Uzbekistan’s independence was declared by President Islam Karimov on Aug. 31, 1991. Sixteen years is a small time in history. However, in this short period, Uzbekistan has changed beyond recognition. The Uzbek people are full of new plans and ideas and they are aiming for greater achievements.
The development of democracy and institutions of civil society has become the main focus of government policy. Uzbekistan fully realizes that, given the conditions of globalization, unique national models of advancement toward democracy in any country must fully consider the history, traditions, rites, religion, mentality and psychology of the people.
The democratic transformation during the past 16 years gives the Uzbeks the confidence to speak about the chosen path of building a civil society. This has become the basis of all ongoing reforms in the country.
Modernization, privatization and liberalization — these concepts and values embody the core of onward reforms in Uzbekistan. The structural transformation in the Uzbek economy is directed at addressing problems in the sphere of effective processing of the agricultural raw products and rich mineral recourses, maintaining the country’s fuel energy and food independence. As for industrial development, new spheres of manufacturing include automobiles, oil and chemical and gas processing, textiles and light industries.
Certainly, the further growth of economy is provided by the increase in the volume of capital inflows and foreign investments, which in the first half of 2007 rose 1.9 times against the same period last year. About 85 percent are direct investments.
The distinctive feature of modernizing, reforming, and liberalizing the country is that they are all directed at increasing the living standards of the people. This objective has gained a special significance and urgency this year, which has been declared the “Year of Social Protection.”
The classification of crimes has also undergone a change. Over 73 percent of crimes have been removed from the category of grave and heinous crimes. This has allowed broader use of the types of penalties, which are not related to deprivation of freedom. Now it has become more possible to apply economic sanctions instead of detention with regard to people who commit economic crimes. A strong political foundation has been established in the country. The scope of opportunities for the citizens to take an active part in the state governing has widened.
During the years of independence, the international prestige of Uzbekistan has seen significant rise. Uzbekistan has developed equal and mutually beneficial cooperation with the world community.
At the moment, Uzbekistan is an equal member of such prominent international organizations as the UN, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC), the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Organization of Islamic Conferences (OIC), among others.