Addressing the conference dedicated to the upcoming Referendum: “The Essence and Significance of the Constitutional Reform: New Uzbekistan – Renewed Constitution”, Director of the International Institute for Central Asia Vladimir Norov noted that the steps taken, the achievements of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy over the past six years, created the necessary favorable conditions for sustainable development of the country and the Central Asian region as a whole:

– It is noteworthy that in June 2018, exactly five years ago, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution “Strengthening regional and international cooperation to ensure peace, stability and sustainable development in the Central Asian region”. The initiative to adopt this document was put forward by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the international conference on Central Asia, held in November 2017, in Samarkand.

As the Leader of Uzbekistan noted then, “Our main goal is to turn Central Asia into a stable, economically developed and prosperous region by joint efforts”. The regional policy of our country has become a new stage in the history of interstate relations with all neighboring countries and marked the beginning of their consolidation.

For the first time since gaining their independence, the Central Asian countries have confirmed their ability not only to take joint action to solve common regional problems, but also to ensure the well-being and prosperity of their citizens.

Vladimir Norov focused on the address of the President to the Parliament in December 2022, which became one of the main political events of the past year, and identified key priorities for further reforming and modernizing the country for the coming period.

The issue of building a New Uzbekistan, where a free, comfortable, and prosperous life of the multinational people is ensured took a key place in the speech of the Head of state.

In addition, one of the priority tasks of the Head of state is the improvement of the Basic Law, which should meet the modern development of society.

Along with a large number of changes that are designed to supplement and specify the rights and freedoms of citizens, balance the system of power and authority, improve conditions for the full development of a citizen and society as a whole, Chapter IV, which formulates the principles and approaches of the foreign policy of Uzbekistan, has also undergone a qualitative change.

Article 18 of the renewed Constitution of Uzbekistan emphasizes that the country is pursuing a peaceful foreign policy aimed at the comprehensive development of bilateral and multilateral relations with states and international organizations.

The inclusion of this important and, at the same time, fundamental amendment in the Basic Law is a reflection of the modern process in the world, which is characterized by growing instability and distrust.

G.Khonnazarov, UzA