Three years ago, the landlocked country of Uzbekistan celebrated a key milestone in its history.

The year 2021 marked the 30th anniversary of its independence. It was back on 1 September 1991 that Uzbekistan broke its ties with the former Soviet Union.

Priorities of the emerging nation were topped by a drive towards the foundation of a free democratic society governed by market economy.

To mark its 30th anniversary the country’s former EU ambassador, Dilyor Khakimov, gave an account of the main achievements since independence – and immediate challenges – in a discussion with the European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS), a leading Brussels-based think tank.

The diplomat, ambassador since 2017 and former First Deputy and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, noted that a whole “new generation” had grown up in his country under new leadership in the 30 years since it became independent.

The country, the biggest nation in central Asia, had had to learn to “stand on its own legs” and “many comprehensive measures” had been taken aimed at “building a democratic state”, including in the rule of law. He spoke of a country that had “changed beyond recognition” and that, internationally, was contributing “greatly”.

“All his reflects the needs of our people.”

But, he also conceded, “challenges” remained, including job creation, raising living standards along with on human and labour rights and fighting corruption.

He acknowledged the “pressures on our social and economic development” but said Uzbekistan was committed to building a “stronger economy and prosperity.”

Continuing its partnership with the EU,its 4th biggest trading partner, was central to such plans.

Khakimov, who left Brussels a few months ago and is now posted at the UNWTO in Madrid, said, “We are fully committed to implementing the reform process.”

Uzbekistan is, in some ways, unique: the most populous country in central Asia, with a population of 35million, and home to many scarce natural resources.

With crunch parliamentary elections, the first since 2019, looming next month it is particularly timely to take stock and reflect on how far Uzbekistan has travelled on its road to modernisation and the advancement of reforms.

In a recent face-to-face dialogue with Erin M. Barclay,Acting Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor of the U.S. Department of State, the country’s U.S ambassador, Furqat Sidikov, spoke about recent constitutional amendments implemented in Uzbekistan which have primarily focused on bolstering human rights and freedoms. These amendments underscore, he said, the commitment of the Uzbek government to align its national policies and legal frameworks with international human rights standards.

Pivotal topics being addressed in the country, he noted, include the empowerment of women and the promotion of gender equality. Ambassador Sidikov spoke of the progressive measures taken by the Uzbek government to guarantee equal opportunities for women in various spheres of life.

Ensuring transparency, openness and accountability are also key areas and the ambassador elaborated on how these values are being incorporated into the institutional structures and processes in Uzbekistan, strengthening the democratic foundations of the country.

Further progress in these “critical” areas is still needed, with a focus on continued improvement in upholding human rights, democratic values and good governance.  Uzbekistan would, he said, also continue an “ongoing dialogue with the international community.”

The exchange was back in June 2023, so what progress has been made in the 12 months since then?

The country’s president Shavkat Mirziyoyev, speaking very recently at a  meeting of the Council of Heads of the Member-States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, gives an insight.

He noted that, over three decades since independence, Uzbekistan continues to undergo “profound transformations” aimed at doubling the size of its economy by 2030, primarily through the development of innovative and high-tech industries, plus implementation of “green” and digital technologies.

Current and future plans include a “significant increase in the share of renewable energy.

Uzbekistan is doing its bit to tackle climate change and has adopted a large-scale programme for the accelerated development of “green” energy, annually introducing about 2 Gigawatts of solar and wind generation capacity.The country has also started work on a project for the industrial production of “green” hydrogen.

That’s not all.

“In our view,” said the president, “transitioning to a digital economy, implementing artificial intelligence and adopting advanced IT solutions are crucial for our competitiveness.”

Uzbekistan, additionally, proposes to develop a “comprehensive” set of measures to stimulate “mutual investments”, primarily in infrastructure, high-tech industries and the service sectors.

Human rights continue to be a major challenge, though, as was noted by a report by the rights NGO Reporters Without Borders.

A spokesman said, “Following the 2016 death of President Islam Karimov, circumstances have only barely improved for the media, and criticising those in power remains very complicated.”

He added, “Uzbekistan has no private television network. State-owned radio transmits official propaganda, privately owned radio stations refrain from any criticism for fear of being shut down, and the written press serves state interests.”

The comments come with another key landmark in recent Uzbek history looming: its parliamentary elections.

Last week, the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan (CEC) cleared the participation of five parties in the October 27 poll that will elect a total of 150  MPs (deputies to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis) and almost 6,000 members of local Councils of People’s Deputies. 

The five parties are: Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople – Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan; Democratic Party “Milliy Tiklanish”;Ecological Party of Uzbekistan; People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan and the Social Democratic Party “Adolat”.

Nizamkhodjaev Zayniddin, chairman of the CEC, explained the importance of the diversity of choice available to citizens in the upcoming poll.

He said, “The five parties approved for participation in the parliamentary election offer citizens a range of choices as we would expect in any properly functioning democracy. The divergent ideologies represented will promote a healthy debate on which direction our economy should take, and will ensure accountability for the parties who ultimately hold power. We anticipate a lively election campaign and a free and fair election that will move Uzbekistan forward on the road to mature democracy.”

The approved parties have to nominate candidates – subject to a quota for women, who should number at least 40% of the candidates nominated from a political party in single-mandate constituencies. On the party list, at least two out of every five sequential candidates must be women.

This is all seen as yet more evidence of the concrete – and radical – measures the country is taking in order to further loosen the chains of its Soviet past.

While big challenges, clearly, still remain, the legislative elections represent an historic step in implementing the new constitution.