward deeper engagement with quality of life, human capital, and social institutions. It signifies a concentration of efforts on strengthening local communities, developing social infrastructure, and fostering an active and cohesive society.

The President’s Address sets a clear development vector for the year ahead: reliance on achieved economic successes, reinforcement of social policy, and the advancement of civil society through support for the mahalla. This approach reflects a strategic understanding that the sustainability of reforms and the country’s long-term prosperity are impossible without strong communities, trust, and citizen participation. In this context, support for the mahalla emerges not only as a social priority, but also as a foundation for Uzbekistan’s long-term development.

Social policy in our country contains a wide range of issues on poverty alleviation, job creation, and support for socially vulnerable groups of the population. Investments in human capital are both a contribution to the social and economic sectors of the country's development. Moreover, according to a study by the Institute of Macroeconomic and Regional Studies under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan, improving the quality of human capital leads to an increase in the inflow of foreign direct investment by 0.51 percent.
Article 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the new wording, adopted following the results of the national referendum, once again confirmed the commitment and orientation of the state to care for its citizens from the first days of their birth, regardless of their social status. It should be noted that the state did not come to this principle immediately, as the domestic social policy was formed step by step, i.e. in the process of long negotiations, permanent compromises and economic opportunities.
The enshrinement in the Constitution of the statement that Uzbekistan is a sovereign, democratic, law-based, social and secular State increases its social obligations.
It should be noted that a social state in the general sense guarantees quality education, qualified medical care, comprehensive support for families, children, women, the elderly and persons with disabilities, provides housing and employment for those in need, creates safe working conditions and reduces poverty.
All of the above-mentioned state guarantees began to be reflected in the last decade of our country, which entered the world history as New Uzbekistan.
First, the Strategy of Action on Five Priority Areas of Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021 and the Strategy for the Development of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026 identify as priority tasks: building a humane state by elevating human honor and dignity and further developing a free civil society; turning the principles of justice and the rule of law into a fundamental and necessary condition for the country's development; accelerating the development of the national economy and ensuring high growth rates; carrying out the development of the country's economy; and ensuring the development of the national economy.

Secondly, the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction has been established, the Ishga Markhamat monocenters have been launched, the “iron” “women's” and “youth” notebook systems have been set up, one hundred percent pensions are paid to working pensioners, the Social Protection Strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan has been approved, and the problem of poverty in the country has been recognized. Moreover, the post of assistant khokims has been introduced, who are responsible for poverty reduction, developing entrepreneurship, organizing jobs and increasing the incomes of citizens. Most importantly, a new system of caring for the population has been created.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a video conference call on May 15, 2023 to discuss measures to reduce poverty and provide employment. Following the recognition of the existence of poverty in the country, a system to reduce it was introduced. At the beginning of last year, all districts in Uzbekistan were divided into five categories and given differentiated benefits based on the pace of socio-economic development. As a result, one million people have been lifted out of poverty.
Thirdly, education and medicine are the most important and comprehensive social spheres. In order to accelerate reforms and improve efficiency in these sectors, relevant project offices have been established.
Undoubtedly, investment in human capital is the best contribution to the future. In this regard, unprecedented reforms have been carried out in the area of continuous improvement of the system of continuous quality education and training of qualified personnel. As a result, preschool education coverage has increased from 27 to 74 percent, 11-year compulsory schooling has been resumed, the workload of school teachers has been optimized, and forced labor has been abolished.
Changes in the higher education system in recent years have also shown significant positive results. As a result, enrollment in higher education has increased from nine to 42 per cent, and the number of higher education institutions has grown from 77 to 212.

Our country pays great attention to the medical sphere, which directly affects the quality of life. Over the past seven years, the financing of the health care system has increased from 5.9 trillion to 33.5 trillion soums, i.e. six times. Hospitals are being equipped with modern equipment and new facilities are being built. In order to bring medicine closer to the people, on-site screening examinations are being conducted.
It should be noted that Uzbekistan is working on targeted support for socially vulnerable segments of the population. This is evidenced by the addition of a new wording to article 57 of the Constitution on State measures aimed at improving the quality of life of socially vulnerable categories, creating conditions for their equal participation in public and State life with other citizens, and expanding their opportunities to independently provide for their basic living needs.
One of the main innovations is article 42 of the Basic Law, which states that the minimum wage shall be determined taking into account the need to ensure a decent standard of living. From December 1, 2023, the minimum wage is equal to 1.05 million soums, while the cost of consumer expenditures is set at 568 thousand soums per person per month.
In addition, according to the Presidential Decision “On measures to further improve the system of social services and assistance to the population” of September 28, 2023, a new system of social assistance by the employees of the social service centers “Inson” of the National Agency for Social Protection has been introduced in 28 districts (cities) on a pilot basis since October 15 last year. The employees are responsible for keeping records and register of lonely, elderly and disabled persons in need of care, which helps to develop a plan of individualized social services by taking into account the degree of need for care. At the same time, assistance to the lonely elderly included in the Unified Register of Social Protection is provided on the basis of a contract.

On October 15–16, 2025, the city of Fergana will host the inaugural session of the Fergana Peace Forum under the theme: “The Fergana Valley: Uniting Efforts for Peace and Progress.”

Organized by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies (ISRS) under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in partnership with colleagues from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and supported by national and international organizations, this unique large-scale event will bring together leading experts, researchers, public figures, and representatives of international organizations. Their goal is to discuss the prospects for the development of one of Central Asia’s most densely populated and culturally rich regions — the Fergana Valley.

Experts from prominent think tanks across the CIS, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, alongside academics, business leaders, civil society representatives, and youth leaders from the region, will convene in one place. High-level delegates from international bodies such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the European Union, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) are also expected to participate. Renowned peacebuilding organizations including the Berghof Foundation (Germany), the Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation (Finland), PeaceNexus (Switzerland), and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) will be among the invited guests.

More than 300 participants will attend the Forum, including around 150 from Central Asia and over 50 from the CIS, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Experts believe the Forum will reinforce the vision expressed by Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly — the transformation of Central Asia into a space of peace, good neighborliness, and partnership.

         As President Mirziyoyev has noted, the region is entering the era of New Central Asia. The days of closed borders, unresolved disputes, and conflicts are becoming a thing of the past. Thanks to growing cohesion, stability, and an emerging shared identity, Central Asia is increasingly recognized as an independent and influential actor on the global stage.

         The choice of the Fergana Valley as the Forum’s venue is symbolic. This unique region is where the lifelines of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan intersect. The established atmosphere of trust, dialogue, and cooperation between these countries exemplifies the good-neighborly policy championed by President Mirziyoyev.

Historical records mention the ancient Fergana state of Davan, especially the cities of Aksikent and Mingtepa, which were famed for their fertile lands, strong defenses, and prized horses. These are documented in Chinese chronicles from the late 2nd century BCE. By medieval times, the valley was one of the leading regions of Mawarannahr (Transoxiana). Archaeological remains from the Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, and medieval periods testify to the valley’s role as a cradle of multiple civilizations.

The Han dynasty historian Sima Qian wrote: “The people live on the land, tilling fields and growing rice and wheat. They live in houses and fortified cities; there are about seventy or more cities of various sizes in this region.” Medieval Arab geographers described Fergana as a land dotted with many cities and villages, surrounded by steppes and mountains, where both urban life and pastoralism thrived.

Cities such as Kokand, Khujand, Osh, and Margilan were centuries-old centers of craftsmanship, trade, and learning. Caravans of the Great Silk Road passed through here; some of the earliest madrasahs were established in the valley. The region became a crossroads for ideas from Persia, China, India, and the Arab world.

         Situated at the intersection of Hellenistic, Bactrian, Parthian, Chinese, and Islamic civilizations, the Fergana Valley is a unique hub of cultural exchange — a legacy evident today in its languages, traditions, cuisine, and architecture.

Experts agree that the peoples of the Fergana Valley form a unified historical and civilizational community — a reality forged over centuries of political, economic, and humanitarian interaction.

The Fergana Valley is living proof that the coexistence of diverse cultures is not only possible but also fruitful. Here, traditions are preserved while new forms of cooperation continuously emerge, from joint celebrations to cross-border initiatives. The region has effectively become a laboratory for cultural convergence, where the ideals of inter-civilizational dialogue are actively realized.

With its rich heritage, dense population, and vast economic potential, the Fergana Valley requires special attention to sustainable development, environmental security, and cross-border cooperation.

Coordinated action and open dialogue are essential here — to foster peace, mutual trust, and progress. The Forum’s agenda addresses a wide range of issues:

• Strengthening regional dialogue and trust;
• Jointly ensuring stability and sustainable development;
• Unlocking the valley’s economic and investment potential;
• Promoting cultural and humanitarian ties;
• Increasing the involvement of civil society, youth, and the private sector in transformation processes.

Special focus will be placed on turning challenges into opportunities and establishing regional cooperation as a firm foundation for peace and prosperity.

The maturity of the Fergana Valley is reflected in its shared historical and cultural foundation, which allows the countries in the region to build dialogue on existing trust rather than starting from zero.

Today, the Fergana Valley is more than a historical symbol — it is a strategic region for sustainable development and economic cooperation. Joint transport and energy projects, cross-border markets, and digital initiatives are driving dynamic growth.

The Fergana Peace Forum is poised to become not just a discussion platform but an ongoing mechanism for generating ideas, uniting efforts, and advancing projects for the benefit of the entire region.

Organizers highlight that the example of the Fergana Valley could serve as a model for post-conflict regions worldwide, where political stabilization must be accompanied by deep cultural and humanitarian work. Real mechanisms of cooperation are being forged here, grounded in a shared historical and cultural legacy that supports peace and development.

Among the anticipated outcomes of the Forum is the adoption of a Communiqué calling for the establishment of a unified space of friendship, good neighborliness, and sustainable development in the Fergana Valley.

Preparatory discussions have already confirmed that the Fergana Valley is a place where the past inspires, the present unites, and the future is built on values of peace and cooperation.

In a world where conflict has become commonplace and the international community searches for new models of sustainable coexistence, the Fergana Peace Forum offers one clear answer: peace begins with trust, and trust begins with open dialogue.

Fergana is not just a point on the map — it is a space where respect becomes the language of communication, friendship forms the foundation of neighborliness, and cultural diversity is a source of unity.

Dr. Alisher Sabirov, Doctor of Historical Sciences,
Professor, Nizami National Pedagogical University, Uzbekistan;
Adjunct Associate Professor, Shaanxi Normal University, People’s Republic of China

It is not an exaggeration to say that in the historical conditions where humanity is going through a difficult period, where contradictions and conflicts are intensifying and seriously undermining stability, in the multi-ethnic New Uzbekistan, human dignity and the interests of the people are recognized as the highest values, and in this regard, it is becoming an example and model for many countries of the world.

Because sustainable development can be achieved first of all by valuing and honoring people, creating conditions for the population to live well today, and realizing the high trust and responsibility of the population for the future.

Abdulla Awlani, the famous modern enlightener, defined man in such a way: “...the purpose of the creation of the universe is man. Man is the glory and honor of all existence. All creation must serve man: man is its master. Because man has a mind. He acquires knowledge with the help of this mind, and rules the world thanks to his knowledge”.

Therefore, measures aimed at the development of citizen's activity and participation in state management are being systematically implemented in Uzbekistan today, with comprehensive support for human rights and interests.

In recent years, the reforms implemented in Uzbekistan and the active participation and involvement of citizens in the state administration have been observed, which is especially important in the adoption of documents that will be the criteria for the future fate of our country.

In particular, in 2023, the "people's constitution" adopted for the first time in the history of Uzbekistan on the basis of the will of the people is a program for creating the foundation of the country's future destiny and happy future. More than 220,000 proposals have been received from different layers of the population, and this is also an example of the people's interest in state management and fate.

For this reason, first of all, the proposals received from the population, as well as the experiences and norms of constitution – making of 190 countries were thoroughly studied, and the articles of the updated constitution increased from 128 to 155, and the number of norms increased from 275 to 434.

In a situation where modern threats and problems are becoming increasingly rooted, the issues of ensuring a stable economy, effective governance, a safe state and social guarantees in Uzbekistan in the future have been deeply analyzed, 65% of the basic law has been updated based on people's proposals, and new norms based on national and universal values ​​and modern opportunities have been introduced.

In the words of the President of Uzbekistan, "Our Basic Law, which is literally a public dictionary, serves as a strong legal guarantee that our large-scale reforms aimed at establishing New Uzbekistan will not go back."

Another proof of the active participation of citizens in the sphere of public administration in Uzbekistan is the launch of the portal for the discussion of projects of regulatory legal documents (https://regulation.gov.uz/) to receive proposals from citizens for drafts of state programs, laws and legal documents. During the year, 77,731 proposals were received from the population for 25,283 draft documents.

Another important point is that in recent years, the share of women in state management in Uzbekistan has increased from 27% to 35%. In particular, 32% of the deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the country's parliament (Supreme Assembly) and 25% of the members of the Senate are women. The number of businesswomen doubled, and the number of women who started their own business exceeded 205,000.

It is of particular importance that Uzbekistan is listed among the 5 fastest developing countries in the world in the field of gender equality in the World Bank index, and is among the top 20 countries in the open gender data index.

First of all, the conceptual basis of the reforms was created in Uzbekistan, and a number of strategic decisions were made for its systematic operation.

In order to further increase the effectiveness of the ongoing reforms, create conditions for comprehensive and rapid development of the state and society, implement priority directions for modernization of our country and liberalization of all spheres of life, the Strategy of Actions on five priority directions for the development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021 is consistently implemented increased.

Strategy 5 – Improvement of the system of state and community building, ensuring the rule of law and further reforming the judicial system, developing and liberalizing the economy, developing the social sphere and ensuring security, inter-ethnic harmony and religious tolerance, as well as a well-thought-out, mutually beneficial and practical foreign policy reforms worthy of universal recognition took place in the field of priority directions.

The economic growth in the country alone was ensured to grow by 4.4% in 2017, 5.4% in 2018, and 5.7% in 2019.

On September 11, 2023, the "Uzbekistan-2030" strategy was adopted based on the experience gained during the implementation of the development strategy of New Uzbekistan and the discussions of the general public, and the strategic tasks that we must achieve in the next 7 years were defined. The importance of this strategy, consisting of 100 points, is that in this document, specific goals and targets are set, which are expected to be achieved in all areas, and the reforms continue consistently.

The important thing is that this document sets the future priority goals, in particular, to use all the possibilities to increase the size of the country's gross domestic product from the current 80 billion dollars to 160 billion dollars, thereby doubling the size of the economy by 2030 and "countries with an income above the average". Bold steps are being taken to enter the ranks.
          In Uzbekistan, great attention is being paid to this area, which is directly related to the quality of life. In the last 7 years, the amount of funds allocated to the healthcare system has increased from 5.9 trillion soums to 33.5 trillion soums, that is, it has increased 6 times. Hospitals are equipped with modern equipment and new ones are being built.

In Uzbekistan, systematic measures are being taken to provide social support to the population, to identify the root causes of the problems of each of its strata, and to provide targeted assistance, especially to reduce poverty.

"Temir daftar" (Iron book), "Ayollar daftari" (Women`s book), "Yoshlar Daftar" (Youth book), "Mahallababay" (Neighbourhood) and "Khonadonbay" (House work) work methods are being introduced for this purpose. On this basis, not abstract indicators of the problem, but the problems of every family and citizen, women, and youth who need help and support are clearly studied on the spot, and they are solved in a timely and effective manner.

Today, the noble traditions of supporting the elderly, disabled people, people in a difficult situation, and showing them love and kindness are being enriched and improved with new meaning and practical actions. In this regard, programs such as "Prosperous village", "Prosperous neighborhood", "Five important initiatives", "Every family is an entrepreneur", and "Youth are our future" are giving positive results.

At this point, it should be noted that since 2017 Virtual and Public receptions of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan have been established. In 2017-2021, the President's virtual lobby and People's lobby received 5 million. More than 780,000 appeals were considered, of which 3 mln. More than 288 thousand were satisfied. As a result of complete, timely and legal investigation of appeals, the level of their satisfaction is also increasing year by year. In particular, this indicator was 47.5 percent in 2017, 53.9 percent in 2018, 60.9 percent in 2019, 60.4 percent in 2020, and 86.7 percent in 2021.

Another consideration is that in recent years, the intensity and scope of the globalization process has increased in the intellectual world in the complex conditions where the struggle for the hearts and minds of the young generation is intensifying, the role and importance of education in the spirit of patriotism is increasing more and more, and the need to educate our youth as true patriots is growing stronger than ever. In the world, the number and scale of ideological struggles and conflicts are increasing, and new threats are emerging that cannot be predicted in advance.

In such a situation, education of young people in the spirit of loyalty to the Motherland, national identity and values, and concern for national interests is gaining urgent importance.

When one of the scholars said that "the happiness of every nation, the peace and happiness of the states depends on the good education of the youth", there are many real truths.

Based on the opinion of the head of Uzbekistan in his speech at the extended session of the Council of Spirituality and Enlightenment of the Republic that "it is natural that the legacy of our enlightened ancestors serves as a foundation for the legal democratic state and civil society that we are building today", it is clear as day that the development of national spirituality should be one step ahead.

In this regard, specific measures have been defined in 9 directions in the country, in particular, spirituality should be ten steps ahead of other fields, popularization of the heritage of the ancients, addition of an additional "Spiritual sector" to 4 sectors, enrichment of the activities and contents of theaters, cultural centers, priority issues such as the development of Uzbek cultural diplomacy, film, visual and applied arts in the international arena are among these.

The concept of the President of Uzbekistan, "If the economy is the body of society's life, then its soul is spirituality" has already become a vital principle for all of us. Strong spirituality based on the rich heritage of our ancestors and national values ​​serves as a strong pillar for the country that decided to build the new Uzbekistan.

In recent years, "Man-Society-State" has become an irrevocable strategic principle in Uzbekistan, fundamental reforms have been carried out to pay attention to people and protect their rights and interests.

         It is necessary to recognize one fact: reforms in accordance with international standards are being implemented in all areas related to people and their activities. At the same time, the critical analysis of our activities by the head of the country, using the existing freedom of speech, encourages us to constantly examine ourselves and improve our measures regularly in order to reach new goals in the future.

For example, more than 2,200,000 families are in need of social assistance, among them there are many young people. In this regard, specific measures have been determined this year, and in the updated Constitution, the state's social obligations have been tripled, and an additional 30-40 trillion soums will be allocated annually from the state budget.

The principle of "man-society-state" is of particular importance for the future development of our country, and constitutional guarantees have been strengthened in this regard.

The international community of Uzbekistan is paying special attention to strengthening friendly relations with neighboring countries on the basis of cooperation, mutual support, peace and harmony, and the legal basis for further deepening of the reforms implemented in foreign policy in recent years is also being strengthened.

For example, due to the resolution of the 30-year-old border problem with neighboring Kyrgyzstan, more than 2 million inhabitants of the valley were able to move freely with their relatives and friends.

The directions of strengthening peace and stability of Uzbekistan in our region, expanding the potential of our country in the international arena and developing comprehensive and mutually beneficial relations with foreign countries are confirmed in the "Concept of Foreign Political Activities" approved by law.

Today, Uzbekistan has established diplomatic relations with 131 countries of the world, we have 37 embassies in 38 countries, consulates in 17 cities, permanent representative offices in the UN and other international organizations.

In a word, as the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, said, "From now on, we will focus on strengthening multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation with all the neighboring countries in Central Asia and the countries and international organizations that are our strategic partners in the world."

Ensuring decent life of citizens in Uzbekistan, inter-ethnic and inter-confessional harmony, well-being and prosperity of our multi-ethnic country of Uzbekistan is also one of the most important directions.

In order to support our compatriots in many countries of the world and further strengthen our relations with them, the "Compatriots" fund was established.

Our work aimed at strengthening the environment of inter-ethnic harmony and tolerance in our society is reaching a new level in terms of quality. July 30, which is widely celebrated as the International Friendship Day, has been announced as the "International Friendship Day" in Uzbekistan. This year, this holiday was widely celebrated for the first time in our country. It can also be considered as a common phenomenon where internal and external political factors converge.

It will be necessary to mobilize all our strength and capabilities to further strengthen the atmosphere of inter-civilian harmony, inter-ethnic friendship and tolerance.

The future strategic tasks in the foreign policy have already been defined, which will serve as a consistent continuation of the actions in the field of foreign policy and economic diplomacy.

In this regard, first of all, it is necessary to further strengthen close friendship, good neighborliness and strategic partnership relations with the countries of the region, to expand mutually beneficial and multilateral relations with the countries of the far and near countries of the world, especially to continue providing assistance to the Afghan people to restore a peaceful and peaceful life in neighboring Afghanistan. It is appropriate to carry out priority tasks such as the implementation of large transport and communication projects together with the country at a qualitative level. In this regard, it is time to raise multilateral relations with international regional organizations and financial institutions to a new level.

In a word, the so-called New Uzbekistan is boldly marching towards sustainable development with systematic reforms, hard work and the will of the creative people. Systematic reforms implemented today in our country, which realizes its high responsibility to present and future generations to build a humane democratic state, an open and fair society, where human life, freedom, honor and dignity are considered the highest value, are a thing of the ages.

Khudoyberdi Khaknazarov

Doctor of History

The declaration of independence and the commitment of the Government of Uzbekistan to the ideals of democracy, the choice of a secular path of development of society have gradually made it possible to create equal legal conditions for the existence of religions in general and religious groups in particular.

In the religious sphere, this large-scale work is carried out by the relevant state bodies and civil society institutions and is aimed at ensuring citizens' constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of conscience; strengthening religious pluralism, tolerance and interfaith dialogue.

One of the significant results of joint work is the adoption in December 2018 by the UN General Assembly of a special resolution "Enlightenment and Religious Tolerance".

The adoption of the resolution was a practical implementation of the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, put forward at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly. The main goal of the proposed resolution is "to ensure universal access to education, the elimination of illiteracy and ignorance."

It is noteworthy that the resolution was not only unanimously supported by all UN member states, but also adopted with the co-authorship of over 50 countries. This testifies to the high recognition by the international community of the relevance and timeliness of the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan.

In recent years, significant changes have taken place in Uzbekistan and large-scale reforms have been implemented in many areas, including in the religious and educational sphere.

A number of legislative acts have been adopted aimed at further improving activities in the religious sphere.

In order to deepen the study of Islam and teach its scientific foundations, the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan was created. The Academy specializes in teaching secular and religious knowledge, training qualified personnel in the interpretation of the Koran, Islamic law, religious dogmas and hadiths.

In Uzbekistan, unique mechanisms are used to revive national and religious values, study and promote the rich scientific and spiritual heritage of great ancestors, and strengthen religious tolerance in society. The activities of the Center for Islamic Civilization, international research centers of Imam Bukhari, Imam Termizi, Imam Maturidi, Bahauddin Naqshbandi have been established.

As a result of large-scale reforms and transformations carried out in the religious sphere, the Higher Madrasah Mir Arab in Bukhara, the School of Hadith Studies in Samarkand, the Madrasah of Imam Termizi and the Islamic Institute named after Imam Termizi in Termez began their activities.

In addition, the Charitable Public Fund "Vakf" was established under the Office of Muslims of Uzbekistan, whose tasks include financing work on the reconstruction of mosques, holy places of pilgrimage and visits, other objects, providing material and technical support and providing material support to employees in this field. The Fund received the opportunity to dispose of funds coming to 3 accounts: charitable, vakf and zakat (ushr, fidya, fitr).

In accordance with the adopted legislative acts, in order to further improve the activities of the Committee on Religious Affairs, a new composition of the Council for Religious Affairs has been approved, which is a public advisory body under the Committee.

The activities of the Council are inextricably linked with ensuring freedom of religion in the country, respecting the rights of religious organizations and believers. The initiatives of the members of the Council are fully implemented within the framework of measures taken by the country's leadership in the field of protecting and further strengthening the rights and freedoms of religious movements.

The significance and timeliness of the measures taken by the country's leadership served as the basis for holding the international forum "Dialogue of Declarations" in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara on May 16-20, 2022. This event was part of the systematic and consistent efforts of Uzbekistan to practically implement the principles and provisions enshrined in the Special Resolution of the UN General Assembly "Enlightenment and Religious Tolerance", adopted in 2018 on the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

It is especially worth noting that at the past 76th session of the UN General Assembly, the "Bukhara Declaration" adopted following the results of this forum was recognized as an official UN document. As an official UN document, the document has been translated into 6 languages and distributed among the UN member states, as well as specialized agencies of the organization.

The second round of the international forum will be held on September 10-13, 2025 with the assistance of several NGOs from the USA. The participants of the event also visited Samarkand, where they got acquainted with the activities of the reconstructed complex of Imam Bukhari.

Uzbekistan has special dates that are closely related to the religious life of believers: these are "Day of Friendship of Peoples", celebrated on July 30, and "International Day of Tolerance", celebrated on November 16. Both of these dates are marked not only by holding events, but also by awarding the corresponding badges - the badge "Khalklar dustligi" ("Friendship of Peoples") has been awarded since 2021, and the badge "Diniy bagrikenklik" ("Religious Tolerance") began to be awarded to distinguished citizens since 2023. Among the awardees are representatives of various religious denominations of Uzbekistan.

At the same time, Uzbekistan attaches great importance to the preservation of religious and spiritual heritage, the enrichment of existing funds, the creation of necessary conditions for local and foreign researchers to work with historical sources, and the comprehensive study of historical and cultural heritage.

Today, in the country, in order to ensure interethnic and interfaith harmony in society, a legislative framework has been created that provides for the observance of the rights and legitimate interests of citizens.

The Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan enshrines the norm on freedom of religion for every person. Attention is also paid to improving and liberalizing national legislation in the field of religion. The procedures for obtaining permission for the production, import and distribution of religious literature have been simplified. The procedure for state registration of religious organizations has been further optimized.

Currently, the new Law "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations" is in force, which contributes to ensuring the constitutional rights of citizens of the country to freedom of conscience and religion.

Noting the fundamental innovations in the Law as a consistent continuation of large-scale reforms in the religious and educational sphere, special attention should be paid, first of all, to the creation of favorable conditions for ensuring freedom of conscience for every person, and clarifying law enforcement practice.

Currently, 2373 religious organizations of 16 religious denominations operate in Uzbekistan. Of these, Muslim organizations - 2174, which is 92 percent of the total number.

There are also 181 Christian organizations, 8 Jewish communities, 7 Baha'i communities, one Krishna society and one Buddhist temple, as well as the interfaith Biblical Society of Uzbekistan operating in Uzbekistan.

Recently, 134 religious organizations have been registered in Uzbekistan, including 3 higher and one secondary specialized Islamic educational institutions in Bukhara, Samarkand and Termez, 105 mosques and 25 non-Islamic organizations of 7 different religious denominations.

At the same time, the national legislation of Uzbekistan does not provide for any restrictions on the number of religious organizations or the terms of their registration.

Religious organizations operating in the republic, along with other public organizations, actively participate in spiritual and educational work, make a significant contribution to improving the spirituality of society, and forming strong beliefs in young people based on patriotism, as well as interfaith and interethnic tolerance.

It should be noted that religious policy in Uzbekistan is based on the principles of the secular nature of the state, religious tolerance and equal treatment of all religions. In the republic, representatives of various nations and ethnic groups professing Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism and other religions carry out their activities on equal terms.

All conditions have been created for adherents of each denomination, allowing them to freely and unhindered practice their religion.

Believers freely pray in mosques, churches, synagogues, observe fasting, and also make pilgrimages. Religious organizations have the right to own territory, publish literature, train their religious ministers, and organize pilgrimages to holy places.

The freedom of religion guaranteed by the national legislation of Uzbekistan has created all the necessary conditions for meeting the religious needs of all citizens - representatives of 136 national and ethnic groups.

Representatives of different faiths freely celebrate all religious holidays. Thus, from year to year, Kurban-Hayit and Ramadan-Hayit are celebrated on an increasingly large scale among Muslims, Easter and Christmas - among Christians, Pesach, Purim and Hanukkah - among Jews, Navruz - among Baha'is, as well as celebrations dedicated to Buddha and Krishna and other major events.

Believers make pilgrimages to holy places: Muslims to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj and Umrah rituals, Christians - to Russia, Greece and Israel, Jews - to Israel.

Over the years of independence, more than 484 thousand Muslims have made pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia, including 188 thousand - Hajj and 296 thousand - Umrah, more than 3.2 thousand Christians and Jews have visited religious shrines in Israel, Russia, Turkey, Italy, Georgia, Greece.

To meet the spiritual needs of society, a large number of religious literature of various orientations is published annually. To fully cover the religious life of Uzbekistan, a number of newspapers and magazines are published, including the newspapers "Islom nuri", "Slovo zhizni", the magazines "Khidoyat", "Vostok svyshe".

Today, in Uzbekistan, on a systematic basis, a set of measures is being carried out to protect the population from the negative influence of destructive ideas that reflect radical extremist ideology and religious fanaticism.

An important step in this direction was the application of acts of pardon. In particular, since 2017, 29 decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan have been adopted on pardoning persons who have committed crimes.

It should be noted that in recent years, within the framework of the consistent policy pursued in Uzbekistan in the field of protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens, special attention is paid to measures aimed at protecting the rights, freedoms, honor and dignity not only of citizens residing in the republic, but also of our compatriots who find themselves in difficult life situations in foreign countries.

Unfortunately, some of our citizens, who have fallen under the influence of alien ideas, believing false promises, in different years joined the ranks of international terrorist organizations in armed conflict zones abroad. Spouses, fathers of some women returned as part of humanitarian operations, died in the course of armed clashes.

Given this circumstance, on the instructions of the President of Uzbekistan, five humanitarian actions "Mehr" were successfully carried out in 2019-2021, within the framework of which more than 500 citizens of the republic, mainly women and children, were returned to their homeland from the zones of armed conflicts in the Middle East and in Afghanistan.

In order to further assist in their speedy reintegration and rehabilitation, a set of measures has been implemented at the state level to provide timely medical, psychological, material and moral assistance. To date, all returnees have been provided with the necessary conditions for their adaptation to peaceful life and integration into society, access to educational and other social programs has been provided, including through the provision of housing and employment.

In general, it is worth noting that an important distinguishing feature of the religious life of modern Uzbekistan is the inadmissibility of establishing advantages or restrictions for one religion in relation to other denominations.

One of the main priorities of reforming society in order to ensure interethnic harmony and religious tolerance is to ensure and protect the rights and freedoms of citizens, their equality before the law regardless of race, gender, nationality, language, social origin, beliefs, religion, personal and social status, which are enshrined in the Constitution of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan consistently and steadily fulfills its international obligations in the field of ensuring religious freedoms within the framework of international human rights treaties.

As is known, Uzbekistan has acceded to more than 70 major international human rights instruments. Accession to these documents contributed to the creation of an effective human rights protection system in Uzbekistan.

It is important that Uzbekistan's policy in the field of religion, aimed at strengthening interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance in society, is an important factor of stability and security.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that the large-scale reforms being carried out in the country are a clear confirmation of the consistent continuation by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan of the implementation of the principle "Everything in the name of man, in the name of his future."

Committee on Religious Affairs

On November 3, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the invitation of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, arrived in Qatar on a working visit to participate in the Second World Summit for Social Development.

Over the years of independence, Uzbekistan and Qatar have progressed from establishing diplomatic relations to forming a comprehensive strategic partnership based on trust, mutual respect, and common interests in the political, economic, and humanitarian spheres.

Qatar recognized Uzbekistan's independence on December 30, 1991, and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on November 27, 1997. In recent years, the intensity of contacts at the highest levels has significantly increased. A milestone event was the signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement in Tashkent in April 2024, which solidified a new level of cooperation between the two countries. This document outlines priorities for expanding cooperation in investment, energy, transport, education, and culture.

In June and December 2023, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani visited Uzbekistan, and in October of the same year, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev made a reciprocal state visit to Doha. These meetings marked a new stage in the development of bilateral interactions, giving the relationship between Tashkent and Doha a strategic direction.

Dialogue at the highest level continued within the framework of major international forums, such as the Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, the "Central Asia – Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf" summit, and other global events.

Evidence of the intensification of cooperation was the opening of the Embassy of Qatar in Tashkent in May 2023 and the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Doha in December of the same year. These steps marked a transition to a qualitatively new level of political and diplomatic presence.

An important milestone in the political dialogue was the visit of the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, to Uzbekistan in April 2024. During the visit, the Qatari official was received by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, where a wide range of issues were discussed, from strengthening political dialogue and expanding investment cooperation to partnership in the energy, transport, education, and culture sectors.

While in Tashkent, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also held talks with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov. During the meeting, the parties confirmed their mutual interest in further deepening cooperation between their foreign ministries, including through regular political consultations.

In turn, in March and October 2024, Uzbekistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov visited Qatar on working trips, where he met with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, as well as with leaders of Qatar's Investment Authority and major companies. The meetings focused on expanding economic ties, involving Qatari capital in joint projects, and exploring prospects for cooperation in the transport and logistics sectors.

Particular attention is being paid to the development of trade and economic relations. In 2024, the volume of mutual trade amounted to 7.7 million USD, with exports at 2.2 million and imports at 5.5 million. From January to August 2025, trade turnover grew by 28%, exceeding 7 million USD. Leading positions in exports are held by food products, copper pipes, and services, while imports primarily consist of chemicals and lubricants.

A significant step forward was the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade-Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, which took place in Doha on November 11-12, 2024. Additionally, in June 2024, Qatar Airways launched its first flight on the Doha-Tashkent-Doha route, opening new opportunities for business and tourism exchanges.

Humanitarian and cultural cooperation has also been actively developing. During the pandemic, Qatari charitable foundations provided Uzbekistan with approximately 400,000 USD in humanitarian aid. In recent years, Uzbekistan and Qatar have regularly hosted cultural weeks, craft exhibitions, and concerts. In 2024, the "Culture, Crafts, and Tourism Week of Uzbekistan" was held in Doha, and the "Culture Week of Qatar" took place in Tashkent, attended by Qatar's Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman Al Thani.

Education cooperation is of particular importance. In September 2024, the agreement was signed in Qatar for the training of Afghan women at the Termez Educational Center, with financial support from Qatar.

Thus, the political dialogue, economic partnership, and humanitarian ties between Tashkent and Doha demonstrate a sustainable dynamic. The consistent implementation of the agreements reached suggests that bilateral relations have transitioned to a new level—one of strategic cooperation, focused on the long-term future and regional stability.

In this context, the upcoming visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Qatar and his participation in the Second World Summit for Social Development will undoubtedly continue Uzbekistan's consistent foreign policy, aimed at fostering mutual understanding and trust with countries in the Middle East. It will also open new opportunities for comprehensive, mutually beneficial cooperation between Tashkent and Doha for the sustainable development and prosperity of both nations.

«Dunyo» IA

On June 20, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a video conference call on training engineering personnel and improving the performance of higher educational institutions.

In today's competitive world, our country, relying on domestic resources, is moving towards industrial development. Every year 3 thousand industrial enterprises are put into operation, about 150 thousand jobs are created.

This year, projects worth 21 trillion soums will be implemented within the framework of state investment programs. Also, projects with foreign and regional investments worth 37.5 billion dollars are planned for this year.

Accordingly, the state pays great attention to science, education and innovation. For example, over the past four years, 2.2 trillion soums have been allocated to 1,727 practical, innovative, fundamental and startup projects. Spending on research and development has doubled.

However, the results in this area and the number of highly qualified engineers are still insufficient. There is a gap between higher education institutions and industry.

That is why rectors of technical universities were also invited to the meeting.

The head of state first of all dwelt on the problems in this sphere.

The 36 state technical higher educational institutions annually graduate 67 thousand specialists. However, the programs and specialties in these universities do not meet the requirements of manufacturers. As a result, 60 percent of engineers do not work in their specialty.

Higher educational institutions are limited to fundamental research, and practical developments for the economy are very rare. Hundreds of startups and innovative projects in engineering fields remain on paper.

In foreign universities there are such specialties as "value engineering", "comparative engineering", "reverse engineering". In our technical universities, these areas are not developed. As a result, industries have to spend a lot of money on training their employees abroad or attract specialists from abroad.

Although the coverage of higher education has increased 5 times in the last seven years, the interest of young people in engineering and technical specialties is very low. Some equipment of universities and scientific laboratories is outdated. Many professors and teachers are disconnected from practice. Rectors do not visit enterprises, do not familiarize themselves with new technologies, do not study equipment and machines.

Over the last four years, the number of research contracts of universities has tripled. Revenues from them have increased 6 times. However, the implementation of the results of scientific developments into production is slow. Not everyone is equally successful in patenting their inventions.

The President presented new initiatives to develop this area.

Now training and research processes in technical areas will be completely changed based on the best practices. 36 universities and their branches will be gradually consolidated, leaving a total of 20 technical universities. They will completely switch to the dual system of education.

Specialties that are not in demand in the labor market will be reduced. Some departments will be merged. The functions of dean offices to serve students will be digitalized. Based on foreign experience, a "Registrar's Office" will be created.

Each university will establish cooperation with prestigious technical universities of developed partner countries such as Germany, Japan, China, Russia, Italy, Turkey, South Korea, Singapore.

Based on the chain "industry-enterprise-university", each university will be assigned an industrial partner.

All engineering universities will open departments at their partner enterprises and introduce dual education. At the same time, the enterprises will allocate funds to equip the departments, stimulate teachers and students. Student internships and graduate training will be fully organized at partner enterprises.

Thirty-two sectoral councils will be established in the system of ministries and enterprises. They will determine priority directions of scientific research in technical fields together with institutes and will be customers of these researches.

Also at the first stage, higher engineering schools will be opened in 10 universities. Two-year applied master's degree programs will be implemented in them, and candidates will be selected by order of manufacturers. Enterprises will financially support the establishment and equipping of laboratories in higher engineering schools. The state will also provide highly qualified engineers-technologists. If every minister, industry leader, rector, professor and teacher feels deep sense of responsibility and works hard, we will definitely achieve this," Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

The status of pilot production enterprises of universities will be legislated. They will be granted privileges applicable to IT park residents. At least 60 percent of the employees of the subsidiaries will be doctoral candidates and students.

From next year, state grants for projects in technical areas will be increased fourfold. Partner organizations of universities will also be allowed to act as founders of enterprises.

Hokims of regions and heads of industries will be able to directly provide universities with orders for scientific and production projects up to 10 billion soums.

A system of allocating at least half a percent of the cost of investment projects for scientific activities will be introduced.

It has been determined to organize national contests "Best Idea", "Best Project" and "Best Invention" in engineering fields. Teachers, students and practicing engineers will be able to participate in them. The prize for the first place is an electric car.

Also 10 best participants, authors of ideas, projects and inventions will be sent for internship to such countries as Germany, Japan, China, Russia, Italy, Turkey, South Korea, Singapore.

The meeting continued in the format of an open dialog. Industry leaders, scientists, rectors and engineers expressed their opinions on the development of science and education in engineering.

It was assigned to draft a relevant decree based on the proposals.

- We need highly qualified engineers-technologists like air for the accelerated development of the economy. If every minister, industry leader, rector, professor and teacher feels deep sense of responsibility and works hard, we will definitely achieve this," Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

The state visit of the President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Seok-yol at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has ended.
During the three-day visit, high-level talks were held, at the end of which the leaders signed a joint statement on further deepening and comprehensive expansion of the Special Strategic Partnership. A bilateral set of documents was received.
The heads of state participated in a joint business forum with the participation of representatives of leading Korean companies and banking and financial institutions.
The presidents visited the Technopark in Tashkent and got acquainted with the existing potential for industrial cooperation.
Today, the dialogue between the heads of state continued in Samarkand. The presidents and their wives got acquainted with the historical and architectural masterpieces of the ancient city.
After the end of the visit, President Yun Sok Yol and his wife were escorted by President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and his wife at the airport.