Antonio Alonso Marcos
Professor at San Pablo CEU University
At the end of the year, the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, delivered a speech in which he offered his own vision of what 2020 had been. In his address to Parliament (Oliy Majlis) he also presented the general lines of the country’s development plan for 2021.
Presidential elections in December
One of the most significant announcements was the call for presidential elections in December this year 2021. This was not a novelty in itself, as it is the natural end of the presidential mandate according to the Constitution (five years); the importance of the announcement lies rather in the fact that it is a reminder that even the country’s president is subject to the laws, that Uzbekistan is a country where the rule of law prevails. Indeed, it recently announced that it is going to increase transparency measures (which other countries have been applying for a relatively short time) and make it compulsory for public officials to submit a declaration of assets at the beginning of their mandate, including the president himself.
In Mirziyoyev’s opinion, the main task of the republic’s leaders is to ensure economic and political stability at a time of world crisis, support the needy sectors of the population and realise the ambitious goals and aspirations of young people.
It is traditional in this Central Asian country to dedicate each year to a specific task, to focus all efforts on one point, thus encouraging the population to strive to pay attention to this issue. On this occasion, the year 2021 will be dedicated to supporting youth and strengthening the health of the population. We should not lose sight of Mirziyoyev’s personal strategic commitment, the plan he presented shortly after taking power in 2016, the Five-area Development Strategy of Uzbekistan (2017-2021), which includes among its directions the improvement of the system of state and social construction; the rule of law, reform of the judicial and legal system; the development and liberalisation of the economy; the development of the social sphere; and security, religious tolerance and inter-ethnic harmony, foreign policy.
The year 2021 will be a period of wide-ranging reforms, the implementation of which will be carried out under the slogan “The new Uzbekistan begins from school, from the education and teaching system”, an area on which Mirziyoyev has expressed his opinion on several occasions, specifically when speaking of the need to reform the education system, creating its variety and continuity. During the speech he announced a series of economic incentives for teachers, especially for those in more difficult to reach areas. Uzbekistan’s future, its development, success and prosperity are inextricably linked to the young generation, who must look after their physical and spiritual health: promoting a healthy lifestyle is therefore a priority, as is improving primary care, training and upgrading medical staff and providing quality medicines.
Uzbekistan’s rich cultural heritage was also present in his speech. Its monuments and historical and architectural sites are appreciated by everyone, but are still little known. The terrible pandemic has put a brake on the good rhythm of foreign visits that was increasing every year. It is now time to take care of the monuments, to preserve them and to pass them on to future generations. It is therefore urgent to take measures to protect the country’s cultural heritage; among other things, the government is going to draw up a special programme to register, preserve and protect cultural heritage sites.
The year 2021 is the 30th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence. During this period the country has taken a dignified place and strengthened its authority on the world stage. However, much remains to be done, as President Shavkat Mirziyoyev pointed out in his address. It is therefore necessary to review Uzbekistan’s foreign policy concept, consolidate relations of friendship, good neighbourliness and partnership with the Central Asian states, and develop relations of all kinds with many countries. It is also important to continue cooperation with the United Nations and other international organisations, taking into account the political interests of our country. In this framework, he announced that “next year, under the auspices of the United Nations, we will organize an international forum on human rights education, a World Youth Conference on Youth Rights and a regional conference on religious freedom”. All this if the coronavirus allows it, of course. In addition, as Mirziyoyev said, “According to forecasts by the United Nations, the World Health Organization and eminent experts, the pandemic could exacerbate crisis phenomena, social tension, poverty and other problems throughout the world. All these factors must be taken into account.
A future full of hope
In the future, Uzbekistan faces changes and wide-ranging reforms, all of which are necessary for the comprehensive development of the country and society, and the secure future of Uzbek youth.
Despite the difficulties brought about by the Covid-19, it may be said that democratic progress has not come to a halt in the country; rather, this trend has continued. The economy has undoubtedly suffered a severe setback, not only in the field of tourism, but it can be said that Uzbekistan has not lacked political leadership, which has sought real and effective solutions to this year’s unexpected needs.
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