Whereas the Republic of Uzbekistan declared its independence from the Soviet Union on September 1, 1991; Whereas the United States established diplomatic relations with Uzbekistan in 1992, and has developed a strong strategic partnership since then; Whereas the Declaration on the Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Framework between the United States and the Republic of Uzbekistan, signed in July 2002, established a principled framework for mutually beneficial relations in the political, economic, military, military-technical, humanitarian, and other areas and recognized the importance of consistent implementation of democratic and market reforms in Uzbekistan; Whereas Uzbekistan’s ongoing regional initiatives aimed at strengthening stability and economic cooperation over the past 5 years in Central Asia contribute greatly to the stability of the region; Whereas Uzbekistan’s National Development Action Strategy on Five Priority Areas 2017–2021 laid out an ambitious plan to promote good governance, judicial reform and rule of law, economic liberalization, social development, religious tolerance and interethnic accord, and a balanced and constructive foreign policy; Whereas the official visit of President Mirziyoyev to the United States in May 2018 launched a new era of strategic partnership between the United States and Uzbekistan; Whereas the November 2020 Annual Bilateral Consultations held in the District of Columbia resulted in a wide range of agreements to further develop bilateral cooperation, including on issues such as combating international terrorism, regional security including Afghanistan, bilateral trade and investment, education, health, cybersecurity, and promote further reform in Uzbekistan on human rights, combating trafficking in persons, religious freedom, civil society, and independent media