Address by H.E. President Islam Karimov at the grand meeting dedicated to the 17th anniversary of adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Assalamu-Alaykum, dear compatriots!
Distinguished friends!

In these days our people are broadly celebrating the Constitution Day as a national holiday, among other glorious holidays that take substantial and special place in the life of our state and society, which laid a foundation of our independence, determined the basis of our free and prosperous future.

On this occasion, allow me from the bottom of my heart to congratulate you, my dears, and in your person our entire nation on this great holiday and express my sincere wishes.

Dear compatriots!

Indeed, 17 years ago, i.e. on December 8, 1992 we adopted the Main Law of our life – the Constitution, which is commensurable with nothing on its essence and significance and truly the historical document. Thus, we fully denied the old and obsolete regime and opened up the way and opportunities to build a new state and new society.

Starting from that very day our Main Law has been serving as a solid foundation of building the law-governed democratic state, civil society, the economy based on free market relations, as well as creating prosperous life for our people, and securing the worthy place on the international arena.

Today, as we critically assess the path traversed for over the last period, certainly it is natural to state the results of the reforms being gradually and consistently carried out in terms of state building, social and economic development, which were secured owing to the laws and programs adopted firstly in accordance with main principles and norms of the Constitution.

As we see how the entire world acknowledges the substantial successes achieved by our country, time and again we become convinced in the rightness of the chosen path of independent development set by our Main Law.

We all know that this year celebrating the Constitution Day has a special essence and significance. It is reasoned by the fact that on December 27 there shall take place the general elections to the parliament and local representative bodies – the local Kengashes (councils).

With an aim of worthily holding these elections, which are the significant political event in the life of our country, given full observance of requirements of the Constitution, the laws on elections, international norms and standards, for over the span of the last three months the large-scale and considerable work is being accomplished under the leadership and control of the Central Election Commission.

In this context, it should be noted that during the years of independence the electoral system, which comprehensively meets the generally recognized standards and high democratic requirements, has been established in our country. In this regard, the solid normative and legal ground based on our Constitution and the electoral legislation has been established.

It is notable that for over the last years, in particular, in the beginning of this year the alterations and new norms that meet the modern requirements, international norms and aimed at, firstly, further liberalization and democratization of the electoral legislation, have been introduced into the electoral system of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

It will be no mistake if we say that increasing the role and influence of political parties, extension of the number of their proxies, allocation the additional rights and powers to them during the process of elections, and in general, these opportunities that envisage extension of the voters’ rights will make a great contribution for further improvement of the electoral system.

As a part of the several alterations introduced into the electoral legislation, with an aim to expand the scope of participation of citizens in the forthcoming elections the number of seats in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan has been increased from 120 to 150. As a result, a new principle has been introduced, firstly, in terms of protecting environment, reasonably using natural resources and ensuring ecological safety of population.

In line with this principle, 15 parliamentary seats have been allocated for the deputies elected from the Ecological movement of Uzbekistan.

Most importantly, in the electoral legislation a special attention has been paid to strengthening the rights and powers of the Central Election Commission.

As it is stipulated in our laws, anyone, above all, the central and local bodies of state power, have no right to interfere in the process of preparing and holding the elections.

Such interference is strictly prohibited by law and it is envisaged taking relevant measures with regard to persons should they infringe this norm, and if needed, calling them to accountability.

Summing up the aforesaid, it should be noted that all the measures being implemented in terms of improving the electoral system in our country are aimed at, firstly, holding the elections based on transparency, freedom and fairness.

In a word, I think that each and every person, who lives in this land with pride and dignity, understands and realizes well that the forthcoming elections are an important test and serious examination for all of us.

If we consider the upcoming elections from this very point of view, I would like that we should realize that this examination, firstly, consists of the following criteria and requirements:

First, this process stands as a test that confirms the freedom of speech and freedom of choice in our life;

Second, this process stands for more consolidation of the multiparty system in the political life of our country, emergence of political parties in the electoral stage with their own goals and programs of action, as well as the struggle with one another for the votes of the electorate;

Third, as a manifestation of the rule of law, this process is to show creating equal opportunities and conditions for all political parties and each candidate taking part in the elections irrespective of their political views and convictions;

Fourth, it reveals the level and maturity of civil society in our country;

And finally fifth, it will be no mistake if we say that these elections will test the socio-political level and culture of our population, as well as its civil self-consciousness.

Let us think about the following. To what extent we are ready to stand such a complex and responsible political test and hold these electoral processes at the level of electoral system now effective in the developed democratic states?

Certainly, it will be appropriate and particularly expedient if today the answer for this question must be searched not only by the Central Election Commission and its structures at the local levels, which are directly responsible for organization of the elections, as well as the activists of political parties, public movements, non-state organizations, and broad public, but also by each citizen and each voter, who is getting prepared for elections.

Since, the aforementioned extremely important factors that we need to implement reflect the maturity level of any society that goes along the path of democratic development.

I believe that all of us yet more realize that to follow these requirements is not just a goal in itself, but, firstly, it is the core of the program of promoting freedom and liberty, as well as building a prosperous life. It is also the decisive integral part and main way of securing the high level of development.

It should be said that we have chosen this path not for showing it off to someone, or demonstrating it for someone.

And no matter how tough and complex this path is, I am repeating this time and again, this path is a path of progress that fully meets our national interests, hopes and aspirations we have been striving for many centuries.

At the same time, all of us do realize yet another truth, i.e. yet we need to accomplish quite a lot to secure the set goals, implement both political and economic tasks chosen by us, and secure a deserving place among the developed countries of the world.

The major issue in this respect is as follows: it is necessary to critically assess the accomplished work, not to fall into euphoria, not to ignore the international experience and achievements of others. We also need to remove the obstacles and barriers that still exist in our life in this direction. Primarily, our own apprehension of this acute truth and drawing practical conclusions take on a substantial importance in our socio-political life.

Availing myself of this opportunity, with an aim of worthily holding the forthcoming elections, which is indeed a substantial political event in the life of our country, I deem it expedient to dwell once again on some outstanding issues.

First, I wish it becomes the main duty for all of us and every voter to observe and strictly pursue the Constitution and laws adopted on its basis on the elections to Oliy Majlis and the local representative bodies of power, as well as the regulations and norms defined by the Central Election Commission and its structures at the local level.

Especially, it is necessary to respectfully and attentively treat the suggestions and views of observers – whether they shall be the representatives of international organizations or our social and non-state organizations. Any comments related to some cases proved to be inconsistent with the generally adopted electoral rules must certainly be taken into consideration and implemented no matter how formal, insignificant and unnecessary they may appear for some voters.

Most importantly, all participants of the elections, no matter who they would be, must clearly understand that the outside interference in the electoral processes, as well as any improper attempts as exerting an influence on them shall be fully prohibited.

Second, one has to reiterate once again that all are equal before law. Creating equal and fair conditions for all parties and their candidates in the pre-election campaign in terms of meeting and communicating with their respective constituents by means of print and television media, conducting canvassing involving constituency, treating equal their rights and aspirations, making no one inferior – one should say that all these issues play a substantial and important role in conducting the elections at the highest level.

The respective bodies responsible for these matters must not allow any cases of exceptions or give preference to anyone.

Third, in fact, the elections, above all, mean a free choice and conscious voting with apprehension of one’s rights.

Along with this, to participate in the elections stands for not only implementing the right to cast a vote guaranteed by our Constitution. Firstly, this requires to thoroughly realize our civic duty and treat this matter with considerable responsibility.

Since, each and every voter should have a clear idea about a candidate – whether tomorrow he will become a member of the local Kengash (council) or the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis. He should understand whether this candidate having obtained the deputy’s mandate will be able to justify the great trust laid on him and will be able to contribute for the prosperity and betterment of the life of our people. It means that should not be mistaken while voting.

If we look from this point of view, at the moment, indeed we stand on the eve of a big political process that determines the future of our Homeland. No doubt, this process, which will become as a particular important stage in achieving the set high goals and objectives, shall directly engage each and every person living on this soil, and no one should stay aside from it.

Today, looking at your faces, my dears, who are present in this hall, and in your person I want to address to our entire nation: we shall worthily conduct the forthcoming elections and certainly are capable to once again demonstrate our advanced political level on the international arena.

Since our Uzbekistan, our society is no longer a state and society as it used to be in the past – figuratively speaking, they are different as heaven and earth.

Most importantly, today it is impossible not to see, not to notice and not to comprehend that the worldview of our people, their way of thinking and range of outlook, attitude towards life and labor, feeling of involvement with the events unfolding around them, pride of Homeland and their belief in the future are ever growing from day to day.

I am confident that our experienced people, who treat the fate of the nation with responsibility, by thoroughly realizing how this political process is important, firstly, will actively participate in the elections and cast vote for realization of their noble dreams and aspirations and those of their families, as well as for tranquility and progress of our Homeland.

I have no doubt about this.

Dear friends!

As you know, a year ago acting on your advice, we announced the year 2009 in our country as the “Year of Development and Improvement of Countryside”.

You are also aware that on this basis we have adopted a special State program with an aim of addressing the priority issue, which has been remaining on the focus of our attention since the early years of independence, i.e. to change the image of our villages, deepen reforms in the agricultural industry, improve the living standards of the countryside population, as well as increase its socio-political and cultural level.

The essence and significance, the most important directions and financial sources of this Program that embodies the idea “progress in the countryside stands for prosperity of the nation and further flourishing of our life” have been defined not only for the year 2009, but also for the medium and long-term perspectives with its implementation being under strict control.

Taking into consideration the wide scope of this Program, I would like only to briefly dwell on the initial steps taken on the way of its implementation.

When we speak about this, firstly, it should be mentioned that we have paid a special attention to fuller ensuring the interests of the people in the countryside, as well as to the issues of improving the normative and legal basis aimed at protecting their rights.

It wouldn’t be a mistake if I say that in the process of improving the life in the countryside it is of a great importance to change its outlook, to upgrade the living standards of the people residing in the villages up to the modern level, and when necessary to bring close those standards to the urban level.

To achieve these goals in January 2009 the resolutions of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on planning the housing from the standpoint of modern architecture, enhancing the system of designing and building the houses and social facilities in rural areas and on establishing the “Qishloq qurilish loyiha” institute were adopted.

It should be mentioned that by now this Institute has developed the sample designs of modern dwelling houses consisting of 2 up to 5 rooms, as well as the facilities of social infrastructure.

The renowned and highly qualified specialists of our country have been involved in this work. 22 sample designs of individual dwelling houses and 16 samples of facilities of social and municipal purpose have been approved and recommended for construction.

The “Qishloq qurilish invest” engineering company, which has been established to accomplish the preparatory and construction works related to implementing these projects started its work in the capital city and in the regions.

These designs were demonstrated to our broad public at the exhibition at “Uzexpocenter”, which took place in September this year. The regional centers also hold the similar exhibitions, which are being keenly welcomed by our people.

With a view of attracting the necessary substantial amount of funds to implement these projects the Joint-Stock Commercial “Qishloq qurilish bank” was established upon a special resolution, and its services are utilized now by a great number of clients.

It should be mentioned that this year alone through this bank 60 billion UZS were channeled to carry out the construction works in the rural areas.

And next year it is envisaged to channel additional nearly 530 billion UZS for these purposes. More than 256 billion UZS of this sum will be allocated by the state.

To accomplish such large-scale works 670 specialized construction and repair enterprises have been established in the country and they are staffed with highly qualified and experienced cadres.

On the basis of such comprehensively and thoroughly elaborated plan, this year 42 estates have been allocated in the rural areas in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and provinces of the country with 840 individual private dwelling houses being constructed as an experiment. They are due to be commissioned in March-April 2010.

It should be mentioned that these experimental housings shall allow to test in practice the sample designs and after comprehensive study of suggestions and wishes of their residents to come to relevant conclusions in terms of fulfilling them.

The funds of the future owners are also being used in building these houses. Most importantly, the major part of expenditures shall be covered by the long-term soft credits, which shall be allocated by “Qishloq qurilish bank”.

These particular conditions, i.e. the order of gradual and step-by-step repayment of expenditures spent for those housings that spans for 15 years, but not immediate payback of those costs, grant significant benefits to our people.

In 2010 the work in this direction will gain yet wider scope and in all 159 rural districts of our country 7 630 new dwelling houses shall be constructed. We expect that certainly in August-September next year we will commission them.

It is worth particular noting that the construction of not only modern and developed housings, but also building the kindergartens, general education and music schools, sport facilities, medical clinics, public service facilities, developed roads, in a word, the complete construction of modern residential areas that would include all necessary conditions for a worthy and comfortable stay of villagers have been clearly envisaged in our plans.

For over the last period a significant work has been carried out to expand the production of construction materials, which is one of the most important issues in this direction.

When we speak about this, it should be noted that 31 enterprises, which manufacture building materials, in particular, six enterprises with annual production capacity of 2 million square meters of modern roofing material, as well as new enterprises on producing gypsum, alabaster, gypsum plasterboard and other building and finishing materials, precast structures have been commissioned.

Among them the 12 new brick factories with total annual capacity of 81 million bricks were commissioned.

It should be underscored that these newly established enterprises have been granted significant benefits and relevant conditions to lower the prices for the products they manufacture, including the bricks.

Touching upon the development of rural infrastructure, one should note that nearly 100 billion UZS was spent to address one of the most acute issues in this sphere – construction of new and improvement of existing automobile roads. With a view of improving the transport services the new routes have been launched, which are operated by modern buses manufactured in Samarkand.

With a view of uninterrupted and guaranteed supply of energy resources to villages throughout the year more than 16 billion UZS was spent and at the expense of this the power lines of over 2700 kilometers, as well as the natural gas pipelines of more than 300 kilometers underwent a reconstruction or capital repair.

Dear friends!

I think that you are well aware about the activities aimed at deepening the reforms in agriculture, strengthening the material and technical basis of this sector, and most importantly, improving the efficiency of farming, which is turning into a decisive power on the way of developing the agricultural economy and ensuring the prosperity of our country.

Speaking about this, it is natural to mention the great achievements in terms of improving the fertility of land and land reclamation carried out in the framework of the Program on the “Year of Development and Improvement of Countryside”.

In particular, 81 billion UZS worth works have been carried out on repairing and reconstructing the reclamation networks, irrigation system – more than 10 thousand kilometers of manifolds, nearly 1,000 kilometers of drainage networks, and numerous hydro-technical facilities have been reconstructed, construction of 50 kilometer-long channels and other sites has been completed.

With feeling of gratitude one should note that in implementing the large projects on this direction the investments of the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, as well as the financial institutions of the People’s Republic of China, South Korea and a number of Arab countries have played an important role.

Speaking about accomplishments during the current year, I would like to give a broader picture about the services, which are further developing in the rural areas.

It is well known that alongside with traditional services the new type of services such as telecommunication systems, in particular, the Internet, cellular phone connection and wide range of computer services are now actively developing in our villages.

The fact that a number of mobile phone users in rural areas touched 5 million, which makes up 30 percent of the total number of users in the country, testifies for the progress achieved in this sector. However, this number has been rapidly growing.

3,000 new stations based on the new technologies have been established in rural areas to accept fast payments for public services.

The fact that this year 4 200 rural secondary schools, I repeat, only schools located in rural areas were connected to the Internet speaks about the serious work we have accomplished in this sphere.

Dear friends, was it possible five or six years ago to imagine that using such communication services people, who reside in remote villages – be that a farmer or entrepreneur, craftsman or a teacher – would be able to connect with any part of the world, make remittances and fulfill other operations.

Above all, these kinds of services not only meet the demands of our people, but allow to provide employment to thousands of our children, who acquired modern knowledge and professions in rural lyceums and colleges, enjoy the opportunity to obtain such modern jobs. Doesn’t it determine the future and prospects of the youth, who are just stepping into a mature life?

This year alone in districts and villages 460 thousand jobs were established, including nearly 380 thousand new jobs were created thanks to development of the services sector. And we are pleased with the fact that mainly the youth are employed there.

Speaking of raising the culture and quality of life in the countryside, it is natural that we must constantly think about addressing one more important issue.

It is an issue, which is inseparably and directly connected to protecting our invaluable asset – health of a human, protection of maternity and childhood, nurturing a healthy generation, strengthening material and technical bases of medical facilities, raising the medical culture of people.

One can mention as an example the following: equipping of all district central hospitals with medical tools, providing 44 “UAZ” type ambulance coaches, 280 specialized “Damas” type ambulance coaches worth 12 million US dollars; and supplying the rural medical stations with medical laboratory worth 1 million dollars.

Most importantly, within a year 3 million 750 thousand rural residents underwent a qualified physical examination, more than 22 thousand pregnant women have been examined at screening centers, 400 thousand patients have been treated and improved their health at the clinics.

Dear friends!

I believe it is relevant to dwell upon one more priority direction of the State program of the “Year of Development and Improvement of Countryside”.

Today we deservedly can be proud of those enormous results achieved along the implementation of wide-scope reforms in the sphere of training and education, which have indeed historical significance and win a high appraisal of the world community.

Indeed, the National program for cadres training, which started 12 years ago and its integral part - the State program for development of school education adopted in 2004 made up a turning point in our social life.

Not many people could imagine the real scopes of such enormous tasks and objectives as construction and reconstruction of thousands of lyceums, colleges and schools, their equipment on the basis of the highest requirements carried out in the framework of these programs.

Today with pleasure one should note that regardless of all hardships we have steadfastly implemented these programs and in line with the sample designs and single criteria we have managed to erect modern educational facilities not only in the cities, but in remote villages and auls.

Today, with time passing by, we all realize what a solid foundation these two programs have laid. They have created deserved conditions for the rural youth so that they have as all of our young people the opportunities to master the modern knowledge and professions, enter and study the higher educational institution of the country.

For over the last period more than 1 million 446 thousand of our children have graduated from lyceums and colleges, of them more than 1 million 55 thousand are from the countryside. Today they are employed in the sphere of manufacture, agriculture, governing and social sphere, in all sectors, and this is our most important achievement on this way.

Let us recall in what condition our schools and in general the educational facilities used to be ten or fifteen years back.

At that time not many could imagine that our schools would be armed with state-of-the-art educational-laboratory equipment, computer electronics, manuals and workbooks, would have sports infrastructure and wide access to Internet.

The fact that during this year the work on this direction has been raised to a new level, 1957 schools have been built or reconstructed all over the country, of which 1622 are located in the countryside, deserves a special attention.

Also, one should note that in 2009 214 academic lyceums and professional colleges were erected, and out of them 170 were built and reconstructed in the rural areas.

895 billion UZS has been spent for construction, capital reconstruction and current maintenance of those educational facilities in the countryside, which is an unprecedented event in the history of our country.

Dear friends, when I travel across the regions and meet people, farmers and dekhkans we talk about the changes in rural life, about cotton and grain. It is of course necessary.

But at these meetings both young and elderly people note, above all, that the schools, lyceums and colleges erected in their villages or districts drastically changed the rural life.

It is quite natural that our fellow countrymen speak of this with special emotions and inspiration, since it is peculiar to our people to live not only with their own interests but for the sake of their children, their future and happiness.

From this point of view, these significant results and achievements do confirm how timely and prudent were our big far-sighted programs in the sphere of education and training, which are becoming an integral part of our path of development, to be more precise, its firm foundation.

Speaking about this one should underscore that the program of the “Year of Development and Improvement of Countryside”, whose practical embodiment started this year with its deep essence and objectives is uninterruptedly and directly connected to the aforementioned programs.

Most importantly, these programs complement one another, bear a foundation for each other, stand as a logical continuation of each other and thereby make an invaluable contribution to further development of our country and society.

In this context, the Program of the “Year of Development and Improvement of Countryside” with its scope, significance and content is aimed at not only development of material aspects of our present and future, but also at raising our cultural and spiritual level, in a word, will improve our entire life and, undoubtedly, secure its deserving place in the history of our country.

As a confirmation of the aforesaid I would like to draw your attention to the following fact which speaks for itself: this year alone more than 2 trillion 612 billion UZS from all sources were channeled for implementing this program.

Inshallah, I am confident that in 2010 the amount of funds allocated for these purposes will not be less than in 2009.

Taking this opportunity, allow me on my own behalf, on behalf of our people to express a sincere gratitude to the state and non-state organizations of our country, farmers and entrepreneurs, foreign states and funds, international structures, ambassadors and representatives of foreign countries present in this hall, to all, who have selflessly contributed to this great, large-scale and noble cause.

Dear compatriots!

I think now it would be expedient to consult with you on how to name the forthcoming year 2010, and in other words, to concretely determine the most important and priority tasks that meet the kind aspirations of our people.

Thinking about this, firstly we should take into consideration the prospects and tasks immediately relating to further development of our state and society, which are of an ultimate significance in implementing our large-scale goals.

Identifying the name of each new year, we envisage mobilization of forces and resources of all state and non-state organizations, economic entities and enterprises, commercial structures of our country in terms of implementing the set concrete tasks.

If we are to clearly realize the essence and significance of this task, the importance of which is consonant with the dreams and intentions of our people, I believe it will become obvious to what extent this issue is so important and not easy at a time.

Having thought much on this topic, exchanged views, taken into account the proposals and views of many people, I propose to announce the forthcoming year 2010 as the “Year of harmoniously developed generation”.

I think it is not difficult to explain the reasons why we may give the new year such a name.

Above all, what is in the core of all noble aspirations of our people, our state and each of us, whatever goals we would put forward, whatever great deeds we would accomplish?

Naturally, we all respond to this question that on the focus of our aspirations there lays a dream to bring up our children physically and spiritually healthy, being inferior in nothing and to no one, see their happiness and prosperous future.

Indeed, isn’t it the core essence of our life?

Undoubtedly, we all well understand that only the comprehensively developed generation stands today as a main condition of achieving the set substantial goals, addressing the challenges of time, overcoming the tough and difficult trials.

Let us elaborate on this issue more in detail.

Could we preserve peace and tranquility in the country, ensure the stable growth rates of economy and given the difficult conditions of the global financial-economic crisis secure the continuous increase of people’s living standards, if we hadn’t thought on time about the future and hadn’t created the necessary conditions for the youth to acquire the deep knowledge and modern professions?

Certainly, no.

One indisputable truth is obvious for all of us, i.e. whatever well- elaborated programs on development of the country we work out, whatever logistical basis and opportunities we create and whatever means we invest to achieve, yet there is an extremely important factor, which shall pave the way to implement everything planned and achieve the set goals, and this is the highly qualified workforce, young specialists capable to take on a responsibility for the future and further development of the country.

This extremely important task must always stand as priority for our state and society.

There is no need to speak that on the occasion of announcing 2010 as the “Year of harmoniously developed generation”, taking into consideration of the experience of the previous years we shall elaborate and implement the State program.

The interested agencies, state and non-state organizations, khokimiyats (governor’s office) at the local levels, relevant specialists and broad public shall be involved to its elaboration.

Taking this opportunity, among the number of directions of this program and major events subject for implementation I deem it necessary to touch on the most important issues and tasks.

Above all, we should critically analyze the available normative and legal basis, introduce the relevant alterations and addenda to it in line with modern requirements, if necessary to work out the new legal norms consonant with achieving the set goals and have them approved by Oliy Majlis.

Certainly, the healthy generation first means the healthy progeny. For over the last years in this direction based on the “Healthy mother – healthy child” program the large-scale measures were worked out and implemented.

It is widely known how much efforts and means have been invested to the cause of protecting the health of motherhood and childhood, including the construction in the capital city and provinces of diagnostic, screening and perinatal centers supplied with modern medical equipment, as well as the new maternity complexes.

At the same time, the new tasks are emerging in terms of preventing a number of diseases that pose danger for the people’s health, strengthening the material and technical basis of medical establishments, and stimulating the work of medical personnel.

In this regard, taking into account the extensive tasks to be accomplished, we envisage to allocate nearly 1 trillion 700 billion UZS in the State budget of 2010 for financing healthcare, i.e. to increase the funds to be channeled to this sphere as compared to this year by 30 percent.

It should be underscored that in the new year 2010 almost 50 percent of the State budget shall be channeled to the development of the spheres of education and healthcare alone.

When we speak about harmoniously developed generation, I think it is obvious for all of us that it is important to concentrate on the issue of reasonable and effective utilization of the material and technical basis, created at the expense of substantial efforts and means in the sphere of education for over the last years.

It is necessary to improve the state educational standards, curricula and academic literature, reconsider the educational directions and specialties in the system of the higher and secondary special education from the standpoint of modern requirements.

We should also keep on the focus of our attention the issues of active introduction of new information and pedagogical technologies, stimulating the difficult work of teachers and instructors, who bring up the children as harmoniously developed persons. In a word, it is necessary to take the system of education and upbringing up to a qualitatively new level.

I want to repeat once again that we all must deeply realize to what extent it is really significant to create yet broader basis to introduce and assimilate (not only at schools, lyceums, colleges and higher educational institutions, but also in the life of each family) the latest information and computer technologies, digital and broadband telecommunications and Internet, which now in general determine the level of development of the country and society.

The forthcoming program must broadly reflect the issues of consistent continuing the substantial work that we have started in the sphere of physical training and sport, in particular, further developing the children’s sport, erecting modern sport grounds, facilities and complexes in each town and village supplied with necessary sport inventory, where children shall be trained by highly qualified trainers and instructors.

At the same time, the principally important issue of broadly employing the graduates of professional colleges and higher educational institutions in the sphere of small business and private entrepreneurship with an aim of practical application of modern knowledge and skills acquired by them must secure its worthy place in the program.

In this, we must keep in mind the fact that today more than 70 percent of the country’s socially active population is engaged in the sphere of small business and entrepreneurship and without further developing this sphere we cannot see future development of the national economy.

This particular sphere of activity now serves as a main source of income for the enormous part of our population, the small business and entrepreneurship, as much as in all of the developed countries of the world, is an important component part of the middle class being established in Uzbekistan – the basis and buttress of socio-political life of the country.

Taking into consideration all these extremely important factors, all of us, and firstly, the officials at the local levels must understand that a special place must be secured in the forthcoming program to addressing the acute problems of developing small business and entrepreneurship, removing all barriers along this road and creating in all provinces, especially in the countryside area, the necessary conditions to attract the youth to this sphere, rendering relevant benefits and preferences in this regard.

I consider it appropriate to draw your attention yet to another important issue. When speaking about the modern progress, one cannot imagine it without developing science.

Today, thinking about the future of our country and with an aim of developing the most advanced, perspective scientific research and exploration work, which are on the focus of attention of scientific community of the developed countries, it is necessary to establish the new laboratories in the system of Academy of Sciences and higher educational institutions, and ensure their effective cooperation with leading foreign scientific centers.

The time itself requires that this issue needs to be considered as one of the most urgent priorities.

With an aim of supporting the work in this direction, procuring the latest scientific equipment and installations from abroad, attracting and stimulating the most gifted and talented youth to this cause it is expedient to establish a special fund at the Committee for coordination of development of science and technology and provide it with necessary currency resources.

I think that those present in this hall will support this proposal.

The measures on rendering a special attention to family and protecting it, which is most important, I would say, a decisive part of society in upbringing the physically healthy and harmoniously developed generation must also become an integral component of the program.

There is an Uzbek proverb: “Any child does what he is taught in the family”. It has a very deep meaning.

I think that we all well understand that upbringing, making our sons and daughters worthy representatives of their nation, who will tomorrow become the true citizens of the country, take place in the bosom of family, in a healthy family atmosphere, which is notable for the love and respect of parents to one another.

From this it can be drawn a conclusion that the issues of a healthy and solid family, firstly, the young families, must be considered as priority issues, which remain on the focus of attention of makhalla (neighborhood community), society and state as a whole.

Enriching the spiritual world of our children, upbringing them in the spirit of national and universal values remain the most urgent task for us.

Especially, at this complex and restless time, when various attacks are ever gaining strength aimed against national identity, centuries-old values of our people, and mercenary aspirations are being manifested to secure the minds and souls of our youth, and certainly, all these impel us to greater vigilance.

Therefore, the problems of promoting among the youth the principles of healthy lifestyle, shielding them from drug addiction, immorality, various pernicious influences and threats that penetrate from outside under the guise of “mass culture” must remain on the focus of our constant attention. Such issues must surely be reflected in the program.

Dear compatriots!

Today it is not a secret for anyone that the 21st century is a century in which the intellectual power dominates.

And if someone did not realize this truth on time, and the aspiration towards intellectual knowledge, intellectual wealth did not turn into the essence of daily life for the nation and state, then this state will inevitably find itself in the backwards of the world civilization.

The state and society, which has deeply realized this axiom and come to such a conclusion and which aspires to secure a worthy place in the world community, consider it the most important and most sacred task that the young men and women enter the mature life as comprehensively and harmoniously developed individuals.

Today, when the international community acknowledges our successes and sustainable results on the way of building the democratic state, civil society, modern system of economy, securing a worthy niche in the world, naturally the following question emerges: on what these achievements are based?

The reason for this lays, above all, in the rich history, cultural and spiritual heritage of our people, deep intellectual potential and roots, as well as the ability of our nation to secure great accomplishments on the way of achieving the set high goals.

The reason for this is the fact that we have never been inferior to anyone in anything, and undoubtedly, shall be second to none in securing our cherished goal – to build a free, independent and prosperous life, inshallah.

It gives me an enormous pleasure standing from this high rostrum to once again express to you and in your person to the entire nation of Uzbekistan my deep respect and appreciation, as well as the kindest and sincerest wishes.

© Please note that the text is translated from the Uzbek language


"Jahon" I.A.

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