Election ensures 'New Uzbekistan' reforms move forward

TASHKENT -- Newly re-elected Uzbek president Shavkat Mirziyoyev began his third term in office on July 14 with promises to keep the "New Uzbekistan" reform policy moving forward.

More than 13.5 million Uzbeks voted to re-elect Mirziyoyev on July 9, in a clear sign that more than 87% of voters support the reforms the Uzbek government has been implementing since 2016. More than 15 million cast their votes.

With Mirziyoyev at the helm, Uzbekistan has actively sought to attract foreign investment, transition to green energy and bolster the tourism sector.

Mirziyoyev has pledged to lift three million youth out of poverty, raise the country's gross domestic product (GDP) to $160 billion by 2030 and provide clean drinking water to all towns, among other key reforms.

Its GDP was $80.4 billion in 2022, according to the World Bank.

"We have every reason to believe that in these elections our people expressed their will and voted for the New Uzbekistan," Mirziyoyev said in his inaugural address.

"This critically important and responsible political process in our country's life has reaffirmed the correctness of the path of national development that we have chosen and implemented," he said.

Support for reforms

The recent elections, following Uzbekistan's national referendum to update the constitution, demonstrated clear support for the Uzbek president and his reform policies, the European Union (EU) said in a statement.

"The EU remains committed to support Uzbekistan in its endeavour to carry out democratic reforms and, in particular, to fully implement the recommendations of this and previous OSCE/ODIHR [Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights] Election Observation Missions," it said.

"Uzbekistan is an important and valued partner of the EU," the statement said.

"We look forward to continuing to strengthen our co-operation as we prepare to mark in 2024 the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the EU and Uzbekistan," it added.

The US Embassy in Uzbekistan also voiced its support for the Uzbek electorate and pledged to help Mirziyoyev carry out his plans as he begins his new term in office.

"The United States stands ready to help advance [Mirziyoyev's] agenda of reform and improved governance, including on rule of law, checks and balances among branches of government, and the protection of individual rights," it said.

"These principles -- when followed -- are the bedrock of representative governance."

The United States plans "to further deepen economic, educational, people-to-people, and security ties between the United States and Uzbekistan", it said.

The West's support for Uzbekistan's new policies is "obvious", Tashkent-based economist Oybek Kimsanbayev told Caravanserai.

"The support from the EU and United States is understandable since no one wants to see the destabilisation of Central Asia," he said. "Uzbekistan is the main indicator of stability in Central Asia."

"This also is an excellent opportunity to weaken Russia's and China's positions in the region," Kimsanbayev said.

Uzbekistan's transformation

Since Mirziyoyev took office, Uzbekistan has been undergoing reforms in all areas of public life, Uzbek historian Ravshan Nazarov told Caravanserai.

This includes the economy, politics, the rule of law and the social, cultural and humanitarian realms, he said.

He noted that the government fully executed the Action Strategy for 2017–2021, despite the consequences of and limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This set out to create "a belt of security, stability and good-neighbourliness around Uzbekistan", the Uzbekistan National News Agency said in 2017.

The Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022–2026 has been in place since 2022, Nazarov added, further cementing a period of positive changes.

The free conversion of foreign currency has been introduced, the entire financial system has been overhauled, foreign investment has grown and more-objective statistics have been kept, Nazarov said.

There also has been active administrative reform, and human and civil rights and freedoms have been expanded, he added.

"We're seeing major changes in agriculture," Tashkent economist Aziz Melibayev said. "For instance, residents of rural areas may lease land and farm it. The rules of the game in this regard are becoming more transparent, and the public has access to financial resources."

"The legal framework is improving," he added. "There's a set of benefits and subsidies for farmers and dehkans [peasants] so they can cultivate land and grow produce."

A more open society

When it comes to freedom of speech, journalist Shoira Nusratova of Karshi praised the distinct progress from the media policies enacted by Mirziyoyev's predecessor, Islam Karimov. He died in 2016.

Journalists now may express criticism and conduct investigations, Nusratova said.

Salaries have risen for secondary school teachers and university instructors, and dozens of foreign universities have opened, offering young students places to get an education without leaving Uzbekistan.

"We all understand that there are still many problems in the country, namely, corruption and unemployment," Nusratova said.

"But what's key is that the authorities themselves are talking openly about this and asking the citizens to help fight corruption."

To further the reforms that have been started, investment and political backing are needed, Nusratova added, with the United States, EU members and other developed nations playing an essential role in this regard.