Uzbekistan Local Politics - The Times Of Central Asia

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History

Marking 34 Years of Independence: Uzbekistan’s Past, Present, and Future

Uzbekistan declared its independence from the Soviet Union on August 31, 1991, during the final, turbulent months of the USSR's collapse. On that day, an extraordinary session of the Uzbek SSR Supreme Council in Tashkent adopted a Declaration of Independence and passed the law “On the Foundations of State Independence.” The same session resolved that September 1 would henceforth be celebrated annually as Independence Day. The move came just days after the failed Moscow coup attempt (GKChP) against Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, and in the wake of Ukraine and Belarus declaring their own independence. Uzbekistan’s then-leader Islam Karimov moved swiftly to follow suit. At the time, Karimov served both as the leader of Soviet Uzbekistan and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Uzbekistan. He presided over the landmark session on August 31 and proposed September 1 as the national holiday. Shortly afterward, his administration began establishing the institutions of statehood, including a Ministry of Defense and a National Security Service, both created in early September 1991. Later that year, on December 29, a national referendum overwhelmingly supported independence, and Karimov was elected the first president of the new republic. Karimov’s position in 1991 was not without contradictions. Earlier that year, during a USSR-wide referendum in March, he had campaigned for the preservation of the Soviet Union. At the time, he reportedly warned Uzbeks: “Our rivers will run with milk if we stay within the Soviet Union, but if we leave it, our rivers will fill with blood.” For many Uzbeks, the first Independence Day came as a surprise. The declaration was made hastily, and the celebrations of September 1, 1991, were unlike the orchestrated commemorations seen in later years. According to Kursiv, citizens awoke to an unfamiliar atmosphere, karnay horns echoed through the streets, cars were spontaneously decorated, and celebrations broke out informally. “Citizens didn’t even know they had woken up in a new independent state,” one account recalled. Emotions ranged from pride and elation to confusion and concern. The post-Soviet transition proved challenging: economic hardship and shortages left some wondering whether independence had been a mistake. “People in the villages were very unhappy, a bit scared, and already wondering if independence was a big mistake,” wrote Bruce Pannier in 2016. At the time, Pannier, now a contributor to The Times of Central Asia, was traveling through Uzbekistan in 1992. Others remained hopeful, viewing independence as a long-awaited moment of self-determination. For older generations raised under Soviet rule, the sense of historic transformation was profound. Today, 34 years later, Independence Day remains Uzbekistan’s most important national holiday, marked by public ceremonies and official remembrances. The events of 1991 continue to shape national identity and memory. Islam Karimov is remembered by some as the founding father of the republic; a legacy still debated in public discourse. For those who lived through the early 1990s, memories of watching a new flag rise and hearing a new anthem are inseparable from the hardship and promise of the era. Journalist Aziza Qurbonova reflected...

Trilateral Relations

Trilateral Summit in Turkmenistan Focuses on Transport, Energy, and Trade

On August 22, a trilateral summit was held in Turkmenistan’s Avaza National Tourist Zone, bringing together Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev. The leaders focused on strengthening cooperation in trade, the economy, transport, energy, and humanitarian affairs, while also emphasizing the development of political, cultural, and multilateral ties. Transport and Transit Mirziyoyev presented several initiatives aimed at expanding regional transport routes and maximizing the region’s transit potential. He highlighted the strategic importance of integrating existing and new corridors to better connect China with South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Construction of the China-Uzbekistan railway is underway, and a memorandum has been signed with Pakistan and Afghanistan to establish the Trans-Afghan Corridor. According to Mirziyoyev, these projects could significantly enhance infrastructure utilization across Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The development of the Middle Corridor and the Zangezur Corridor was also discussed. The leaders agreed to collaborate on increasing the capacity of regional transport hubs, constructing modern logistics infrastructure at the ports of Turkmenbashi and Baku, implementing a unified tariff policy, and digitizing freight systems. Uzbekistan expressed its willingness to reduce tariffs on a reciprocal basis to facilitate improved access to global markets for regional businesses. Energy Cooperation Energy cooperation was another key focus. The participants emphasized the need to expand collaboration in energy exports and to explore new supply routes. A proposed project to export “green” energy to Europe was described as promising. Additionally, in the hydrocarbon sector, the leaders proposed deeper cooperation in geological exploration and offshore field development in the Caspian Sea. “Joint efforts in the fields of transport, transit, and logistics will be of great importance not only for our countries but also for the wider region,” said President Aliyev, stressing the strategic nature of trilateral cooperation. Aliyev also noted that Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR has begun developing an oil field in Uzbekistan, with results expected in the coming years. Trade and Industry According to summit participants, mutual trade volume between Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan has doubled in recent years, with industrial goods making up 40% of this trade. Talks included preparations for a Comprehensive Action Plan aimed at developing trade and logistics chains, establishing wholesale distribution centers, unifying phytosanitary standards, introducing digital product labeling, and launching joint online platforms. The leaders also underscored the importance of regional engagement and called for increased organization of trade fairs and business forums under the auspices of national chambers of commerce and industry. Summit Outcomes The summit concluded with the endorsement of a new trilateral program for cultural and tourism exchanges, aimed at boosting regional tourism and promoting shared cultural heritage. A joint presidential statement was issued, alongside memoranda of cooperation in the fields of transport and logistics, shipbuilding, and aviation. Additionally, an agreement was signed on cooperation between national commodity and raw material exchanges. To ensure implementation, President Mirziyoyev proposed the development of a roadmap and the institutionalization of regular ministerial meetings focused on key cooperation areas.

Politics

Saida Mirziyoyeva, Uzbek President’s Daughter, Grows Her Authority

Saida Mirziyoyeva, the eldest daughter of Uzbekistan’s president Shavkat Mirziyoyev, will focus on education, business, the judicial and legal system, healthcare, and water resources in her new job as head of the presidential administration. Mirziyoyev has signed a decree with details about the structure of the office that his daughter took over last month, handing her authority in a wide range of areas that are critical to Uzbekistan’s efforts to modernize its economy and society. The move points to the increasing political influence of Mirziyoyeva, a polished operator who is comfortable interacting with foreign dignitaries and other international partners. The presidential decree announced the elimination of 284 staff positions and removed redundancies in other roles in the presidential administration, presidential spokesman Sherzod Asadov said Wednesday. Five deputies have been appointed to “ensure the effective implementation of reforms” in education and the other four areas that Mirziyoyeva’s office will work on, according to Asadov. Uzbekistan also has ministries and other agencies that work in those areas. Mirziyoyeva, 40, had served as a presidential aide before being promoted to head of the presidential administration. She has spoken in support of freedom of speech and women’s rights, issues that have sometimes run up against conservative culture and tight political controls in Uzbekistan. In a recent post on social media, she also noted that Uzbekistan earned a “BB” rating with a stable outlook from the Fitch Ratings agency, describing it as “the first upgrade since 2018!” Mirziyoyev, 67, has been president of Uzbekistan since 2016. He was re-elected in a 2023 vote after a constitutional amendment that reset the number of his terms in office and lengthened presidential terms from five to seven years.

Agriculture

Uzbekistan Elected to the UN FAO Council for the First Time

Uzbekistan has been unanimously elected to the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for the 2028-2029 term, the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced. This marks the first time Uzbekistan has secured a seat on the Council, which plays a pivotal role in shaping global agricultural and food policy. The FAO Council consists of 49 member states, selected to ensure equitable geographic representation. It is tasked with reviewing the FAO’s budget and programs and making strategic recommendations to the FAO Conference. Uzbekistan’s election is widely viewed as international recognition of the country's recent reforms in agriculture and food security. Under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the government has prioritized sustainability, food safety, and environmental protection. Council membership will provide Uzbekistan with a stronger voice in international agricultural discussions. It will enable the country to participate in the development of global standards, support national and regional initiatives, and attract international funding to advance key development goals. In recent years, Uzbekistan has collaborated closely with the FAO on several high-profile projects. In May 2024, the FAO and the Ministry of Ecology organized a workshop in Tashkent to launch a joint initiative on hazardous chemical management. Supported by the European Union, the project aims to reduce reliance on harmful pesticides by promoting safer alternatives to local farmers. Earlier, in March 2024, the FAO and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Agriculture hosted a seminar on the “Recarbonization of Agricultural Soils” (RECSOIL), culminating in an approved national action plan. The RECSOIL initiative complements two ongoing FAO projects focused on sustainable land management in drought-prone and dryland areas. These efforts are already benefiting Uzbek farmers through the adoption of modern, resource-efficient practices that improve productivity while preserving the environment.

Saida Mirziyoyeva

Dynastic Politics Take Shape in Uzbekistan

More than a week after President Shavkat Mirziyoyev restructured Uzbekistan’s presidential administration — formally elevating his daughter, Saida Mirziyoyeva, to one of the most powerful posts in the country — the political ramifications are still unfolding. The move, which reintroduced the post of Head of the Presidential Administration and placed it in family hands, has drawn both domestic scrutiny and international attention for what it signals: the clearest step yet toward dynastic succession in post-Soviet Central Asia. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reinstated the position of Head of the Presidential Administration through a presidential decree. The office had previously been abolished in August 2023, but her appointment formalizes what had become an influential de facto position. Since 2019, Saida Mirziyoyeva has steadily risen through the ranks of Uzbekistan’s political system, from deputy director of the Agency for Information and Mass Communications to head of the Information Policy sector, and most recently, First Assistant to the President. Her meeting with the Russian presidential administration in June 2025 is seen as a sign of international positioning, with Moscow reportedly signaling that it would not oppose a dynastic transition as long as its strategic interests remain intact. Analysts have pointed out that this appointment cements Saida’s formal role, casting her status within the government apparatus in stone and making any reversal unlikely. While some see this as a move toward a dynastic handover, others argue she still faces competition from within the elite. One such rival is Otabek Umarov, the president’s son-in-law, who holds a powerful position in the Security Service and is considered the 'gray cardinal' of Uzbek politics. In a dramatic twist, Komil Allamjonov — former head of the Information Policy Department and a close ally of Saida — has returned as her advisor. He previously resigned in September 2024 amid a reported feud with Umarov and survived an assassination attempt in October 2024. His return is seen by many as a sign of Umarov’s waning influence, though analysts caution that he still retains significant power in security structures. The rivalry could deepen internal fractures within the ruling elite, raising the risk of future instability.

Saida Mirziyoyeva

Daughter of Uzbekistan’s President – His Aide as Well – Gets Promoted

The eldest daughter of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been elevated to head of the presidential administration, strengthening her power at top levels of the government of the Central Asian country. Saida Mirziyoyeva, 40, already had a high-profile role in Uzbekistan’s government, meeting international dignitaries in her role as a presidential aide. Now she will take on a newly created role that is likely to stir debate about whether she could become a candidate to eventually succeed her father. “By decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, changes were made to the structure of the Presidential Administration. The position of Head of the Presidential Administration was established,” and Mirziyoyeva was appointed to the job, presidential spokesman Sherzod Asadov said Monday. Asadov’s post on Telegram included a photo of Mirziyoyeva standing and acknowledging the applause of officials around a table. Mirziyoyeva has spoken in support of freedom of speech and women’s rights, issues that have sometimes run up against conservative culture and tight political controls in Uzbekistan. While her father, President Mirziyoyev, has pursued economic reforms and closer ties with international partners, OSCE observers said in a statement that there was a lack of political competition in legislative elections last year and the vote “did not offer voters a real choice.” Mirziyoyev, 67, has been president of Uzbekistan since 2016. He was re-elected in a 2023 vote after a constitutional amendment that reset the number of his terms in office and lengthened presidential terms from five to seven years.