Uzbekistan Palace of International Forums has played host to the central festivities occasioned to the 28th anniversary of state independence.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulated the participants of the event and all our multiethnic nation on the Independence Day.

Twenty-eight years ago, the First President of the country, Islam Karimov, announced the independence of Uzbekistan. This date, the starting point for the realization of aspirations and achievement of success on the road to building a free and prosperous life, has become the greatest, the dearest holiday for our people. Over the past period, the nation has passed a thorny development path full of trials.

“Today we have every reason to state with immense pride: our courageous and perseverant people, despite the most difficult trials, has showed unbending will and remained faithful to the chosen path of independence. Currently, Uzbekistan has decisively entered a new stage of its development,” President Shavkat Mirziyoyev declared while addressing the festive meeting participants today.

Following the priorities identified in the Actions Strategy, Uzbekistan is confidently moving from the state of national revival to that of national progress. Thanks to democratic reforms, the country has taken its rightful place on the world stage and is implementing a proactive foreign policy.

“Whatever transformation we galvanize today, whatever new projects we undertake to execute – all of them seek to further one most critical goal for us. The objective is to deliver decent living conditions for our noble and hardworking people, to meet the confidence of compatriots with steadfast solutions to all pressing problems,” the President said.

The head of state expounded on the essence and outcomes of efforts designed to improve judicial system, secure transition to a real market economy, support entrepreneurship, modernize the manufacturing industry and agriculture. Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke about the formation of a unique system of social development, with more attention to the development of regions, improvement of the quality of life of the population, comprehensive education of the young generation.

“I would like to stress that today the democratic processes in Uzbekistan have become irreversible,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev pointed out. “I consider it necessary to firmly assert: in the name of the memory of our ancestors, who gave their lives in the struggle for these bright days, in the name of our 33 million people, our children and grandchildren – we will never turn from the path of independence! We will certainly achieve our goals: together we will build the great future of our native Uzbekistan!

The festive event continued with a concert show by masters of art and young musicians.