The WNAM has the honour to reproduce the Speech by the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan at the Presentation Ceremony of the Book:
Distinguished Chief Guest, Honourable Ministers, Dear Ambassadors and Diplomats, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends, Assalāmu alaikum wa rahmatullāhi wa barakātuhu!
Every time I speak here in Islamabad, I feel at home – among friends and brothers.
Our two nations are connected not only by bridges of trade and politics, but also by spiritual bonds – a shared cultural code, common history, and similar dreams for the future.
First of all, allow me to express my sincere gratitude to all of you for joining us today at the presentation ceremony of the book “Uzbekistan: The Third Renaissance – Vision of the Future.”
I am especially pleased to welcome distinguished members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of academia, culture, and the media, as well as our close friends from Pakistan.
Today, we are also honored by the presence of the delegation from the Mirzo Ulughbek Institute for the Study of the Development of New Uzbekistan, headed by Mr.Abdulaziz Abdullaev, Deputy Director of the Institute.
- Uzbekistan – A Country of Reform, Progress, and Confidence
Under the visionary leadership of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, our country has entered a new era – an era of openness, renewal, and creativity.
Over the past eight years, large-scale reforms have been implemented in government, the economy, education, science, and social life. These transformations have not only changed the face of the nation – they have awakened confidence in people’s hearts and strengthened faith in the future.
Despite global challenges, Uzbekistan’s economy continues to grow steadily – by more than 6 percent annually. In eight years, our GDP has doubled, reaching 115 billion US dollars, and is expected to exceed 130 billion this year.
Exports have risen to 26 billion dollars, our foreign exchange reserves have surpassed 48 billion, and total foreign investments have exceeded 130 billion dollars. This year alone, 35 billion dollars were invested in the creation of nearly nine thousand new enterprises, and by the end of 2025, this figure is expected to exceed 42 billion dollars.
Uzbekistan is becoming more open to the world. Last year, more than 10 million tourists visited our country, bringing over 3 billion dollars in revenue. Since April 2025, Uzbekistan has been welcoming over one million tourists every month.
By 2030, we aim to attract an additional 35 billion dollars in investments and increase the share of renewable green energy to 54 percent.
At the heart of all our reforms is the human being — his dignity, his knowledge, his work, and his creativity. These values form the foundation of President Mirziyoyev’s vision of the Third Renaissance — a spiritual and intellectual revival that looks not only to the past, but also to the future of all humanity.
Uzbekistan and Pakistan – Strategic Partners with a Spirit of Brotherhood
Today, relations between Uzbekistan and Pakistan have reached the level of a true strategic partnership. The establishment of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, co-chaired by the President of Uzbekistan and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, has given our partnership a strong and long-term foundation.
Direct flights now operate between Tashkent–Islamabad and Tashkent–Lahore. A simplified visa regime is in place, and educational, cultural, and tourism exchanges are growing rapidly.
A key element of our partnership is the Trans-Afghan Railway Project, which will connect Central and South Asia — not only with rails and steel, but with trust, markets, and the shared dreams of our peoples. It is a true symbol of peace, understanding, and regional connectivity.
Our bilateral trade is expanding rapidly: in 2024, it exceeded 404 million dollars, and in just the first nine months of this year, it already reached 405 million, which is 130 percent higher than the previous year. Our common goal is to bring this figure to 2 billion dollars in the near future.
I would like to highlight the warm and trusting relationship between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Their personal understanding, mutual respect, and shared vision for the future form a solid foundation for strengthening Uzbekistan–Pakistan cooperation.
III. The Book – A Bridge Between Hearts and Ideas
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The book “Uzbekistan: The Third Renaissance – Vision of the Future” is not just a research work. It is a journey of reflection, a sincere attempt to understand the essence of our national revival.
As Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif rightly noted in his foreword, this book helps us to better understand the initiative of President Mirziyoyev — an idea deeply rooted in the spiritual heritage of great Eastern thinkers, yet directed toward the future of all humanity.
During his visit to Samarkand, the Prime Minister of Pakistan visited the Hazrat Khizr Memorial Complex and remarked that Uzbekistan is indeed the land of great thinkers and spiritual seekers of the East.
He also underlined the similarity between our national development strategies — our shared aspiration for sustainable growth, justice, and social harmony.
The author of this remarkable book, the talented Pakistani journalist and writer Muhammad Abbas Khan, who has lived and worked in Uzbekistan for over three decades, has beautifully captured the spirit of today’s Uzbekistan — an era of reform, progress, and openness to the world. His work is distinguished by its depth, sincerity, and genuine love for our country.
I would like to express my deep appreciation to Muhammad Abbas Khan and t Tahir Farooq, Editor-in-Chief of Daily Ittihad and a long-standing friend of Uzbekistan, for their inspiring efforts and valuable contribution to strengthening mutual understanding between our nations.
This book is yet another bridge of friendship, trust, and cooperation between Uzbekistan and Pakistan.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our Pakistani partners, friends, and colleagues who, through their work and support, continue to strengthen the brotherly ties between our two nations.
I am deeply convinced that in the spirit of mutual trust, friendship, and shared responsibility, we will together reach new heights — for the sake of peace, stability, and prosperity for our peoples.
Uzbekistan Pakistan dosti hamesha zindabad.
