Mirziyoyev Honors 558 Citizens on 35th Independence Anniversary

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended a state award ceremony in Tashkent marking the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence, where he conferred high honors upon 558 citizens, UzDaily.uz reported.

During the ceremony, the President congratulated attendees on the national milestone, noting that the past decades represented a transformative period of achievements driven by the country's population.

President Mirziyoyev reviewed economic and social metrics over the past decade, stating that Uzbekistan attracted over US$160 billion in foreign direct investment, expanding the size of the national economy by more than 2.5 times. Gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to exceed US$180 billion in 2026.

According to the head of state, 5.7 million permanent jobs were created across industry, services, and agriculture. Social infrastructure developments included new construction and expansions adding 1.2 million school places, 342,000 kindergarten places, and 62,000 hospital beds. Infrastructure projects completed or repaired 83,000 kilometers of local public roads, provided first-time centralized drinking water access to 8 million residents, and improved water supply for an additional 11.5 million people. Housing initiatives provided new apartments and homes for 650,000 families, benefiting at least 2.5 million citizens.

To mark the 35th anniversary of independence, 558 individuals were awarded state honors for exemplary service and contributions to national development.

Among the awardees, Khorezm community leader Rustam Sultonov was recognized for his long-standing work in local development and youth mentorship. Surkhandarya agricultural veteran Abdusattor Kurbonov was honored for his contributions to land reclamation and farming in arid zones.

Gulyamzhon Turonov, a long-serving steelmaker at the Bekabad Metallurgical Plant, was granted the honorary title of "Honored Industrial Worker." Other agricultural workers commended included Ilkhom Ziyavuddinov from Namangan for cotton and grain cultivation, Jamilia Khudoyberdieva from Bukhara for silkworm rearing, Esenbay Aytimuratov from Karakalpakstan for livestock technology, and Aslankul Karimkulov from Samarkand for irrigation and water conservation efforts.

Master decorative artist Sattorkhozha Tukhtakhuzhaev, who participated in the ornamentation of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent and the Imam Bukhari Complex in Samarkand, was awarded the honorary title of "Honored Builder."