Uzbekistan’s Policy Of Interethnic Harmony And Its Role In Ensuring Regional Stability In Central Asia
Abstract
This article analyzes Uzbekistan’s policy of interethnic harmony and its role in ensuring regional stability in Central Asia. In multiethnic societies, interethnic harmony is not only a social and cultural value but also a strategic condition for political stability, ideological security, and sustainable development. Uzbekistan’s experience is especially important because the country is located at the center of Central Asia and has historically been a space of interaction among different peoples, languages, cultures, and religious traditions. The purpose of the article is to examine the legal, institutional, ideological, and regional dimensions of Uzbekistan’s interethnic harmony policy. The study is based on descriptive, analytical, comparative, and institutional methods. The results show that Uzbekistan’s policy is grounded in constitutional equality, respect for cultural diversity, support for national-cultural centers, religious tolerance, civic unity, and good-neighborly foreign policy. The article argues that interethnic harmony strengthens social trust, prevents the politicization of ethnic differences, protects society from destructive ideological influences, and creates a favorable environment for regional cooperation. In Central Asia, where peace, transport connectivity, border cooperation, water-energy issues, trade, and humanitarian relations are closely interconnected, Uzbekistan’s model of interethnic harmony contributes to the formation of a stable regional environment. The article concludes that interethnic harmony should be regarded as a key factor of national consolidation and regional security.