Mirziyoyev pledges “era of national progress” for Uzbekistan

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has declared the beginning of a “new era” for the country, outlining key development goals for the coming decade in a message marking the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence, the presidential press service reported.

Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan had made significant progress in recent years, citing a decline in the poverty rate from 35% in 2017 to 4% in 2026.

He also said a previously established target of increasing the country’s gross domestic product to $160 billion would be achieved this year. At the same time, the president set a more ambitious goal of raising Uzbekistan’s GDP to $300 billion by 2030.

Mirziyoyev said seven national programmes had been launched, covering education, healthcare, environmental protection, the protection of citizens’ and entrepreneurs’ rights, and the development of mahallas, or local communities.

“The next decade will be an era of national progress for us,” Mirziyoyev said.

Turning to foreign policy, he said Uzbekistan would continue pursuing a “multi-vector, balanced and well-calibrated” approach and seek to transform the country into a “centre of international diplomacy.”

By Tamilla Hasanova