Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 31 August, the city of Tashkent hosted celebrations on the occasion of the thirty-second anniversary of the state independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The event was attended by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The head of state congratulated our people on this significant event.

The leader of our country noted that over the past time, Uzbekistan, having hardened in the trials on the path traveled and gained the necessary experience, has emerged as a sovereign state with its own specific goals, course and position.

- Your, my dear, everyday work, filled with love and devotion to the Motherland, serves to further strengthen the independence of Uzbekistan. In this sense, it would be right to say that the holiday of independence is our common holiday, and independent Uzbekistan is our common pride and honor,” said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Of course, the path of our people to sovereignty, the current prosperity was not easy. The political and educational aspirations of our ancestors in this direction have been gaining strength over the past century and a half. The heroes of the nation, striving for freedom, were repressed. Through independence, their good name is restored.

Before independence, the land, strength, all the potential of our people were put at the service of agriculture. The word "Uzbek" was associated only with those who work day and night in the cotton fields. The cotton policy dried up the Aral Sea, led to a crisis in our ecosystem, disabled our economy and education system.

Today, the principles of a market economy have been introduced in cotton growing, and forced and child labor have been eradicated. The teacher returned to school, the doctor returned to the hospital, Uzbekistan was excluded from the international "black lists".

It’s not a secret for anyone that the basis of political independence is, first of all, economic independence. The large-scale work carried out in recent years and the results achieved serve as a solid foundation for its strengthening. A clear confirmation is that over the past six years, the gross domestic product in the country has grown by more than 1.5 times, the number of business entities - by 2 times, industrial growth has exceeded 40 percent.

“However, we need to compare today not with yesterday, but with tomorrow, and organize work based on this. After all, the future begins with the steps that we are taking now,” the President said.

It was emphasized that education is the basis of progress, and the work done in this area was noted.

– The three-thousand-year history of our statehood testifies that our ancestors have always made a huge contribution to the development of world civilization not only with their physical labor, but also with intellectual activity.

We are the descendants of great personalities who enriched the world not only with material resources, but above all with the fruits of science, enlightenment, and spiritual values. Undoubtedly, the high qualities inherent in them, the glorious traditions created by them, still live in our hearts, consciousness, and are present in our daily life.

And I am convinced that we are able to adequately continue this historical path,” the head of state noted.

In his speech, the President drew public attention to the important tasks facing our country today. These are environmental problems, an accelerated transition to an economy that is careful with water, energy and other natural resources, and the creation of innovative manufacturing enterprises.

“We must never forget that natural resources are wealth that belongs to future generations. Therefore, we need to use them wisely, thinking not only about today, but also about tomorrow,” said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Another important task of ours is to create equal opportunities for women in all spheres of society. Speaking about this, the President cited the words of the great ancestor-educator Abdurauf Fitrat: “Women are the mothers of the nation.”

It was noted that in recent years humanity has faced severe trials, and in such conditions, peoples who are united and have a strong will can develop steadily in such conditions.

- Every citizen of Uzbekistan should consider it his life duty to ensure the unity of our people, the integrity of the country. Only united - we are a single people, only together - we are a strong country! the President said.

The leader of Uzbekistan stressed that our peace-loving people would develop relations of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation with the states of near and far abroad.

It was noted that no matter how important and complex the upcoming tasks are, all of us together have enough strength and capabilities to solve them.

– As history testifies, the nation that managed to turn time into opportunity, opportunity into success, and success into the foundation of development, is a great nation. Today, our hardworking, courageous and noble people show just such qualities,” the head of state said.

The President expressed gratitude to all compatriots, to all our people, who selflessly work on this path.

- Long live our people - the creator of all our achievements! May peace and tranquility always reign in our beautiful country! May the Almighty always protect our Motherland! May our independence be eternal! – with these words the President concluded his speech.

The holiday continued with a grandiose concert program. It reflects the dreams of our ancestors about freedom, the feeling of happiness of gaining independence, the confident movement into the future and the hopes of our people. The memory of the brave sons who died in the name of the peaceful life of the country is honored. The rich art and values of our people were vividly manifested in classical songs and melodies, in the performances of folklore and ethnographic groups - a unique synergy of different cultures in Uzbekistan.