President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's address at the inaugural session of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Esteemed Senate Members!

Dear friends!

First of all, I sincerely congratulate you on the high trust placed in you by your election as members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis.

Undoubtedly, we all understand well that being a senator is a high and honorable status, and at the same time, it carries immense responsibility.

I hope that you will utilize all your knowledge, experience, strength, and potential in the pursuit of building a New Uzbekistan, a peaceful, free, and prosperous life for our people, and justify their trust.

As a result of the elections, which were conducted in a spirit of strong competition, fairness, and transparency, the composition of the Senate of the fifth convocation has been formed at a qualitatively new level. I am pleased to see among you many representatives from leading sectors and industries, prominent figures in politics, economics, science, and culture.

Speaking of the intellectual potential of the senators, it is particularly noteworthy that every third senator holds a doctorate.

It is remarkable that about 27 percent, or 16 members of the Senate, are women. This will undoubtedly be significant in enhancing legislative activity and parliamentary oversight on issues concerning family, motherhood, childhood, protection of women's rights, and overall social issues.

Undoubtedly, the recent elections mark the beginning of a new stage in the development of our state and society, including in the activities of local Kengashes.

The newly elected local Kengashes differ fundamentally in their composition and status. This is evidenced by a nearly 60 percent renewal of their membership, with over 3,000 compatriots becoming deputies for the first time.

The proportion of women deputies in the Kengashes has reached 32 percent, and the number of deputies under 30 has increased by 3.5 times, or by 266 individuals, which will be particularly important in organizing the activities of the Senate based on new perspectives and approaches.

Most of the senators participating in today's meeting, are also simultaneously deputies of the local Kengashes.

We all understand well that in today’s complex conditions, when the situation in the world is becoming unprecedentedly tense, it is more important than ever for us to ensure peace and development in the country.

Our great poet and thinker Pahlavan Mahmud wrote: “If our ancestors saw one flood, today we see a thousand.” Indeed, each of the global problems we face today poses the most serious challenge to humanity.

We see and hear how bloody conflicts, ecological and technological disasters, threats of climate change, economic crises, terrorism, and extremism, and refugee issues are intensifying in various regions of the world.

In this extremely complicated situation, only our strong will, unity, cohesion, and tireless work can ensure peace and development in the country.

I am confident that the esteemed senators and deputies elected to the local Kengashes will work with a deep understanding of this important truth and the immense responsibility placed upon them.

Dear friends!

The previous composition of the upper chamber made a worthy contribution to the implementation of large-scale tasks for the construction of a New Uzbekistan. The Senate showed particular activity in ensuring the rights of women and protecting women and children from violence. Over the past five years, the upper chamber has listened to 106 reports, and 1,300 inquiries have been submitted to the executive bodies, which was also an important positive outcome.

The authority of the parliament has significantly increased on the international stage. During the past period, the number of inter-parliamentary friendship groups with foreign states increased from 26 to 73. The Senate hosted major international events such as the Asian Women's Forum and the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of Central Asian States.

It is noteworthy that next year our capital will host the 150th, anniversary session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly. I believe it would be appropriate for the Senate to lead the work on organizing and conducting this prestigious international forum at a high level.

It should be noted that for the first time in the Senate, a positive practice has been established for parliamentary oversight over the implementation of intergovernmental agreements.

Esteemed senators!

As a result of constitutional reform, the composition of the Senate has become more compact, with the number of senators reduced from 100 to 65. At the same time, the powers and responsibilities of senators have significantly increased. In particular, the participation of the upper chamber in parliamentary oversight and the formation of several important state bodies has been substantially expanded.

Another important issue is that previously, senators during oversight activities or meetings with voters did not have specific powers to address the problems identified in legislation. This issue has been resolved by including in the Constitution the new provision granting the Senate the right to submit legislative proposals. I am confident that the newly elected senators will actively engage in these processes.

Esteemed participants of the meeting!

Now let us focus on the opportunities and directions that need to be fully utilized in the activities of the upper chamber.

The Constitution defines that the Senate is the chamber of territorial representation. It should be acknowledged that the previous convocation of the Senate took only the first steps towards dialogue and interaction with local Kengashes.

Despite the fact that local Kengashes are empowered to make decisions on more than 15 issues, a unified procedure for their development, coordination, and approval has not yet been established.

Another issue is that we have granted local Kengashes many powers and elevated their status. However, unfortunately, a system for sharing experiences, enhancing qualifications, and practical skills of Kengash deputies has not been implemented. I believe this matter will also be addressed by the new composition of the Senate.

If we organize the dissemination of best practices from local Kengashes to other regions and identify exemplary Kengashes, the effectiveness of our work will undoubtedly increase.

According to the Fundamental Law, the Senate hears reports from more than 10 high-ranking officials. Over the past five years, such reports have been heard over 100 times. However, in most cases, they were considered without in-depth analysis. For example, regarding crime. In the first nine months of 2024, over 45,000 individuals committed crimes. In Andijan, Jizzakh, Kashkadarya, and Samarkand regions, there were more thefts compared to other regions, while in Navoi, Syrdarya, and Khorezm regions, there were more fraud cases, and in Tashkent, Surkhandarya regions, and the city of Tashkent, there were more drug-related crimes.

If the Senate conducts a thorough analysis of these circumstances within the framework of parliamentary oversight, takes control of the situation in the “red” regions, and demands accountability in this area, I believe the situation can be changed.

Dear compatriots!

In recent years, as a result of large-scale democratic reforms, Uzbekistan's position in international rankings has improved. For instance, our country’s position has increased by 8 points in the rule of law rankings, by 18 in e-government, by 49 in economic freedom, and by 10 points in logistics and innovation.

While noting such important achievements, we also understand well that there is still much to be done in these areas.

Today, from authoritative international platforms, Uzbekistan is putting forward significant initiatives. Undoubtedly, we all want our senators to actively convey the essence and significance of these initiatives to our people, as well as to foreign and domestic experts. However, their role is not fully felt. The Senate committee responsible for international affairs is also weak in this regard. I hope the new composition of the upper chamber will improve this activity.

Esteemed participants of the meeting!

The current alarming time requires all of us to critically assess our work and organize it in an entirely new way. In this regard, I would like to briefly touch upon the pressing tasks facing the Senate.

First, the new edition of the Constitution has eliminated cases of duplication in the powers of the Senate and the Legislative Chamber, clearly defining the respective tasks of each chamber.

Now the Senate needs to implement new mechanisms for discussing laws. It is especially important to establish a practice of broad involvement of local Kengashes in the law-making process and to consider their opinions on each law.

Note that this year, Kengash deputies identified over 22,000 problems