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Partnership for Peace (PfP)
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO)
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
Central Asian Cooperation Organization (CACO)
Central Asian Union
Eurasian Economic Community (EAEC) – suspended
and other reputable organizations.
A new policy consistent with national interests began to form when Islam Karimov took the lead in the national government.
Karimov was elected President of Uzbekistan at the 1st Session of the Supreme Council of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic in March 1990.
Presidential decrees, acts, resolutions of the Supreme Council and the government, and finally, the Declaration of Independence were all designed to secure political and economic independence and the national revival of Uzbekistan. In 1989 Uzbek was made the official language of the new state, and a package of measures was drafted to address the most urgent economic problems, such as the monoculture of cotton, and to assist revival of Uzbek culture.
On 31 August, the 6th Extraordinary Session of the Supreme Council declared the political independence of the country, which was officially named the Republic of Uzbekistan. 1 September was proclaimed Independence Day.
Overwhelming popular support for independence and the government line was expressed during presidential elections and a referendum on political sovereignty (29 December 1991). Islam Karimov won 86% of the vote and became the first President of the new Uzbek state; 98.2% of the population voted for independence.
From September 1991 to July 1993 the Republic of Uzbekistan was officially recognised by 160 states. On 2 March 1992 the country joined the United Nations.
Since independence, an era of free development began in the history of the Uzbek people.
The conditions under which the young nation started out were difficult. The problems inherited from the Tsarist and Soviet periods, particularly the country’s unbalanced industrial structure, with its orientation towards raw materials production, manifested itself sharply during the first years of "stand-alone" development. The disruption of former economic ties brought about a setback to production in all sectors, high unemployment levels and worsening living standards.
Reality called for radical reforms in both the social structure and the economy, and President Karimov came up with the concept of the "Uzbek model" for national revival and reform.
The foundation for transition from the socialist formation to market economy was laid by the Constitution which was adopted on 8 December 1992.
Sizable efforts began to dismantle the former command system of economic management.
The new Uzbek political system relies on state institutions, which are modelled on recognised international patterns. The legislature consists of the national Parliament, Oliy Majlis, and local representative bodies, Kengashes. The mainstay of the executive is the restored traditional institution of khakims.
Uzbekistan selected presidential rule, which combines the powers of a president as Head of State and those of the executive.
The role of the state itself changed radically, and it now acts as the main engine and motivating body for reform activities.
Close attention is being paid to the formulation of a national development strategy for the 21st century, which is intended to promote liberalisation in the economy and social life.
The cultural revival of the nation envisages a return to the roots of the nation's spirituality, enriched with the achievements of world culture. A crucial task is to develop a new national ideology centred around the concept of independence.
The government has devoted a great deal of effort to assisting the restoration of Islam and other confessions in Uzbekistan. However, it is appreciated that, away from the mainstream, there are a variety of informal movements in the modern Muslim world which might exploit Islamic teaching for political purposes. Therefore, certain provisions were made to prevent the spread of destructive religious movements.
Bearing in mind that Uzbekistan has a complex ethnic composition, the government is seeking to ensure equal development opportunities for all ethnic groups residing in the country. In this connection, ethnic cultural centres, presently numbering 180, are expected to make a significant contribution to the country’s spiritual revival.
Efforts are under way to modernise the national system of education and research. Modern education will embody and promote the values of humanism, democracy, consistent and scientific secular teaching, national and international cultures, and the equality of all regardless of ethnicity or religion.
Since independence, a total of 3,500 joint ventures have been opened in Uzbekistan. These economic successes have been accompanied by an upsurge in the social sector. An important achievement of the government social policies of recent years is that they have secured a guaranteed, albeit modest, living standard for the population.
The country has adopted a unique system of social insurance based on local self-government bodies, makhallya, which have been put in charge of identifying the needy and providing targeted financial support to them. Although a number of serious problems persist in public health, significant improvements have taken place in this sector since independence. Life expectancy has increased from 71 years in 1986 to 73 years at present.
Thus, despite the hard starting conditions, Uzbekistan has risen into the leading positions in the CIS and has become an active member of the international community. Its political, social and economic image has changed completely during the years of independence. Unlike some other post-Soviet republics, Uzbekistan enjoys social and political stability and positive dynamics in socio-economic development.
The measurable progress made by the nation does not mean, however, that all the existing problems have been duly addressed, and a lot remains to be done to improve the living standards of the people. But, importantly, we can now say that the most crucial phase of transition has been left behind. The achievements of the past years give us cause to hope for better; we have a clear vision of the future goals, and our plans are definite and feasible.
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