President of the Republic of Uzbekistan: Shavkat Mirziyoyev
Early years and Education
Family
Shavkat Mirziyoyev was born on July 24, 1957 in the Zaamin District of the Jizzakh Region in Uzbekistan. His family has a medical background and his parents prioritized his education from his early childhood.
Educational Background
In 1981, Shavkat Mirziyoyev completed his studies at the Tashkent Institute of Engineers of Irrigation and Mechanization of Agriculture, with a degree in mechanical engineering. He decided to continue his academic studies and received a Ph.D. in Technical Sciences.
Academic Achievements
Mirziyoyev started his academic career in 1981 in his alma mater as a Junior Research Fellow and then progressed to the position of Senior Lecturer, ultimately attaining the status of Associate Professor.
He also took on administrative roles, and eventually became the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs. This position trained him in the skills of administrative management of educational institutions which he would later apply to his political roles.
Political Career
The Beginning of a Political Career
In 1990, Shavkat Mirziyoyev was chosen as a representative in the Supreme Council of Uzbekistan. He led the Credentials Committee during his time there. Later, in 1992, Mirziyoyev took on the role of governor (khokim) for the Mirzo Ulugbek District in the city of Tashkent. He continued his administrative journey by becoming the khokim of the Jizzakh Region from 1996 to 2001, and then the khokim of Samarkand Region from 2001 to 2003. While in these posts, he made significant contributions to the progress of these districts and regions.
During his tenure in the executive branch, he also served as a deputy in the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan from 1995 to 2003. He actively participated in creating and passing laws related to the country’s political development, socio-economic growth, and democratic reform.
Appointment as Prime Minister
Shavkat Mirziyoyev was appointed as Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2003 and was reconfirmed three times (in 2005, 2010, and 2015) by both Chambers of the Oliy Majlis. From his early days as Prime Minister, he was recognized for his abilities and leadership in implementing extensive socio-economic reforms, advancing modernization, and enhancing the nation’s prosperity. His efforts encompassed substantial and distinguished projects, fostering the development of private property, increasing the role of small businesses and private enterprises in the economy, and fortifying their legal rights.
Political Achievements
With a focus on industrial-based economic growth, Shavkat Mirziyoyev prioritized improving the country’s export capabilities and revamping the agricultural sector. This included advancing farming enterprises, improving the processing agricultural products, ensuring food security, and maintaining affordable prices for goods. Aiming to enhance people’s living conditions, he undertook comprehensive construction and enhancement projects across the nation, including in cities, districts, and rural areas.
In addition to economic prosperity, Mirziyoyev emphasized education, science, and healthcare as priority areas. Accordingly, he created favorable conditions for nurturing a healthy and well-rounded younger generation. He also placed importance on safeguarding motherhood and childhood.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s efforts also extended to supporting the independence of local self-governance institutions, like makhallas, and other social organizations. He aimed to empower them through active participation in the democratic reform process and the preservation of national values.
Presidency
The Path to the Presidency
Following the passing of President Islam Karimov in September 2016, the Eighth Convention of the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen (Liberal-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan), held in Tashkent on October 19, 2016, nominated Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who was then a member of the Political Council of the Party, as their candidate for the upcoming presidential elections.
Presidential Elections
At the presidential elections that took place on December 4, 2016, Shavkat Mirziyoyev secured a sweeping victory, garnering 88.61 percent of the vote. This resounding support led to his official inauguration as the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on December 14, 2016.
In his inaugural address as President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated, “As we further deepen democratic reforms and foster the development of civil society, we place great value on the active participation of citizens’ self-governing bodies — known as mahallas — as well as non-state, non-profit organizations, and an independent and unbiased mass media. Embracing the principle of ‘From a strong state to a strong civil society,’ we will primarily rely on the strength and capacities of these social institutions.”
On October 24, 2021, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was re-elected for a second five-year term, winning 80.1% of the vote. This victory allowed him to deepen his reform campaign and led to Uzbekistan’s increased openness to further foreign trade and investment. He was also re-elected during early elections held on July 9, 2023, followed the results of a referendum held on April 30, which approved amendments to the Constitution of Uzbekistan. These amendments introduced new political and socio-economic responsibilities for the governance of the state. Article 128 of the Constitution empowered the head of state to call for early elections, an initiative that received widespread support from the Oliy Majlis, political parties, and public activists.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s Achievements as President
First Actions as President
Immediately after being voted President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev embarked on a process of democratization and economic liberalization through multiple presidential decrees and new legislation. Twenty-five per cent of all legislation adopted since independence has been issued during Mirziyoyev’s first term between 2016 and 2019.
A notable undertaking has been the establishment of ‘virtual receptions’, under the supervision of the Presidential Administration. Through these receptions, citizens can directly report issues related to underperforming public services and other concerns on an accessible, online platform. Initially, these complaints had to be filed through a complicated and time-consuming bureaucratic procedure. This initiative provided a way for the new leadership under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to understand which challenges citizens face and to shape strategic policy responses to address them.
Social Reforms in Uzbekistan
Since assuming office in 2016, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has embarked on a course of action aimed at fostering civil society, strengthening guarantees of human rights, and nurturing a civic culture that aligns with the nation’s role as a modernizing regional force in Eurasia. This effort is highlighted by President Mirziyoyev’s multifaceted reform program, currently underway, which is reshaping the domestic social terrain.
In anticipation of the December 2016 Presidential elections, Mirziyoyev campaigned with the promise of achieving a more transparent and open government that serves the people. This proposition, previously absent in the context of independent Uzbekistan and many post-Soviet countries, was a significant departure from the norm.
On January 28, 2022, in a continuation of the Action Strategy, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev approved the Development Strategy of the New Uzbekistan with an overarching goal to attain upper-middle-income status for the country by 2030 as well as to cut poverty by half by 2026. The Strategy also laid out the development priorities for the short and medium term.
Key Achievements in National Policy
In pursuit of the vision for a more transparent and open government, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev issued three pivotal documents: a Program to Reform the Judicial and Legal System, an Action Strategy on Five Priority Areas of the Country’s Development for 2017–2021, and a “Concept” of Administrative Reform. The Program and Action Strategy converged on strengthening the rule of law, reforming the judicial system, promoting economic liberalization, and nurturing the social sphere.
The Concept for Administrative Reform aspired to forge an efficient and transparent public administration system, capable of safeguarding citizens’ rights and enhancing Uzbekistan’s global economic competitiveness. It delineated six priority domains, notably “enhancing the institutional, organizational, and legal framework of executive authority operations” and “establishing a proficient civil service system, along with effective mechanisms to combat corruption within the executive authority structure.”
Developed in collaboration with academics, practitioners, and representatives from international organizations and Uzbekistan-based civic advocacy groups, the Concept embodied an inclusive approach. The government, in formulating both the Action Strategy and the Concept, engaged civil society to evaluate the frameworks and provide crucial feedback, a pivotal step in refining their subsequent development and successful implementation.
The Uzbek Government has been proactively trying to obtain international assistance with its reform program. The United Nations (UN) Office in Uzbekistan and International Labour Organisation (ILO) have become credible voices within the country and are highlighting Uzbekistan’s progress to the wider international community. There has been significant growth in the number of international consultants and donor agencies advising on the reform process. The UN has identified education reform, social security transformation and wider public sector reform, climate change and water management, and the protection of historic buildings as the key areas for international focus.
Economic Trajectory in Uzbekistan under Shavkat Mirziyoyev
Following his reform strategy, President Mirziyoyev signaled new directions in both foreign economic relations and domestic economic policy. The adoption of foreign exchange controls and the high costs of conducting international trade were the two issues that Mirziyoyev sought to address in the economy.
Uzbekistan is steadily advancing its reform agenda in governance and public services, leading to tangible improvements in the lives of its citizens and creating a more conducive environment for global business operations. As a result of these strategic measures, the nation rose to the 74th position in the “Doing Business” ranking by the World Bank in 2018. This significant progress marks a notable leap from the 87th position in 2015 and from the 146th position in 2013. These reform initiatives garnered favorable evaluations from various international bodies, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other pivotal International Financial Institutions.
The scope of reform extends to human rights as well. In September 2017, Shavkat Mirziyoyev notably passed a prohibition on child labor and forced labor in the cotton industry. Subsequently, wages were increased in an effort to make cotton-picking a more appealing and sustainable labor option for citizens.
Foreign Policy
Uzbekistan’s foreign policy has experienced substantial shifts since Shavkat Mirziyoyev assumed the presidency. Particularly noteworthy is the nation’s efforts to engage with its neighbors, a move that holds the promise of transformative impacts for the entire Central Asian region. Additionally, Uzbekistan has extended its outreach to the global community outside of Central Asia.
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