Shavkat Mirziyoyev
| Shavkat Mirziyoyev | |
|---|---|
 | |
| name | Shavkat Mirziyoyev |
| Personal details | |
| religion | Islam |
| website | https://president.uz/ |
Shavkat Mirziyoyev is an Uzbek politician and engineer who has served as the second President of Uzbekistan since independence, starting in 2016. Prior to his presidency, he served as the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan (2003–2016) and as the governor of the Jizzakh and Samarkand regions. During his tenure, Mirziyoyev initiated reformist policies both domestically and internationally, leading to the reopening of borders, improved relations with neighboring countries, the release of political prisoners, and efforts to address human rights violations (such as forced labor in cotton harvesting).
Biography
Mirziyoyev was born on July 24, 1957, in the Jizzakh region of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic (Soviet Union). He is married and has five children. He graduated from the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization in 1981 and holds a Doctorate in Technical Sciences. In the late 1980s, he joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and in the early 1990s, he was elected as a deputy to the Supreme Council of Uzbekistan. Mirziyoyev's executive record includes serving as the governor of the Jizzakh region (1996–2001) and the governor of the Samarkand region (2001–2003). In December 2003, he was appointed Prime Minister by then-President Islam Karimov, a position he held until September 2016. He is known as a technocrat with a pragmatic approach to economic and infrastructural issues.
Premiership
During Mirziyoyev's premiership, Uzbekistan expanded its economic relations with countries such as South Korea. In 2006, agreements were signed for the export of uranium ore from Uzbekistan to South Korea, eliminating the need for American intermediary companies. However, his tenure was marked by serious criticism regarding human rights, particularly concerning forced labor involving both children and adults in cotton harvesting. Reports from organizations such as Human Rights Watch indicated that he, as the official responsible for major cotton-producing regions, had direct oversight of this system.
Presidency
Following the death of Islam Karimov in September 2016, Mirziyoyev was first appointed as the head of the funeral committee and subsequently as interim president. He won the presidential election in December 2016 and officially entered the presidential palace. Mirziyoyev came to power with reformist promises and launched a program titled "New Uzbekistan."
Domestic Reforms
Mirziyoyev implemented a series of extensive reforms in political, economic, and social spheres:
- Release of political prisoners: He ordered the release of hundreds of political prisoners, which was widely welcomed domestically and internationally.
- Economy: Efforts to attract foreign investment, reduce state monopolies in the economy, and reform the banking system.
- Cultural heritage: Emphasis on reviving Uzbekistan's cultural identity and hosting international art and culture festivals with support from UNESCO.
- Women's and minority rights: Establishment of councils to support women and granting citizenship to stateless individuals who had lived in Uzbekistan for years.
Foreign Policy and Regional Relations
One of Mirziyoyev's most significant achievements was shifting Uzbekistan's approach from isolation to regional engagement:
- Restoration of relations with neighbors: He resolved long-standing border and water disputes with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Regular flights between Tashkent and Dushanbe resumed after years of suspension.
- Transit projects: Mirziyoyev proposed the "Mazar-i-Sharif–Kabul–Peshawar" railway project to connect Central Asia with South Asia and boost regional trade.
- ECO: Under his leadership, Uzbekistan played a more active role in the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and hosted major summits, including the ECO Heads of State Summit in 2021.
- Cultural diplomacy: Hosting the international forum "Central Asia at the Crossroads of World Civilizations" in the historic city of Khiva demonstrates his effort to introduce Uzbekistan's rich culture to the world.
Diplomatic Relations with Iran
The Islamic Republic of Iran and Uzbekistan maintain diplomatic relations. The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran is active in Uzbekistan. Both countries are members of numerous international organizations, including the United Nations.
Reaction to the Martyrdom of Imam Khamenei
In response to the martyrdom of Imam Khamenei and the outbreak of the Ramadan War, Mirziyoyev stated in a message: "The sad news of the passing of His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, and his family members has deeply saddened our hearts."[1]
See Also
Notes
References
- Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Second President of Independent Uzbekistan, Sharq Daily Website, Date of publication: 14 April 2021 (Solar Hijri), Date accessed: 2 May 2026 (Solar Hijri).