President Shavkat Mirziyoyev: 2026 to become fundamental in developing all spheres

On December 26, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered an Address to the Oliy Majlis and the citizens of Uzbekistan.

• Over the past nine years, alongside you and our people, we have traversed a significant developmental journey. Our economy has attained a new level of quality, we have broadened market relations and social protection, and reinforced the rule of law. Most importantly, the outcomes of our reforms are experienced in every mahalla, every family, and by every individual in their daily lives, - stated the Head of State at the outset of his address.

Despite the challenging circumstances, democratic reforms have been persistently pursued. With the backing of the populace and the enthusiasm of our youth, shifts in people's mindsets and worldviews, a more unified society, as well as the initiative and dedicated efforts of entrepreneurs, workers, and farmers, along with a friendly foreign policy grounded in mutually beneficial cooperation, considerable progress has been achieved across all sectors in 2025.

For the first time in the nation's history, gross domestic product surpassed $145 billion. It was highlighted that exports rose by 23 percent, reaching $33.4 billion. Notably, it was emphasized that gold reserves exceeded $60 billion for the first time.

The volume of foreign investment attracted to the economy reached $43.1 billion, with the share of total investment in GDP standing at 31.9 percent. Leading international rating agencies upgraded the country’s sovereign rating from BB– to BB.

Due to significant transformations in the energy sector, electricity production increased to 85 billion kilowatt-hours.

This year, clean drinking water was delivered to the homes of 715,000 residents across 188 mahallas for the first time, and water supply was enhanced for an additional 2.3 million people.

This year, 5 million individuals began to receive sustainable income, and the unemployment rate fell from 5.5% to 4.9%. Approximately 1.5 million individuals in need have been lifted out of poverty, and for the first time, 1,435 mahallas have become poverty-free areas.

168,000 children from low-income families were granted admission to state kindergartens on a preferential basis. Beginning this year, an inclusive education system was introduced in 208 kindergartens for the first time.

The poverty rate in the country has decreased from 8.9% at the start of the year to 5.8%.

• When we initiated this work, one-third of our population lived below the poverty line.

Thanks to the establishment of an entirely new social protection system that offers over 100 types of services—including loans, subsidies, and compensations—administered through the “seven” in mahallas, more than 8.5 million individuals have emerged from poverty, and unemployment has been cut by half.

Consequently, this year we have met the goal set three years ago to reduce poverty by 50% by the end of 2026, as stated by the President.

It was highlighted that the gifted youth plays a significant role in the advancement of New Uzbekistan through notable achievements in education, science, culture, arts, sports, and other areas.

In recent years, the nation has increasingly positioned itself as a platform for international dialogue on global issues. Specifically, this year Uzbekistan hosted the 150th anniversary Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the session of the UNESCO General Conference, the Central Asia – European Union Summit, and the International Climate Forum.

Additionally, it was mentioned that during the meeting of the leaders of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan in March in Khujand, a historic agreement was signed regarding the junction point of the borders of the three countries for the first time, along with the adoption of a “Declaration of Eternal Friendship.”

At the recent Consultative meeting of the Heads of State in Tashkent, a proposal was made to establish a strategic format for the Central Asian Community to elevate integration processes to a new qualitative level. The decision to accept Azerbaijan as a full member of the Central Asian format holds historic importance.

According to the President, this move will undoubtedly enhance strategic connectivity and stability between Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

In October, an Agreement on Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union was signed in Brussels. The Central Asia – U.S. Summit held in November further advanced multilateral and long-term partnerships to a fundamentally new level. Last week, during the “Central Asia – Japan” leaders' meeting in Tokyo, significant agreements were reached in the areas of education, healthcare, digital technologies, infrastructure, and industry.

Earlier this week in Saint Petersburg, a meeting took place with the heads of the Commonwealth of Independent States, which also identified new avenues for our collaboration.

• All of this is elevating our international relations to a fundamentally new level.

"We will persist in forging connections of cooperation with nations both near and far – East and West, North and South," stated the President.

It was emphasized that the principles of mahalla and good neighborliness are in alignment, significantly enhancing the social capital.

This is supported by the fact that 90 percent of individuals surveyed identify as members of the mahalla community, which reflects a strong sense of belonging to our homeland's destiny and indicates that this institution serves primarily as a source of social unity.

• "Regardless of the difficult challenges we have faced throughout history, we have drawn strength from our unity. During tough times, our people and the mahalla stood together to overcome obstacles. Families thrived by supporting one another; neighbors assisted neighbors. We must always uphold these unique values and nurture our youth in this spirit."

Naturally, the existence of diverse opinions and perspectives is to be expected. This is a fundamental aspect of democracy.

Nevertheless, irrespective of nationality, language, or faith, there exists a significant idea that unites our 38-million-strong nation: the interests of the Motherland and the welfare of our people.

The role and impact of the mahalla system in achieving this noble objective are immeasurable. When peace and harmony prevail in the mahalla, our society will be united and tranquil. If the mahalla flourishes, the entire nation will prosper, the President remarked.

In light of this, the Head of State proposed designating 2026 as the "Year of Mahalla Development and Social Prosperity" in our country.

The audience present in the hall warmly endorsed this initiative.

The agenda for the upcoming year will tackle pressing issues such as transforming over 9,000 mahallas in our country into hubs of kindness, solidarity, justice, and education.

• "We are entering a pivotal phase in the construction of New Uzbekistan. Our efforts in this regard necessitate profound transformations across all sectors and spheres.

Our objective is clear: in the coming years, to elevate ourselves to the status of upper-middle-income countries.

From the Ferghana Valley to the Aral Sea region, from the Zarafshan Valley to Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya, and from Tashkent to Jizzakh and Sirdarya – regardless of the region in which a citizen resides, starting today, they should experience the tangible benefits of reforms in their everyday lives."

Consequently, the year 2026 is anticipated to bring significant changes to public administration, the judicial and legal system, economic sectors, education, science, healthcare, culture, sports, and ecology—across all domains, as stated by the President.

The Head of State specifically detailed the primary focus areas for 2026.

The first priority is the continued enhancement of mahalla infrastructure, transforming them into representations of the New Uzbekistan.

Efforts towards the comprehensive development and improvement of territories will persist.

Beginning next year, a holistic approach to mahalla development will be introduced. New reforms will be initiated in urbanization and the sustainable growth of cities.

The policy of fostering entrepreneurship will remain in place: in 2026, the principal tax rates will stay the same, with over 10 trillion soums allocated for projects aimed at developing entrepreneurial infrastructure. To support small and medium-sized enterprises, 140 trillion soums in resources will be made available, with 43 trillion soums specifically earmarked for promoting women's and youth entrepreneurship.

The second priority focuses on shifting the economy towards a technological and innovative development model.

It was emphasized that henceforth, every dollar of investment should primarily facilitate the transfer of advanced technologies, the production of high value-added products for specific foreign markets, the enhancement of efficiency in energy, water, land, and other natural resources, the training of local specialists in new technologies, and the improvement of labor productivity.

An industrial development program aimed at advancing to a new technological level and broadening the value-added chain will be initiated. In 2026, 782 new industrial and infrastructure projects will be launched, with a total investment of $52 billion. In the upcoming year alone, 228 new large-scale production facilities will commence operations, totaling $14 billion.

Economic growth is expected to reach 6.6%, with GDP projected at $167 billion.

Enterprises engaged in the production of high-tech, innovation-driven products will receive encouragement. Income generated by the specialists of these enterprises from research and development activities will be exempt from taxation.

Next year, four data centers, two supercomputers, and artificial intelligence laboratories will be established in Tashkent, Bukhara, Fergana, and Tashkent regions across 15 universities.

This will facilitate the execution of over 100 AI initiatives in crucial sectors including healthcare, transportation, agriculture, geology, banking and finance, and public safety.

• Today, I wish to announce another significant development. For the first time in the history of independent Uzbekistan, we have initiated efforts to launch a satellite into space and send the first Uzbek astronaut, a citizen of our nation, - remarked the President.

The third priority area focuses on boosting demand within the domestic market.

Over the past nine years, a supportive business environment has been established, leading to an increase in both the volume and variety of goods and services. By providing at least 1 billion dollars annually in affordable loans to low-income families, inflation has been brought down to a “single-digit” level, and the purchasing power of the populace has doubled.

In response to the needs of the population, 23 trillion soums will be allocated for housing mortgages in 2026, which represent the highest demand in the economy. To help offset the down payment and interest costs associated with home purchases, a subsidy of 2.7 trillion soums will be made available. Furthermore, the amount of concessional mortgage credit per apartment will be raised by 15 percent.

To encourage demand for services in 2026, 85 trillion soums in loans and 9 trillion soums in subsidies will be directed to the sector. Specifically, 7 trillion soums will be earmarked from the budget for educational services.

An ambitious target has been established: to double the number of foreign tourists and elevate the volume of tourism services to $20 billion over the next five years. Achieving this goal will involve a strong focus on enhancing tourism infrastructure.

The increased influx of tourists necessitates a doubling of passenger transport in both aviation and railways. Consequently, by 2026, the fleet size will expand to 120 aircraft.

A five-year plan for the enhancement of domestic railway infrastructure will be introduced. To link cities with high-speed trains, the construction of an additional 500 kilometers of railway will commence in 2026. A five-year initiative will also be launched to improve the quality of highways and further boost transit capabilities.

The fourth priority area is the development of professions and the establishment of a new labor market framework.

At present, the global job landscape is undergoing significant transformation due to advancements in technology, digitalization, and artificial intelligence. Over the next five years, it is projected that 30 percent of current jobs will be fully automated, while 50 percent will necessitate the acquisition of new skills.

"The labor market in our country must now function on an entirely new framework—serving as a cohesive mechanism that integrates profession, qualifications, technology, and education," stated the President.

Beginning in 2026, a minimum of 100 technical colleges will undergo comprehensive renovations and be outfitted to align with technological demands and the requirements of in-demand professions. The number of technical colleges adopting advanced educational programs from nations such as Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, China, Korea, and others will reach 100.

In 2026, Innovative Vocational Skills Colleges and “City of Professions” initiatives will be initiated in 7 regions, with plans to expand to the remaining regions by 2027.

To enhance vocational education within the healthcare system, training for nurses based on international standards set by the British company Pearson has commenced in one technical college in each region. These technical colleges will now implement educational programs from Germany, Switzerland, the USA, Japan, and other countries.

This initiative aims to cultivate a nursing workforce that adheres to international standards and is proficient in foreign languages.

The fifth priority area focuses on ensuring ecological balance, promoting green energy, and the sustainable use of water resources.

A credit line of $100 million will be established for large enterprises to install filters, treatment facilities, and emission monitoring stations to track harmful atmospheric substances.

It has been highlighted that traffic congestion in urban areas not only complicates daily life but also inflicts significant environmental harm. Consequently, an environmental sticker system will be introduced, categorizing vehicles based on their level of harmful emissions, drawing from global best practices.

Vehicles with high emission levels will face restricted access to the capital, regional centers, and major cities. To facilitate the replacement of such vehicles with newer models or the installation of filters, the government will offer supportive measures.

Individuals who trade in an old vehicle will receive partial compensation for auto loan interest. Additionally, drivers who opt to install filters and reduce harmful emissions will be eligible for subsidies to help offset part of the costs.

The enhancement of public transportation in Tashkent and other major cities will be a key focus.

A five-year initiative will be implemented to boost the number of eco-friendly vehicles. Auto loans will be available at a rate of 12% for domestic electric vehicles and 16% for foreign electric vehicles.

To facilitate the establishment of electric vehicle charging stations, entrepreneurs will have access to concessional loans at 10%, along with the opportunity to acquire land plots at auctions for half the market price. The state budget will cover the difference in the cost of 1 kWh exceeding 300 soums at these electric stations. Citizens offering taxi services with electric vehicles will also benefit from various incentives.

To mitigate dust and sandstorms, a green zone spanning 10 thousand hectares will be established in Surkhandarya, while an 84-kilometer green wall will be constructed in Syrdarya.

In Karakalpakstan, Khorezm, Bukhara, and Navoi, a total of 250 thousand hectares of trees and shrubs will be planted, including 115 thousand hectares on the desiccated Aral Sea bed. Each region will feature botanical and dendrological gardens, as well as 20 shaded walking paths.

In total, 1.9 trillion soums will be allocated to the environmental sector in 2026.

Additionally, 3.3 trillion soums will be designated in 2026 for initiatives related to the adoption of water-saving technologies.

Furthermore, 1,300 km of major main canals will be lined with concrete, enabling the conservation of 500 million cubic meters of water annually. A separate program will also be introduced to transform open drains and collectors into a closed system. Large-scale projects will be initiated to convert canals into closed systems.

As part of a significant program valued at $160 million in Tashkent, a 150-kilometer closed drainage system will be constructed, 197 kilometers of canals and collectors will be renovated, and 63 kilometers of new canals will be established, fostering a cooler microclimate in the city.

The sixth priority area involves the continuation of reforms in modern public administration and the establishment of a fair judicial system.

Beginning in 2026, the “Electronic Government” platform will undergo a complete overhaul.

More than one thousand government services, over 5 thousand functions and responsibilities, 240 databases and information systems, and more than 100 thousand duties of civil servants across mahallas, districts, regions, and the republic will be integrated into a unified digital platform.

• Most importantly, we will establish an ecosystem for delivering government services without human intervention, thereby eradicating corruption and excessive bureaucracy. We will create a system for the proactive and integrated provision of government services, - stated the President.

From this point forward, instances of direct government procurement of goods, works, and services will be governed solely by law.

As part of constitutional reforms, the roles of regional hokims and chairpersons of local kengash have been delineated. This system is set to be implemented starting in 2026 across 208 districts and cities.

The President underscored the importance of civil society institutions in enhancing the effectiveness of reforms. Consequently, the policy of supporting these institutions will be consistently pursued moving forward. Specifically, a five-year strategy for the advancement of civil society will be formulated.

• I reiterate: during this period of extensive reforms in our nation, we will steadfastly uphold the policy of transparency. Ensuring freedom of speech and the press remains our foremost priority, - declared the President.

Efforts to make the judicial and legal system more accessible to the populace will continue.

It was highlighted that the role and involvement of society in the administration of justice will be expanded. The “jury of representatives” institution will be gradually introduced – a mechanism that has yielded positive outcomes in countries with the English legal system.

The campaign against drug-related crimes will evolve into a national movement, fostering a zero-tolerance atmosphere for this issue within society.

A directive has been issued to establish an effective system for preventing violence against women and children, engaging all state entities and the general public to eradicate such negative phenomena.

• Corruption poses a serious threat that hinders state development, undermines the rule of law and justice, and erodes public trust. Tolerating corruption is equivalent to betraying our reforms.

In our battle against this menace, we declare a “state of emergency” regarding corruption in 2026, - asserted the President.

In all government agencies, a deputy responsible for compliance and internal anti-corruption oversight will be appointed. Furthermore, the role of a representative from the Accounts Chamber will be established.

Accountability for every soum of state funds and resources will be reinforced.

In light of the growing geopolitical and economic challenges, efforts to enhance equitable and constructive relationships with all nations and to pursue a balanced and open foreign policy will continue. Collaboration with esteemed international and regional organizations, as well as economic institutions, will be elevated to a new level.

• The significant achievements and emerging priorities necessitate a reassessment of the “Uzbekistan – 2030” Strategy. This document, which outlines the development of our nation over the next five years, will be updated following extensive public discussion and input from our citizens, - stated the President.

It was highlighted that next year will see the widespread celebration of important dates in social and cultural life. Notably, the 35th anniversary of our nation's independence will be commemorated as a major holiday. The importance of beginning preparations for the significant anniversaries of Amir Temur and Alisher Navoi was also emphasized.

• Today, history itself, life itself imposes a great responsibility on us.

Our cherished Homeland is evolving into a nation where individuals live and work on new political, legal, social, and spiritual foundations, where people think independently, and are free and liberated.

If we remain united, acting as one people, one nation, we will undoubtedly realize our ambitious goals. I have faith in the unmatched strength and potential of Uzbekistan, as well as in the will and determination of our beloved youth, - concluded the President in his address.