As a result of cardinal reforms carried out in New Uzbekistan over the past seven years, interethnic relations have reached a new level on the basis of the noble values of friendship and tolerance inherent in our people, and constructive dialogue has been established on all issues through good neighborly relations in Central Asia. The New Uzbekistan Development Strategy for 2022–2026, developed on the basis of the principle “From Strategy of Actions to the Development Strategy” sets a special priority to strengthen the environment of interethnic harmony and interreligious tolerance in order to ensure the continuity of large-scale reforms. Therefore, the state programme for the implementation of the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan in the “Year of Human Dignity and Active Mahalla” further improves the system of state support of national cultural centers aimed at ensuring spiritual development and bringing the sphere to a new level. The task of ensuring the consistent implementation of the concept plays an important role. In particular, the Committee on interethnic relations and friendly cooperation with foreign countries in collaboration with relevant ministries and departments has developed a “Roadmap” for the implementation of the Concept of State Policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of interethnic relations, set out in paragraph 270 of the State Programme. The paragraph 271 of the State Programme prioritizes the creation of additional favorable conditions for our youth, who are the driving forces of our society, in achieving such a glorious goal as the foundation of the Third Renaissance, and the development of their culture of understanding of civic duty, patriotism and tolerance based on the culture of interethnic communication. A draft Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on additional measures to strengthen interethnic harmony in society and further develop friendly relations with foreign countries has been prepared, in order to ensure the implementation of the State Programme.

The document envisages strengthening the material and technical support for 157 national cultural centers, creating mechanisms for the proper incentive of workers in this field, which will further expand the participation of representatives from national cultural centers in fostering an atmosphere of tolerance, kindness, peace, and harmony in society, as well as ensuring social and spiritual stability.As an important factor in the development of the New Uzbekistan, special attention was paid to the strengthening of interethnic solidarity and friendly relations with foreign countries, and the legal basis for ensuring the equal rights and freedom of representatives of 16 religious denominations, more than 130 nationalities and ethnic groups living in our country was created. As a result of the study of foreign experience in the field of legal regulation of interethnic relations, more than 45 regulatory legal documents on the improvement of legal documents – 2 laws, 15 decrees and 10 resolutions of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 3 resolutions of the OliyMajlis, and a number of resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers were adopted. In particular, on May 19, 2017, at the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Sh. Mirziyoyev, a separate state body – the Committee on interethnic relations and friendly cooperation with foreign countries under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan was established. In cooperation with 157 national cultural centers, 38 friendship societies and 98 societies of compatriots abroad, the Committee makes a significant contribution to ensuring interethnic and inter-religious harmony and developing friendly relations with foreign countries. As a result of a rational policy, in Uzbekistan television and radio programs and broadcasts are broadcast in 12 languages, newspapers and magazines are published in 14 languages, and education in 1,865 of more than 10,000 general education schools in our country is being conducted in 6 languages, namely Karakalpak, Russian, Tajik, Turkmen, Kyrgyz and Kazakh languages.

The adoption of the State policy concept of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of interethnic relations by the President of Uzbekistan on November 15, 2019 has raised international relations and friendly cooperation with foreign countries to a new level. The Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan was adopted in 2021 on establishing July 30 as the “Day of Peoples Friendship” in our country. In order to adequately reward the work of local and foreign partners who have contributed to the strengthening of the atmosphere of interethnic friendship and harmony in Uzbekistan, the “Friendship of Peoples” badge was established based on the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 335 as of June 1, 2021.The “Religious Tolerance” badge, which was established based on the government’s decision in September 2023, allows to encourage representatives of state and public organizations who have made a significant contribution to the improvement of the effectiveness of the religious and educational sphere. In the past period, more than 600 activists of national cultural centers received state awards, were honored with orders and medals, 14 of which were awarded the title of “Hero of Uzbekistan”. According to the Decree No. PD-5430 as of May 4, 2018, “Friendship Houses” were established in the centers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and regions, and national cultural centers were placed there free of charge.

A total of 35 billion soums have been allocated from the state budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the support of national cultural centers over the past seven years(as of November 13, 2024, the exchange rate is $1 = 12,792.60 UZS). In accordance with the special resolution “Enlightenment and religious tolerance” adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2018 based on the proposal of the leader of Uzbekistan, the “Week of Tolerance” held annually in our country dedicated to the International Day of Tolerance on November 16 will further strengthen friendship. Timely implementation of the tasks set in the Development strategy of New Uzbekistan will further improve the state policy in the field of interethnic relations and friendly cooperation with foreign countries, educate young people in the spirit of love to the Motherland, respect for the languages, traditions and customs of 130 nations and nationalities living in the country. It serves to unite the efforts of the multinational people of Uzbekistan around the noble idea of creating the foundations of the Third Renaissance in New Uzbekistan, strengthening the atmosphere of interethnic harmony and interreligious tolerance in society.

Azamat Toshev,

Vice-chairman of the Committee on interethnic relations and friendly cooperation with foreign countries