Uzbekistan is not just a geography on the map, but a space of cultures and meanings, where for centuries ideas were born that changed the course of civilization. Samarkand and Bukhara, Khiva and Termez – the symbolic cities of the Silk Road – were and remain crossroads of knowledge, craftsmanship, and cultural dialogue. Here resounded the names that became global benchmarks: Ibn Sina and al-Khwarizmi, Mirzo Ulugbek and Ahmad al-Farghani. Their works, from “algebra” and “algorithm” to star catalogues, inscribed our land into the history of global scientific progress. This heritage is not a museum relic, but a living energy that nourishes today’s aspirations.
The first Renaissance on our land, which fell in the 9th-12th centuries, revealed the potential of Eastern thought, linking philosophy, medicine, mathematics, and astronomy with the practical needs of society. The second, in the 15th century, gave the world Ulugbek’s school – a unique synthesis of exact science and enlightenment, where the celestial spheres became the language of reason and order. These epochs not only glorified the names of scholars but also set before us a high measure of responsibility: to preserve, enrich, and pass on the culture of knowledge.
The dream of a Third Renaissance is not a rhetorical figure, but a historical trajectory outlined by our predecessors as early as the beginning of the 20th century. At that time, it was interrupted by the upheavals of the era. With the attainment of independence, it acquired a new reality: faith in our strength, respect for our roots, and a clear understanding that the country’s leading resource is its people – their education, talents, and labor. That is why today’s aspiration for a Third Renaissance is a course toward the quality of schools and universities, the freedom of scientific inquiry, a creative economy, and openness to the world. Thus, building on a millennia-old foundation, modern Uzbekistan raises over its steppes and mountains not only the banner of memory but also the banner of the future – a future in which knowledge and human dignity become the chief measure of national success.
In 2017, the “Action Strategy on Five Priority Areas of Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2017-2021” was adopted. It outlined the framework for change: (1) improving state and public administration; (2) ensuring the rule of law and reforming the judiciary; (3) developing and liberalizing the economy; (4) the social sphere; (5) security, interethnic harmony, and constructive foreign policy. The results of its implementation were systematically presented at an international conference on October 5, 2021, where key facts and figures across all areas were demonstrated.
A turning point was the currency reform: on September 2, 2017, by presidential decree, the liberalization of currency policy was launched – the mandatory sale of part of export revenues was abolished, and enterprises and citizens were granted free access to buy and sell foreign currency. The regulation came into force on September 5, 2017. This put an end to the dual exchange rate and legalized the market under a unified rule.
The removal of administrative barriers, along with tax and registration reforms, enabled Uzbekistan to rank among the world’s top 20 reformer countries in the Doing Business 2020 report, rising to 69th place.
According to the official summary of results for 2017-2021, compulsory 11-year schooling was reinstated, 328 new schools were opened; preschool enrollment increased from about 28% (2016) to 61% (2020); in the higher education sector, more than 80 new universities and about 20 foreign branches were established. Budgetary funding for healthcare increased 2.1 times, and the supply of medicines for severe diseases was expanded. In parallel, public reception offices and the President’s “virtual receptions” began operating as mechanisms of direct communication with citizens.
The “Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026” set out 100 goals across seven priorities – from improving the efficiency of public administration and ensuring fair justice to digitalization, ecology, and human capital. The document ensures continuity with the Action Strategy while structuring specific benchmarks and timelines.
On April 30, 2023, the renewed Constitution was adopted by referendum. Official explanations emphasized that Uzbekistan is enshrined as a legal, social, and secular state; the amendments strengthen social obligations, several legal guarantees, and the foundations for long-term strategies. International observers noted that the new edition reinforces aspects of human rights and gender equality, while also maintaining recommendations for further democratic development.
To provide targeted assistance, a mahalla-based system of registries for those in need was introduced: the “iron”, “women’s”, and “youth” registers were integrated into the Unified Social Protection Register – allowing benefits and services to be assigned on the principle of “funding follows the person”. In 2025, the Senate approved a comprehensive program for the implementation of the Strategy for Achieving Gender Equality until 2030; at the same time, the Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy sets the goal of reducing poverty by at least half by 2026 (compared to the 2022 level). According to World Bank estimates, by 2022, the poverty rate measured against the UMIC threshold had already decreased from 36% (2015) to 17%.
“Iron Register”, targeted assistance programs, digitalization
The unified digital framework for social support has been built around the Unified Register: UNICEF and its partners have noted the modernization of modules – from case management to emergency payments – which increases transparency and the speed of assistance delivery at the mahalla level. At the same time, the “Digital Uzbekistan 2030” program is shaping the regulatory framework for e-government, ICT infrastructure, and digital business skills: part of public services has been transferred online, while IT parks and workforce training are expanding.
In 2023, by presidential decree, the long-term Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy was approved, drawing on the experience of previous programs. At its core are the goals of achieving upper-middle-income country status, strengthening social protection, developing human capital, advancing the green agenda, and driving technological modernization. Implementation is carried out through annual state programs.
Since 2016, Tashkent has reshaped the regional agenda around the principle of “neighbors first”: longstanding barriers with Tajikistan were removed (flights resumed, entry procedures simplified, border crossings reopened), and fundamental issues with Kyrgyzstan were resolved regarding border delimitation and joint water resource management. Regular consultative meetings of Central Asian leaders consolidated the format of open dialogue. This course of regionalism, announced at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly, has become the hallmark of New Uzbekistan’s foreign policy.
In 2022, Samarkand hosted the SCO and OTS summits – with the adoption of the Samarkand Declaration of the SCO and the strategic decisions of the OTS (including preparations for the Turkic Investment Fund and the declaration of 2023 as the Year of the Rise of Turkic Civilization). These platforms confirmed Uzbekistan’s role as a coordinator of transit, connectivity, and economic cooperation in Eurasia.
On April 4, 2025, Samarkand hosted the first-ever EU – Central Asia Summit. The European Union announced a Global Gateway investment package for the region, while the agenda included transport along the Trans-Caspian Corridor, energy, and critical raw materials. For the country’s image, this represented recognition of its role as a reliable partner and organizer of major international formats.
Tashkent has been consistently bringing its initiatives to the UN level. In 2018, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution “Education and Religious Tolerance” (an initiative of Uzbekistan), and in 2021, the resolution proclaiming the Aral Sea region a zone of environmental innovations and technologies. In 2018, the resolution on strengthening cooperation in Central Asia was also adopted – an essential foundation for regional trust. These documents enhanced the country’s “soft power” and gave institutional form to its priorities.
The liberalization of visa policy (the introduction of e-visas and the expansion of visa-free travel for several countries), active “Samarkand diplomacy”, and stable regional mechanisms have given Uzbekistan the reputation of an open and responsible player with an agenda in which security is closely linked to development and humanitarian cooperation.
The establishment of a dedicated ministry in 2017 and the launch of a new public-private partnership model in preschools produced rapid results: preschool enrollment increased from less than 30% in 2017 to about 69% by mid-2022, and later surpassed three-quarters of children, according to government data. Standards (“Ilk Qadam”) were updated, and the school network was expanded – from presidential schools to specialized institutions.
Over the past decade, the higher education system has more than tripled: by the beginning of the 2024/2025 academic year, there were 222 universities in the country (including branches). At the same time, the network of transnational providers grew: by the end of 2024, there were about 30 branches of foreign universities and 38 TNE institutions. The number of students increased almost fivefold over the decade, to 1.43 million.
Research centers named after Imam Bukhari (Samarkand), Imam Termizi (Termez), and Imam Maturidi (Tashkent) have been established as platforms for academic schools, translations, and international dialogue on the heritage of Islamic thought. They sign agreements with ICESCO, organize international conferences, and publish the works of classical scholars in Uzbek and world languages.
A flagship cultural and scientific complex in Khastimom, combining a museum, library, and research foundations, is being prepared for opening. In 2025, ICESCO confirmed the launch of the Museum and Manuscript Centers within the complex; the exhibitions will cover the “First” and “Second” Renaissances as well as “New Uzbekistan – New Renaissance”.
The UN General Assembly resolution “Education and Religious Tolerance”, initiated by Uzbekistan, became an external confirmation of the country’s domestic course: relying on the scientific study of heritage, educational projects, and intercultural dialogue. This direction is a natural foundation for the Third Renaissance, where quality education, respect for traditions, and openness to the world reinforce one another.
“Uzbekistan 2030” is not just another document, but a logical continuation of the course launched by the Action Strategy and the Development Strategy. It sets out the state’s priorities: to unlock the potential of every citizen, strengthen a robust economy, build a modern education and healthcare system, and ensure justice, the rule of law, and environmental sustainability. The strategy is based on recent experience and undergoes public discussion to make its goals a nationwide pact about the future.
The economic component of the Strategy is aimed at accelerating growth, attracting investment, and integrating the country into global value chains – with a strong emphasis on fair rules of the game and social protection. Energy has been declared the key “spring” of modernization: by 2030, lawmakers have set the target of 27 GW of renewable capacity and at least 40% of electricity generated from renewables. This will make it possible to save up to 25 billion cubic meters of gas annually and reduce CO₂ emissions by 34 million tons – figures that translate the climate agenda into the language of the real economy and quality of life. In parallel, sectoral roadmaps for solar and wind generation are being developed (including scaling solar energy to 5 GW), to bring new capacities online on time and at competitive cost.
The Strategy places the individual at the center – education, health, and 21st-century skills. This includes accelerated digital literacy, as well as the development of competencies in ICT and artificial intelligence. According to UNDP estimates, by 2030 the country aims to create an AI solutions and services market exceeding $1.5 billion, while also strengthening its position in global rankings of state readiness for AI adoption – an indicator that investments in “brains” are becoming just as important as investments in concrete and megawatts.
The environmental vector of the Strategy is tangible: the “Yashil Makon” (Green Nation) initiative envisages planting 1 billion trees and shrubs over five years, increasing the share of green areas from 8% to 30%. For practical implementation, a specialized state enterprise has been established, and the annual target – up to 200 million seedlings – has already been incorporated into government programs. In 2025, at a meeting with European leaders, Tashkent proposed making the regional “Green Belt of Central Asia” campaign an annual tradition; meanwhile, more than 2 million hectares of arid land on the dried-up Aral Sea bed have already been greened – an environmental effort comparable to the scale of an entire region.
The Digital Uzbekistan 2030 program is transforming public services, education, healthcare, and transport into digital formats, creating an ecosystem of data and platforms. The IT sector is experiencing an apparent “export breakthrough”. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the volume of services exported by IT Park residents to the EU and the United Kingdom reached $31.4 million (compared to $91.6 million for the whole of 2024). The industry itself is steadily expanding in scale, jobs, and its order portfolio. This is not just statistics – it is proof that the “new oil” of the economy is already flowing through digital channels, and that Uzbek teams are competitive in the most demanding markets.
Nearly 34 years after gaining independence, Uzbekistan is approaching a new milestone. The path has been charted: from restoring trust and implementing the first wave of reforms to the goals of “Uzbekistan 2030”, where a strong economy, a just society, green energy, digitalization, and respect for human dignity are woven into a single logic. The very word “Renaissance” is no longer just a metaphor: it takes tangible form in schools and universities, technology parks and power plants, green belts of cities, and new export niches. Tashkent’s international initiatives – from UN resolutions to green joint projects – amplify the country’s voice and add confidence that the course is steady.
The conclusion is simple and convincing: The Third Renaissance is becoming today’s reality. We see how knowledge and enterprise multiply opportunities, how green initiatives turn climate risks into drivers of development, and how digital infrastructure opens markets for talent. On this foundation, the natural outcome is the most essential feeling – confidence in the prosperity and future of Uzbekistan.
Abduaziz Khidirov, UzA