Issues of further development of multifaceted partnership, promotion of economic and investment cooperation projects, establishment of practical interaction in the defense sector were discussed at the meeting between President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and a delegation from the United Arab Emirates headed by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, Crown Prince of the Emirate of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Muhammad Al Maktoum.

The Emirati delegation included the Ministers of Government Affairs Muhammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Energy and Infrastructure Suhail bin Muhammad Al Mazroui, Economy Abdullah bin Tuq Al Marri, and Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy Omar bin Sultan Al Olama.

At the beginning of the conversation, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum expressed his sincere gratitude to our Head of State for the warm welcome and conveyed warm greetings from UAE President Sheikh Mohammad Al Nahyan and Prime Minister of the UAE, Emir of Dubai Sheikh Mohammad Al Maktoum.

During the meeting, special attention was paid to the issues of forming a new long-term agenda of mutually beneficial cooperation in such key areas as investment, innovative development, green energy, infrastructure, education, healthcare, ecology, digital transformation, tourism and others.

The sides highly appreciated the fruitful results of the joint forum on unlocking the potential of mutually beneficial cooperation, bilateral intergovernmental and interdepartmental talks held this morning.

An agreement was reached to adopt a road map for the development of full-scale cooperation in strategic sectors.

It should be noted that the UAE is one of Uzbekistan's key partners in the Asian region.

The latest high-level contacts took place within the framework of the Global Climate Summit in Dubai last December.

The trade turnover in 2023 grew by 21 percent and amounted to 626 million dollars. More than 320 enterprises with the participation of Emirati capital operate in our country. The portfolio of ongoing and prospective investment projects amounts to about 20 billion dollars.

In recent years, wide-ranging reforms have been implemented in our country aimed at creating equal rights and opportunities for women and men, ensuring the full participation of women in social and public life, supporting them socially, economically, and legally, as well as protecting them from harassment and violence.

Thanks to the high political will and initiatives of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the issues of ensuring gender equality, protecting the interests of women, and ensuring the strength of families have been designated as priorities of state policy. The programs and strategies adopted in this regard are recognized not only at the national but also at the international level.

The participation of women in the socio-political, economic, and spiritual life of our country is increasing day by day. Today, they actively participate in state administration bodies, parliament, local councils, entrepreneurship, and scientific fields. Systematic measures are being implemented to create new jobs for women, develop their knowledge and potential, and widely involve them in entrepreneurial activities.

Within a short period, a national legislative base corresponding to international standards in this field was created. In particular, more than 100 normative-legal acts have been adopted over the past eight years. Among them, such important regulatory documents as the Law "On Guarantees of Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men" and the Law "On Protection of Women from Harassment and Violence" are of particular importance.

Today, Uzbekistan consistently continues to cooperate with international organizations such as the UN, OSCE, and UNESCO in implementing its gender policy. This cooperation is creating new opportunities for protecting the interests of women and allowing them to fully manifest their potential in our country.

In order to properly establish the gender equality policy and ensure its full implementation, the “Strategy for Achieving Gender Equality until 2030” was adopted. Work on its introduction to all spheres and sectors is being carried out rapidly.

The “Uzbekistan – 2030 Strategy” defines important goals and tasks for strengthening the system of supporting women, ensuring their rights and legal interests, increasing their social, economic, and political activity, and ensuring gender equality.

First, to continue the policy of ensuring gender equality and increasing the share of women in leadership positions by boosting their socio-political activity;

Second, to create an environment of intolerance toward harassment and violence against women in society, and to ensure the rights and legal interests of women;

Third, to establish a transparent mechanism for targeted work with the “Women's Notebook” (“Ayollar daftari”) and establish public control over these efforts.

Concepts such as gender analysis of regulatory legal acts, adopting a gender-responsive national budget, and gender auditing are being introduced into legislation and put into practice.

The Commission on Increasing the Role of Women in Society, Gender Equality, and Family Issues has been established. It coordinates efforts to create equal opportunities in all aspects of rights and freedoms, protect the interests of women in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and develop and implement relevant measures to eliminate existing problems. Furthermore, regional commissions on increasing the role of women in society, gender equality, and family issues are operating under local Councils of People's Deputies.

To effectively implement state policy on ensuring the rights and interests of women and comprehensively strengthening the family institution, a vertical system has been created that reaches down to the lowest level – the neighborhood (“mahalla”) and household.

In order to elevate state policy regarding families and women in the Republic to a new level, find systematic solutions to their problems, and effectively organize and coordinate the activities of authorized bodies, the “Committee for Family and Women” was established along with its divisions in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions, Tashkent city, and districts (cities). The Committee has been effectively implementing tasks such as continuing the policy of ensuring gender equality, increasing the socio-political activity of women, and carrying out reforms to support them.

The "Family and Gender" Research Institute under the Committee has created the `uzgender.uz` electronic platform for studying and monitoring gender issues in Uzbekistan. It contains data such as gender indices, an electronic corpus, interactive services, a gender analytical newsletter, and a gender library. In addition, online platforms such as `gender.stat.uz` by the National Statistics Committee and `gendermadad.uz` by the NGO "Madad" under the Ministry of Justice have been launched to provide our people with consultations and information on relevant topics.

To ensure the implementation of tasks set out in the Law "On Guarantees of Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men," advisory councils on ensuring gender equality have been established under state bodies, economic management structures, the private sector, and civil society institutions.

Today, the number of these Gender Advisory Councils has reached 4,000 nationwide. These councils serve as an important platform for ensuring equal rights and opportunities for men and women, maintaining gender balance in workplaces and all spheres of social life, protecting the interests of women, and effectively implementing decisions related to gender policy.

Attention is paid to increasing women's activity in political life: the Electoral Code legally stipulates that at least 40% of candidates nominated for deputy positions by political parties (or 2 out of every 5 candidates) must be women. A norm was also introduced in the Family Code establishing the marriage age for both men and women as 18 years. The list of occupations with unfavorable working conditions where the use of women's labor was fully or partially prohibited has been abolished.

In the political arena of our country, women are emerging not just as participants, but as leaders. Currently, they make up:

35% of leadership positions;

45% of entrepreneurship;

49% of political parties;

53% of higher education.

Many leading women are working in several key positions in our country – including the Chairperson of the Senate, Head of the Presidential Administration, Deputy Prime Minister, Ombudspersons, ministers, and heads of agencies and committees. This is a high evaluation of the intellectual potential, spiritual maturity, and management skills of modern Uzbek women. While the share of women in ministerial and equivalent positions was only 2.9% in 2018, by 2025 this figure reached 7.7%.

It should be noted that preparing women for leadership positions at various levels is a complex and systematic process that requires thorough preparation. To this end, 244 women have been trained so far under the newly created “School of Women Leaders” curriculum, and about 60 of them have been appointed to various leadership positions.

In particular, 15 women who received the highest Key Performance Indicators (KPI) at the “School of Preparation for Khokim (Governor/Mayor) Positions” were selected and involved in special training programs, indicating a future increase in the number of women among regional, district, and city-level leaders.

Based on Decree No. PF-95 of the President of our State dated June 19, 2025, strategic directions were set to elevate the civil service to a completely new level of quality. Within the framework of these reforms, the issue of increasing the role and activity of women in state governance is designated as a special priority. Specific target indicators have been set for the active recruitment of women into public service for the period up to 2030. In particular, the goal is to increase the share of women in the civil service as well as in the “National Personnel Reserve” to 40%.

By relevant decision of the Government, it has been established that, as a rule, at least 30% of the total number of candidates recommended for admission to the master's program of the Academy of State Policy and Governance under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan must be women. In addition, comprehensive measures are being taken to improve the system of preparing women for high-level positions and to develop their leadership potential. Through this, women will have the opportunity to actively participate not only in the state administration system but also at the level of strategic decision-making.

Education reforms implemented in recent years are also playing an important role in increasing the social activity of women. In the process of reforms carried out to radically reform all stages of continuous education, introduce the latest advanced technologies into the educational process, and raise the professional level of teachers, special attention is paid to the education of women. As a result, in recent years, the interest of women in applied and exact sciences has been growing.

Starting from 2020, a system was introduced to admit women from needy families to higher education institutions on the basis of state grants (1,000 quotas). In 2021, these grant places were doubled, reaching 2,000. In the current year, these quotas were doubled again, reaching 4,000. As a result, over the past 5 years, nearly 13,000 women were admitted to higher education institutions on the basis of state grants under this privilege.

The number of quotas for women who have 5 years of work experience but do not have higher education was increased 5-fold, reaching 2,500. Under this privilege, more than 2,000 women entered higher education institutions between 2022 and 2025.

Since 2022, contract fees for all women studying in master's programs at State Higher Education Institutions have been covered by the state budget. In this regard, funds amounting to 333.8 billion soums were covered by the state budget between 2022 and 2025.

A system of interest-free educational loans for up to 7 years has been established for female students studying in higher education institutions, technical schools, and colleges. In this regard, educational loans worth 4.6 trillion soums were allocated to nearly 415,000 female students in 2022-2025.

As a result of these opportunities and privileges, the share of women among students in higher education reached 53.2%, and in master's programs 65.8%. The interest of girls in modern knowledge and professions is growing. For example, girls make up 51% of the youth trained under the "One Million Coders" project.

Expanding the economic opportunities of women, ensuring their employment, involving them in entrepreneurship, and developing their businesses play an important role in increasing their social activity. Based on the decrees of our head of state, it is planned to ensure the employment of 2 million women and to train 250,000 women in professions and entrepreneurship this year alone.

Also, within the framework of the “HAMROH” program for supporting businesswomen, the following goals are set:

Allocating grants up to 50 million soums to 1,000 “mentor” female entrepreneurs who supported women in implementing "green projects" and IT projects, as well as helping at least 5 women start their businesses;

Allocating collateral-free loans up to 100 million soums to women with a positive credit history;

Forming entrepreneurship skills in women who want to start their own businesses through the launch of the "Partner Entrepreneur" (“Hamkor tadbirkor”) program, helping women start businesses on a cooperative basis, and assisting women in placing and selling their products on local and international electronic platforms.

Also, targeted work is being carried out with female entrepreneurs through a 4-stage system: “First Step to Business”, “Starting a Business”, “Expanding a Business”, and “Elevating a Business” to form a wide layer of “champion entrepreneurs” in cooperation with partner organizations.

As a result, in 9 months of this year, assistance was provided to secure lucrative employment for 2 million 48 thousand women across the Republic:

527.6 thousand women were employed in vacant positions in enterprises and organizations.

296.8 thousand women were trained in vocations and entrepreneurship. In particular, 160.8 thousand women were trained in vocations, 136 thousand women in entrepreneurship, and 63.9 thousand were attached to artisans.

99 thousand women were involved in training by Women's Entrepreneurship Centers.

Commercial banks allocated credit funds amounting to 15.7 trillion soums to 203 thousand women to support entrepreneurship projects. Of this, 1.7 trillion soums of credit funds were allocated to 105 thousand women within the framework of family entrepreneurship development programs. The Central Bank approved the Strategy for Providing Financial Services in the Field of Supporting Women's Entrepreneurship.

In order to systematically organize employment and health-strengthening efforts for women by training them in professional and entrepreneurial skills at the lowest level – the neighborhoods (“mahallas”), the activities of centers for ensuring employment and strengthening the health of women were launched in 2,876 mahallas.

In order to provide comprehensive legal, psychological, and mediation services to families and women, and to train couples getting married in family life lessons, “Family and Women Centers” were established in 197 districts and cities based on new approaches.

The public council “Women's Enlightenment” (“Ayol ma'rifati”) was established, uniting women in the scientific and creative fields to elevate family education and effectively utilize the scientific developments of family scholars that contribute to the development of the family institution. This council implemented about 10 projects, such as "History of Jadid Women," "Woman - Symbol of Progress," "Women towards Ecological Activity," and "Woman - Support of Society."

The "Responsible Parenting" project, aimed at forming prosperous and stable families based on national values among young families, was introduced. As a result of selection events for nominating families for the "Exemplary Family of New Uzbekistan" contest and awarding them with the "Exemplary Family" badge, their number exceeded 160 thousand. 2,000 families were awarded the "Exemplary Family" badge, which is a 9.6-fold increase compared to last year. Today, they actively assist in preventing family conflicts.

In order to sanitize the socio-spiritual environment in families and prevent women from falling under the influence of various negative and foreign ideas, propaganda groups consisting of more than 145 thousand active women were re-formed.

To award active women, the “Mo'tabar Ayol” (Venerable Woman) badge was established, and 2,090 women have been awarded to date. 480 talented girls were awarded the Zulfiya State Prize, established to increase the socio-political activity of young women and create conditions for them to realize their abilities and potential in various fields, as well as to encourage them.

In order to support persons with disabilities, disabled individuals, lonely elderly citizens, and other socially vulnerable categories of the population, and to organize social assistance in a fair, targeted, and transparent manner, completely new and unique mechanisms such as the “Iron Notebook” (“Temir daftar”), “Women's Notebook” (“Ayollar daftari”), and “Youth Notebook” (“Yoshlar daftari”) were created. Through the system of working with the "Women's Notebook" alone, practical assistance was provided to 4.5 million needy, low-income women in 2021-2025.

In order to expand opportunities for increasing women's socio-political activity, special attention was paid to strengthening the preschool education system in the country. While the coverage of children with preschool education was 38% in 2018, as a result of reforms, it was increased to 78%.

In all legal entities except budget organizations, a procedure has been established for granting and paying pregnancy and childbirth allowances from the State Budget funds based on the minimum consumer expenditure for each month to women who have continuous work experience of at least the last 6 months. Under this, it is stipulated that an allowance in the amount of 4 times the minimum consumer expenditure is paid before the birth of the employee's child. For this purpose, more than 56.6 billion soums of pregnancy and childbirth allowances were paid to women working in the private sector from the Social Insurance Fund.

Subsidies are being paid from the State Budget to cover the wages of educators in preschool education organizations established under organizations where women work evening shifts.

A mechanism for taking women victims of harassment and violence under state protection and issuing protection orders has been created. In order to prevent gender-based violence, separate articles on domestic (household) violence, harassment, and disclosing information that humiliates a person's honor and dignity or reflects confidential aspects of human life were included in the legislation.

Centers for Rehabilitation and Adaptation of Women operate to provide socio-legal and psychological assistance to women who have suffered from harassment and violence or fell into difficult social situations, and to provide them with targeted support.

The Committee for Family and Women and its territorial divisions:

Are exempted from paying state fees for lawsuits filed in courts to protect the rights and legal interests of women;

Can submit mandatory representations to heads of state bodies and organizations to eliminate violations of legislative acts, as well as the causes and conditions giving rise to them, in the field of ensuring the rights and legal interests of women and strengthening families;

Benefit from a newly created system to release women from punishment ahead of schedule on bail (surety).

At the invitation of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh will pay a state visit to our country on June 23-26.

In accordance with the program of the high-ranking guest's stay, it is envisaged to hold high-level talks in Tashkent, during which issues of further expansion and strengthening of Uzbek-Mongolian relations of friendship and multifaceted cooperation will be considered.

In particular, the agenda includes plans to develop constructive political dialogue and inter-parliamentary contacts, increase bilateral trade turnover, implement cooperation projects in mining, agriculture, livestock, light industry, healthcare, transport, logistics and other areas. Joint measures aimed at boosting cultural, humanitarian and tourist ties will also be discussed. There will be an exchange of views on international issues.

A package of intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents will be signed following the results of the summit.

As part of the program of the state visit, the leaders of the two countries will meet with representatives of leading companies and business circles, and a number of other bilateral events will be held.

Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh will also visit Khiva, where he will familiarize himself with the rich cultural and historical heritage of our people.

The First Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Akramjon Nematov shared this assessment, commenting on the results of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev's visit to Turkiye.

According to him, the official visit of the Uzbek leader to the Republic of Turkiye, which concluded on January 29, 2026, should be viewed not only as another event on the bilateral political calendar, but above all as an important milestone in the institutional strengthening of Uzbek-Turkish relations. Its results convincingly confirmed that the interaction between Tashkent and Ankara, which was largely fragmented just a few years ago, has reached a qualitatively new level – the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership based on pragmatism and mutual benefit.

The personal role of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in shaping this new quality of relations deserves special mention. His proactive policies and strategic approach have enabled bilateral cooperation to reach a systemic level, where pragmatism is combined with a long-term focus on sustainable development. Thanks to the President's initiative, visits and cooperation programs have become regular and institutionalized, and the agreements reached have begun to be implemented with clear planning and measurable results, strengthening trust between the countries and creating a reliable platform for economic, humanitarian, and technological ties.

Thus, the current visit's program, which included talks in narrow and expanded formats, as well as the fourth meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, demonstrated a high level of political trust and the maturity of the bilateral dialogue. While such meetings were previously held sporadically, today the Strategic Cooperation Council functions on a regular basis, ensuring the continuity of decisions and overseeing their implementation. Symbolically, the key events took place on the eve of the holy month of Ramadan and the 30th anniversary of the Treaty of Eternal Friendship and Cooperation, underscoring the value-based and historical foundation of the partnership.

Of fundamental importance is the fact that Uzbek-Turkish cooperation is currently characterized by constructive and pragmatic mutual approaches, and is being built as an open partnership model focused on ensuring shared security and sustainable development. This is reflected in the finalization of the "4+4" format, which brings together coordination across foreign policy, defense, and law enforcement agencies. Unlike previous consultation mechanisms, this format is practical in nature and allows for a systemic response to cyber threats, cross-border crime, and other unconventional challenges.

The economic dimension of the partnership demonstrates sustained positive momentum and a high degree of complementarity. In recent years, mutual trade has more than doubled, reaching $3 billion by the end of 2025, compared to just $1.5 billion at the beginning of the decade. The goal set by the heads of state to increase trade turnover to $5 billion is supported not by mere declarations, but by a real investment portfolio of approximately $9 billion. The number of enterprises with Turkish capital has also increased significantly: while there were previously hundreds, today over 2,100 such companies operate in Uzbekistan, demonstrating growing business confidence and the formation of a solid material foundation for the strategic partnership. The need for further advancement of projects in industry, agriculture, social protection, and other priority areas was emphasized, including by expanding the list of goods covered by the Preferential Trade Agreement.

In preparation for the visit, new priority areas of industrial cooperation were identified, which will be implemented under a separate program. Compared to previous stages of cooperation, which focused primarily on trade and construction, the current emphasis is on joint production, localization, and export-oriented industries. Particular attention is paid to developing cooperation in tourism, theater festivals and cultural weeks, joint production of historical films, and the restoration of cultural heritage sites, reflecting the expanding humanitarian component of the partnership.

It is particularly noteworthy that the agreements reached are directly aimed at addressing the structural challenges of Uzbekistan's national development. The development of the Middle Corridor and the cooperation in transport and transit enshrined in the corresponding protocol are aimed at overcoming the country's geographic isolation and diversifying external logistics routes. Compared to traditional routes, these solutions reduce delivery times and increase the resilience of supply chains. Agreements on industrial cooperation, the management of special economic zones, and the creation of joint clusters contribute to reducing the economy's reliance on raw materials and fostering high-value-added production. The transfer of technological competencies, including nuclear safety and digitalization, should be viewed as an element of sovereign modernization, not technological dependence.

A fundamentally new stage has been the expansion of cooperation to the regional level. The intention to organize visits by delegations from all regions of Uzbekistan to Turkiye reflects the transition from a centralized model of interaction to a more flexible, decentralized partnership architecture. While interregional contacts were previously limited, the Action Plan for 2026–2027 envisages the formation of sustainable partnerships between the regions of the two countries, the launch of joint projects, and the development of a portfolio of local initiatives. Significant potential for implementing advanced Turkish practices in agriculture, horticulture, healthcare, and medical tourism has also been noted.

The military-technical cooperation sector deserves special attention. Compared to previous years, when interaction was limited to consultations, the signed agreements provide for deeper cooperation in military medicine, personnel training, and the implementation of surveillance systems and unmanned aerial vehicles. This cooperation is exclusively defensive in nature and is aimed at enhancing the professional level and technical capabilities of the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan, which is a rational contribution to strengthening national defense capability.

The humanitarian dimension of the Uzbek-Turkish partnership lends further depth and stability to the relationship. The implementation of the Cultural Cooperation Plan for 2026–2027, the agreement to hold the fourth Rectors' Forum in Bukhara, and joint education projects form a long-term foundation for cooperation. Uzbekistan's participation in the reconstruction of the earthquake-damaged Hatay province, the construction of the "Uzbekistan" residential complex, and a comprehensive school have become clear examples of practical solidarity. The start of construction of an Uzbek school in the Bekirkoy district of Istanbul—Uzbekistan's first educational institution abroad—is also symbolic, reflecting the strategic focus on the humanitarian aspect of cooperation and outreach to the diaspora.

Overall, the visit to Turkiye confirmed that Uzbek-Turkish relations are developing as a pragmatic, dynamic, and responsible partnership. Compared to previous stages of bilateral cooperation, the current format is characterized by greater institutional stability, expanded economic and regional cooperation, and deepened humanitarian ties. The agreements reached create additional tools for overcoming transportation and technological constraints, modernizing the economy, strengthening defense capabilities, and ensuring shared security, forming a solid foundation for further expanding Uzbekistan's international cooperation in a changing global environment.

«Dunyo» IA

Tashkent

Today, environmental challenges such as climate change, desertification, biodiversity loss and air pollution are driving countries around the world toward closer cooperation. Uzbekistan has likewise identified environmental protection and climate change adaptation as key priorities of its state policy. In this context, the development of international partnerships, particularly with the United States, is of special importance.

At present, experts and representatives from both countries actively engage on various international platforms. In particular, the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan regularly participates in meetings of the Environment and Energy Working Groups within the C5+1 framework. This dialogue platform enables the countries of Central Asia and the United States to exchange expertise on environmental issues and advance new initiatives.

In recent years, bilateral cooperation has gained significant momentum. Uzbek delegations have taken part in international forums, educational programs, and professional development initiatives hosted in the United States. Participation in sessions of the United Nations Forum on Forests, visits organized through cooperation with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and educational exchanges on environmental topics under the U.S. Congress’s Open World Program have all contributed to strengthening professional expertise and promoting the exchange of knowledge and best practices.

In 2024, a meeting between Uzbekistan’s Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, Aziz Abdukhakimov, and U.S. Presidential Advisor Sara Minkara underscored the importance of integrating social considerations into the environmental agenda. The parties discussed the impact of climate change on persons with disabilities and reached an agreement to foster cooperation between higher education institutions in the two countries.

Significant progress is also being made in scientific collaboration.
A memorandum signed in 2025 between Green University in Tashkent and the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University is expected to elevate research in the fields of ecology and climate change to a new level. A practical outcome of this partnership was the visit to Uzbekistan by world-renowned economist and sustainable development expert Jeffrey Sachs.

Looking ahead, there are broad opportunities to further expand environmental cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United States. One particularly promising area is the study of U.S. experience in forest management. Approximately one-third of the United States is covered by forests and the country has developed advanced forest management and monitoring systems that may offer valuable insights for Uzbekistan.

Considerable potential also exists in the fields of biodiversity conservation and protected area management. In the United States, millions of hectares of land are managed for conservation purposes and this experience could contribute to the further development of Uzbekistan’s protected area system.

Particular attention should also be given to cooperation in education and science. Establishing partnerships between Green University and leading global institutions such as the University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University, Harvard University and Yale University would not only enhance the quality of scientific research but also help prepare a new generation of specialists in ecology and climate science.

In addition, the United States’ advanced experience in sustainable urban development and «green» infrastructure is of considerable interest for Uzbekistan’s cities. Cities such as Portland and Seattle have successfully implemented projects involving «green» streets, cycling infrastructure, modern waste management systems and air quality monitoring technologies. Studying these practices could support the advancement of green city initiatives across Uzbekistan.

The hosting of the Eighth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in Samarkand in 2026 further strengthened Uzbekistan’s international standing in the field of environmental cooperation. The participation of U.S. representatives in Eco Expo Central Asia 2026, organized as part of this landmark event, has the potential to elevate environmental partnership between the two countries to a qualitatively new level.

Today, environmental cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United States extends beyond individual projects and events, increasingly taking on the character of a long-term strategic partnership. At a time when climate change and environmental security are becoming ever more pressing global concerns, such cooperation will contribute to sustainable development not only in both countries, but across the wider region as well.

The beginning of the 15th century presented profound lessons, primarily for Europe and, moreover, for the entire world. These were the fruits of the activities of Amir Temur (Tamerlane), who was raised in the spirit of the traditions of Turanian statehood, drew inspiration from the life-giving ideas of Islam and elevated social thought to a new level by analyzing his life through the scales of genius.

With the brilliant personality of Amir Temur, the period known globally as the Middle Ages - an evolutionary era that brought numerous innovations to human civilization - came to an end and a new era based on industrial and intellectual revolutions began. Amir Temur’s lessons also had a positive impact on the development of the old continent, Europe. We can clearly observe this through specific parameters.

First of all, the luminous personality of Amir Temur redefined concepts such as ruler, king, and emperor for Europe. In an environment where absolute monarchy and other systems prevailed, the right to rule was passed down from generation to generation based on inheritance. The question of who would hold the reins of the state remained a matter of fate (cases of mentally challenged or disabled individuals ascending the throne occurred in European history).

Furthermore, there were periods when the internal structures of power lacked integrity: the administration functioned on its own, the military sphere acted according to the demands of the situation and the economy developed based on natural potential. Although such circumstances created a practical need for a single, strong hand to unify authority, there were no established legal or social foundations to legitimize such centralized power.

This kind of fragmentation and, moreover, chaos led to various conflicts. From this perspective, “palace games” and “palace intrigues” were commonplace and caused significant headaches. Through Amir Temur’s activities, however, it was proven in practice that one person could manage all tasks (and that a head of state could simultaneously be a military commander, a reformer in economic and spiritual spheres, a patron of science and even a creator). Consequently, concept of a state leader and guide acquired a broader meaning and essence.

Through his activities, the Sahibkiran (Sovereign) elevated Eurasian cooperation to a new level. Although conquerors from Asia such as Attila, Balamber, Genghis Khan, Batu and others captured significant parts of Europe during various historical shifts, leaving a certain mark on its history and managing to impose their policies, the traces left by their nature as steppe nomads -characterized by cruelty, intransigence and severity - came to be remembered in the life of these regions through ruins and atrocities.

Amir Temur’s policy based on compromise, safety and peace he granted to peoples who voluntarily came under his rule without resistance, as well as his creative activities (there is ample evidence of him restoring neglected graves, constructing buildings and digging canals to establish agriculture wherever he went), fundamentally changed the witnesses' perception of the Eastern ruler. Gradually, stereotypes such as “barbarians” and “savages” began to break down. Overall, views towards the East, Asia and specifically the Islamic religion shifted for the better and interest grew.

In Europe, the influence of the church was powerful and often played a brutal role. Campaigns known as the Crusades claimed countless lives. Conflicts arising from tensions between Catholics and Protestants, as well as the Inquisition - which burned enlightened thinkers like Giordano Bruno at the stake and movements like the Jesuits, were opposed to any freedom-seeking endeavor. In Amir Temur’s state, the separation of religion from the state and the clear definition of religion's role and functions within the empire represented a significant progress. This situation laid the foundation for the introduction of progressive ideas into the governance of European states.

In this regard, specific criteria began to be established and were refined over the years. Whereas previously science and education were under the control of the church, the state now began to involve itself in these sectors. Consequently, secular directions were strengthened in educational institutions, which led to the advancement of science.

The personality and name of the Sahibkiran (Sovereign) became famous throughout the world. As the “Saviour of Europe”, a golden statue of him adorned the halls of the Louvre in Paris. English playwright Christopher Marlowe initiated the process of creating the image of Amir Temur in world literature by writing the tragedy ‘Tamburlaine the Great’ (1587). In 1681, another English writer, Charles Saunders, wrote and staged the tragedy “Tamerlane”.

Those who viewed Amir Temur with an impartial eye recognized and valued him as a statesman and military leader who influenced and initiated the European Renaissance and as the one who saved Europe and Russia.

Hakim SATTORIY,

Dear compatriots!

I cordially congratulate you, all our multinational people with the Constitution Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan celebrated on December 8.

Undoubtedly, this year we all feel the significance of this holiday especially deeply. After all, above all, it takes place in the context of historic transformations in the political-legal, socio-economic and spiritual spheres of our life. 

It should be emphasized once again that the elections to the Oliy Majlis and local Kengashes, held in the spirit of open and competitive contest on October 27 this year, became an important step towards the implementation of our updated Fundamental Law. As a result of the elections, which vividly demonstrated the high political culture, unity and cohesion of our hardworking and tolerant people on the path of building the New Uzbekistan, a new system of representative power has been formed in the country. Its constitutional rights and powers have been strengthened and its responsibility has increased manifold.

One more important aspect: we have moved from the practice of the recent past, when khokims were simultaneously in charge of local councils, to a new system in which, for the first time, councils are headed by chairmen elected among deputies. 

The transfer of more than 30 powers of khokims to local councils testifies to an even broader establishment of the principles of democracy in our society.  

In accordance with the constitutional provision that the people are the only source of state power, we will resolutely continue our reforms aimed at expanding the powers of the Parliament and local Kengashes, further increasing their activity, creating the necessary conditions for effective activity, in short, turning them into the true voice of the people. 

Dear friends!

Large-scale measures are taken in the country for consistent implementation of the priority principles of ensuring human rights, interests and dignity enshrined in the Fundamental Law. 

Thanks to the selfless labor of our people, in recent years the national economy has doubled, the per capita income has reached 3 thousand dollars, the poverty rate has decreased from 23 to 11 percent, the coverage of preschool education has exceeded 74 percent, higher education - 39 percent, and this is undoubtedly a historic result. 

In order to dynamically continue the reforms, to apply in practice the norms of the Constitution in the new edition, the issues of entrepreneurship development and, on this basis, increasing the population's income, strengthening the atmosphere of mutual respect and harmony in families and mahallas, and comprehensive support for representatives of the older generation, women and youth will continue to be at the center of our attention. 

The Fundamental Law stipulates that Uzbekistan is a social state, therefore, further improvement of cities and villages, construction of new residential buildings, health care, education, culture, art and sports institutions, modernization of road and communication networks, strengthening of targeted social protection will be of paramount importance for us. In particular, the priority task is to increase twofold the amount of funds allocated to the health sector, transition to a health insurance system and provide the population with fully guaranteed medical services. 

Within the framework of programs in the field of education, we will bring the coverage of higher education to 50 percent in the coming years. In 2025 alone, 4 trillion soums will be allocated from the state budget for the repair of existing kindergartens and construction of new kindergartens and schools.

Another important area is support for those in need of social protection, for which it is planned to allocate a total of 46.5 trillion soums and lift 1 million citizens out of poverty.

We will also raise to a new level the work on creating even more favorable conditions for persons with disabilities, their socialization, and in general on ensuring inclusiveness in society. Necessary measures will also be taken to reform the pension system. 

As you know, the new version of the Fundamental Law for the first time enshrines the rights of citizens in the sphere of ecology, emphasizing the state's obligations to protect the environment and maintain the ecological balance. 

We have declared 2025 the Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy in the country and have set clear objectives in this field. I am confident that this will serve as an important basis for implementing the relevant constitutional norms and principles. 

I take this opportunity to urge you, dear compatriots, all our people to take an active part in the development and implementation of the State Program of the coming year. 

We have no right to forget that the protection of nature is the protection of the humans, our future. We must protect our priceless wealth - fertile fields, clean springs, rivers and lakes, mountains and plains, create new gardens and parks, green territories, so that our motherland Uzbekistan becomes even more beautiful, and future generations live in a free and prosperous country. 

Dear compatriots!

Our Constitution has always been and remains a reliable guarantor of strengthening national independence, preserving peace and stability in the country, interethnic friendship and harmony, ensuring the irreversibility of the ongoing reforms. 

We are proud of our Fundamental Law - a vivid symbol and practical embodiment of the legal consciousness and will of the people. I believe that studying every article, every norm of this unique legal document, showing respect for them should become a sacred duty and a life principle for all of us. 

I am convinced that by working in good faith, recognizing our responsibility, we will be able to further increase the effectiveness of the reforms carried out and will definitely achieve the great goals before us.

Once again I sincerely congratulate you, dear compatriots, with Constitution Day, wish you all health, peace and prosperity to your families.

May the authority and glory of our Motherland grow!

May the people of Uzbekistan - the creator of all our achievements - be happy! 

Shavkat Mirziyoyev,

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Today, a new and ambitious strategic direction is emerging on the global energy map. The strategic partnership established between Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan is a historic step that serves not only to strengthen regional energy security but also to elevate the global "green" transformation to a new level. At the heart of this ambitious initiative lies, first and foremost, the mutual trust, strong friendship, and high responsibility of the leaders of the three brotherly states toward future generations.

Uzbekistan's Green Development Strategy

In recent years, large-scale and intensive reforms on the use of renewable energy sources have been implemented in Uzbekistan. To date, 15 solar and 5 wind power plants with a total capacity of 5,582 MW have been commissioned in various regions of the country, producing "green" energy for the country's population and economy. Notably, the capacity of solar photovoltaic plants is 3,930 MW, and wind power plants are 1,652 MW. To ensure the stability of the energy supply, 12 additional energy storage systems with a total capacity of 1,545 MW were also commissioned.

Looking at the figures, in 2025 alone, solar and wind power plants managed to generate 10.5 billion kWh of electricity. From the beginning of 2026 to April 15, this figure exceeded 2.5 billion kWh, and the goal is to increase it to 15 billion kWh by the end of the year. By 2030, Uzbekistan will become a true "green" energy hub: the total capacity of solar and wind power plants will reach 21 GW, and 54% of the total electricity generated in the country will come from renewable sources. As a result, 18 billion cubic meters of natural gas will be saved annually, and the emission of 25 million tons of harmful gases into the atmosphere will be prevented.

Regional Solidarity: The Brothers' Strategic Choice

Relations with the countries of the region, especially with our close neighbor and strategic partner Kazakhstan, are of decisive importance in achieving such high milestones. During the recent visit of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Uzbekistan, the leaders of the two countries outlined future priorities for the development of sectors, in particular, energy. These friendly relations guarantee the energy stability not only of the two countries but of the entire region.

Thanks to the far-sighted policy and friendship of the heads of state of the three countries—Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan—the "Green Corridor" project is being implemented. This path, which began with a Memorandum of Understanding in May 2024, was further strengthened by the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by the Presidents of the three countries at the COP-29 international summit in Baku in November of the same year. This historic document marked the beginning of a new era not only in energy production but also in the field of energy transmission.

"Green Corridor" - practical steps towards the future

The practical stages of the project are proceeding consistently. Within the framework of the founding agreement signed on December 27, 2024, the national operators of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan - JSC "National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan," JSC "KEGOC," and JSC "Azerenerji" - united for a common goal. Negotiations held in early 2025 in Tashkent with the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Energy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia once again proved the project's international prestige.

The establishment of the Green Corridor Alliance Limited Liability Company in Baku on July 1, 2025, laid the institutional foundation for the project. The world-renowned Italian company CESI has been involved in developing the project's feasibility study, which, according to the agreement signed with the Asian Development Bank, will be submitted by the beginning of 2027. Currently, specialists from the three countries, together with CESI, are working on a complete model (technical and economic basis) of the project.

In conclusion, this strategic partnership is not only an important pillar for exporting "green" energy to Europe but also for the transition of Central Asia and the Caspian region to a unified, environmentally friendly, and digital energy system. There is no doubt that the friendly will of the heads of state and the spirit of regional solidarity will make Uzbekistan one of the most reliable and major players in the global energy market in the future.

Ministry of Energy

of the Republic of Uzbekistan

In the context of today’s global development, the competitiveness of states is determined прежде всего by their intellectual potential, modern education systems, scientific advancement, and innovative capabilities. In this regard, education, science, and innovation are gaining strategic importance in elevating cooperation among Turkic states to a fundamentally new level. These areas contribute not only to economic growth and human capital development, but also to strengthening spiritual closeness among peoples, creating a common civilizational space, and building a solid foundation for future progress.

In recent years, thanks to the efforts of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, an entirely new atmosphere has emerged in relations with the Turkic states. In particular, large-scale projects implemented in the fields of higher education, science, and innovation are gradually becoming a practical mechanism for Turkic integration. Today, hundreds of inter-university agreements, joint educational programs, academic exchanges, and research projects are being implemented with Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan.

Cooperation with Kazakhstan is among the most active areas in this regard. Currently, more than 280 agreements and memorandums are in force between higher education institutions of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. In recent years, student exchange between the two countries has increased significantly. In particular, during the 2025/2026 academic year, the number of Kazakh students studying at universities in Uzbekistan exceeded 1,000. At the same time, more than 5,500 Uzbek students are pursuing higher education in Kazakhstan.

The practice of opening branch campuses of universities has also marked a new stage in Turkic educational integration. The branch of South Kazakhstan University in Chirchiq and the branch of the National Research University “TIIAME” in Almaty are vivid examples of such important initiatives. These projects contribute not only to training qualified personnel, but also to developing common educational standards.

Cooperation with Kyrgyzstan is also developing consistently. In recent years, more than 90 agreements and memorandums have been signed between the universities of the two countries. In 2023, a forum of rectors was held in Osh, and in 2024 another forum took place in Samarkand, resulting in dozens of new agreements. These forums are becoming important platforms for shaping a common higher education space among the Turkic states.

Uzbekistan’s allocation of state grants for Kyrgyz youth is also of particular importance. Since 2021, 100 state grants have been allocated annually for citizens of Kyrgyzstan. This contributes to strengthening the integration of human capital through education.

In cooperation with Azerbaijan, cultural and educational initiatives occupy a special place. Universities of the two countries are implementing joint projects in philology, literature, arts, tourism, oil and gas studies, and medicine.

The operation of the Fuzuli Center for Azerbaijani Culture, Education and Research at the Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature, as well as the establishment of the Alisher Navoi Scientific Center in Baku, are vivid examples of the spiritual closeness between the two peoples. Such centers contribute to the in-depth study of the common literary and cultural heritage of the Turkic nations.

It should be emphasized that the joint study and promotion of the legacy of great ancestors plays an important role in strengthening the spiritual foundations of Turkic integration. In particular, the legacy of Alisher Navoi serves as a powerful spiritual bridge uniting Turkic peoples. On February 13, 2026, an international conference titled “Alisher Navoi — the Great Representative of Turkic Literature” was held at the TURKSOY headquarters in Ankara to mark the 585th anniversary of the poet’s birth. The event brought together representatives of science, literature, and diplomacy from across the Turkic world, as well as prominent scholars and cultural figures.

During the conference, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev described Navoi as the common conscience and civilizational symbol of the Turkic world. Discussions focused on researching Navoi’s works using modern scientific approaches, studying manuscripts, and expanding publishing and translation activities. In particular, the full publication of the “Khamsa” in Azerbaijani and the translation of “Mahbub ul-Qulub” into several Turkic languages demonstrate that Navoi’s legacy has become a shared spiritual treasure of the Turkic world.

As part of the conference, international scientific projects implemented by the Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature were presented. In addition, the awarding of TURKSOY medals to several Uzbek scholars and cultural figures for their contributions to Turkic culture and literature became a high recognition of spiritual cooperation.

Turkology occupies a special place in the scientific and cultural cooperation among Turkic states. The International Conference on Turkological Studies dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress, held on April 8, 2025, at Baku Slavic University, demonstrated that cooperation in this sphere is reaching a new level. The event brought together representatives of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, leaders of universities from Türkiye, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, prominent scholars, and a delegation from Namangan State University. Discussions focused on promising directions in Turkological research, the study of shared historical and cultural heritage, and the expansion of international academic cooperation.

Humanitarian and scientific cooperation with Turkmenistan is also developing harmoniously. Joint research, olympiads, international conferences, and scientific projects are regularly organized between Uzbek and Turkmen scholars. In particular, the launch of a joint scientific project competition and the financing of four joint research initiatives starting from 2024 are of great significance.

Cooperation with Türkiye has become one of the largest and most institutionalized dimensions of Turkic integration. In recent years, more than 200 cooperation agreements have been signed between higher education institutions of Uzbekistan and Türkiye. Dozens of new projects have also been launched within the framework of rectors’ forums between the two countries.

Joint educational programs, technoparks, and projects in engineering and high technologies are being implemented with leading Turkish universities. In particular, training courses on drone technologies organized in cooperation with the company TUSAŞ, the establishment of an innovative educational and industrial technopark based on the “Yildiz” technopark concept, and the activities of the branch campus of the Turkish University of Economics and Technology in Tashkent are creating a new model of Turkic innovation cooperation.

Today, the integration of Turkic states is no longer limited to cultural proximity or historical commonality. It is gaining new substance through innovation, startups, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, engineering, and scientific research. Joint scientific project competitions conducted between Uzbekistan and Türkiye in cooperation with TÜBİTAK are a practical manifestation of this process.

At the same time, initiatives are being advanced to strengthen academic mobility among Turkic states, ensure mutual recognition of diplomas and qualifications, create unified educational platforms, and establish scientific journals and research funds. Most importantly, these processes are driven by the idea of investing in human capital, educating younger generations on the basis of shared values, and ensuring intellectual unity. In the 21st century, the fate of nations is determined not by oil or gas, but by knowledge, technology, and innovation.

In this sense, cooperation in education, science, and innovation is becoming the most sustainable, promising, and powerful driver of integration among Turkic states. This process not only brings Turkic peoples closer together, but also contributes to the emergence of a new intellectual and technological center across the Eurasian region.

One of the important factors elevating Turkic integration to a new stage is the strengthening of institutional cooperation among higher education institutions. Uzbekistan’s chairmanship of the Union of Turkic Universities — TÜRKÜNİB — during 2025–2026, an organization uniting more than 100 universities, clearly demonstrates the country’s active and initiative-driven policy in this area.

On October 15, 2025, the 8th General Assembly of TÜRKÜNİB was held at Tashkent International University within the framework of the “Days of Turkic Science and Innovation.” The event was attended by the Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States, Kubanychbek Omuraliev, President of the Turkic Academy Shahin Mustafayev, representatives of the OTS and TURKSOY leadership, university rectors, scholars, and representatives of international organizations. Around 200 delegates from 69 universities of Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Hungary, Northern Cyprus, and Uzbekistan participated in the Assembly.

During the event, the results of the “TurkBarometer” project were presented, and socio-political processes and integration trends within the Turkic states were discussed. Meetings held in the U2U — “University-to-University” — format served as a practical platform for establishing new inter-university partnerships.

Today, one of the important institutional platforms contributing to the formation of a unified academic space among Turkic states is the International University of Turkic States established in Tashkent. The university operates with the aim of deepening cooperation in education, science, and innovation among Turkic countries, training modern specialists, and developing joint scientific research.

The university’s academic programs, governance model, and educational processes are being developed based on the principles of mutual integration among Turkic states. In addition, the institution serves as an important platform for expanding academic exchange among faculty members and students, as well as for implementing joint educational programs and scientific projects.

Integration among Turkic states is no longer confined solely to education and science. Youth policy, student exchange, and sports diplomacy are also becoming important components of this process. In particular, at the 3rd Turkic States Universiade held in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, in September 2025, the Uzbek delegation participated with 80 student-athletes across seven sports disciplines. These competitions contribute to strengthening friendship and solidarity among the youth of Turkic countries, fostering a healthy competitive environment, and developing a shared youth space.

Today, cooperation among Turkic states in the fields of education, science, and innovation is becoming one of the key drivers of common development. Relations strengthened through universities, scientific centers, academic platforms, and youth initiatives are helping to unite the intellectual potential of the Turkic world.

Importantly, these processes are not limited to current interests or short-term projects. Their significance lies in the creation of a common space of knowledge and development for future generations. Convergence in science, innovation, and modern technologies plays a crucial role in enhancing the international competitiveness of Turkic states.

Today, the intellectual cooperation developing among Turkic states is bringing not only universities and research institutions closer together, but also the peoples themselves. This creates an opportunity to build a new model of modern development based on shared history and spiritual heritage.

In this regard, education, science, and innovation are becoming the strongest spiritual and intellectual bridge connecting the common future of the Turkic states.

Nazokat ABDUQUNDUZOVA, Head of the Information Service
Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

The most important sign of civil society is manifested in the fact that citizens exercise complete control over the activities of state structures. According to article 36 of the new version of the Constitution of Uzbekistan, our citizens have the right to participate directly and through their representatives in the management of the affairs of society and the state. Such participation is carried out through self-government, referendums and the democratic formation of state bodies, as well as public control over the activities of state bodies. The procedure for exercising public control over the activities of state bodies is established by law.

In order to organize and regulate relations in the field of public control over the activities of state bodies and institutions, the law “On Public Control” was adopted on April 12, 2018. According to this law, public control is carried out in such forms as appeals and requests to state bodies, public discussions, public hearings, public monitoring, and the study is carried out by citizens' self-government bodies in such forms as hearing reports and information from officials of state bodies.

Consistent work is underway in our country to implement public control and improve the regulatory framework governing this area. By presidential decree dated May 4, 2018, the badge "For contribution to the development of civil society" was established; the decree of the President of Uzbekistan dated July 4, 2018 "On measures to organize the activities of public councils under state bodies" was of great importance for accelerating work in this area. This resolution establishes the procedure for organizing the main tasks, functions, powers and activities of the public council under state bodies, which basically provides that the public council is created by the decision of the head of the state body, carries out its work on a voluntary basis and it is assumed that it will conduct its work on a public basis, as well as be considered as a permanent advisory body whose decisions will be advisory in nature.

As Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted, “There is no more effective tool for achieving the supremacy of the Constitution and the law than public control.” Public control is an important institution of democracy and people's power; it serves to ensure the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of citizens by monitoring the activities of state bodies.

In recent years, special attention has been paid in our republic to ensuring the participation of citizens in the management of society and public affairs, the creation of effective mechanisms for public control over the activities of the executive branch, and further strengthening the functions of public control. In particular, at the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan, a public chamber was established in 2020 in order to further strengthen public control and establish close cooperation between the state and society. It was noted that the public chamber should regularly study the opinion of the population, set specific tasks for government agencies to find solutions. The importance of implementing such influential forms of control as "public hearings", "public monitoring", "public expertise", and "public initiative" was demonstrated.

According to the decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On measures to expand financing of projects formed on the basis of public opinion", adopted on October 25, 2022, an additional 335 billion soums were allocated for the implementation of 364 projects, each of which received more than 2 thousand votes in July-September 2022.

In recent years of modern development in our republic, the system of public administration has been improved, effective mechanisms of dialogue with the people have been introduced, and the effectiveness of the role and activities of the Mahalla Institute in the management of society has increased. Virtual and public reception rooms of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan were created in order to ensure human interests, knowledge and solution of problems and needs of people. These structures have become a mechanism for in-depth analysis of problems on the ground and a criterion for increasing the responsibility of state bodies and officials to society and evaluating their activities.

To date, such systems as "online reception" and "virtual visit" have been introduced, allowing for quick and economical identification of problems on the ground in order to optimize their expenses related to the maintenance of the public administration apparatus, eliminate corruption factors and establish effective public control over budget spending.

As an example, it is worth mentioning that in recent years a new system of dialogue with the people has been created – the activities of the presidential virtual and people's reception rooms. Of the 9,465,000 applications received by the virtual reception of the President, about 9,379,000 have been considered, the rest are also being resolved in accordance with the procedure established by law. The results of the public discussion can also be found on the "portal for discussions of draft regulatory legal acts" (regulation.gov.uz), which is clearly seen in the example. To date, 25384 draft regulatory legal acts have been posted on this portal for public discussion, of which 25183 have already been completed.

In recent years, the study of public opinion has become publicly available. The Open Budget portal was launched to exercise public control over targeted budget expenditures. Citizens can send messages about violations of budget legislation through the Portal, suggestions for improving the budget process, while receiving information such as the state budget, budget execution through this portal. In particular, an initiative budget has been launched through the Open Budget information portal, which is held 2 times a year. Thanks to this portal, citizens are focused on solving problems through joint voting. In the first season (February) 2024, 35,575 initiatives were supported, for which 3,390.5 billion soums were allocated.

Establishing the accountability of public authorities to parliament and local councils, as well as the introduction of the Electronic Government system, led to a further strengthening of public control. As a result, today in our country there is a single interactive portal of public services (my.gov.uz), an open data portal (data.egov.uz), a portal for discussing draft regulatory documents (regulation.gov.uz), and a complex of information systems “License" (license.gov.uz), information system for automating the activities of Single Window centers (birdarcha.uz).

Since 2023, in order to improve the system for identifying and solving social problems among the population in our republic, the practice of monthly hearing information from the heads of relevant government bodies and organizations in the mahalla council has been established, and new forms of public control have been introduced - “mahalla control” groups and “survey” institutions mahalla chairmen." Also, on behalf of the President, the “digital mahalla” system and the “people’s control” platform were improved.

The “My Opinion” web portal, which is under the jurisdiction of the Public Chamber, was created in order to expand the opportunities of citizens in our country to participate in the management of the affairs of society and the state, to ensure the openness of the activities of representative bodies of state power, to ensure the viability and effectiveness of the public administration system. Through this portal, a citizen can send proposals on legislation on important issues of state and public importance in the form of an electronic collective appeal. The My Opinion web portal, which is under the jurisdiction of the Public Chamber, was created in order to expand the opportunities of citizens in our country to participate in the management of the affairs of society and the state, to ensure the openness of the activities of representative bodies of state power, to ensure the viability and effectiveness of the public administration system. Through this portal, a citizen can send proposals on legislation on important issues of state and public importance in the form of an electronic collective appeal "Meningfikrim.uz "(My opinion). To date, more than 6670 collective appeals and about 30,000 comments have been received through the portal.

In recent years, political parties, which are considered to be one of the main actors of civil society in our country, have been given not only ample opportunities for free participation in elections, but also control over the executive branch. Political parties also have the right to exercise public control based on the interests of the public and their electorate. During election processes, local observers at polling stations consist of representatives of political parties and citizens' self-government bodies.

The role of the media in developing openness and transparency in our society, establishing public control over the activities of government bodies and their officials, studying and resolving legal appeals from citizens is also incomparable. In particular, the number of media registered in 2016–2023 increased by 41%, that is, in 2016 their number was 1614, and by 2023 it reached 2140. The number of mobile Internet users also exceeded 33 million.

As can be seen from the above, the main purpose of public control is to ensure respect for the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of citizens, to ensure legality in the activities of state bodies and officials, and to protect the interests of society.

The Uzbekistan 2030 strategy, developed based on the results of public discussions in order to create a fair and modern state serving the people, identified such priority tasks as: creating the necessary conditions for public participation in the activities of local councils, broad involvement of civil society institutions and the gradual digitalization of their activities, establishing the practice of assessing the activities of heads of state bodies and their deputies based on public opinion, and intensified continuation of work to form an unparalleled attitude towards corruption in society.

As a result of public control, the activities of state bodies in the country are objectively studied, their shortcomings are identified, various violations of legislation are prevented, public participation in the implementation of laws and their preparation is ensured, broader conditions are created for the prompt solution of various problems in society and the will of the population, and special attention should be paid to the fact that public control implies not only control over the quality of the work performed, but also the use of opportunities, as well as participation in their development.

In conclusion, I would like to note that in our republic, constitutional status has been given a state public control. In the new Uzbekistan, the participation of citizens in the management of the affairs of society and the state, including the development and improvement of public control over the activities of state bodies, provides ample opportunities for the full-fledged formation and strengthening of civil society in our country.  If the public control in the country is strong, the state is more humane, free and fair.

N.S.Rasulova, candidate of historical sciences Associate professor of the University  of Public safety of the Republic of Uzbekistan

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