Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the inaugural session of the newly elected Senate of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis. 

In his address, the President congratulated the senators on their honorable election and wished them success in their work. He expressed confidence that the senators would dedicate their knowledge, experience, and potential to building a New Uzbekistan, ensuring a peaceful, free, and prosperous life for its people. 

Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted the high professionalism of the fifth convocation of the Senate, which includes representatives from key sectors as well as prominent figures in politics, economics, science, and culture. 

Special emphasis was placed on the fact that every third senator holds an academic degree, while women make up 27% of the Senate, or 16 members. The involvement of women is critical in legislative activities and parliamentary oversight, particularly in matters of family, motherhood, childhood, women’s rights, and resolving social issues. 

The President noted that the recent elections marked the beginning of a new phase in the work of local councils (Kengashes). 

The composition and status of newly elected local council deputies differ significantly from previous ones. Nearly 60% of members were replaced, and over 3,000 citizens have become deputies for the first time. 

Particular attention was given to increasing the proportion of female deputies to 32% and tripling the number of deputies under the age of 30. These changes create essential prerequisites for organizing the Senate’s activities with new approaches and perspectives. 

In his speech, the President stressed the growing global challenges, including bloody conflicts, environmental and technological disasters, climate change, economic crises, terrorism, extremism, and refugee issues. 

In the face of such alarming challenges, only strong will, unity, solidarity, and hard work can ensure peace and progress in the country. 

The President expressed confidence that local council deputies deeply understand these challenges and the immense responsibility they bear. 

He commended the previous Senate for its valuable contributions to advancing the New Uzbekistan agenda, particularly in safeguarding women’s rights and protecting women and children from violence. Over the past five years, the upper house of parliament reviewed 106 reports and sent 1,300 inquiries to executive bodies. 

The international standing of the Senate has also strengthened. During this time, the number of inter-parliamentary friendship groups with foreign countries increased from 26 to 73. 

The Senate hosted major international events, such as the Asian Women’s Forum and the Central Asian Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Forum. The upcoming 150th anniversary assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, to be held in Tashkent next year, is of particular significance. 

It was noted that the Senate has established a positive practice of parliamentary oversight over the implementation of international agreements. 

As a result of constitutional reforms, the Senate’s composition was reduced, and its membership decreased from 100 to 65. 

At the same time, the powers and responsibilities of senators have significantly expanded. The Senate’s role in parliamentary oversight and the formation of several key state bodies has been notably enhanced. 

Previously, senators lacked clear authority to address issues identified during oversight activities or meetings with constituents. With the adoption of the updated Constitution, this issue was resolved by granting the Senate the right to introduce legislative initiatives. 

The President expressed confidence that the newly elected senators would actively participate in these processes. 

He outlined directions and opportunities for the Senate to leverage in its activities. 

The Constitution designates the Senate as the chamber of territorial representation. However, the previous Senate only began taking steps toward dialogue and cooperation with local councils. 

For example, despite local councils having authority to make decisions on over 15 issues, there is still no unified procedure for drafting, coordinating, and approving these decisions. 

It was also noted that systematizing best practices from local councils and implementing them in other regions, along with recognizing exemplary councils, would enhance overall effectiveness. 

According to the Constitution, the Senate hears reports from more than 10 high-ranking officials. However, these reports are often reviewed without in-depth analysis. 

In recent years, large-scale democratic reforms have significantly improved Uzbekistan’s standings in international rankings. 

The country has risen by 8 positions in the Rule of Law Index, 18 in the E-Government Ranking, 49 in Economic Freedom, and 10 in Logistics and Innovation rankings. 

While these achievements are important, it was emphasized that much work remains to be done in these areas. 

Uzbekistan is now advancing major initiatives from respected international platforms. 

Senators must actively communicate these initiatives to the people, as well as to foreign and local experts. Unfortunately, their role in this process has been insufficiently visible thus far. 

The hope was expressed that the new Senate will improve its performance in this regard. 

Comprehensive support for local councils’ activities should become a priority for the Senate. 

Going forward, the chairpersons of regional and Tashkent city councils of people’s deputies will no longer be khokims but deputies elected from among council members. The President noted that this political reform has fulfilled a 30-year dream of the nation. 

This year, 33 powers of the khokims were transferred to the councils, with an additional 17 planned for transfer. For instance, local councils will approve the rates of seven types of local fees, such as surcharges on drinking water tariffs and rental rates for state-owned properties and markets. 

New mechanisms, such as council inquiries and inspections, will strengthen oversight of the activities of local executive bodies. 

It was proposed to introduce semi-annual press conferences where local councils report on their work, enhancing transparency and accountability.

All these measures underscore that the process of decentralizing public administration and bringing it closer to the people in our country has become irreversible.

It was emphasized that both khokims and kengash chairs must prioritize the interests of their region’s population and work as a unified team.

At the same time, according to the Constitution, khokims are responsible for ensuring strict compliance with legislation at the district, city, and regional levels, as well as for the socio-economic, cultural, and environmental development of their territories.

The Senate, for its part, must actively assist local authorities and kengashes in their joint activities by properly organizing their relationships and supporting the establishment of these processes.

The President called for preparations for reforms that would eliminate the possibility of khokims leading district and city kengashes.

In line with the updated Constitution, local kengashes recently reviewed and approved territorial development programs presented by khokims upon their appointment.

The public expects deputies to exercise active and proactive oversight of the implementation of tasks outlined in these programs and to carry out deputy and kengash oversight effectively.

Starting in 2025, it is planned to allocate 100% of land taxes, property taxes, and turnover taxes, as well as at least 50% of personal income taxes, to districts and cities. This will enhance the role of local kengashes in these areas.

As a result, in 2025, district and city budgets will increase by 9.4 trillion soums, representing a 47% growth.

These reforms will significantly expand the ability of districts and cities to independently address their problems and will require kengashes to use the newly created opportunities wisely, advancing well-founded initiatives to resolve issues that concern the population.

The Senate, in turn, must systematically analyze the activities of local kengashes in these areas and provide them with support.

Under the updated Constitution, the Senate bears significant responsibility for ensuring that local kengash decisions comply with the law.

Given that these kengashes adopted 34,400 decisions last year alone, the importance of this task is clear.

The Senate must establish an effective system to ensure transparency, legality, and adherence to the rule of law in this sphere.

Senate committees serve as the "heart" of the upper chamber and its driving force. Over the past five years, each committee conducted an average of 37 oversight and analytical activities to investigate and resolve issues on the ground.

However, it is worth asking whether these oversight activities yield the expected results and whether specific local issues are resolved following their implementation—this question should be of utmost concern to senators.

In this regard, it was emphasized that the time has come to institutionalize the framework for committee hearings at the legislative level.

Our country is implementing major programs to reduce poverty and ensure social protection for the population.

Four years ago, 23% of our population was living below the poverty line. Since then, 3.5 million new jobs have been created, and the poverty rate has decreased to 11%. Over the next three years, it is planned to reduce this figure to 7%.

To combat poverty and provide social protection, 500 billion soums will be allocated from the budget next year.

Additionally, a unified "Social Card" will be introduced starting next year, covering 65 types of social services and assistance, along with about 50 types of benefits.

Support measures for citizens facing difficult social situations due to loss of income or health will be gradually expanded. A law on "Social Insurance" will be adopted for this purpose.

The range of social services and assistance for people with disabilities will also be expanded to ensure their social adaptation.

Currently, many children with disabilities are educated in conditions of social isolation. To enable their attendance at regular schools, barrier-free conditions and necessary resources will be created, and special educators and psychologists will be involved.

There are cases of pressure and violence against children in our society.

The President emphasized the need for a strict fight against such vices, which are incompatible with our culture. This issue will be personally overseen by the President.

As a result, legal measures have recently been established to guarantee the protection of children’s rights, life, health, honor, and dignity from all forms of violence, both physical and psychological.

The Prosecutor’s Office must strengthen measures to protect the rights, freedoms, and legal interests of victims of violence.

Over the past five years, the "Absence of Corruption" indicator in Uzbekistan has improved by 23 positions, and in 2023, the country ranked 66th out of 140 countries, showing significant positive results in this area in Central Asia.

An "Openness Index" has been introduced to assess the transparency of the activities of government bodies and organizations.

However, it was emphasized that there are still unresolved issues in this area.

Although last year corruption-related crimes decreased by 12%, 6,500 people were held accountable for corruption-related actions.

It was noted that parliamentary oversight in the fight against corruption needs to be strengthened, and the participation of society in this process should be increased.

The President urged the Senate to develop specific measures to raise legal awareness and culture among citizens and civil servants, to foster intolerance toward corruption in society, and to instill the concepts of lawfulness, honesty, and conscientious work in the minds of young people.

The system of electing all members of the Supreme Council of Judges by the Senate contributes to ensuring the real independence of the judiciary. However, the constitutional powers of the Senate should not be limited to merely approving candidates. It was emphasized that the Senate should establish a practice of reviewing candidates’ activities and assessing their work, as well as providing conclusions on their candidacies within the committees of the upper chamber.

Furthermore, it was noted that the time has come to establish separate laws that define legal guarantees for ensuring the status of judges and involve the judicial community in the process of allocating funds for the financing of the judicial system