Parliamentary diplomacy an important mechanism of Uzbekistan

In recent years, the participation of Uzbekistan in regional and international processes has increased significantly.

Uzbekistan is pursuing a more active and pragmatic foreign policy compared to previous periods. This policy has been recognized by the international community for its progressive nature and peacefulness

In turn, the role and importance of the bicameral parliament, which is the country’s highest representative body, has increased as never before in foreign policy. In recent years, the geography of international relations of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis has expanded significantly, cooperation with the parliaments of foreign countries and international inter-parliamentary associations has risen to a new level.

In particular, it is becoming increasingly important to ensure the implementation of the important tasks of maintaining an open, pragmatic and active foreign policy of our country, identified in the seventh priority direction of the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026, as well as to promote and protect national interests in the implementation of parliamentary diplomacy in Uzbekistan.

Today, one can observe the activation of parliamentary diplomacy in the following main areas.

Firstly , the legal foundations and practical mechanisms of parliamentary diplomacy have been further strengthened.

In particular, in 2020, the Kengashes of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted the Concept of Parliamentary Diplomacy in order to further strengthen the role of Parliament in developing relations with foreign countries.

In this Concept, the priority tasks are the development of cooperation with the parliaments of foreign countries, the strengthening of inter-parliamentary ties to study their legislative experience, ensuring the active participation of the Oliy Majlis in the activities of international inter-parliamentary organizations, informing the international community about the reforms carried out in our country, and about promoting the initiatives of our country .

In 2020, in order to further improve cooperation with the parliaments of foreign countries, another document was adopted Joint resolution of the Kengashes of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the intensification of the work of groups and commissions of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on cooperation with the parliaments of foreign countries and expanding practical cooperation.

The position of the First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber, responsible for the development of inter-parliamentary diplomacy and coordination of inter-parliamentary structures, has also been established. The introduction of this new institution serves to further strengthen cooperation with the parliaments of foreign countries and international inter-parliamentary organizations.

Secondly , bilateral cooperation relations with the parliaments of foreign countries have greatly expanded.

Creation of inter-parliamentary groups and commissions in the Oliy Majlis to interact with the parliaments of countries that are friends and partners of Uzbekistan, provide objective information to the world community about large-scale reforms carried out in our country, deepen inter-parliamentary dialogue, exchange mutual experience in the field of lawmaking, attract foreign investment in the economy Uzbekistan, establishing close contacts, holding high-level international conferences, seminars and round tables and ensuring their effectiveness.

In recent years, it can be observed that the groups and commissions of the Oliy Majlis for interaction with the parliaments of foreign countries have increased dramatically both in quantity and quality.

Today, inter-parliamentary cooperation groups serve as a permanent platform for developing relations with the legislative bodies of foreign countries and, in turn, become a convenient mechanism for conducting an open, constructive and lively dialogue with foreign partners.

If during 2015-2019 there were inter-parliamentary groups for cooperation with the parliaments of 28 countries, then in 2020 there were 43 of them, and by 2023 already 57 (56 countries and 1 EU parliament).

In particular, 21 inter-parliamentary structures have been created with the lower chambers of the parliaments of foreign countries, the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Among them are 19 inter-parliamentary cooperation groups and the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Council between the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Inter-Parliamentary Commission for Cooperation with the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.

In cooperation with the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, a total of 36 inter-parliamentary structures have been created, including inter-parliamentary groups for interaction with the parliaments of 35 foreign countries, a delegation of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the Committee for Parliamentary Cooperation with the Parliament of the European Union “Uzbekistan- European Union”. 26 of these inter-parliamentary structures are headed by deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and 10 by members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis.

Thirdly , the participation of the Oliy Majlis in international parliamentary associations has significantly intensified.

Today, the Oliy Majlis has become an active participant in foreign policy activities based on the protection and promotion of the national interests of Uzbekistan as a member or observer in the work of a number of inter-parliamentary associations.

Over the past 6 years, the Oliy Majlis has become a member of a number of prestigious inter-parliamentary associations, such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA).

The IPU is the oldest and most experienced international association in the world (founded in 1889), politically uniting the parliaments of the countries of the world. Given that the IPU seeks to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development through parliamentary dialogue and cooperation, the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan decided to restore its participation in the global parliamentary community from October 13, 2017 as an equal and full member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

On January 30, 2020, the Executive Committee of the IPU appointed Akmal Saidov, First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, an experienced deputy and diplomat, leading scientist and academician, as Vice President of the IPU.

Step by step, the election of Uzbekistan to the governing body of such a prestigious international parliamentary organization as the IPU is recognition of the cardinal social and political reforms carried out under the leadership of the President of the country.

Another important inter-parliamentary structure, of which Uzbekistan is a member, is the CIS IPA. This inter-parliamentary association was created simultaneously with the formation of the CIS and from the first days of its activity has become a unique platform for mutual cooperation between parliaments. Because the newly independent countries faced a huge task of fundamentally reforming their legal systems, and the IPA CIS made a significant contribution to its solution by developing model laws and undertaking important efforts to harmonize the national legislation of the participating countries.

Today Uzbekistan actively participates in the work of the IPA CIS. In particular, on October 27-28, 2022, the regular – 54th plenary meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly was held in Samarkand. It should be noted that in the thirty-year history of this organization, the plenary meeting of the Assembly was held for the first time in Uzbekistan. A number of important issues were discussed at the plenary session. In particular, the deputies considered model laws on elections, a referendum and their monitoring, security, intellectual rights, as well as scientific and technological, social issues and youth policy and other recommendatory documents.

The draft Long-term Plan of Model Lawmaking in the CIS for 2023-2025 and the work plan of the IPA CIS for the next year were also approved. Considered at the 54th plenary session of the IPA CIS, draft model laws “On international observation of elections and referendums”, “On administrative procedures”, “On privatization of state and municipal (communal) property” and others, taking into account the proposals of the Oliy Majlis, were finalized and adopted .

The plenary session held in Samarkand showed that during its activity the CIS IPA has been an effective platform for joint discussions and decision-making on topical issues related to the development of parliamentarism in the CIS space, strengthening cooperation between the Commonwealth countries, development of democratic processes and civil society institutions.

Another important inter-parliamentary association, of which Uzbekistan is a member, is the OSCE PA. Today, this association plays an important role in inter-parliamentary dialogue and cooperation, combating transnational threats in Central Asia, developing foreign economic relations, and improving the business and investment environment. Bilateral cooperation brings its results in the promotion of democratic ideas in the OSCE region.

It is noteworthy that since 2017, that is, after Uzbekistan became a member of this association, bilateral cooperation between the OSCE PA has intensified significantly. Representatives of the Oliy Majlis regularly participate in the meetings of the OSCE PA.

In particular, on July 4-6, 2022, the parliamentary delegation of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan took part in the summer session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, which was held in the UK. During the meeting, the participants of the meeting were provided with extensive information about the constitutional reforms carried out by the Republic of Uzbekistan in our country.

In addition, the parliamentary delegations of the Republic of Uzbekistan actively participate as observers in various events and conferences held within the framework of inter-parliamentary associations, such as the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-Speaking Countries, the Asia-Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Forum, the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Economic Cooperation Organization.

Fourthly , parliamentary control over the fulfillment of obligations under international treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan is being strengthened.

For example, systematic work is being carried out in Uzbekistan to achieve national goals and objectives in the field of sustainable development, and a special role in this matter is assigned to the Parliament of Uzbekistan.

In order to establish practical cooperation between the parliament, government and civil society institutions in the implementation of sustainable development goals, in order to organize regular parliamentary and public hearings on this issue, in accordance with the joint decision of the Kengashes of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis dated February 27, 2020, a Parliamentary Commission was established to monitor the implementation of national goals and tasks in the field of sustainable development of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the period up to 2030. The Oliy Majlis, using effective forms and methods of parliamentary control, also pays constant attention to the implementation of other national goals and objectives of sustainable development until 2030.

The use of modern methods of parliamentary control in the implementation of sustainable development goals and the use by parliamentarians of the capabilities of international organizations will undoubtedly contribute to the successful achievement of the national goals and objectives of sustainable development of Uzbekistan until 2030 and will have a positive impact on improving the welfare of the people and the international image of the country.

In conclusion, it should be noted that in recent years our parliament has become an active participant in the country’s foreign policy. The geography of parliamentary diplomacy is expanding and its effectiveness is increasing. This, in turn, creates an opportunity to establish long-term ties in the socio-political, economic, cultural spheres, and provides all-round support to the strengthening of friendly relations between our countries.

At present, the large-scale program of international relations of the Oliy Majlis is an important component of the foreign policy of our country and allows us to boldly promote the interests of the Republic of Uzbekistan both on a bilateral basis and within the framework of the activities of international inter-parliamentary structures.