Party history

FROM THE HISTORY OF THE MOVEMENT OF ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESSMEN – THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF UZBEKISTAN

Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople – Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (UzLiDeP) is a nationwide political party that represents and defends the interests of entrepreneurs, farmers, businesspeople and property owners. It was founded on 15 November 2003 and registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan on 3 December of the same year. In every parliamentary election held since its founding, the party has formed the largest faction in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis.

01 Stages of Development

02 Participation in Elections

Elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis

Presidential candidates nominated by UzLiDeP

03 Party Leaders

Chairmen of the Executive Committee of the Political Council:

04 Chronology

2003

• October 4–5, 2003 - A group of activists launched an initiative to establish a national political organization – the party expressing and defending the interests of small businesses, entrepreneurs and farmers - a class of proprietors, highly skilled specialists of manufacturing, the management personnel and the businessmen.
• October 7, 2003 – Islam Karimov, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, met with the members of aforementioned initiative group.
• November 15, 2003 - The founding congress of the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen – The Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan was held. The Program and the Party Charter, the composition of the Political Council and the Central Supervisory and Auditing Commission were approved during the Congress. Mr. Kobiljon Fattohovich Toshmatov was elected as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Political Council of the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan.
• December 3, 2003 - The Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan incorporated into the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

2004

• January 1, 2004 - the first issue of the party publication – the socio-political newspaper «XXI asr» was published.
• May 24, 2004 - at the Second recurrent meeting of the Political Council Mr. Mahamadjon Akhmedovich Akhmedjanov was elected as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Political Council of the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan.
• December 26, 2004 – The Party for the first time took part in the elections to the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, regional, district and city councils of the national deputies. According to their results UzLiDeP became the largest faction in the parliament possessing 41 parliamentary seats. And 1,908 deputies from the Party were elected to the local representative authorities.

2005

• On the initiative of UzLiDeP, the National Association of Non-Governmental Non-Profit Organisations of Uzbekistan was established. It is through the efforts of this Association that more than 400 non-governmental non-profit organisations operating in our country today and serving to protect the interests of various segments of the population have been united into a single structure. The party is committed to giving close support to the activities of this organisation.
• March 19, 2005 – Mr. Mukhammadyusuf Mutalibjonovich Teshaboev was elected as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Political Council of the party at the fifth recurrent meeting of the Political Council.
• July 25, 2005 - an extraordinary Third Congress of the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan was held. The issues regarding the amendments to the Party Program and Charter were reviewed during the Congress.

2006

• The Centre for Support of Entrepreneurship and Farming was established with UzLiDeP as its founder. To date, the Centre has protected the legitimate rights and interests of nearly 4,000 entrepreneurs and farmers. In addition, the country’s parliament adopted a number of laws providing the legal regulation of entrepreneurial activity, and the government made amendments and additions to the relevant subordinate regulations.
• December 7, 2006 – The Eighth meeting of the Political Council UzLiDeP was held. The meeting reviewed the nomination of candidates for the vacant parliamentary seats of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis.

2007

• November 6, 2007 - the Fourth Congress of the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan which discussed the issue of Presidential Bid at the next election of the Republic of Uzbekistan was held. The Party Congress took decision to nominate the candidacy of Mr. Islam Karimov for the post of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Mr. Islam Karimov, as the candidate to the post of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, gave a report at the Congress, on “To serve faithfully for the motherland and people – is the highest happiness”.
• December 23, 2007 – Mr. Islam Karimov, the candidate from UzLiDeP, won the elections to the post President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

2008

• September 20, 2008 – the extended meeting of the Executive Committee of the Political Council of UzLiDeP was held where the issues concerning the implementation of the program objectives of the party were analyzed. The special attention was paid to the state of affairs and the immediate tasks of the party structures and parliamentary groups in the implementation of the Constitutional Law “On strengthening the role of political parties in the renewal and further democratization of state governance and modernization of the country”.

2009

• December 27, 2009 - UzLiDeP took successful part in the parliamentary elections, elections to the regional, district and city councils of national deputies. Having possessed 53 parliamentary seats, the party for the second time formed the largest faction in the parliament. At this time 2,159 deputies from the Party were elected to the local representative authorities.

2010

• February 2, 2010 — in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, on the initiative of the UzLiDeP faction, an Agreement on uniting into the “Democratic Forces Bloc” was signed between the factions of UzLiDeP, the “Milliy Tiklanish” Democratic Party of Uzbekistan and the “Adolat” Social Democratic Party of Uzbekistan.
• December 18, 2010 – The Second meeting of the Political Council UzLiDeP was held. The meeting approved the Program of specific comprehensive measures aimed at implementing the priorities arising from the Statement of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov on the Concept of further deepening the democratic reforms and the establishing the civil society in the country”.

2011

• July 15, 2011 - by the initiative of UzLiDeP for the first time in accordance with the Paragraph 15 of the Article 78 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of Oliy Majlis were presented the report of Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoev, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, on the Program of measures aimed at further enhancement of democratic market reforms and economic liberalization being implemented by the government in compliance with the Concept of further deepening the democratic reforms and the establishing the civil society in the country, outlined in the Statement of Mr. Islam Karimov, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, at the joint session of both chambers of the Oliy Majlis in November 2010.The implementation process of the State program of “The Year of small scale business and entrepreneurship” was also widely discussed during the event.

2012

• A General Agreement on mutual cooperation was signed between the Executive Committee of the Political Council of UzLiDeP and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Within the framework of this agreement, relevant measures are currently being taken to study the problems of entrepreneurs closely and to resolve them in a timely manner.
• March 31, 2012 – The Fourth meeting of the Political Council UzLiDeP was held. The meeting discussed the issues related with the party projects for 2012 which would be implemented within the framework of the Concept of further deepening the democratic reforms and the establishing the civil society in the country, and the execution of the State Program of “The Year of Family”.

2013

• A General Agreement on mutual cooperation was signed between the Executive Committee of the Political Council of UzLiDeP and the Council of Farmers of Uzbekistan. UzLiDeP regards the further development of the farming movement and the study and resolution of the problems facing farmers, in cooperation with the Council of Farmers of Uzbekistan and its regional structures, as its main task, and will continue to step up its work in this area.
• December 2, 2013 - at the Sixth recurrent meeting of the Political Council Mr. Sodikjon Turdiev was elected as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Political Council of UzLiDeP.

2014

• September 13, 2014 — an enlarged meeting of the Executive Committee of the Political Council of UzLiDeP was held, which discussed ensuring the active participation of UzLiDeP in the 2014 elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and local Councils of People’s Deputies, as well as other important issues.
• September 30, 2014 — the 8th meeting of the Political Council of UzLiDeP was held. It discussed UzLiDeP’s work to ensure its active participation in the upcoming elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and local Councils of People’s Deputies and the next priority tasks, the draft Election Programme of UzLiDeP, and the convening of the next 6th Congress of UzLiDeP and, in this connection, the holding of conferences of regional party organisations.
• October 31, 2014 — the 6th Congress of UzLiDeP was held. Under its agenda, the Congress thoroughly reviewed and discussed the results of the party’s work over the past 5 years and its future plans, as well as preparations for the upcoming elections, an important political event in the life of our country, and adopted the relevant decisions. The Party Congress discussed active participation in the elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and to the regional, district and city Councils of People’s Deputies; the delegates approved the party’s Election Programme, and UzLiDeP nominated its candidates for deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
• December 21, 2014 — UzLiDeP took part successfully in the elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and to the regional, district and city Councils of People’s Deputies. According to the election results, UzLiDeP won the largest number of seats in the lower house of parliament – 52, as well as 307 seats (38%) in the regional Councils of People’s Deputies and 1,806 seats (35%) in the district (city) Councils, and formed its faction in parliament and its deputy groups in the local representative bodies.

2015

• January 5, 2015 — the founding meeting of the UzLiDeP faction in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan was held. The main item on the agenda was the establishment of the party faction composed of the deputies elected to the Legislative Chamber from UzLiDeP. The meeting considered an organisational matter. S. Turdiyev, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Political Council of UzLiDeP, was elected leader of the faction.
• January 15, 2015 — a regular meeting of the Political Council of UzLiDeP was held. Among other things, the meeting discussed issues related to UzLiDeP’s participation in the election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to be held on 29 March of that year. The Political Council decided to submit to the party’s 7th Congress the question of nominating Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov as UzLiDeP’s candidate for President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
• February 6, 2015 — the 7th Congress of UzLiDeP was held. It was attended by a total of 344 delegates. The Congress agenda gave thorough consideration to UzLiDeP’s candidate for President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In accordance with the Law “On the Election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, the Congress decided to nominate Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov as UzLiDeP’s candidate for President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. At this meeting, Islam Karimov delivered a report entitled “Our Goal Is to Build a Free, Prosperous and Democratic Life”.
• March 14, 2015 — a joint meeting of the factions of UzLiDeP and the “Milliy Tiklanish” Democratic Party of Uzbekistan was held in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis. It discussed the formation of the “Democratic Forces Bloc” in the lower house of parliament. Following the discussion, a bilateral Agreement was signed setting out the main terms and priority areas of the joint activities of the factions of the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople – Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan and the “Milliy Tiklanish” Democratic Party of Uzbekistan.
• March 29, 2015 – Islam Abduganievich Karimov, the candidate from UzLiDeP, won the elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
• December 12, 2015 - Was held a session of Executive Committee of Political Council of UzLiDeP dedicated to identification of priority areas for further activities of the faction, party’s structures and organizations of UzLiDeP on the basis of the tasks arising from the report of the President Islam Karimov at the solemn meeting devoted to the 23rd anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the theme “Our main task - to raise the reform of democratization and modernization of the country to a new level”.The participants noted that the Constitution is the basic instrument for the promotion of our goals - the construction of an independent, economically developed, integrated into the international community of the state, which provided a good and decent life of its citizens.
• December 25-26, 2015 - A republican contest to the title «The best primary party organization (PPO)», «Deputy of the year», «The best district (city) party organization» was held in Tashkent city. It was attended by members of UzLiDeP, its faction in the Legislative Chamber and deputy groups in local councils of people's deputies, representatives of the territorial councils of UzLiDeP, partner organizations and others. According to the results of the contest «Olmaliq Mining and Metallurgical Combine» was named as the best PPO, Deputy in local council of people's deputies in Bukhara region T. Bakhronov was named as the best Deputy of the year and Samarkand city council of UzLiDeP won the first place in the nomination the best district (city) party organization.

2016

• January 22, 2016 - The Executive Committee of the Political Council of UzLiDeP and its faction in the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis held a joint meeting to discuss the party’s tasks arising from the report of Islam Karimov at the enlarged meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, devoted to results of socio-economic development of the country in 2015 and the most important priorities of economic program for 2016. At the same time, participants of the meeting were united by the theme of achieving the main goal – despite the difficulties, is to go decidedly forward, continuing consistently ongoing reforms, structural transformations in economy, creating even more opportunities for development of private property, entrepreneurship and small business.
• April 16, 2016 - The Executive Committee of Political Council of UzLiDeP held a session to discuss the implementation of the State program «Year of a healthy mother and child» and the improvement of further activities of the party organizations in the execution tasks of the Comprehensive target program of practical actions of UzLiDeP for 2016.
• October 19, 2016 - VIII Congress of the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen - Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (UzLiDeP) was held in Tashkent on October 19, the Party Congress decided to nominate the candidacy of a member of the political council of Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev to the post of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
• December 9, 2016 – a session of the Central Electoral Commission took place. The session looked at the results of the 4 December 2016 elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. According to the results of the presidential elections, 15 million 906 thousand 724 voters that is 88.61 per cent of the voters who took part in the voting voted for the candidate from UzLiDeP Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev. Thus, on the basis of these results, the candidate from UzLiDeP Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev won the 4 December 2016 elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

2017

• August 8, 2017 — in connection with his appointment as a district hokim, Sodiqjon Turdiyev was relieved of the post of Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Political Council of UzLiDeP. Baxtiyor Yakubov was entrusted with the duties of acting chairman.
• December 24, 2017 – the elections to the district Councils of people’s deputies of the city of Tashkent were held. According to the results of the elections, 137 deputies from the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen - Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan were elected to the district kengash of people’s deputies of Tashkent from 330 electoral districts.

2018

• February 3, 2018 – UzLiDeP signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Institute of legislation issues and parliamentary research under Oliy Majlis to strengthen relations in the field of social partnership, the implementation of the tasks outlined in the action strategy on five priority directions on development of Uzbekistan is designed for 2017-2021 and the President's Address to Oliy Majlis.
• August 3, 2018 — Aktam Ahmadovich Hayitov was elected Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Political Council of UzLiDeP.

2019

• On November 5, 2019 – The 9^th Congress of the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople – the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, was held in Tashkent. The party’s pre-election program and candidates for the lower house of parliament were approved at the congress.

2020

• On January 6, 2020 – At the regular session of the Central Election Commission, the results of the final round of parliamentary elections were announced. Following the election results in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople – the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan took 53, “Milliy Tiklanish” Democratic Party of Uzbekistan – 36, “Adolat” Social Democratic Party of Uzbekistan – 24, People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan – 22, Ecological Party of Uzbekistan – 15 seats.
• On January 18, 2020 – A meeting of the political council of the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople – the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan was held in Tashkent. At the meeting, the candidacy of Abdulla Aripov, who has been the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan since December 2016, was nominated.

2021

• July 7, 2021 — a regular meeting of the Political Council of UzLiDeP was held. It discussed ensuring the party’s active participation in the election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to be held that year. In addition, the members of the Political Council approved the party’s updated logo.
• August 7, 2021 — a regular meeting of the Political Council of UzLiDeP was held in Tashkent. The meeting thoroughly discussed UzLiDeP’s participation in the election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to be held on 24 October of that year, the future UzLiDeP candidate in the presidential election, and the items on the agenda of the next congress.
• September 9, 2021 — the 10th Congress of UzLiDeP was held in Tashkent. It was attended by nearly 1,200 delegates elected from the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the regions and Tashkent city. At the Congress, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, candidate for the post of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, delivered a report on the main directions of his Election Programme.
• October 24, 2021 — in the presidential election, Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev was elected President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for a five-year term with 80.12% of the votes of the voters who took part in the voting.
• November 15, 2021 — a regular meeting of the Political Council of UzLiDeP was held. It discussed the priority tasks facing the party and its faction arising from the speech of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the joint session of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis dedicated to the solemn inauguration ceremony.

2022

• January 31, 2022 — a joint meeting of the Executive Committee of the Political Council of UzLiDeP and the party’s faction in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis was held. It discussed the party’s priority tasks arising from the Decree “On the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022–2026” signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

2023

• March 16, 2023 — a regular meeting of the Political Council of UzLiDeP thoroughly discussed the party’s participation in the referendum of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the draft Constitutional Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan”.
• May 12, 2023 — a regular meeting of the Political Council of UzLiDeP was held in Tashkent. It discussed UzLiDeP’s participation in the early election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to be held on 9 July of that year and the candidate to be nominated by the party at its next Congress.
• May 30, 2023 — the 11th Congress of UzLiDeP was held in Tashkent. The delegates of the Congress of the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan unanimously decided to nominate Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev on behalf of the party in the forthcoming election. At the Congress, Sh.M. Mirziyoyev, candidate for the post of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, delivered a report on the main directions of his programme.
• July 9, 2023 — UzLiDeP’s presidential candidate Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev, having received the largest share of the votes, 87.05%, won a convincing victory in the contested election.

2024

• July 2024 — at the 17th meeting of the Political Council of UzLiDeP, a unanimous decision was taken on the party’s participation in the elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and local councils.
• August 20, 2024 — the signature sheets of voters supporting the party were submitted to the Central Election Commission.
• September 7, 2024 — the 1st Congress of UzLiDeP was held. It adopted the party’s Election Programme for 2025–2029, “5 Goals – 500 Tasks”.
• October 27, 2024 — elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis were held for the first time under a mixed electoral system. In the single nationwide constituency, UzLiDeP won 5,194,041 votes (34.75%) and 26 seats, and it won in 38 single-member constituencies. Having taken 64 of the 150 seats, the party formed the largest faction in parliament.
• November 18, 2024 — members of the UzLiDeP faction Mavludaxon Xodjayeva and Raxim Xakimov were elected Deputy Speakers of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis.

2025

• March 24, 2025 — a meeting of the Political Council of UzLiDeP discussed the action plan for ensuring the fulfilment of the tasks set out in the party’s Election Programme in the “Year of Environmental Protection and the ‘Green’ Economy”.
• March 29, 2025 — a memorandum of cooperation was signed between UzLiDeP and the Communist Party of China.
• May 2025 — the new composition of the Youth Parliament under the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis was formed: 64 of its 150 members are UzLiDeP representatives — 26 from the party list and 38 from single-member constituencies.
• May 5, 2025 — the factions of UzLiDeP and the “Milliy Tiklanish” Democratic Party of Uzbekistan formed the “Development Bloc”, a majority of 93 deputies in the Legislative Chamber.
• August–September 2025 — the regional stages of the “Businesswoman – 2025” contest, held on the initiative of UzLiDeP, took place.
• August 11, 2025 — a meeting of the Political Council of UzLiDeP discussed the implementation of the party’s Election Programme for 2025–2029 in the first half of the year.
• September 9, 2025 — a memorandum of cooperation was signed between UzLiDeP and the Justice and Development Party of Türkiye.
• November 15, 2025 — a meeting of the Political Council dedicated to the 22nd anniversary of the party’s founding was held. According to the party, UzLiDeP has more than 2.1 million members and 16,500 primary party organisations.

2026

• January 12, 2026 — the results of the work of the UzLiDeP faction in the Legislative Chamber in 2025 were reviewed.
• March 2026 — reporting and election meetings were held in the party’s primary organisations.
• April 30, 2026 — a memorandum of cooperation was signed between UzLiDeP and the Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights and Legitimate Interests of Business Entities (Business Ombudsman).
• May 3, 2026 — a meeting was held with a delegation of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, and a memorandum of cooperation was signed.
• June 25–28, 2026 — a UzLiDeP delegation took part in the meeting of the Standing Committee of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) held in Ulaanbaatar.
• September 5, 2026 — a document on cooperation between UzLiDeP and the People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan was signed in Tashkent.
• September 7, 2026 — the leadership of UzLiDeP met with a delegation of the Communist Party of China.

The Central edition of the party is the socio-political newspaper «XXI asr». The Official Web site of the party is www.uzlidep.uz, E-mail: uzlidep@uzlidep.uz