TOKYO, September 6. /Dunyo IA/. An article by Ambassador Mukhsinkhuja Abdurakhmonov, marking our country’s Independence Day, has been published in the prestigious newspaper "Japan News", reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

"This year marks the 33rd anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence, celebrated under the motto "United we stand – one nation, one Motherland!", – said the Ambassador. – Thanks to our independence, Uzbekistan has become a sovereign, democratic, legal, social, and secular state, recognized as a full member of the international community. Our global relations are growing stronger, and our country’s position and prestige on the international stage are steadily increasing".

The Ambassador emphasized that in recent years, under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s leadership, Uzbekistan has implemented significant democratic reforms. These changes underscore the great honor and responsibility of being an independent nation, striving for modern development while maintaining an open and global outlook.

"Our fundamental domestic and foreign policy changes, aimed at safeguarding the national interests of our people, are gaining international recognition and support, – stated the Ambassador. – For instance, the International Monetary Fund has reported that Uzbekistan’s economy is actively growing. In the 2023 fiscal year, the country’s GDP reached 90.9 billion US dollars, with a growth rate consistently above 5% per year. Uzbekistan also topped the Safety Perception Index 2023, ranking first among 121 countries as the safest, enhancing its appeal to foreign tourists".

The Ambassador noted that Uzbekistan takes deserved pride in its victories along the path of building a new society where human dignity is paramount. These achievements reflect the hard work, intelligence, and creative spirit of our resilient people, loyal to the ideals of independence.

"At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Uzbek athletes achieved a historic milestone by winning 8 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze medals, totaling 13 medals. This impressive performance secured 13th place in the global rankings and the top spot among CIS, Muslim, and Turkic countries", – the article says.

The Ambassador also mentioned that in October this year, Uzbekistan will hold another significant political event — elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) and the Councils of People’s Deputies. For the first time, these elections will use a mixed electoral system combining majoritarian and proportional representation.

"The global recognition of "New Uzbekistan" is growing, reflecting the transformative achievements in human rights, the fight against forced labor, media freedom, and civil society development over the past seven years", – noted Ambassador Mukhsinkhuja Abdurakhmonov. – New Uzbekistan is open to establishing equal and friendly relations with countries worldwide".