2020 is declared as the Year of Science, Enlightenment and the Digital Economy Development

“The great thinkers of the East said: “The greatest wealth is intelligence and science, the biggest legacy is a good upbringing, the greatest poverty is the lack of knowledge”.

The desire to acquire modern knowledge, to be enlightened and to have a high culture should become a vital need for all of us.

For sustainable development, we must deeply master digital knowledge and information technology, this will give us the opportunity to go along the shortest path to achieve progress.

In today’s world, digital technology plays a crucial role in all areas. Despite the fact that in 2019, in the global ICT Development Index, Uzbekistan rose by eight positions, we are still very behind in this area.

It is no exaggeration to say that most of our ministries and agencies, enterprises are still far from the full implementation of digital technologies.

Of course, we all well understand that formation of a digital economy will require appropriate infrastructure, huge resources and labor resources.

Nevertheless, no matter how difficult it is, we must already begin this work today, otherwise tomorrow will be too late. Therefore, an accelerated transition to the digital economy will become our priority for the next five years.

It is known that digital technologies not only improve the quality of products and services, reduce costs, but are also an effective tool in the fight against corruption – the most serious problem that bothers me very much.

The widespread adoption of digital technologies contributes to the effectiveness of state and public administration, the development of social sphere, in a word, a radical improvement in people’s lives.

In order to consistently continue and bring to a new, modern level the work we have begun on development of science and enlightenment, educating our youth as personalities with deep knowledge, high culture and spirituality, creating a competitive economy, I propose declaring 2020 in Uzbekistan as the Year of Science, Enlightenment and the Digital Economy Development”, the President said.

The proposal of the Head of the state was warmly supported by the gathered.