Shavkat Mirziyoyev - visionary leader of Uzbekistan's "Third Renaissance"

On 6 November, Uzbekistan's re-elected President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was sworn in for a second consecutive term in office in an inauguration ceremony in the capital Tashkent. The leader of Uzbekistan - which in the past five years has undergone rapid political and economic transformations during Shavkat Mirziyoyev's first presidential mandate - singled out seven main areas of the country's further development. These are seven institutional reforms which are especially vital as Uzbekistan, like many other countries around the globe, has experienced the negative effects of global economic woes triggered by the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. The initiatives voiced by President Mirziyoyev in his inauguration speech are expected to give a powerful impetus to his government's efforts to engage with the country's civil society, business community and private sector in the reformist leader's endeavor to turn his nation of 35 million people into a New Uzbekistan.

If one was to analyse the processes taking place in Uzbekistan, he or she will come to realize that Uzbekistan's transformation is intertwined with global processes, specifically with such sub-regions as Central and South Asia. Uzbekistan's example signifies not the emergence of yet another developed economy, it rather embodies the start by the Uzbek leadership of development and progress in the two subcontinents of Central and South Asia, while setting a direction towards a peace settlement in neighbouring Afghanistan. It is precisely the resolution of the problem in the heart of Asia that will kickstart a new era of the new world order. The October presidential poll in Uzbekistan marked a new vision of how a head of state should be elected.

Uzbekistan now enters the second stage of its development, which will consequently define the economic and social well-being of Uzbek people as well as the nation's worthy place among world countries. On the face of it, we are witnessing how another "Asian tiger" is about to emerge, the likes of which we saw in the examples of Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.

Election irregularities

Naturally, there has been certain criticism of the election by our foreign partners. In particular, following the election day on 24 October, the coordinator of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights' (ODIHR) observer mission, Reinhold Lopatka, pointed to "irregularities in the election process", noting however that the ballot day passed "peacefully". Meanwhile, an interim report by the ODIHR earlier spoke of "the lack of a real rivalry" among Uzbek presidential hopefuls in the run-up to election day. Although some of the ODIHR's criticism may well be justified, most Uzbeks feel that such assessments by foreign observers are indicative of "outdated" standards that do not fit into the rapidly changing geopolitical situation in the world, nor they correspond to the remarkable positive changes that have been taking place in Uzbekistan under the reformist leader.

The presidential election in Uzbekistan were conducted under non-typical and novel circumstances, which cannot be actually foreseen and regulated by any international standards. First of all, these are the tough realities of the coronavirus pandemic ravaging across the globe. Secondly, radical positive transformations have been occurring in Uzbekistan and they enjoy massive popular support. In relation to the first point, we ought to note specifically that Uzbekistan's election authorities had to act in line with the requirements of the country's sanitary and epidemiological service in addition to having to ensure that national electoral law as well as OSCE recommendations are fully complied with. As a result, the security of voters as well as the issue of public security and order was successfully ensured at every stage of the election process.

Today's Uzbekistan is a vivid example of how democratic, political and economic reforms can be carried out with people's backing and support. In this unique setting, when reforms are carried out not under dictatorship but in conditions of popular support, what we are having here is not a contest of individuals and their election programs but nationwide support for the reforms being pursued by the head of state.

That is why any criticism of the incumbent head of state by other presidential candidates would sound out of place and contradictory to the general public opinion and sentiment in Uzbekistan. The October presidential poll demonstrated how a new generation of state cadres for the new achievements of Uzbekistan should be trained and prepared in order to ensure the prosperity and well-being of Uzbek people.

At the same time, the country's Central Electoral Commission (CEC) also deserves to be noted for its professionalism and competence in successfully organising and holding the presidential election, which saw more than 80% of Uzbek citizens cast their vote on election day. Such positive assessments of the CEC were also made by the OSCE ODIHR observer mission, despite some critical evaluations of the electoral process. According to a statement by the ODIHR, issued following the election, Western observers note positive changes toward the democratization and transparency of electoral legislation and the election process, as well as a considerable improvement in the implementation of OSCE recommendations. This serves as very important recognition of the country's democratic reforms by the OSCE ODIHR.

Afghan peace settlement

A separate point in the Uzbek head of state's inauguration speech was devoted to a project on the construction of a major railway linking Uzbekistan with Pakistan's Peshawar via Afghan territory, which will give Central Asian nations direct access to sea ports in South Asia. There is only one serious obstacle to the implementation of this project and that is the international community's scepticism about whether lasting peace can finally be achieved in Afghanistan following the takeover of the country by the Taliban. The problem with such a perception lies in a stereotype that first should come peace and only then political and economic development. The breakthrough initiative being put forward by the leadership of Uzbekistan takes root in an absolutely new vision: peace in Afghanistan is only possible through the launch of major economic projects, preferably coupled with broad international engagement, such as the construction of the Termez-Mazar-e Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar railway line, which is sure to become the backbone of Afghan peace settlement if materialized. Therefore, the implementation of this promising project should be started as soon as possible but no later than next year. Essentially, its implementation will create grounds for kickstarting the peace process in Afghanistan with the Taliban's military rule remaining in place. Under the current circumstances, such a reality is quite feasible and achievable. The world has already witnessed occasions when economic progress was made under dictatorial rule and juntas, which over time evolved into civilian governments. Such a course of events awaits Afghanistan as well.

Afghanistan represents a special instance when the international community has unfortunately succumbed to the idea that a peace settlement in this country is impossible. On the other hand, the world is changing drastically and it is in need of an economic boom in one of its biggest regions for the rejuvenation of global economic processes. Therefore, the fresh vision and new approaches to the resolution of the Afghan issue by Uzbekistan fit well as never before into the latest global agenda.

Mirziyoyev also said his government would continue to liberalize the national economy with a substantial part of the country's major state-owned companies and enterprises planned for privatization within the next few years. Social benefits and support will remain a top priority for the government during his next five years in office.

Symbolically, the number seven appearing in the Uzbek leader's address emanates from the world's three main monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam. These seven institutional reforms are especially vital at this stage of global development as the country's top leadership aspires to turn the former Soviet republic into the New Uzbekistan.

Most people in Uzbekistan pin high hopes on the positive changes taking places under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev while his landslide victory in the recent presidential election is an irrefutable proof of such popular support and backing.

History bears witness that every great leader has made enormous strides in leading his people to progress and prosperity by starting a vision. It is evident that President Mirziyoyev's vision for his country is sure to facilitate the development of its neighbours and a broader region too. And Uzbek people seem to have predominantly embraced their leader's idea, as change they had long been yearning for is happening today before their very eyes.

Abdulla Bogistoni, Political commentator