The golden era of New Uzbekistan: key points from the speech marking the 35th anniversary of independence

On August 28, 2026, a ceremonial event marking the 35th anniversary of the state independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan was held in New Tashkent. Speaking at the ceremony, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke about the achievements of recent years and the tasks ahead.

The head of state noted that the roots of independence trace back more than three thousand years of statehood traditions. Emphasizing that the dream of the Jadids — Behbudiy, Munavvarqori, Fitrat, Qodiriy, and Cho'lpon — of a free and independent Uzbekistan has been realized today, the President also paid tribute to the memory of the First President, Islom Karimov.

The speech presented the idea of "human dignity" as the core of all reforms. It was noted that problems which had burdened people for years — forced cotton labor, forced and child labor, currency conversion restrictions, and the propiska (residence permit) system — have been eliminated. As a result, the poverty rate was reduced from 35% in 2017 to 4%, more than 650,000 families received modern housing, and the living standards of 10 million people improved.

Significant results were also noted in the economic sphere: annual foreign investment grew from $2–3 billion to $40–50 billion, and the country's ranking in the Index of Economic Freedom improved by 80 places.

In education, preschool enrollment reached 78%, and the number of students rose to 1.6 million, more than half of whom are women. Healthcare spending increased more than eightfold, and average life expectancy rose from 66.4 years in 1991 to 75.4 years in 2025.

The President also highlighted the country's achievements in science and technology — the "Samarkand-2028" satellite was launched ahead of the independence holiday, and turning the Uzbek language into a language of science and technology in the digital world was set as a strategic task.

In his speech, the head of state described the coming decade as a period of national advancement and announced the implementation of the "Seven National Programs of Advancement." These programs cover education and skills, healthcare, a high-tech economy, ecology, judicial independence, the mahalla institution, and international cooperation.

"Today we are stronger than yesterday. God willing, tomorrow we will be even stronger," the President said in concluding his speech. "We will surely build the golden era of our Homeland, a new great history, together!"