President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed the Law «On introducing changes and additions to several legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in connection with improvement of the implementation of Amnesty Act». This Law was adopted by Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis (Parliament) of Uzbekistan on 19 November 2008, and approved by Senate of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan on 4 December 2008. The document regulates the order of application of amnesty during the pre-judicial stage and execution of criminal punishments.

On December 3, 2008 the high level conference in format of the European Union - Central Asia “Platform for cooperation in the area of environment protection and water resources” was held in Ashgabat city. Among the participants of the international forum were the representatives of governments, heads and senior specialists of water economy and environment protection agencies of the region, as well as other countries - member-states of the EU.

On November 28, 2008 the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed Decree No.UP-4058 “On the Action Program to support companies of real sector of economy, ensure their stable work and raise export potential”. The provisions of the Decree are aimed at addressing the tasks on overcoming negatives impacts of the world financial and economic crisis, providing for sustainable an economic growth rate and macro-economic balance, stable work of the main branches of real sector of economy and assisting population’s employment, rendering support to exporters, enterprises of leading branches of industry and small businesses.

As a result of realization by the government and bodies of state power at the local levels of policy measures on implementing the most important priorities of social-economic development of the country defined by President for 2008, accomplishment of purposeful policy programs of development, technical and technological renewal of strategic sectors of economy in January-September 2008, the sustainable dynamics of growth of main indicators of social and economic development of Uzbekistan has been ensured.

Nowadays, the rational use of natural resources, first of all water-energy resources, is one of the most serious problems in Central Asian region. Different and ambiguous approaches in this sphere impede the development, lead to conflict situations, and sometimes even to ecological disasters. The fate of drying out the Aral Sea can be an example of tragic consequences that affect not only the people of Central Asia but also the huge subregion and even Eurasia.

Uzbekistan is taking an active part in efforts of international community aimed at enhancing stability and thorough development of Afghanistan, and attaches a significant importance to friendly and good neighborly relations with this country. It is conditioned not only by common borders but also by mutual interest of cooperation in the name of ensuring peace, stability and progress in the region.

On October 23 this year the International forum “The ways to develop and promote cultural tourism in the countries of Silk Road” took place in the city of Tashkent.

On October 17, 2008 the session of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the outcomes of social and economic development of Uzbekistan for over 9 months of 2008 took place in Tashkent. The delegates to the session worked out additional measures on providing for realization of priority tasks of deepening economic reforms put forward by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov at the session of the Government on February 8 and July 18, 2008.

On October 14-15, 2008, the traditional fourth International Uzbek Cotton Fair took place in Tashkent. The Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade jointly with Cotton Outlook Ltd. Magazine, Uzpahtasanoat Association and Uzbek Center for Certification of Cotton Fiber Sifat organized the event.

At its 34th Session in November 2007 the UNESCO General Conference adopted a resolution on celebrating the 2200th anniversary of Tashkent and participation in the jubilee celebrations.

On the eve of nation’s main holiday – the Independence Day the Center of Public Opinion Ijtimoiy Fikr held a public poll “Uzbekistan: 17 years of Independence”.

On 10 July, 2008, in the city of Tashkent, the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan held a round table on adoption of the Draft National Actions’ Plan on realization of the ILO Conventions ¹138 The Minimum Age for Admission to Employment and ¹182 The Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour with participation of representatives of Oliy Majlis (Parliament), ministries and institutions of education and law enforcement of the Republic of Uzbekistan, nongovernmental organizations (Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Public Youth Movement Kamolot, Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan, Council of Trade Unions Federation), as well as the UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan Mr. M. Sharif, the UNICEF International Consultant to the Program of Protection of the Children’s Rights Mrs. S. Barkin-Kuzmin and the UNDP International Consultant Mrs. L.Riu.

Dear compatriots! Distinguished guests! Today the multinational people of Uzbekistan with big inspiration and joy are celebrating the landmark date of the 17th anniversary of Independence of our Homeland – the greatest and dearest holiday for all of us.

The main achievement of Uzbekistan’s independence became maintaining peace and tranquility in the country, political, economic and social stability of society which are the guarantees of all successes and reforms in Uzbekistan. Freedom, peace, friendship and interethnic accord are very important words that have obtained a special meaning and significance. And yet the meaning of kindness and mercy, respect towards women, elderly and children, as well as extending best national traditions and customs became an integral part of the nation’s worldview.

Uzbekistan has been implementing considerable reforms in all spheres of public life. In particular, the course of economic reforms in the country assumed consistent and sustainable nature. The growth of local production and high investment activeness provide for continuous consolidation of market processes in the country.

Uzbekistan, from the first days of independence embarking on the course to build democratic state and mature civil society, in all processes of reforming gradually follows the strategy “all for the sake of human, all for the sake of its future”. In the nation’s Constitution the human, its rights and interests are raised to a rank of supreme values. The legislative and normative documents that envisage provision for human interests are also implemented.

Since Uzbekistan obtained independence it has been paying a paramount attention to improving the educational system, raising its quality up to a level of world standards. It is not by chance that one of the first laws adopted in the country was the Law “On education”.

This year the people of Uzbekistan will celebrate the 17th anniversary of Independence. Looking back at the traversed complex path of independent development one could speak about significant achievements of the country in building open, secular democratic state with socially-oriented market economy and establishing strong civil society.

On the invitation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov on July 21-23, 2008 the Emir of State of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber as-Sabah paid an official visit to Uzbekistan.

According to the Ministry for Emergency Situations, at night of July 10, 2008 at the rocket and artillery depot of the Ministry of Defense’s military unit located in the Kagan Province of Bukhara region the inflammation occurred that caused fire and explosion of ammunitions.