 |
|
| Director General | Education | Sciences | Culture | CPID | Cooperation | Secretariat of GC & EC | | Home | Contact |
|
|
|
|
| Director General | Education | Sciences | Culture | CPID | Cooperation | Secretariat of GC & EC | | Home | Contact |
|
|
Republic of Uzbekistan
The Republic of Uzbekistan is situated in the heart of Central Asia, nestled between the rivers of Amo Darya and Syr Darya and stretching over a surface area of 447,4 thousand Km2. Uzbekistan shares its borders with five neighboring countries, namely Kyrgyzstan in the northeast, Kazakhstan north and northwest, Turkmenistan southwest, Tajikistan southeast and Afghanistan in the south.
The natural terrain of Uzbekistan is so diversified it always comes as a surprise to visitors. The country has arid lands, snow-capped mountains and abundant rivers. Mountains and plains make up one fifth of the Republic's surface area and the highest mountain peaks at 4643 meters.
Uzbekistan's climate is hot, dry and extremely continental. This shows clearly in the extreme temperature fluctuations between night and day and between winter and summer. Winters in Uzbekistan are cold and harsh and summers are hot. In winter days, temperatures can plummet to minus 20 or 25 degrees, but while winters can sometimes be mild in all parts of the country, temperatures in summer can rise up to 42 and 44 degrees.
The largest natural water body in Central Asia is the Aral Sea, or rather the Aral Lake with the lands stretching south of this sea located in Uzbekistan. In recent years, a drop in the Aral's water levels has been registered, giving rise to much alarm in the countries located around this sea. Several projects are being considered in order to halt the depletion of this sea's resources and its ultimate disappearance from the planet. In order to prevent this natural catastrophe, a fund has been created to save the Aral.
The Republic of Uzbekistan is one of the largest republics of Central Asia in terms of population density as its inhabitants represent 60% of the region's total population. 27 million people, made up of almost 130 different ethnicities, co-exist in all peace and harmony in Uzbekistan.
The Republic of Uzbekistan is made up of the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakistan, 12 provinces and the capital Tashkent which plays host to 2.5 million people. Tashkent is one of the major hubs of industry, culture and knowledge, not only in Uzbekistan but in all of Central Asia, hence its naming as “the gates to the Orient”.
Uzbekistan's lands abound with natural riches. Almost all known chemical elements can be found there. The country occupies an important position in the world in terms of reserves of gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, natural gas and oil.
It also boasts an advanced industrial sector which employs 45% of the national economy's basic productive resources. Aeronautics, automotive industries, machinery, textiles, non-metallic minerals, electronic equipment, measuring tools, wireless equipment, electronics, oil refining, cotton weaving, and the processing of agricultural products are some of the leading industries.
Uzbekistan is a land of prestigious history and thousands of vestiges adorn the country. In its museums, libraries and research centers, large collections of manuscripts are preserved and stand witness to the many centuries-old and prestigious history of the region.
Following independence, a study was launched on the history of the Uzbek people relying on comprehensive and objective sources. Today, many celebrations and folkloric beliefs are being revived, freedom of faith is guaranteed and efforts are made to redress nationalist awareness and reclaim the pride of the Uzbek people which has provided the world with many renowned scholars.
The celebration of ancestors' memories and their anniversaries has become a praiseworthy tradition in Uzbekistan. This tradition has played a significant role in raising nationalistic and spiritual awareness. Over fifteen years, several celebrations were held under the patronage of UNESCO. One of these was the 2500th anniversary of the founding of the famous Bukhara and Khiwa cities, and the anniversaries of such celebrated scholars as Al Bukhari, Ahmed Al Faraghani, Abu Mansour Al Matridi, Bahaeddine Naqshaband, Olughbek, Alachir Nawai, and many other thinkers. Another projected event is the celebration of the 2750th anniversary of the founding of Samarkand, the 2700th anniversary of the creation of Qarshi, the 2000th anniversary of Margilan, and the 670th anniversary of Prince Timur. All these celebrations are indicative of the important contribution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and its people to the development and consolidation of sciences throughout the world.
Today, the Republic of Uzbekistan is pursuing with resolve its transitional period, keeping pace with the international community and gaining control over strong economic growth thanks to the path laid out by His Excellency President Islam Karimov. The reforms being operated by Uzbekistan take shape in extensive principles and values, namely the modernization and privatization of the economy. Structural reforms of the economy are primarily aimed at resolving problems related to the processing of raw agricultural products and abundant natural resources, as well as achieving the country's security in oil, energy and various food products. The new lines of production, such as automotive, petrochemical, natural gas and light industries have become the powerhouse of the country's industrial development. This guarantees an improvement in living standards and involves an ongoing effort to upgrade the healthcare system, guarantee the wellbeing of mothers and children and ensure the sound spiritual and moral upbringing of younger generations.
Having achieved its independence and sovereignty, Uzbekistan took up a prestigious position within the international community. In 1992, the Republic joined the United Nations Organization and a number of leading international financial and economic organizations. 165 countries recognized the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan and diplomatic relations were set up with 118 of them. More than 40 embassies were opened in Uzbekistan, serving today as a host to the representatives of several international organizations.
As for foreign policy, Uzbekistan adheres to the principle of non interference in the affairs of other countries, establishing equal and mutually beneficial relations with the rest of the world. In the address he delivered in January 2005 before the General Assembly of the Congress and Legislative Chamber of the Supreme Council, His Excellency President Islam Karimov set out the broad lines of Uzbekistan's foreign policy for the current phase. The most salient points of this policy included conferring a priority status on vital national interests, expanding and consolidating economic ties, attracting foreign direct investments in the national economy, preserving peace and stability in the region and in the world, and protecting the rights and interests of citizens within and outside the country. Uzbekistan cooperates with international organizations in their endeavors to resolve pressing contemporary issues. Cooperation within the framework of the United Nations is mainly aimed at making Central Asia a nuclear weapons-free region and implementing the initiative of the Uzbek President to create a regional UN centre for combating smuggling and drug trade and trafficking.
Over recent years, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has played an important role in promoting stability in Central Asia and ensuring economic growth. This institution is called upon most of all to contain the risks of the current threats facing countries in the region. In this drive, the Tashkent-based regional anti-terrorism unit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has become a highly efficient tool in the mechanism of fighting terrorism, religious extremism and trends of separatism.
The action of the Shanghai Organization is not limited to fighting various threats and their repercussions only; it also endeavors to build up communication networks and new roads conducive to achieving the complementarity of Member States.
The Republic of Uzbekistan comprises the Autonomous Karakalpakistan Republic, 12 provinces which are made up of 163 rural districts and 119 towns. Its population exceeds 25 million people, placing it in third rank after Russia and Ukraine in the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Uzbekistan enjoys tremendous wealth in terms of human resources. This asset has been instrumental in making a reality of the ambitious development plans in which it has engaged since its independence. This is further enhanced by an important characteristic of this population base, namely the high rate of mid-level education which reached 99.15% in 1998, placing Uzbekistan at the lead of the countries most successful in eradicating illiteracy.
Unlike many other countries, Uzbekistan stands out by a large concentration of the population in rural areas where their levels reach 61.6% against only 38.4% living in urban areas. This situation has helped alleviate the strain placed on the national development plans dictated by living in large cities.
Uzbekistan plays host to about 130 ethnic communities of which the Uzbeks represent 75%. Such diversity has made it necessary for the Uzbek leadership to adopt a special strategy aimed at ensuring the integration of this myriad formation into the melting pot of one and the same country, encompassing Uzbeks, Karakalpaks, Russians, Tajik, Caucasians, Tatars, Kirghiz, Koreans, Ukrainians, Turkmen, Uyghurs, Turks, Germans, Azerbaijanis, Belarusians, Arabs, Hebrews, Persians, Armenians and others. This became all the more significant after the Soviet authorities' failure in the previous century to merge all these ethnicities within the Soviet mould, thus proving that it was impossible to unify human beings within a single identity that negates their ethnic, nationalistic, cultural and religious roots.
Early in the independence days, the Uzbek leader Islam Karimov openly stated in his book “Uzbekistan on the Threshold of the 21st Century”, published in Arabic in Beirut, that any nation's desire to satisfy its needs and serve its interests should not be fulfilled at the expense of another nation's aspirations or undermine the interests of another community's representatives. He stressed that it was crucial to abolish any grounds that may breed discrimination, hegemony or denigration on the part of the representatives of a given nation towards another.
The permanent constitution of Uzbekistan, adopted by the Uzbek Parliament in 8/12/1992, stipulates that the Uzbek people are the sole source of state power, and that all citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan, regardless of their religion or ethnic affiliation, constitute the people of Uzbekistan. The constitution also states that major matters of public and state life shall be submitted for a nationwide discussion and put to a direct vote of the people (a referendum). It further specified that the Oliy Majlis (Supreme Assembly) and the President of the Republic, elected by the people, shall have the exclusive right to act on behalf of the people. No section of society, political party, public association, movement or individual shall have the right to act on behalf of the people of Uzbekistan.
The Constitution divided power between the legislative, executive and judicial authorities and made provision for the diversity of political institutions, ideologies and opinions. It stipulates that the State shall function in accordance with the principles of democracy, human rights and social justice and that no ideology shall be granted the status of state ideology.
The Constitution further specified that no laws or normative legal acts shall run counter to the norms and principles established by the Constitution. It emphasized the equality of the citizens before the law and protected the rights of citizens to join labor unions, parties and political movements. It guaranteed freedom of opposition and the rights of minorities. The Constitution entrusted the State with the duty of safeguarding the rights and freedoms of citizens as proclaimed by the Constitution and laws, and stipulated that religious organizations and associations shall be separated from the State and that they shall not interfere with the affairs of the State.
The law guarantees the right to be elected to the Oliy Majlis for all citizens except those against whom a sentence has been pronounced or who are in the process of being tried. Workers in religious organizations are equally banned from running for election to the Oliy Majlis. The State endeavors to keep religious organizations removed from party or political power play, especially that the number of religious organizations registered in Uzbekistan has reached 2222. The most recent one to register was the Armenian Church in Tashkent which celebrated one of its religious feasts on 14 February 2007.
President Islam Karimov has opted for a secular approach which guarantees the peaceful co-existence of State and religion with the former protecting the latter and granting it the freedom of daawa and of performing all religious rites and rituals. In return, religious authorities give the State the opportunity to manage the affairs of the country in a state of national entente and stability. Thus, no party's opinion is forced upon the other thanks to the respect of the country's legitimately devised Constitution and laws which are binding on each and every one.
The Tashkent-based UNDP office indicated in its report on human development in Uzbekistan that harmony, entente and religious tolerance prevail in Uzbekistan. The report provided statistics on the number of certified religious organizations operating in Uzbekistan and which reached 1671. 1555 of these organizations are Islamic, 8 are Baha'i, another 8 are Jewish and the remaining ones are Christian centres. These include 26 reporting to the Russian Orthodox Church, 44 to the Protestant Church and some other centres representing other religious organizations.
The reports indicated that out of 10 Islamic educational institutions, 8 were opened after independence and cater to 993 students who are taught by 168 teachers of whom 78 are university degree holders. One Christian institution was created in 1998 by the Russian Orthodox Church, caters to 130 students and employs 13 highly qualified teachers.
The report touched on the importance of the Islamic religion in Uzbekistan and pointed out that Islamic sanctities were held in high esteem in Uzbekistan and are represented by 160 sites and more than 2000 mosques scattered over the entire country. It also indicated that in the few years following independence, thousands of Muslims were able to perform the rite of haj and umra to the Holy lands.
The report also mentioned the assistance extended to the followers of other religions and doctrines in order to help them visit their own holy sites, and how the State restituted the property of the Orthodox and Catholic churches expropriated under Soviet rule. It emphasized that the State does not obstruct the building of new places of worship by the followers of all religions formally recognized by law in Uzbekistan and which amount to 18 religions and doctrines.
Since independence, the State has endeavored to entrench the principles of democracy, respect the aspirations of all social strata, the rights of national minorities, and the traditions, religions and languages of all communities living on the Uzbek soil. The State has also sought to build nationalism by setting a distinction between the legislative, executive and judicial powers and abolishing, once and for all, the monopoly of one ideology over authority and society as was the case under the totalitarian Soviet rule. The State recognizes the plurality of political institutions, including the multiparty system, and bans parties and movements that aim to forcibly change the ruling system, threaten the State's sovereignty, territorial unity or stability by encouraging religious, sectarian or ethnic strife and that seek to undermine the fundamentals of the Constitution that govern society. Thanks to this policy, the members of 130 ethnic communities, religions and doctrines live today in Uzbekistan in a spirit of tolerance, peace and harmony.
In Uzbekistan, the lawful multiparty structure includes the following:
1. The People's Democratic Party (NDP) which was created in 1991 and has 580 000 members.
2. The Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party which gathers the Uzbek society's intellectual elite and legal minds and seeks to achieve social justice. This party was created in 1995 and has a membership of 51 000 people.
3. The Uzbekistan National Revival Democratic Party (O'zbekistan Milliy Tiklanish Demokratik Partiyasi) is also made up of intellectuals and seeks to revive the nationalistic Uzbek culture and traditions. It was formed in 1995 and has a membership of 50 000 people of whom 25% are women.
4. The Self-Sacrifice National Democratic Party (Fidokorlar Milliy Demokratik Partiyasi) which merged in 2000 with the Fatherland Progress Party created in 1992. The party is made up of social groups with diverse backgrounds but who rally around the objective of the economic, political and social reforms being currently carried out in Uzbekistan. The party was formed in 1999 and has a membership of 61 000 people.
5. The Movement of entrepreneurs and business people -the Liberal-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan is a new form of party and gathers a large spectrum of members who belong mostly to the newly formed social class of businessmen, traders, and private sector farmers. The party was formed in 2003 and has 135 000 members.
All these parties share the objective of making a reality of the social and economic reforms underway in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Other active role players include the Uzbek Women's Commission, the Kamolot Youth movement, the Federation of Labor Unions, and dozens of registered social institutions and organizations, all of which are represented within the Uzbek Parliament.
One cannot fail to mention the tremendous progress witnessed in the communications and media field since independence. Today, Uzbekistan boasts 1092 mass media channels. These include 683 newspapers, 198 magazines, 80 television and radio stations, 34 closed circuit televisions, 93 non-governmental electronic media, and 4 press agencies. In addition to the official language, Uzbek, these agencies provide news in the languages of other communities such as Karakalpak, Russian, Kazak, Tajik, Kirghiz, Turkmen, Korean, Tatar, Uyghur, as well as the languages of other minorities. All of these minorities have now cultural centers which are authorized by law and that endeavor to preserve national entente and unity.
This political plurality is further confirmed by the involvement of five parties in political life in addition to the regional councils and people's initiative commissions which are formed by people themselves, irrespective of party belonging, and by the equal plurality of legal parties, in terms of granting equal opportunity to all parties to reach the public base. It is further consolidated by the constitutional protection which refers to the institutional dimension providing protection for the various stakeholders on the political scene, and by the freedom of accessing power via regular elections and the systematic succession of rulers.
According to Akmal Saidov, director of the National Centre for Human Rights in Uzbekistan, these political entities use the following referential framework:
- The documents issued by the United Nations, particularly the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1966 Universal Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the documents of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, particularly documents issued by the 1990 Copenhagen Conference, and the documents of the World Parliamentary Union which has 129 member states of which the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Mention should be made of the celebration by the Uzbek people on 8 January 2007 of the 14th anniversary of the adoption of the Uzbek Constitution. On this occasion, President Islam Karimov delivered an address where he proclaimed 2007 as the year of social solidarity in Uzbekistan. During this year, the Uzbek government engaged in actions through which it sought to alleviate the negative influences on life inherent to the country's transition to a market economy, and to extend assistance to all social categories, especially poverty-stricken families with large numbers of children, elderly people who have no caregivers, orphans, disabled people, students and pensioners.
The financial resources allocated to social welfare were also increased within the 2007 state budget. While funds earmarked for this purpose amounted to 51% in 2006, they were increased to 54.1% in 2008. The volume of social aid extended to poor families, especially those with infants, reached almost 7% of the 2007 budget.
|
top of the page |
| - All Rights Reserved To ISESCO 2010 - | |