It seems unlikely that states that cannot adapt to the reality of the New World Order and configure themselves accordingly will be able to exist in the new international system. Therefore, the changing world brings with it the change of countries. As globalization accelerates the flow of information, it is observed that societies are more educated, knowledgeable and conscious. In this context, states will either enter a difficult period by failing to keep up with societies, or they will be the pioneers of change by taking into account the state-nation unity.
One of the continents where the process of change is clearly taking place is Asia. However, it is difficult to say that some countries have adopted the policy and thinking of change. For this reason, social events are occurring in various countries. However, the states leading the change are developing rapidly within the framework of human values, strengthening the governing-managed unity and acting in accordance with the era, establishing a management required by the modern world for their citizens. One of the states that comes to the fore at this point is Uzbekistan.
The “Third Renaissance”, led by the President of Uzbekistan, Shevket Mirziyoyev, is being embodied with the slogan of “New Uzbekistan.” The “New Uzbekistan Movement”, which emerged as a result of Mirziyoyev’s many years of management experience, was fundamentally aimed at creating a modern society and state administration. However, Mirziyoyev, who has continuously developed the “New Uzbekistan” and increased its inclusivity through various policies and reforms, has taken a new step to achieve the ideal he has put forward.
On December 20, 2022, Mirziyoyev announced that important administrative reforms have been initiated in Uzbekistan as a first among the Central Asian countries in accordance with the historical mission he adopted. The statement is actually the announcement to the world of one of the complementary links of the chain of decisions taken towards the state order and management system in order to become a pioneer in the modern world and to further accelerate the development process of the country.
The adoption of the decree “On Measures to Implement the Administrative Reforms of New Uzbekistan” and the adoption of resolution on its implementation reveals that Mirziyoyev, who has a great experience in international politics, attaches importance to the continuation of modern state-building in domestic politics as well. It is seen that Mirziyoyev has taken steps that prioritize “the interests of the people and human dignity” by implementing an effective domestic policy, and thus adopts achieving high results as the main goal. In this context, the management power is being improved and reformed.
The establishment of a systematic public administration order in accordance with the contemporary needs of Uzbekistan’s population of 36 million and the reduction of the number of executive organs affiliated to the government from 61 to 28 will undoubtedly make a positive contribution to state-nation unity and strengthen center-periphery relations. Moreover, reducing the number of ministries from 25 to 21 at the point of consolidation of ministries with similar activities and orientations is also in line with the needs of the era in terms of optimization of the administrative apparatus and public interest. Certainly, it is possible to say that this will also be welcomed by the citizens of Uzbekistan.
In a sense, the process of implementing critical decisions of the state, which has freed itself from its burdens, simplified the bureaucracy and added dynamism to decision-making mechanisms, will also accelerate. At this point, reducing the number of advisers and assistants of the Prime Minister from three to two, the fact that Deputy Prime Ministers will not take administrative decisions of the state and these people will not be able to manage the executive bodies will raise the quality and viability of the government’s activities to a new level.
The modern and revolutionary administrative reforms implemented in Tashkent are the result of Mirziyoyev’s far-sighted visionary leadership and well-thought-out policy. Mirziyoyev, who initiated the “Third Renaissance” and led the process of rapid development in New Uzbekistan, is carrying out comprehensive reforms. The dynamism that these reforms bring to the state administration and the contribution they will make to social life will be experienced in the near future.
Mirziyoyev, who has been assigned an important mission and has set a vision at the point of state administration, emphasized important details in his speech to the Uzbek people and the Oliy Majlis on November 20, 2022. At the point of showing that it is the people themselves who direct the development, change and transformation process in the country, the Uzbek leader said, “The society is the initiator of the reform.”[1] and showed that they will work for the ideal of a more prosperous Uzbekistan with the words “the progress can be achieved only by working hard and courageously.”[2]
If a minister does not have a clear strategic approach in the sphere and his activity does not tackle the problems of people, can you tell me, what is the benefit in having him in the post? Underlining the need to move to a systematic administration in the country, Mirziyoyev asked to the question of, “If a minister does not have a clear strategic approach in the sphere and his activity does not tackle the problems of people, can you tell me, what is the benefit in having him in the post?”[3] Undoubtedly, this question summarizes the purpose of the reforms. “The priorities in the activity of the ministries will be the transparency, legality, efficiency and quality.”[4] It is obvious that Mirziyoyev wants to create a “hardworking” structure that takes care to meet the expectations of the people.[5]
Consequently, Uzbekistan acts with the ancient culture, history, faith, civilization and consciousness of Transoxiana, Central Asia, the Turkish and Islamic World and the Asian continent. When these characteristics are combined with Mirziyoyev’s profound experience, proactive policies in the face of crises, fair approach and stance that takes into account the interests of his people and human dignity, it becomes a driving feature at the point of development of the country. The political decisions taken in Uzbekistan and the reform steps taken are being made in order to bring a systematic management approach to the country. At this point, the design of the country’s administration is carried out at the highest levels with the support received from the public. This is not about making people fit into the state, it is about bringing the state and the administration to the point where the people want it. These moves of the Tashkent administration are important not only for Uzbekistan, but also for creating a peaceful environment based on cooperation with Uzbekistan from the point of view of the entire region. Mirziyoyev, who has transferred many powers to the parliament and the government in recent years, is very determined to apply Imam Maturidi’s philosophy of “Live always taking care about the people to gain their trust.” from the highest to the lowest levels of the state.[6] It is obvious that he will be successful in this with the support of the Uzbek people.
[1] “Address by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Oliy Majlis and the People of Uzbekistan”, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, https://president.uz/en/lists/view/5774, (Date of Acession: 05.01.2022).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
