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71Scientific Journal Impact Factor
PROSPECTS FOR DIGITAL DIPLOMACY IN CENTRAL ASIA: THE EXPERIENCE OF UZBEKISTAN
Azam Hudaykulov
Management Development Institute of Singapore in Tashkent Assistant Manager at the Social and Civic Development Department.
e-mail: [email protected]
Today, it is important to study the current state, problems and prospects of "digital diplomacy" in the Central Asian region. The use of digital and information technologies in the diplomacy of these countries is considered a new phenomenon. We should emphasize the unique benefits of digital diplomacy in most developed countries. This thesis analyzes the role and prospects of digital diplomacy in Central Asia for 2016-2020 years, as well as the experience of Uzbekistan in this area.
Keywords: Digital diplomacy, Central Asia, foreign policy, soft power, public diplomacy, political analysis, social networks, international rankings.
Сегодня важно изучить текущее состояние, проблемы и перспективы «цифровой дипломатии» в Центральноазиатском регионе. Использование цифровых и информационных технологий в дипломатии этих стран считается новым явлением. Мы должны подчеркнуть уникальные преимущества цифровой дипломатии в большинстве развитых стран. В данной диссертации анализируются роль и перспективы цифровой дипломатии в Центральной Азии на 2016-2020 годы, а также опыт Узбекистана в этой сфере.
Ключевые слова: цифровая дипломатия, Центральная Азия, внешняя политика, мягкая сила, публичная дипломатия, политический анализ, социальные сети, международные рейтинги.
INTRODUCTION
Today's globalization processes require the effective use of information and communication technologies, Internet services and the "concept of communication" approach in the future development of the country. In the system of international relations, new methods and mechanisms are being used in the conduct of relations and foreign policy of states. New forms of using "soft power" in the foreign policy of states have emerged. That is why today the terms "Digital Diplomacy", "Digital Government", "Digital Economy" are often used in scientific circles. These terms have appeared in the last 20 years. In his book "Digital Diplomacy: Theory and
ABSTRACT
АННОТАЦИЯ
Oriental Renaissance: Innovative, R VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 8
educational, natural and social sciences ( ) ISSN 2181-1784
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Practice", C. BJola describes digital diplomacy as a strategy for managing changes in society through digital means and virtual collaboration. At the same time, digital diplomacy is considered as a means of conveying the public diplomacy, ideology and ideas of one country to the people of another, as well as shaping its image. The term digital diplomacy is used interchangeably with names such as Twiplomacy, Web Diplomacy 2.0, and Social Network Diplomacy. The use of digital and information technologies is taking diplomatic relations to a new level. When Lord Henry Palmerston of Great Britain first received the document from a telegram in 1860, he was astonished and said, "God, this is the end of diplomacy". 4.6 billion people (59.5%) of the world use the Internet. The use of social networks is 53.6% of the world's population. These figures show an annual growth rate of 9-10%. From the above data, we can see how the digital space is evolving, which in turn requires new approaches to international relations and political processes.
DISCUSSION AND RESULTS
Today, the official pages of various heads of state, ministries and organizations, politicians around the world keep public opinion on social networks under the influence of their own interests and political views. The term "twiplomacy" is used to describe the widespread use of "digital diplomacy" on Twitter. Today, the United States, Canada, Turkey, India, Russia, Japan, the United Kingdom, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, France, and currently Venezuela are leading the way of activism in posts on Twitter and other social networks. In today's age of information and globalization, the victory is on the side of which country can show itself in the most positive and "white" image.
The Central Asian region is no exception. In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic in the world, the use of digital diplomacy has reached a new level. In particular, the SCO Summit in 2020 and its two more high-level meetings, the C5 + 1 cooperation meeting and the meeting of the CIS Council Heads of States were held in online format.
The efforts of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, especially in the use of digital means in diplomacy, can be positively assessed. Both countries see the use and effective use of digital diplomacy as a state policy. In Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, this process is developing very slowly. In particular, only one third of the population of Turkmenistan uses the Internet, and only 2.5% of the population uses the social network. In Tajikistan, 1/3 of the population uses the Internet, while the share of social networks is 10%. However, the annual number of users is improving. In particular, the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov instructed to
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open new directions in two universities in Turkmenistan. These areas of study include Internet journalism and political communications at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the International University for the Humanities and Development. The head of state also instructed to analyze the possibility of opening new specialties in these universities, including Oriental studies, American and European countries, digital diplomacy, cybersecurity, analytics and strategic planning.
In 2012, the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev opened his official pages on Facebook and Twitter, and in 2014 on Instagram. Today, all federal ministries, agencies and other state authorities have their own websites. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan is creating all the conditions for those who want to follow all foreign policy events on social networks, in particular, using Facebook and Twitter. The Kyrgyz Republic is also working on this issue. In 2016, the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Russian Federation launched an initiative to inform social network users on a weekly basis about the activities of the consular section. The embassy also has accounts on Facebook. As for the country's main diplomatic body, the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry, it has accounts on social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, VKontakte and even YouTube, which undoubtedly indicates the active use of digital diplomacy. At the same time, in addition to major infrastructure projects of China's "One Belt One Road", the Chinese company Huawei continues to implement its new 5G technology in Central Asia and invest in this area. All three state-controlled mobile operators in Uzbekistan are strengthening 5G ties with Huawei, and the government itself is cooperating with China's Huawei in its Digital Government and Safe City projects.
Uzbekistan is the largest user of Internet resources in Central Asia (18.5 million - 55%). Between 2019 and 2020, the number of Internet users increased by 1.2 million or 7% in one year. The use of social networks is growing rapidly, accounting for 44% of the total number of existing social network users (about 3.4 million) each year. On April 5, 2018, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev adopted Presidential Decree No 3654 "On organizational measures to further improve the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan" on the development of digital diplomacy and there was an expansion of the use of "digital diplomacy," which provided for the wider use of the Internet, including social platforms. Paragraph 274 of the State Program on the implementation of the Action Strategy for the five priority areas of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2017-2021 in the "Year of Active Investment and Social Development" provides for
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the development of digital diplomacy in foreign relations and implementation of complex measures are planned. Currently, 114 government agencies in the country have their own electronic portal. The fact that 79% of them also have a mobile version creates additional convenience for the population. In addition, an electronic subscription system has been introduced on the official websites of ministries and agencies to keep up to date with their activities. Virtual receptions of government agencies have become a trend in online communication with the public. The Virtual Reception of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (pm.gov.uz), launched in September 2016, has opened the way for new forms of dialogue between government agencies and the public. It is evident in the activity of government agencies in social networks. Digital diplomacy can and should be used as a tool of "soft power". The first stages of digital diplomacy in Uzbekistan began in 2016. At the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, 2017 was declared the Year of Dialogue with the People and Human Interests. For three years, various innovations in both foreign and domestic policy have been addressed, effective methods previously unknown to government agencies and our society. Some ministers and lawmakers have started opening their pages on Facebook, Twitter and even Instagram. Hoping for this, Uzbeks using the social network began to actively post their questions and opinions and join the discussion and debate.
According to Twiplomacy.com, the most active and important Twitter pages in Uzbekistan are the press service of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, the gov.uz portal and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Among the world's leading leaders and organizations, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's press service shows that the President's press service is followed by more than 39,000 followers on Twitter and more than three million followers on Instagram. In the list of fifty active leaders on Instagram, the pages maintained by the press service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan are in different categories:
1. "The 50 most followed world leaders" -3 million users, 16th place.
2. "The 50 world leaders with the most interactions"- 9 million users, 22nd place.
3. "The 50 most effective world leaders" - 39th place.
At first glance, the fact that the pages of the press service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan entered the TOP-50 may indicate that there is progress in the field of "digital diplomacy", but learning the experience of countries such as the United States, Canada and Turkey is also beneficial. In addition, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are studying the experience of Uzbekistan in the introduction of digital
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technologies in the field of transport. A meeting on this issue was held on February 18 at the International Institute for Central Asia.
The brand of the country and the original image of politicians are formed by addressing these simple issues. Interaction increases its effectiveness. Different ratings are based on the degree to which laws, ministries and political parties are able to protect the interests of the people in practice. The reality of the reforms taking place in Uzbekistan and how effective they are is reflected in the political attitude of the world community towards it. For example, the Telegram incident in the Russian Federation has further tarnished the country's international image and public confidence in its government.
What can be done to develop digital diplomacy in Uzbekistan and Central Asia and to address these issues?
First, to study and implement the prospects of using the experience of developed countries in Central Asia in the field of "Digital Government" and "Virtual Embassy";
Second, to organize courses for all diplomats and officials in Uzbekistan on digital diplomacy and related tools, to develop media literacy, to establish a single center in Tashkent to improve knowledge and skills in this area, and thus to use information technology in public diplomacy. To expand and implement the activities of this center for neighbor republics;
Third, to improve the position of the information and digital sectors of Uzbekistan and Central Asia in international rankings and strengthen cooperation with think tanks in this area;
Fourth, to take all necessary measures for the development, allocation and training of projects in the field of cybersecurity, media analysis and digital diplomacy;
Fifth, the regulation of the legal status of behavior in cyberspace and information space and other normative issues, the development of prospects for cooperation in this area not only at the local but also at the regional level;
Sixth, to prevent the spread of trolling, misinformation and fake news on social networks, to establish effective means and mechanisms to protect the population from the penetration of harmful and destructive ideas through the Internet;
Seventh, a research and analysis center should be established to study and contribute to the development of digital diplomacy in Central Asia.
Based on the above, it should be noted that the implementation of digital diplomacy will allow to fully implement the urgent tasks of promoting the national interests of the country, increasing the openness and transparency of foreign policy. Digital diplomacy is an important part of the country's active foreign policy,
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informing millions of foreigners about large-scale reforms at no cost, and knowing the mood and attitude of the public.
CONCLUSION
There are reasons and grounds for creating sufficient conditions for the development of digital diplomacy in Uzbekistan. In general, the prospects for the proactive participation of the Central Asian states in this process, as well as the balance of interests and forces should be studied. Central Asian states are also trying to gain a foothold in the information space. In this regard, the countries of the region can achieve high results through the development of cooperation. The countries of the region can achieve this, first of all through technological cooperation with the United States, China and Russia on the basis of equal principles and opportunities. This, in turn, allows for a new approach and a new format. The development of digital diplomacy in Central Asia will play an important role in addressing issues in the region, such as cybersecurity and information attacks.
REFERENCES Books:
1. C. Bjola & M. Holmes (Eds.), Digital diplomacy: Theory and practice. New York, NY: Routledge. 2015. (P. 199-206).
2. Ramaprasad, J. (1983). Media Diplomacy: in Search of a Definition. Gazette (Leiden, Netherlands), 31(1), 69-78. doi: 10.1177/001654928303100107
Internet sources:
1. C.Thompson. "The Roaring Twenties: Central Asia's Digital Decade?", accessed in 01.04.2020
2. http://www.eias.org/news/the-roaring-twenties-central-asias-digital-decade/
3. В двух вузах Туркменистана откроют новые специальности | Образование. (2021). URL: https://turkmenportal.com/blog/34224/v-dvuh-vuzah-turkmenistana-otkroyut-novye-specialnosti#
4. Tojikiston va Qirg'iziston O'zbekiston transport sohasida raqamli texnologiyalari joriy etish bo'yicha tajribasini o'rganmoqda. (2021)
5. URL: https://telegra.ph/Tozhikiston-va-%D2%9Air%D2%93iziston-%D0%8Ezbekiston-transport-so%D2%B3asida-ra%D2%9Bamli-tehnologiyalari-zhorij -ehtish-b%D 1 %9Ej icha-tazhribasini-%D 1 %9Erganmo%D2%9Bda-02-18
6. PQ-3654-сон 05.04.2018. O'zbekiston Respublikasi Tashqi ishlar vazirligi faoliyatini yanada takomillashtirishga doir tashkiliy chora-tadbirlar to'g'risida. (2021). URL: https://lex.uz/docs/-3611284
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7. PF-5635-coh 17.01.2019. 2017-2021-yillarda O'zbekiston Respublikasini rivojlantirishning beshta ustuvor yo'nalishi bo'yicha Harakatlar strategiyasini "Faol investitsiyalar va ijtimoiy rivojlanish yili"da amalga oshirishga oid davlat dasturi to'g'risida. URL: https://lex.uz/ru/docs/-4168749
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