President Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke at a ceremony dedicated to the 33rd anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence on Saturday evening, which took place in the New Uzbekistan Park in Tashkent.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the "enormous, historical significance" of national independence, thanks to which "our national statehood was revived. Uzbekistan entered a new historical era" and "took a worthy place in the world community."

He paid tribute to the memory of "our fathers and grandfathers, patriots who fought for the independence of the Motherland" - the Jadids, "who led the people along the path of progress and gave their lives in the name of the freedom of the nation." "Based on their noble ideas and principles, today we are building the foundation of a new life, a new society," the president emphasized.

"In recent years, we have made huge strides towards building a New Uzbekistan. All our reforms are deeply imbued with the noble idea of ​​"In the name of the interests and dignity of man, in the name of the happiness of the people!" - said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

He noted that "the current extremely difficult and disturbing time poses new challenges and problems for us. But no matter how difficult life may be, we will consistently continue democratic reforms, mobilizing all our strength and capabilities for the benefit of the people, in the name of strengthening peace and stability in the country."

Maintaining peace is not only the affair of the military, "it is a sacred duty for all of us, for every citizen of Uzbekistan. Our main value is peace and stability. The strength of our country is in the unity of the people," said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

He named the improvement of the education sector as the most priority area of ​​reform: "The solution to all our problems, the answers to all questions are only in education. The key to opening all doors is education and upbringing."

He addressed the girls' parents separately: "Educate your daughters, help them realize their dreams and hopes! As the great minds of antiquity said, if you educate your son, one person will be educated, if you educate your daughter, the whole family, the whole society will be educated."

Addressing the youth, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said: "We see the future of the country in you, the embodiment of all our noble aspirations. We wish you to achieve high goals in various fields and to glorify our country even more throughout the world with your successes."

The head of state said that Uzbekistan would continue to work on joining the World Trade Organization and turning the country into "an integral part of the international trade space."

"We are a large, 37-million-strong nation. Today, Uzbekistan is among the 40 largest countries in the world in terms of population. With our reforms, labor, knowledge and talent, we must turn this figure into powerful potential. Given our limited access to the sea, we need to pay more attention to creative areas and develop them consistently,” the president continued.

Speaking about foreign policy course, Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that “the dream of a New Central Asia, where countries develop steadily, peace and harmony reign,” is gradually becoming a reality.

“We must create a comprehensively healthy political atmosphere in Central Asia, a free and secure future for future generations,” he urged, emphasizing that at the same time, “equal and mutually beneficial relations with all countries of the world will rise to a new level.”

The president called on the people of Uzbekistan to take an active part in the elections of MPs in October and “vote for a New Uzbekistan, a free and prosperous life, a happy future for children.”

In conclusion, he noted that the main task today is “to ensure that the independent state and free society that we created with our own efforts and potential are even more beautiful and comfortable. This is a high milestone worthy of tireless work. This is a bright, glorious goal to which one should devote one's life."

"I am convinced that we will unite even more, mobilize all our knowledge, experience, strength and energy and will definitely achieve these goals, will definitely build our wonderful future - New Uzbekistan!" - noted Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

After the president's speech, the anthem of Uzbekistan was played in the park, and five Su-25 attack aircraft of the country's Air Force flew in the sky, and painted the country's flag.