Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Festive events dedicated to the 34th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s state independence are being held at the “New Uzbekistan” Park.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressed the ceremony with a speech, congratulating the multinational people of Uzbekistan and compatriots abroad on Independence Day.

“Thanks to the large-scale reforms initiated under the idea of ‘New Uzbekistan,’ every citizen deeply feels the rights and freedoms granted by independence and fully utilizes these opportunities.

It is based on this great idea that we have once again recognized our rich three-thousand-year historical and cultural heritage.

By developing the traditions of the First and Second Renaissance on our land, we are boldly taking practical steps toward the Third Renaissance.

I am confident that, in this direction, the state and society of the ‘New Uzbekistan’ will become a strong bridge connecting our great history with a new, even higher period of Awakening,” said the President.

President Mirziyoyev emphasized:

“The idea of ‘New Uzbekistan,’ founded on the noble principle of ‘for the dignity and happiness of people,’ has practically transformed into a powerful movement.

Despite the complex global situation, our economy continues to grow steadily at over 6%, showing that our people confidently follow the chosen path.

The population grows annually by approximately 700–800 thousand people. Every year, 500–600 thousand young people enter the labor market.

Educating, professionally training, and providing jobs for such numbers does not happen on its own. This requires a stable system, guaranteed investments, and infrastructure. We have proactively implemented concrete programs in this direction.”

The President highlighted that entrepreneurship in the “New Uzbekistan” has become a strong driving force of the economy and a key stimulus for development.

Over the past eight years, Uzbekistan’s GDP has doubled, reaching $115 billion last year, with exports totaling $26 billion. By year-end, GDP is expected to exceed $130 billion.

Foreign exchange reserves have, for the first time in history, exceeded $48 billion. Around $130 billion in foreign investment has entered the country over the last eight years.

“All this is the result of reforms, a firm guarantee of our development, high recognition from authoritative financial institutions, and the trust of foreign companies.

Thousands of modern enterprises and socio-economic infrastructure facilities are rising before the eyes of the people.

This year alone, with $35 billion in investments, around 9,000 new enterprises and service complexes will be constructed.

Ahead of our great holiday, 79 major facilities worth $4 billion were commissioned.

Over the past period, the number of small and medium-sized entrepreneurs has doubled. Today, over 10 million people work in this sector and earn income.

At the start of the year, we achieved significant success in providing employment for 5.5 million people. Within eight months, the plan for 5 million has been fulfilled.

Most importantly, trusting our reforms, 700 thousand citizens who had been working abroad returned to the country to their families this year,” noted the President.

Since Uzbekistan opened to the world, the number of foreign tourists exceeded 10 million last year, and export of tourism services reached $3 billion.

Construction and beautification of large-scale and unique projects, such as the Center for Islamic Civilization, aimed at restoring our history and national identity, and the Imam Bukhari Mausoleum in Samarkand, are nearing completion.

“I am confident that these unique facilities, fully reflecting the spiritual potential of our people, will become new and attractive destinations both for residents of the country and for the international community.

These complexes will also create additional opportunities for our entrepreneurs to attract tourists.

Another of our goals is to support honest entrepreneurs and expand their opportunities.

Therefore, under the motto ‘Honest work is the key to a peaceful life and a prosperous society,’ we are implementing important measures to combat the shadow economy,” the President said.

With the growth of the economy and population, the demand for safe and stable energy resources is increasing.

Over the past eight years, the number of consumers has risen by 25 percent, or 1.6 million people, while energy consumption has increased by 54 percent, adding an additional 25 billion kilowatt-hours.

Consequently, unprecedented steps have been taken to increase the share of green energy.

As a result, electricity generation capacity has grown from 59 billion kilowatt-hours in 2016 to 85 billion kilowatt-hours, and next year it is expected to exceed 97 billion kilowatt-hours.

This year alone, 6.5 billion kilowatt-hours of green energy were produced. Most importantly, the share of green energy in total generation has reached 30 percent.

It has been noted that by 2030, with $35 billion in direct investments, the share of green energy will be increased to 54 percent.

The President emphasized that caring for nature is a sacred duty toward future generations: to pass on fertile land, clean water, fresh air, and a beautiful homeland.

“In this direction, we will actively expand work under the national project ‘Green Space,’” the President said.

Over the past eight years, more than 31 million square meters of housing, or about 12,000 apartment buildings, have been constructed in the country, marking a historic achievement.

This year, an additional 130,000 modern apartments will be built and handed over to residents in the residential districts of ‘New Uzbekistan’ and other areas.

By 2030, the level of urban greenery in all cities will reach 30 percent in accordance with the ‘green city’ standards applied worldwide.

As a result, the country will be supplied with sustainable energy, and the harmful impact on the environment and public health will be significantly reduced.

“Moreover, according to master plans, we are bringing urban amenities to every settlement and neighborhood. By developing small towns based on modern infrastructure, we are elevating them to a new level,” the head of state noted.

It was highlighted that Uzbekistan has created a completely new model of social protection.

The system, which covers citizens’ households and provides individual support for those in need, along with the newly established social service centers ‘Khalk’ (Human), contributes to forming an inclusive society where everyone has equal opportunities.

“In our country, no one is a stranger, and no child is a stranger. We are all children of the same homeland and serve its prosperity.

Even the fate of one compatriot in a difficult situation should evoke equal concern from all of us. Because the greatest strength of our people lies in love, generosity, and unity,” the President said.

This year, 19 trillion soums have been allocated for social protection of those in need.

All these measures are already yielding results: the poverty rate in the country has fallen to 6.8 percent. For comparison, international organizations estimated it at around 35 percent five or six years ago, clearly illustrating the significant progress made in a short period.

“We will give new momentum to the development of entrepreneurship, support for the elderly, women, youth, those needing social assistance, and poverty reduction.

Our reforms aimed at creating dignified conditions for the people will not stop for a single minute,” the head of state emphasized.

Special attention is given to quality education and healthcare, which are key factors for future development.

Over the past eight years, in partnership with the private sector, the number of places in kindergartens has increased by two and a half million, reaching a coverage of 78 percent. Construction of new schools and expansion of existing ones has provided an additional one million places for students.

Modern textbooks and advanced teaching technologies are introducing new content and improving the quality of school education.

In higher education, there has also been a sharp breakthrough: enrollment has increased from 9 to 42 percent. Notably, 53 percent of students are women.

Currently, more than two thousand of our students study at leading universities worldwide, 750 of whom are funded by the state through the El-Yurt Umidi Foundation.”

“Last year, our young people achieved first place in Central Asia for admission to the world’s top 500 universities, which undoubtedly brings joy to all of us. The happiness of parents whose children study at the most prestigious universities in the world is truly beyond words,” the President said.

In recent years, funding for healthcare has increased sixfold, and high-quality medical services have become accessible at the district and local levels.

Previously, citizens had to travel exclusively to the capital to receive advanced medical care. Now, more than 400 such procedures are performed directly in the regions and districts of the country.

Thanks to improvements in living conditions, the average life expectancy has risen from 73.8 to 75.1 years.

“To ensure education and upbringing, safeguard public health, and support teachers and doctors, we are mobilizing all necessary resources and means!” the President emphasized.

The voices, ideas, and initiatives of today’s youth are permeating all spheres and industries. They are turning the longstanding dreams and aspirations of our people into reality.

For example, the national football team secured a spot in the World Cup for the first time in the country’s history, fulfilling a 34-year-old national dream.

Our students entered the top fifteen among 116 countries at the International Summer Universiades for the first time, achieving first place in Central Asia.

On the eve of this celebration, our boxers, aged 19 and 22, became Asian champions, once again bringing international recognition to Uzbekistan’s boxing school.

“With the aim of raising a healthy and well-rounded generation and transforming Uzbekistan into a true sporting nation, we have built a massive Olympic campus in Tashkent for promising youth.

For the first time in the country’s history, a modern Football Academy was opened, providing education and training for professional athletes.

I am confident that these complexes, as unique examples of contemporary sports architecture, will serve as high launch pads for thousands of future champions,” the President emphasized.

This year, our youth won 2 gold, 8 silver, and 5 bronze medals at prestigious international scientific Olympiads.

“We see in our young chemists, mathematicians, economists, IT specialists, and geographers the future Khwarezmians, Birunis, and Avicennas, who are already holding prominent positions in the CIS countries.

These determined and talented young people are the golden generation of New Uzbekistan, a symbol of our pride.

On these unforgettable days, I want to address all the youth of Uzbekistan.

Dear children, always remember: happiness belongs to those who strive for it, victory to those who fight. The future is created by the brave, history is made by the winners.

Always move forward, my courageous young men and wise young women! Your good deeds will always be a support and strength for the homeland, the people, and the President,” the President said.

To ensure fair justice, the digitalization of judicial processes is being actively pursued, reducing human influence and widely applying artificial intelligence.

There is no need to physically attend court for economic or administrative cases — parties participate online, ensuring openness and transparency in judicial proceedings.

In short, the country stands on the threshold of a ‘digital and fair judiciary.’

Over the past three years, 70% of convicted individuals received sentences not involving imprisonment. Approximately 3,000 citizens were acquitted. More than 3,000 compatriots serving sentences who sincerely sought to reform were granted pardons.

“These historic steps are not a temporary measure but a continuous process at the level of state policy.

We will elevate our work to a new, higher level, guided by the noble idea: ‘For the Homeland, the Nation, the People!’

We will decisively continue the fight against corruption, monopolies, bureaucracy, extravagance, and spiritual threats that negatively affect the well-being of our people,” the President stated.

“Considering the current complex situation, we will continue to mobilize all our strength and resources to protect independence, maintain peace in the country, and strengthen harmony among peoples and religions,” he added.

The Head of State once again emphasized Uzbekistan’s foreign policy stance.

First and foremost, relations with Central Asian countries, founded on centuries-old friendship, good-neighborliness, strategic partnership, and mutual trust, will be elevated to a qualitatively new level.

Traditional large-scale and strategic partnerships with the CIS countries and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will be further strengthened.

The United States, European nations, and other developed countries will become our partners in trade, economic, financial, investment, and technological spheres; broad cooperation and practical ties will be reinforced.

Special attention will be given to creating transport and logistics corridors for mutually beneficial cooperation with South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa in new and promising directions.

“Given that Afghanistan is an important factor in regional and global security, constructive and practical cooperation with its government is necessary.

We reaffirm our firm position: the Palestinian people have the right, enshrined in UN resolutions, to establish their own independent state,” the President said.

Our people always provide selfless assistance to innocent individuals affected by wars and disasters.

Preserving the tradition of humanitarianism, a special decree was issued to provide Palestinian citizens arriving in Uzbekistan with the necessary social, material, and spiritual support as guests of our country.

The President expressed confidence that our generous and kind-hearted people will fully support the measures stipulated by this decree and actively participate in their implementation.

Special attention will be paid to close cooperation with reputable international and regional organizations and financial institutions.

“During these days, we will participate in another major event in China — the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, as well as in numerous meetings and events within its framework.

Therefore, we decided to celebrate Independence Day today together with you, dear compatriots, and with the people of our country, receiving blessings before tomorrow’s departure.

Undoubtedly, the results of this summit will also contribute to strengthening the position and authority of New Uzbekistan in the world and achieving our strategic goals in multilateral foreign policy.

I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the esteemed ambassadors of foreign states and representatives of international organizations for effective cooperation,” the President noted.

He emphasized that, despite any trials and difficulties, the country will never deviate from the path of deepening democratic reforms, strengthening national unity and harmony, and ensuring the satisfaction of the people.

“We will certainly bring the great initiatives we have started to completion.

Never forget: we are all one people, one country, one family! The fate, future, happiness, and success of each of us are united and shared.”

“If we live with the mindset that ‘the success of every citizen is my success, their concerns are my concerns,’ our victories will multiply, and our worries will diminish.

Unfortunately, the world is full of threats and dangers. But if we face them together, as a united whole, we will surely prevail.

On this great day, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who contributes meaningfully to the creation of New Uzbekistan, to all hardworking and generous people of our nation.

May peace and calm, well-being, happiness, and prosperity accompany every person and every family!

Long live Uzbekistan! Long live the people of Uzbekistan!” — concluded the President.