After a 22-year break, we have finally nurtured a new academician. I think it was a big mistake that for a quarter of a century the Academy [of Sciences] was neglected. If we do not follow the path of intensive and innovative development, we will not be able to catch up with the developed world, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said in a meeting with scientists in the Institute of Chemistry of Plant Substances Friday.

We must admit that the science in Uzbekistan was in much better shape in the 1990s than it is today. So far the necessary conditions for the development of science have not been created in Uzbekistan. From now on, part of the foreign investments attracted to Uzbekistan will be directed to the development of science and training of scientists, he said.

With a 32 million population, it will be fair to say that there is barely any scientific development. Back in the 1990s we had a foundation and methodology in all areas of science, the young people had aspiration. Everyone was eager to become a doctor of science, he emphasized.

It will be right to say that the state failed to care about the country's future, failed to create conditions for young people to strive for education, he admitted. - From every US$ 100 of investments, 10 dollars should go for the development of science, US$ 5 dollars - for nurturing of scientists.

The Innovations Ministry was created to provide support to scientists, attract investments into science and education and to become a trampoline for Uzbekistan to become a high-tech economy, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

In their turn the scientists told about problems and made a number of proposals for the development of science.

Doctor of Technical Sciences Shomansur Sagdullayev proposed to create GLP (Good Laboratory Practice), a preclinical research center for more effective research in the field of the chemistry of plant substances.

Director of the Research Center for the Chemistry and Physics of Polymers at the National University of Uzbekistan, academician, doctor of chemical sciences, professor Sayyora Rashidova spoke about the potential of low-tonnage chemistry.

Now the cluster systems are booming. These systems are requiring the technologies that we have been developed for a long time. For example if you create a waste treatment site in each province, you can earn 300 times more profit from one ton of nymphs, instead of selling them, for example, as feeds, she noted.

Any given country’s level of economic development is judged by the degree of existence of polymers, with all due respect to other products. Therefore, the industry that produces polymers will develop at a higher rate. There are gas chemical complexes in the provinces, where our knowledge can be of use, she continued. According to her, Uzbekistan can produce such products as stabilizers, fillers and others, and in place of importing.

Director of the Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Doctor of Chemical Sciences Bakhtiyar Zakirov said that the main building of the institute had not been refurbished for 22 years, and the technological building for 44 years. The professor thanked the president for allocating 3.2 billion soums for the reconstruction of the institute, US$ 1.24 million for the purchase of equipment and reagents, as well as for soft mortgages to young scientists.

The doctor of agricultural sciences Abdujalil Narimanov said that the Institute of Genetics and Experimental Plant Biology was on the verge of closure and thanked the president for the salvation.

Director of the Institute of Botany, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Komiljon Tadjibaev spoke about the potential and value of the Central Herbarium for Uzbekistan, which since 1840 has been a repository of unique collection of world-wide scale, collected from different continents by the works of several generations of scientists.

Senior researcher of the Institute of Zoology, candidate of biological sciences Bakhtiyor Kholmatov said that the institute reopened in 2017. The institute owns a zoological collection of 90 thousand copies of 12.6 thousand species of birds, insects, animals and other organisms. He asked for help in creating the conditions for working with this collection.

Taking into account the shortage of staff in zoology, he also proposed allocating target quotas in this area in universities. He urged to strengthen measures to protect the wildlife.

Director of the Institute of Immunology, doctor of medical sciences, professor Tamara Aripova said that the institute is ready to treat diabetes using cellular technologies that can be introduced into the Central clinics.

Doctor of Physics and Mathematics of the Institute of Ion-Plasma and Laser Technologies Khotam Ashurov told about the lack of a pilot site and low salaries of engineers and technicians.

Academician Shukhrat Egamberdiyev, Academician of the Astronomical Institute named after Mirzo Ulugbek, noted that equipment and accessories are needed for the 4-meter telescope which is being constructed.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev instructed the heads of ministries and agencies to address the voiced problems.

There is no way back. However difficult it may be, we have to move forward ... To win people's trust is the biggest and most important task for me, the head of state said.