BERLIN, August 30. /Dunyo IA/.  On the eve of the 35^th Anniversary of the Independence of Uzbekistan, Joachim Fritz, Country Director of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) for Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, extended his sincere congratulations and best wishes to the people of Uzbekistan through Dunyo IA:

- First and foremost, on behalf of the entire GIZ team in Uzbekistan and Central Asia, I would like to convey my heartfelt congratulations to your country on the 35^th Anniversary of its State Independence and the significant achievements attained along its path of development.

Thirty-five years is a relatively short historical period for a nation. Nevertheless, Uzbekistan has achieved impressive results during this time, which merit special recognition. The country has embarked on forward-looking reforms, expanded the scope of international cooperation, and strengthened its position as a reliable partner both within the region and beyond.

Amidst rapid transformation, the country calls upon its friends and partners to jointly navigate the path toward a sustainable future. It is a great honour for GIZ to support this process as a development partner, thereby contributing to the strengthening of partnership relations between Germany and Uzbekistan.

One of the most significant achievements of recent years has been the further consolidation of regional cooperation in Central Asia, a process greatly enhanced by the active engagement and leadership role of Uzbekistan. This process, in turn, elevates the partnership between Germany and Central Asia to a new level.

In 2023, a strategic regional partnership was launched between Germany and the states of Central Asia. It serves as an important foundation for our cooperation, which is anchored in mutual trust. Numerous high-level and top-level visits, as well as study tours and expert exchanges organized with the participation of GIZ, vividly demonstrate the dynamic development of these relations. These processes are complemented by large-scale programs implemented by GIZ on behalf of various commissioning parties.

They encompass such critical areas as water resources management, climate and energy, trade and transport, “green” economy development, effective governance, healthcare, social protection and vocational education.

In doing so, we make a practical contribution to achieving our shared goals of creating more favourable conditions for economic exchange and sustainable development in the region.

Anyone visiting Uzbekistan - myself included - is deeply impressed by the atmosphere of dynamic development prevailing in the country. Innovation, momentum and a forward-looking vision are palpable here every day. Crucially, youth stands as one of the key driving forces of these processes. GIZ supports young people in acquiring high-quality vocational education, mastering in-demand professions, and gaining the skills necessary to build a sustainable future.

It is particularly gratifying to witness the significant emphasis placed in Uzbekistan on developing the dual system of vocational education, modeled on German experience. Within this framework, the state and the private sector jointly bear responsibility for the training of qualified personnel.

We already have a considerable number of practical results. Thousands of young people and specialists participate in training and professional development programs, educational institutions are being modernized, curricula meeting international standards are being introduced and the qualifications of educators are being upgraded. Furthermore, companies are actively engaged in investing in dual education.

German companies operating in Uzbekistan also serve as an important example and a source of practical experience in this field. The potential for economic cooperation is immense. Particularly significant opportunities are emerging in the sphere of green transformation. Water resources management, renewable energy sources, climate-adapted and environmentally clean production, raw material processing, sustainable logistics and transport are but a few of the most promising areas where cooperation can be expanded in the future.

However, the success of any technological or economic transformation depends primarily on human capital. Therefore, engaging the immense potential of the younger generation in these transformations, inspiring them, and equipping them with modern professional skills is of decisive importance.

We are pleased that, through GIZ’s bilateral and regional programs, we are part of this shared mission.

I sincerely congratulate the people of Uzbekistan on the 35^th Anniversary of State Independence. I wish that the people of the country continue to cherish and develop their inherent creativity, inventive spirit, and openness - qualities that have shaped their cultural identity over centuries.

To the young and rapidly developing Uzbekistan, and especially to its talented and energetic younger generation, I wish that you move confidently into the future, effectively seize new opportunities and build your future with creativity and responsibility.

GIZ remains fully prepared to continue supporting Uzbekistan and accompanying it on this journey.

If I were to describe Uzbekistan in a single word, I would choose the word “bridge”.

Bridges connect people, open new pathways and opportunities, foster dialogue and exchange, and serve as a symbol of trust and equal partnership. In my view, this image perfectly resonates with modern Uzbekistan. The country connects diverse nations, regions, economic interests, and cultures, creating new opportunities for cooperation.

Uzbekistan and the activities of our organization are aligned in many ways. Indeed, through the projects we implement, we build bridges of partnership, jointly develop solutions and open new perspectives for the future.