06.11.2021

Address by Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Solemn Ceremony of Assuming the Post of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan at the Joint Session of the Chambers of Oliy Majlis

 

Dear compatriots!

Distinguished members of the Senate!

Esteemed deputies of the Legislative Chamber!

The representatives of the foreign diplomatic corps!

Ladies and gentlemen!

 

First of all, I express the enormous gratitude to all fellow countrymen, who have laid on me a high trust and reelected me to the post of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. It is with sonly devotion and love that I bow low to our diligent, noble and magnanimous people.

From the bottom of my heart, my dear ones, I wish you and, in your person, to our entire people a sound health, happiness and well-being to your families.

I highly honor the symbols of our dear Motherland and Independence – the state flag, anthem and the coat of arms, as well as the Supreme Color and the Collar of the President accorded to me.

The election of me to the post of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan I perceive as a testimony of support of our policy aimed at building a New Uzbekistan.

 

Dear participants of the session!

 

The elections, in which our multinational people have taken an active part, became a bright manifestation of free expression of will, high legal consciousness and political awareness of our citizens.

The results of the elections have once again confirmed the rightness of the course of development, which has been defined and is being implemented together with our people. This inspires us and accords the new strengths and confidence to all of us.

The elections have taken place free and in a democratic way, openly and transparently, in the spirit of healthy competition and political struggle, which were recognized also by the international and foreign observers.

For the first time, the long-term missions of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States observed over the entire electoral process at the presidential elections. Apart from the representatives of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Parliamentary Assembly, about 400 observers from the European Parliament have participated for the first time at the elections.

As a whole, nearly one thousand representatives of the 18 international organizations and 45 foreign states took part at the elections as international observers. The elections were directly covered by nearly 1700 domestic and foreign journalists.

All of them have underscored that the elections took place at a high level, in line with the national electoral legislation and universally recognized international standards and at a high level.

 

Dear compatriots!

 

I deeply realize that the trust shown at the elections is a big honor, sacred duty and, along with this, an enormous responsibility to me.

I express gratitude to the members and activists of the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Business People – the Liberal-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, who have nominated my candidature and supported me during the election campaign, as well as to all my supporters and trusted persons.

I express a special gratitude to the candidate from the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan Maqsuda Varisova, the candidate from the Democratic Party «Milliy tiklanish» Alisher Kadirov, the candidate from the Ecological Party of Uzbekistan Narzullo Oblomurodov and the candidate from the Social-Democratic Party «Adolat» Bakhrom Abdukhalimov, who have actively participated at the elections. I wish them successes in further endeavors.

We have competed among one another at the elections, but now will actively cooperate with other political parties by uniting all our aspirations and efforts. The important practical ideas and proposals in their pre-election programs shall be taken into account in our further work.

We shall direct all our strengths and potential to the achievement of our common great goal – constructing a New Uzbekistan.

Today, from this high rostrum I express my sincere gratitude:

to the residents of all regions of the country – the Republic of Karakalpakstan, provinces and the city of Tashkent;

the activists of makhallas (the local neighborhood community areas), the representatives of civil society institutions and religious figures, who are selflessly serving the cause of consolidating the atmosphere of peace and accord in the country;

the honorable veterans, thanks to whose blessings and wise advice help us in securing our goals;

dear women, who occupy an important niche in the life of our society;

the workers and clerks, entrepreneurs and farmers, builders, who are diligently serving in the branches of economy, industry and agriculture, and the social sphere;

the teachers and mentors, figures of science and culture, who have devoted themselves to raising the spirituality of people and upbringing the forthcoming generation;

the medical workers, who by not sparing themselves, are bravely accomplishing their mission in terms of protecting and solidifying the people’s health;

the courageous military servicemen, who are commendably continuing the traditions of our great ancestors such as Jaloliddin Manguberdi, Sakhibqiran Amir Temur and Bobur Mirzo;

the steadfast athletes, who are raising the flag of our Homeland high at the world sports arenas;

the members of the Central Election Commission, district and precinct electoral commissions, staff members of the diplomatic missions of our country in foreign countries and the employees of the khokimiyats (governor’s and mayor’s offices) on the ground;

the representatives of the mass media, journalists and bloggers, who have actively and fairly covered the elections.

Addressing the younger generation – our sons and daughters, I want to say: I am confident that you are, my dear ones, the worthy inheritors of our great ancestors, shall always be in the primary ranks of builders of the New Uzbekistan.

I express my deep respect to all citizens of our country, the heads of foreign countries and international organizations, political and public figures, who have sent the sincere congratulations in terms of my election to the post of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Taking this opportunity, on behalf of our nation and on my own behalf, I thank all international observers who have participated at the elections.

 

Dear fellow countrymen!

 

It is deeply symbolical that today’s solemn joint session of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis is taking place in the new grand building of the Senate, erected in accordance with the modern requirements in the very center of the capital city of our country.

I am confident that this building of the upper chamber of the parliament, where the important laws and decisions will be adopted for the good of the country, shall become a bright embodiment of our national statehood, the school of democracy and one of the symbols of the New Uzbekistan.

 

Dear friends!

 

As you are well-aware, five years ago, by having consulted with the people, we have adopted the Strategy of Actions. For over the past period, based on this strategy we have accomplished a large-scale work.

As the President, who is assuming the post for a new term, by deeply realizing the entire responsibility for today and the tomorrow of our Homeland, I want to assure: we shall ever firmly and decisively continue the democratic reforms, which we have started together with our people, and shall never turn back from this path!

Together we shall certainly build a New Uzbekistan!

The unconditional implementation of the provisions of the Constitution and the laws of the country, full embodiment into life of the priority principle «In the name of a human honor and dignity» shall continue remaining as a main criterion of my activity as a guarantor of our Main Law.

Certainly, a human dignity for us is not some abstract and high-flown notion. Under a human dignity we mean, above all, ensuring peaceful and secure life for each citizen, his fundamental rights and freedoms.

Speaking of human dignity, we mean the creation of decent living conditions and modern infrastructure for every citizen, professional medical treatment, high-quality education, a social protection system and the creation of a healthy ecological environment.

 

Dear participants of the solemn ceremony!

 

All of us are pleased with the participation in today’s event of the representatives of international organizations and ambassadors of foreign states carrying out their activities in our country.

I believe that you, the distinguished diplomats, are well aware of our work in recent years to implement the democratic reforms in the country, in particular, to ensure human rights and freedoms, the rule of law.

Our practical activity in this direction has also gained an international recognition. Uzbekistan for the first time was elected a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Meanwhile, we are well aware that much more remains to be accomplished in the field of protecting and ensuring human rights and freedoms.

As it is well known, the actual implementation of these high values is not the achievement of a specific indicator. All of us are deeply aware that ensuring human rights is an ongoing process. This is evidenced by world history and the experience of democratic states.

Therefore, we rely on close cooperation with the international community, in particular with you, the distinguished representatives of the diplomatic corps, in the implementation of tasks in this area.

   

Dear Deputies and Senators!

 

Our compatriots express their support and confidence in the reforms that we have initiated in the interests of the people, and wish to see the practical results of our activities faster. With this just demand in mind, we have developed the New Uzbekistan’s Development Strategy and widely discussed it together with the people during the election campaign. This important concept paper, in order to ensure the consistency and continuity of our reforms, put forward the main idea «From the Action Strategy to the Development Strategy». In this strategy, we have identified the highest value of rights and freedoms, the lawful interests of every citizen of our country.

It should be emphasized that the New Uzbekistan Development Strategy will mark the beginning of a new phase of our national development. From now on, we organize our activities on the basis of the new principle «human being – society – state».

Taking into account the opinions and observations, the practical proposals and initiatives expressed during the meetings with voters, we are working on further improving the Development Strategy. This process will continue, because in solving the priority issues concerning the destiny and future of our Homeland, the opinion of the general public, every citizen is extremely important for us.

In this regard, I would like to draw your attention to another urgent issue.

In setting the priorities for the next five years, along with the successes achieved over the past period, we must also deeply and critically analyze the mistakes and shortcomings that have been made. Since, the people who are building the future with their own hands and efforts, will achieve the set goals only if they draw the right conclusions from the past.

During the pre-election meetings, we drew up the new plans for the social, economic, cultural and spiritual development of each city and region of the country. Currently, having summarized these proposals, we are developing the specific programs for the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions and the city of Tashkent, and we will implement them annually.

I want to reiterate what I have said five years ago, in my first days as President: I do not need the false and pompous words. We will only deceive ourselves with empty and deceitful speeches, false figures. This will harm our work.

We need ideas and opinions, practical suggestions and initiatives that benefit our common cause and concrete results. I absolutely do not accept any other way.

 

Dear friends!

 

All of us see that today humanity is going through an extremely difficult period in its history. We face new, the unknown threats and challenges.

The coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed the lives of millions of people, and the resulting global economic crisis are still continuing on the planet. No one can predict when the pandemic will over and what life will be after it.

Unfortunately, the negative impact of the pandemic is not bypassed by Uzbekistan either. The fight against this dangerous disease, the need to live and work in such difficult conditions, require a great deal of efforts and resources from us, strong will and strict discipline.

Despite all our efforts, the pandemic claimed the lives of many compatriots, including several senators and deputies, our fellow leaders. We shall always cherish memories about them in our hearts.

Today, the world is witnessing an intensification of confrontations and conflicts between various forces and a merciless struggle for resources. The new threats to peace and security in our region are emerging.

It is becoming obvious that the era of globalization and fierce competition, a rapidly changing environment pose urgent, extremely important and crucial tasks for us.

In such a difficult and alarming situation, we must stand together even more in preserving our peaceful and secure life, strengthening our national independence, be vigilant, act decisively and confidently.

To this end, we will more consistently continue our strategic course aimed at consolidating peace and stability in every home and makhalla, throughout the country, improving the population’s living standards, expanding the relations of friendship and cooperation with the international community.

 

Dear compatriots!

 

The New Uzbekistan Development Strategy will consist of seven directions. Allow me to briefly dwell on the critical priorities that we have to solve as part of its implementation.

First, the large-scale reforms on building a state that cares about a dignity, ensuring the lawful interests and the well-being of every citizen, regardless of his nationality, language and religion by further developing a free civil society will be taken to a new level.

In this direction, we will pay a special attention to the implementation of the idea «​​The New Uzbekistan is a people’s and humane state». For this purpose, we will further strengthen the local governments’ role and responsibility in addressing the problems on the ground. In the future, most of the state functions will be transferred from the center to the regions.

The post of assistant of the khokim will be introduced in each makhalla, which is the backbone of public administration, for the reconciliation of its activities and the khokimiyats. He will be responsible for creating the new jobs and reducing poverty. The chairperson of the makhalla will be responsible for spiritual education, shaping a healthy environment in families and the makhalla.

The representatives of the Agency for Youth Affairs will also operate in the makhallas to deal with the youth issues on a permanent basis.

In addition, in order to expand the financial capabilities of khokimiyats and makhallas, the funds from additional sources will be allocated to the district budget and the separate expenditure items for makhallas will be established.

Another essential task is to create a compact and effective management system for citizens by transforming the central agencies. For this, the first step will be to develop a specific procedure for the establishment and abolition of ministries and agencies, the criteria delimiting their powers, requirements for their structure and staffing table. The agencies with duplicative functions will be optimized.

We will abandon the outdated bureaucratic methods by introducing the new approaches to the interaction of central offices with their territorial structures. This will expand the powers of ministries and agencies to independently and promptly address the socio-economic issues in the regions.

A system for providing by the leadership of the reports on the implementation of programs adopted for each industry and the region will be established.

Along with this, the additional legal foundations will be created to transform the People’s Receptions into a structure that expresses a public opinion.

Alongside, the new and modern approaches will be applied in selecting and placing the staff. The staff will be recruited to the civil service on a competitive basis, criteria for continuous advanced training, performance appraisal and promotion will be determined for them.

Henceforth, the development of each region, sphere and industry will be assessed according to the extent to which the rights and legitimate interests of the citizens are ensured in the relevant area of ​​work.

In this regard, I would like to add to the principle «It is not the people who serve the state bodies, but the state bodies must serve the people» the following: «The leaders must serve not only the state, but primarily an individual and his family, ensuring their legitimate interests».

Therefore, every official is obliged to know everything, down to the last detail, about the life of the makhalla and the district. As our ancestors said, a leader should not be a burden for the people, but, on the contrary, ease their life. Today, our people and the life itself will no longer accept a leader who is unable to understand such an urgent call of the times.

A particularly important role in the implementation of the New Uzbekistan’s Development Strategy belongs to the deputies and senators who represent the people.

A priority attention will be paid to the development and implementation of the concept of legislative activity, which will further improve the work of the Oliy Majlis (National Parliament), the accelerated development of the New Uzbekistan, longed by the people, the democratization of legislative activity and the strengthening of parliamentary supervision over the legislative execution.

In this regard, the parliament will have to take control of the work with the citizens’ appeals on a nationwide scale, as well as hearing the reports of the heads of the local executive authorities with the adoption of effective measures on the outcomes.

The New Uzbekistan’s Development Strategy separately envisages an effective organization of public and state building based on modern requirements.

 Based on the experience of developed democratic states, public and state governance should be provided not according to the subjective opinion of individual leaders, in other words, their preferences and feelings, but on the contrary, through the activities of institutions with a solid legal basis.

I believe it is a high time to embark upon addressing yet another important issue before us – that is to define the specific powers of local Kengashes of people’s deputies and khokims through legislation.

We will focus our attention on the creation of the necessary conditions for the free activity of civil society institutions, their active participation in state and public administration, further improvement of their state support mechanisms. To this end, the work on the organization of the Public Chamber will be accelerated.

The current tasks to strengthen the participation of civil society institutions in the accomplishment of public control and implementation of social projects have to be tackled.

In order to further deepen the democratic reforms in our country, the important measures are being taken to ensure the freedom of speech and the press, citizens’ right to receive and disseminate information, and the freedom of expression of opinions and views.

Indeed, some officials with outdated thinking may not like the need to work in an open and transparent manner, to learn to accept the criticism in relation to their activities. And yet, no matter what, we will consistently continue this course, which we consider to be one of the most important directions of the state policy.

To this end, it is envisaged to strengthen the liability of the officials of state bodies and organizations established in the current legislation for obstructing the activities of the media, censorship, exerting pressure and undue influence on editorial staff, illegal seizure of materials and technical equipment.

In short, all journalists and bloggers who operate in accordance with the law will continue to be under the protection of the law and the President.

Second, the fundamental and necessary condition for building a people’s state, respecting the honor and dignity of a person is to ensure justice and the rule of law.

Over the past period, Uzbekistan has carried out significant work in this direction. Today we are faced with a number of tasks to ensure the true independence and openness of the justice system, improve the activities of law enforcement agencies, strengthen the institution of the legal profession and digitalize their activities.

The appropriate measures will be taken to improve the activities of administrative courts based on international standards.

We must create such a system in which the court, while restoring the rights of citizens and entrepreneurs, stands up for the protection of private property, obliges the executive bodies to act in line with the law, and also contributes to the development of society, primarily its economic progress.

We fully support the rights of entrepreneurs and property owners who play a decisive role in the development of our country and in improving the well-being of the population. We regard the violation of the law in relation to them as an absolutely unacceptable emergency situation.

In this regard, the priority of private property in our laws will be defined as the main principle. The conditions of protection of the rights of a person, who acquired a property, trusting the information provided by a government agency, will be created.

Another important issue is combating corruption, which over the past five years has been brought to the level of state policy. Thus, the National Council for Combating Corruption was established headed by the Chairperson of the Senate. In addition, the Anti-Corruption Agency is actively functioning.

We will continue to devote our efforts and means of the state and society to eradicate such a negative phenomenon that hinders our development.

The activities in this direction must not be limited only to bringing the perpetrators to justice. It is necessary to address not only the consequences of corruption, but also its causes through effective preventive measures.

However, we are all fully cognizant that it is impossible to fight corruption only by legal measures. The formation in the minds of the entire population, especially the young people, of an irreconcilable attitude to this negative phenomenon, the unification of all healthy forces of society is of a decisive importance.

In building a strong civil society and a state, it is essential to raise the legal awareness and culture of the population, bring to the general public the essence and significance of the laws and decisions being adopted.

Therefore, the formation of respect for the law and law-abidingness among citizens must be a priority task for all educational institutions, ranging from kindergartens and schools to higher educational institutions, as well as for every family.

 

Dear participants of the meeting!

 

During the pre-election meetings of all candidates, the representatives of the electorate have put forward yet another important proposal, which is essential in life itself and dictated by the logic of our reforms. This is the implementation of the constitutional reform in our country.

As the world practice shows, the constitutional reforms have been implemented in many states during the period of fundamental changes. Therefore, having once again consulted with senators and deputies, the general public and the people, having studied the experience of constitutional construction in the world, we must carefully consider the issue of improving the Basic Law, which defines the current and future development of the country.

Third, the development of the national economy, increasing its growth rates is a priority task.

We have set the goal of mobilizing all resources and capabilities available in the country to continue increasing the per capita gross domestic product. As a result, by 2030 Uzbekistan must enter a number of states with an above-average per capita income. It is planned to achieve this goal primarily by stimulating the private sector and increasing its share, as well as attracting foreign direct investment. For example, based on the principle «from raw materials to finished products», we will develop a cluster system in the driver industries.

For the achievement of the high economic growth rates, the priority measures will be taken to ensure the macroeconomic stability and reduce the inflation rate to 5%.

We also attach the utmost importance to ensuring the stability of the budget and external debt, and increasing the capabilities of local budgets.

We will resolutely continue the reforms initiated to further support entrepreneurship, reduce the tax burden and create the equal conditions for all to make business and the necessary infrastructure.

One of the priority tasks of reforming the economy remains to accelerate the processes of transformation and privatization of state-owned enterprises.

A guaranteed supply of energy resources to the population and entrepreneurs will be achieved by creating a market based on free competition.

By 2026, the poverty will be reduced twofold by providing employment of the population, training young people and unemployed citizens for in-demand professions at the state’s expense, developing a family entrepreneurship and providing targeted support for socially vulnerable segments of the population.

In addition, by reforming the social protection management system, the quality and scale of the social services will increase.

Yet another important task will remain in the focus of our attention – that is solving the housing issue, creating a comfortable living environment for the population. Over the past five years, based on the programs we have adopted, including the affordable housing programs, more than 140 thousand new apartments and individual houses have been commissioned. This is 10 times more, than was built over the previous five-year period.

We will expand the scope of this work and build the «New Uzbekistan» residential blocks in the regions with all amenities and social infrastructure for more than 1 million people to live in. The implementation of the programs «Obod Makhalla» and «Obod Qishloq» will be consistently continued.

Along with this, the major projects are planned to provide the population with a clean potable water, lay modern roads and communication networks, improve the regular motorways, rail and air communication between the regions.

It is vitally important for us the accelerated development, radically increasing the efficiency and diversification of agriculture as a strategic industry. An urgent task in this area is the processing of agricultural products based on clusters and ensuring food security.

One of the major directions of our reforms is to raise the living conditions of the rural population. With such an aim , we will create the necessary conditions to double the incomes of farmers and dekhkans, bring the annual growth rate of agriculture to at least 5%.

Fourth, the implementation of a fair social policy and the provision of quality education and upbringing as the overarching factor in the development of human capital will continue remaining in the focus of our attention.

To form the foundation of the Third Renaissance in our country, we need modern knowledge and education. I repeat: the knowledge and education. We need the highly qualified teachers and mentors, professors and teachers, real intellectuals who are able to take on a responsibility for our present and future development, for the destiny of youth.

We should openly admit that we are in great debt to these hardworking and selfless people. In this regard, no matter how difficult it may be, we are using all forces and capabilities to properly encourage the work of teachers and professors. The measures will be taken to bring a monthly salary of the top-rank teachers to 1 thousand dollars in equivalent by 2025.

In this direction, firstly we will improve the preparation of our children to school by harmonizing the systems of preschool and school education. The dozens of new preschool educational institutions will be constructed in all regions of the country. For example, every year public and private kindergartens will be provided with 2 million copies of modern educational literature.

It is also important to improve the professional training and skills of the kindergarten staff. For these purposes, the qualifications of more than 160 thousand teaching staff will be upgraded.

Taking into account the growing number of children, it is necessary to develop a National Education Program aimed at building the new and strengthening the material and technical base of existing schools, ensuring the continuity between all parts of the education system.

It will be a primary task for us to bring the level of preschool education coverage from 62% to at least 80%, higher education – to 50%, and improving the quality and substance of the educational process at schools. 

Along with the creation of new higher educational institutions, we will accelerate the work we have started aimed at providing students with housing during the college time.

The main task of the Development Strategy will remain to ensure the health of the population. It is planned to increase allocations in this area twice, including bringing the salaries of doctors of the top-category to 1 thousand dollars in equivalent.

Our goal is to turn the national healthcare into a highly effective system that contributes to improving the health of the population.

A special focus will be on preventive health measures carried out by the primary healthcare, increasing the role of family doctors. In particular, the measures will be taken for the early detection of diseases that are most common among the population and are the main cause of premature mortality, carrying out the targeted screening measures, free provision of preventive medication and wide promotion of a healthy lifestyle.

In this end, the principal task will be the prevention of corruption in the sphere through the introduction of information technologies, and most importantly, increasing the accessibility of medical services to the population.

The coverage of specialized medical care in the regions, districts and cities will be increased. It is planned to introduce a system of state medical insurance, the funds will be allocated with reference to a specific patient.

The development of physical culture and sports, the formation of a healthy lifestyle will remain important areas for us. Speaking about promoting a healthy lifestyle, we mean the creation of a system of sports activities accessible to the general public, which will primarily serve to strengthen the health of the population.

For this purpose, a special attention will be paid to the development of mass sports in all cities and districts, and in particular, the construction of appropriate infrastructure: the sports grounds, pedestrian and cycle paths, eco-parks and sports halls at educational institutions. We will increase the number of sports schools and build the new sports facilities for the development of the Olympic and Paralympic movement. In this direction, the comprehensive programs will be implemented to develop and popularize each sport included in the Olympic Games program.

 

Dear friends!

 

The provision of care and attention, comprehensive respect for the representatives of the elder generation is an inviolable part of the spiritual values of our people. It is our sacred duty to protect these kind traditions and educate children in this spirit.

It is an open secret that in the current era of globalization, the challenging conditions of the pandemic and the economic crisis, the elderly in some regions of the world are being left alone with their problems. Taking this into account, we should further strengthen the work we have begun to fill the lives of the elder generation with even deeper meaning and substance, create decent living conditions for them, and improving their health. Our esteemed veterans must constantly feel that they occupy an honorable place in their families and are demanded in the society.

In this regard, it is very important to expand the practice of holding spiritual and educational events «Meeting of three generations» and «The week of the elderly», which cheer up our venerable fathers and mothers, as well as develop and implement separate programs in each district to support our veterans.

Ensuring the rights and legitimate interests of persons with disabilities will contribute to the further establishment of an atmosphere of kindness, mercy and spiritual generosity in our society. We will pay a special attention to it. Most importantly, this system must work so that people of this category feel themselves as full-fledged members of the society.

Based on the world experience, in order to guarantee the provision of jobs and sources of income to persons with disabilities, the current legislation will be amended accordingly to establish a specific quota for them.

As it is well-known, a profound attention is being attached in our country to supporting the children left without parental custody and in need of care, their education and upbringing, professional training and provision with housing to ensure their commendable place in the society.

It is our common duty to ensure upbringing children residing in the houses of «Mekhribonlik» (‘Mercy’) and specialized boarding schools in an atmosphere most closely to a family environment and educated with professions, as well as consistently continue the started work based on the «Mercy books».

I would like to cite an example of practical results of our work in this direction. For over the three months the tens of children, being brought up in these facilities, were adopted by the noble and magnanimous people. It is noteworthy that thanks to this, the three houses of «Mekhribonlik» (‘Mercy’) and one «Children’s township» have seized their operations.

On behalf of our people and on my own behalf, I express my enormous gratitude to our kind and children-loving fellow countrymen, who are demonstrating the high human qualities pertaining to our mentality, as well as to entrepreneurs, the intelligentsia and staff members of the National Guard, who have taken the children’s house under their custody and are caring after their attendees.

Our dear women, who are enlightening our life with the light of love and warmth, and making a commendable contribution to upbringing of children as harmoniously developed personalities, are now turning into active partakers of all of our reforms. The constant attention and care about our dear mothers and kind sisters, as you well-aware, remain to be an inviolable part of a state policy. With an aim to ensure employment of women, further raise their role and status in the state and public governance, extend the conditions for them to realize their potential, take the work in the sphere of gender equality to a new level, protection of family, motherhood and childhood, the relevant National program shall be adopted.

Upbringing a healthy and comprehensively developed young  generation, and the girls in particular, realization of their capabilities and talent, nourishing in the spirit of love and devotion to Homeland, respect for the national and universal values shall remain in the focus of our attention.

The additional measures shall be adopted in terms of support and social protection of compatriots obtaining education and working abroad, as well as the members of their families in Homeland. In particular, through the Public Fund «Vatandoshlar» (‘Compatriots’) the links of our fellow countrymen residing abroad shall be solidified with their families. We shall continue a systemic work in terms of unifying our citizens abroad based on the respect for a mother tongue, national culture and customs, as well as effective application of knowledge and potential with an aim of the progress of Homeland.

Fifth, along with social, economic and political transformations in the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan, major importance is attached to the reforms in the spiritual and educational sphere.

We fully understand: if the economy is an organism that provides the vital activity of society, then spirituality is its heart and soul. In building the future, we rely on these two important factors, i.e. on a strong economy anchored on the market principles, and a strong spirituality, which is the rich historical heritage of our people, national and universal human values.

For these purposes, the concept «The New Uzbekistan - an enlightened society» shall be implemented.

The tasks related to the further development of national values, increasing the role and significance of the Uzbek language as a state language, as well as the development of culture and art are always relevant to us.

A particular attention will be paid to the outreach of the humanistic ideas of our sacred religion of Islam, the spiritual and moral education of the youth, the formation of a firm life position and healthy beliefs in them based on the principle of «The enlightenment against ignorance».

You are well aware that Uzbekistan is a country of big capabilities and enormous wealth. I think you will agree with me that our greatest wealth is peace and stability, friendship and harmony between the representatives of various nations, nationalities and confessions.

It is gratifying that today the representatives of more than 130 nations and nationalities live in the country as a united and friendly family and, with their selfless work, make a worthy contribution to the prosperity of their native Uzbekistan.

We are rightfully proud of this achievement, and we will direct all the forces and capabilities of the state and society to further strengthening the spirit of friendship and harmony in the country.

As the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, I want to emphasize particularly: in our state policy, we will continue to give a priority attention to strengthening and developing the national consciousness of the representatives of all these nations and nationalities, their language and culture, religion, customs and traditions.

Sixth, today humanity is facing the global problems, and their solution is of an extreme urgency.

We live in a difficult time of increasing globalization and the rapid changes. Today, such universal threats and challenges to humanity as climate change, environmental problems, radicalism, extremism and terrorism, trafficking in persons and drug trafficking are also relevant for our country.

It is necessary to consolidate the efforts and capabilities to tackle these problems. This, in turn, dictates the need to work out the solutions at the national and regional levels.

In our country, the negative impact of environmental threats is increasing. The yesterday’s sandstorm has once again confirmed it.

Yet more acute nature acquires the situation associated with the drying up of the Aral Sea. In this direction, we need to take systemic and comprehensive measures to implement the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on declaring the Aral Sea region a zone of ecological innovations and technologies. It is also important to intensify our efforts to develop a World Environmental Charter, aimed at creating the foundations for a new United Nations environmental policy.

Together with international partners, we are introducing the necessary measures for the consistent implementation of decisions and documents adopted at the Conference «Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities».

Seventh, the further increase in the power of the Armed Forces, which are a reliable guarantee of ensuring peace and security in our country, remains our highest priority.

In today’s challenging and alarming situation in the world and the region, strengthening the military preparedness, physical and moral training of our brave servicemen who have devoted their lives to the honorable cause of defending the Motherland is our urgent task.

We will take all the necessary measures to support soldiers and veterans, their family members, strengthen material and housing conditions, and create the opportunities for their children to acquire modern knowledge and professions.

We will continue to develop our pragmatic and balanced foreign policy and economic diplomacy.

Further strengthening the relations of friendship, good-neighborliness and strategic partnership, first of all, with all of the countries of Central Asian, will remain our main task.

We will provide all the possible assistance in restoring peace and stability in Afghanistan, which is our close neighbor and an integral part of our region, preventing an economic and humanitarian crisis in this country. We are interested in the implementation of the large transport and communication projects jointly with Afghanistan.

We will pay a special attention to expanding the mutually beneficial and multifaceted relations with Russia, China, the United States of America, Turkey, India, Pakistan, Germany, France, South Korea, Japan, the United Arab Emirates and our partners in all regions of the world.

We will fill our relations with new practical substance with the United Nations and its specialized structures, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, international financial institutions and regional organizations, including the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Turkic Council and the Economic Cooperation Organization.

We must be open to the world, and the world must be open to us. This is the requirement of time, modern development. We shall turn this decisive principle into a rule of our life.

 

Dear compatriots!

 

Over the past five years, during a period of difficult trials, we have gained a considerable experience. No matter how difficult it was, we have learned to live and work, setting a high standard for ourselves. Naturally, an ambitious people should have a broad step and significant results.

From a wealth of gained experience on the path of national development, in the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan, we have set ourselves even higher tasks for each area and industry, each region, district and makhalla (the local neighborhood community area).

All of us see that today the time is changing ever faster and rapidly. Therefore, we must in no way reduce the pace of our reforms, but rather strive only forward, rationally use every hour, every day. As Hazrat Bakhauddin Naqshband said: «Whoever is wasting his time shall become the enemy to that time».

We must never forget this truth.

In these exciting moments, I want to underscore: as the President, I consider the meaning of my life to serve faithfully to my people, fully devoting myself to ensuring peace and the well-being of the Motherland and its progress. For me, apart from this, there is no other lofty goal and the highest happiness.

My dear compatriots, your sincere support, the blessing of the elder generation, the trust of the youth instill in me a new strength and energy.

Together with our people, we will undoubtedly reach high milestones.

In conclusion, I would like to express my heartfelt wishes:

May our dear Homeland always prosper!

May our people be happy!

I wish all of you a sound health, family happiness and the new successes!

May the Almighty supports us in all of our good undertakings!

 

Thank you for your attention!

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