In an interview with Dunyo IA, Bakhtiyor Mustafayev, Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan (ISRS), commented on the outcomes of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's participation in the Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, held in Ankara on October 30^th, 2026.

Uzbekistan became a full member in 2019. What place does the OTS occupy in our country’s foreign policy today, and how has the economic dimension of cooperation evolved?

— The importance of this area of cooperation is clearly reflected in trade trends. According to various estimates, Uzbekistan’s trade with OTS countries, including observer states Turkmenistan and Hungary, increased from US$4.13 billion in 2017 to US$10.82 billion in 2025, approximately a 2.6-fold increase. Growth continued in January–July 2026, reaching 19.8% compared with the same period of the previous year. This shows that historical and cultural affinities are increasingly reinforced by economic ties. At the same time, expanding trade increases the need for joint manufacturing ventures, affordable financing, and coordinated transport and legal procedures.

The initiatives put forward by the President of Uzbekistan in Ankara address precisely these needs. For Tashkent, the OTS is becoming a platform for combining the capabilities of national economies and jointly addressing challenges that are difficult for any one country to tackle alone. The next stage requires more advanced processing of raw materials, the adoption of technologies, and joint efforts to enter international markets with finished products. The Organization’s practical value will grow as expanding trade is accompanied by the development of lasting production chains and new jobs.

President proposed launching cooperation in the “OTS Plus” format, beginning with meetings of sectoral ministers. To what extent can the economic scale of the Turkic states attract interest from external partners?

— According to the 2025 annual edition of the Turkic Economic Review, the combined GDP of member and observer states amounted to US$2.11 trillion, while their combined foreign trade turnover with countries worldwide stood at US$1.12 trillion. Potential partners are interested in the combination of market size, the resource base, and the countries’ location along transport routes.

Engagement at the sectoral level can translate this interest into concrete agreements. Ministers can agree on the terms for external investors’ participation in a manufacturing project, the development of a transport route, or the provision of technology. For Uzbekistan, it is particularly important that cooperation with third countries should help increase the technological sophistication of production and expand export markets. An open format also makes it possible to combine OTS countries’ raw material resources and manufacturing capabilities with external partners’ technology, equipment, and financing. In this way, demand for joint projects will strengthen the Organization’s international standing.

President proposed the “Turkic World – 100” programme, covering one hundred strategic investment and industrial projects. What financial resources are already available to support its implementation?

— The Organization is already developing its own financial infrastructure. According to information published on the Turkic Investment Fund’s official website, its authorised capital amounts to US$600 million. The agreement establishing the Fund was signed in 2023, and it announced the launch of its operations in 2025. Its priorities include industry, infrastructure, renewable energy, and support for entrepreneurship. The programme of one hundred projects can therefore draw on an existing institution capable of combining its own resources with financing from international banks and private investors.

However, the Fund’s capital should not be regarded as the budget for the entire programme. Its most useful role is to help develop sound projects, reduce risks at the initial financing stage, and attract co-investors. The areas proposed by the President, including the processing of rare and strategic minerals and the domestic production of equipment for green energy, require precisely this approach. Project selection must involve assessments of demand, technology costs, and investment returns. For Uzbekistan, the outcomes should be new capabilities and more advanced processing; for its partners, economically viable participation in shared production chains.

Why has the President proposed a treaty on mutual legal assistance in commercial matters as business ties expand? How large is the business community whose interests it would protect?

— We are already talking about thousands of enterprises. According to the National Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as of 1 January 2026, there were 2,137 enterprises with Turkish capital and 1,212 with Kazakh capital operating in our country. These two OTS states alone accounted for 3,349 enterprises. Behind these figures are supply contracts, loans, investment commitments, and property relations.

As business relationships become more complex, the cost of legal uncertainty rises. Entrepreneurs need to understand how to protect their right to pursue a claim, obtain the necessary documents, and enforce a court judgment when a counterparty or its assets are abroad. The proposed treaty could make these procedures more predictable, while the digital exchange of requests could reduce the time needed for cooperation between the competent authorities. This would be particularly significant for small and medium-sized businesses, which find it difficult to maintain legal teams in several countries. Reliable legal protection can support further investment and reduce the costs of cross-border transactions.

What could the proposed Network of Logistics Complexes of Turkic States offer as traffic along the Middle Corridor increases? Why is joint management necessary?

— Growing freight volumes are already making coordination an economic necessity. According to the report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor in Central Asia, freight volumes along the Middle Corridor exceeded 4.7 million tonnes in 2025. The report also highlights persistent infrastructure and organisational constraints. As volumes increase, the effects of poorly coordinated schedules, terminal congestion, and duplicate paperwork become more pronounced. A delay on one section disrupts the entire route.

Joint management of the network could ensure coordinated service standards, the exchange of cargo data, and advance booking of terminal capacity. For businesses, the results are measured in the overall cost and predictability of delivery. Uzbekistan has an interest in ensuring that logistics complexes connect domestic enterprises to international markets and provide additional services, including storage, packaging, sorting, and product processing. This would generate revenue at different stages of transportation. Under this model, the Middle Corridor and connecting routes become a basis for locating production facilities and supporting regional development, rather than serving solely as transit routes.

What tourism potential underpins the proposal for a Turkic Tourism Alliance? How significant are travel flows between Uzbekistan and other OTS countries?

— At the summit, the President noted that the Turkic states welcomed more than 100 million international tourists in 2025. Uzbekistan is also recording rapid growth. According to the National Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the number of foreign visitors arriving for tourism purposes reached 11.7 million in 2025, an increase of 46.8% over the previous year. Of these, 3.3 million came from Kyrgyzstan, 2.7 million from Kazakhstan, and 174,900 from Türkiye. These three countries alone accounted for approximately 6.2 million visits. In the other direction, citizens of Uzbekistan made 3.3 million trips for tourism purposes to Kyrgyzstan, 1.3 million to Kazakhstan, and 268,900 to Türkiye.

These flows provide a substantial basis for cooperation, although statistics on travel for tourism purposes also include visits to relatives and other types of trips. The alliance’s task is to expand demand for comprehensive tourism itineraries spanning several countries and to promote them jointly in international markets. The proposed agreement on mutual travel by citizens and the wider use of ID cards could make travel easier to arrange. For Uzbekistan, this offers an opportunity to encourage longer stays and increase demand for hotels, guide services, handicrafts, and local cuisine. It is important that growth in visitor numbers should generate more income for businesses in the regions.

President expressed readiness to provide 200 scholarships annually to young people from the Turkic states. What existing cooperation does this initiative build on?

— Educational cooperation already involves concrete activities. According to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, four universities in Uzbekistan, together with two Turkish universities, are delivering six bachelor’s degree programmes in the 2025/2026 academic year, with 718 students enrolled. Nearly 300 lecturers and researchers have participated in exchanges over the past five years. Of more than 400 applications submitted to joint research calls with TÜBİTAK, 53 projects have been recommended for funding. The proposed 200 annual scholarships under the “New Uzbekistan Scholarship” programme are intended to extend this work to young people across the Turkic states.

It is now important to connect the training of specialists more closely with industrial and technological priorities. The scholarships can support the training of engineers, researchers, and logistics specialists needed for joint projects. Internships at enterprises and business involvement in defining research tasks will help graduates apply their knowledge in production. The value of exchanges also extends beyond an individual degree. They create a professional community whose members are familiar with their partners’ languages and business cultures. These ties facilitate subsequent cooperation between universities and enterprises and provide a skilled workforce for long-term collaboration.

Ankara summit supported the initiative to declare 2027 the Year of Nature Protection, and a Dictionary of Common Turkic Words was proposed. How can environmental and cultural cooperation deliver practical results?

— Uzbekistan can share its experience in environmental protection with its partners. According to information released by the Press Service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on 6 July 2026, new forest plantations covering more than 2 million hectares have been established on the dried bed of the Aral Sea. The country’s green cover increased from 8% in 2020 to 14.3% in 2025. Work on this scale provides a basis for discussing specific technologies for land restoration, the cultivation of drought-tolerant plants, and the monitoring of planted areas. The Year of Nature Protection could provide a framework for joint pilot sites, the exchange of scientific data, and specialist training in climate adaptation.

Cultural cooperation can also build on existing ties. For example, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation has reported that more than 5,000 students in Uzbekistan have chosen Turkish as their second foreign language. A Dictionary of Common Turkic Words could be a useful resource for these students, as well as for teachers and translators. A digital edition, examples of usage, and accessible learning materials would enhance its practical value. The scholarly task is to reflect shared roots and differences in meaning accurately. This would combine the preservation of heritage with easier everyday communication and educational exchanges.

How do you assess the overall outcomes of the Ankara summit? What should be the main criterion for judging the effectiveness of the mechanisms proposed by Uzbekistan?

— Ankara Declaration adopted at the summit set out shared priorities for further cooperation. The initiatives build on a substantial existing portfolio of investment projects. In 2026, work is under way on 280 projects involving partners from OTS countries, including Turkmenistan and Hungary, with a total value of US$17.24 billion. Investment in these projects amounted to US$3.84 billion in January–August. The proposed mechanisms are therefore important primarily as a means of supporting the preparation and implementation of concrete projects.

The main criterion will be how the conditions for cooperation change for businesses and citizens. In industry, this means launching production and adopting technologies; in transport, lower costs and reliable deliveries; and in the legal sphere, access to protection for commercial interests. Educational and tourism initiatives should expand opportunities for people and increase business income. Implementing the proposals put forward in Ankara will require agreement on project parameters and sources of financing. Their common purpose is to create institutions that enable more reliable investment, production, and trade. It is these practical benefits that will strengthen the resilience of the partnership within the OTS.

Dunyo IA

Tashkent

UNESCO Executive Board has unanimously approved the draft decision proposed by Uzbekistan, titled “Enhancing the Effectiveness of Measures to Preserve Cultural Heritage in the Face of Globalization and Climate Change”.

Decision was adopted at the organization's headquarters in Paris during the 225^th session of the Executive Board. The initiative was put forward by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on October 30^th last year at the opening of the 43^rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand.

Adopted document is aimed at strengthening international cooperation in protecting tangible and intangible cultural heritage from modern global challenges: climate change, natural disasters, rapid urbanization and socio-economic transformations.

It provides for the development of interaction among UNESCO member states, international organizations, and the scientific community, the improvement of risk prevention and management mechanisms, as well as the expansion of the exchange of scientific knowledge and best practices.

One of the key outcomes was the approval of Uzbekistan's proposal to host the International Symposium on the Preservation of Cultural Heritage in the Face of Globalization and Climate Change in Khiva in 2027, in cooperation with UNESCO.

Event is expected to bring together leading experts from various countries, representatives of international organizations, research institutions, and the expert community. The participants will discuss ways to prevent threats to cultural sites, application of modern technologies, preservation of traditional knowledge and enhancement of the professional capacity of specialists.

Following the symposium, it is planned to prepare practical recommendations for improving the methods of protection and management of cultural heritage, taking into account national specifics and international experience.

Uzbekistan’s initiative received the support of 54 UNESCO member states, which co-sponsored the draft decision. Among them are China, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan and other countries across Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America.

Representatives of the states noted the relevance of the proposal and its alignment with UNESCO’s priorities. They emphasized that threats associated with climate change and globalization affect countries regardless of their geographical location and level of economic development, thus requiring coordinated international action.

Furthermore, the delegations welcomed the readiness of Uzbekistan to host the symposium in Khiva, one of the historical and cultural centers of the Great Silk Road. Holding of the event, according to their assessments, will create additional opportunities for exchanging experience, developing professional ties and formulating joint solutions.

Symposium in Khiva in 2027 is expected to continue the work initiated within the framework of the 43^rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, serving as a platform for developing practical approaches to protecting cultural heritage in the face of global challenges.

Dunyo IA

Paris

Uzbekistan views its participation in the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) as an opportunity to give a new industrial dimension to trade relations. The focus is on production chains in which enterprises from different countries participate in the manufacturing of finished products and bring them to international markets. This is one of the key objectives of the “Space of New Economic Opportunities” initiative put forward by President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with the other OTS member states, as well as Turkmenistan and Hungary, increased from $4.13 billion in 2017 to $10.82 billion in 2025. In January–July 2026, trade turnover grew by 19.8 percent compared with the same period of the previous year. The presence of partner countries in Uzbekistan’s economy is also expanding. As of early August, 4,871 enterprises with their capital participation were operating in the country.

With trade ties reaching such a scale, the structure of trade is becoming increasingly important. In the first seven months of 2026, Uzbekistan’s exports to these countries amounted to $2.29 billion, while imports reached $4.46 billion. Strengthening export positions requires expanding the production of goods with a higher degree of processing. Industrial cooperation enables Uzbek enterprises to respond to demand in partner markets and expand beyond the OTS region.

This objective has gradually become central to Uzbekistan’s agenda within the OTS. Following Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s participation in the summit of Turkic states in 2018, Uzbekistan became a full member of the then Turkic Council in 2019. In 2022, Uzbekistan hosted the OTS summit in Samarkand and assumed the chairmanship of the organization. At the summit, the President proposed creating value-added production chains and entering third-country markets with finished products. At the 2024 summit in Bishkek, he put forward an initiative to conclude a strategic partnership agreement that could strengthen the political foundation for long-term projects.

In 2025, Uzbekistan proposed instruments to develop direct business-to-business ties. At the meeting in Budapest, the President called for the creation of the “TURK-TRADE” platform, the development of an industrial cooperation programme, and the establishment of a unified investment portal. These proposals cover successive stages of business cooperation: finding partners, presenting investment opportunities and preparing production projects. Direct contacts were also strengthened at the Trade Forum of the Turkic States in Baku, where Uzbek producers concluded agreements on the supply of finished knitwear and construction materials.

Alongside these proposals, practical decisions have also been adopted. In February 2026, the ministers responsible for economy and trade of the OTS member states signed a memorandum on partnership in trade and approved a “roadmap” for cooperation in the areas of economy, trade, investment and finance. The Turkic Investment Fund also began its operations that year. The establishment of a Council for Economic Partnership remains subject to further agreement among the participating states.

Bilateral investment ties with partner countries already provide a foundation for developing production facilities. In 2025, investments from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan and Hungary amounted to $4.29 billion. In 2026, work is underway on 280 projects with a total value of $17.24 billion. Between January and August, $3.84 billion had been actually invested within these projects. The future impact of these investments will depend on the commissioning of new capacities and the resulting production volumes.

One example of bilateral cooperation is located in Kashkadarya Region. There, the first stage of a project by the Azerbaijani company Matanat to produce gypsum products has been completed, while the second stage — the development of gypsum board production capacity — has begun. In this way, partner investment is being channelled into processing and manufacturing activities within Uzbekistan.

The transport sector already offers an example of a result achieved at the level of the Organization as a whole. The E-permit electronic permit system began as a joint project between Uzbekistan and Türkiye and now operates between Uzbekistan and all OTS member states. This experience demonstrates how a solution initially agreed upon by two countries can develop into a common procedure. Further progress in transport connectivity is linked to the coordination of tariffs, digital customs procedures and the operation of logistics hubs. Uzbekistan advocates connecting the Middle Corridor with the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway currently under construction and the prospective Trans-Afghan route.

Alongside transport connectivity, the digital agenda is also developing. At the 2026 summit in Turkistan, the President proposed developing a “Digital Turkic Corridor” that would connect regional data centres through high-speed communication networks. He also invited partners to participate in a venture capital fund being established jointly with Kazakhstan. These initiatives focus on the next potential source of economic growth: technologies, innovation and entrepreneurship capable of operating across multiple markets.

For Uzbekistan, the next stage of cooperation within the OTS will be determined by the quality of economic growth. Trade turnover and investment ties provide scale to industrial cooperation. Its strategic impact will depend on the role Uzbek enterprises play in creating finished products and on how widely the markets for those products can expand. Uzbekistan’s initiatives in industry, investment, transport and technology are aimed precisely at addressing this objective.

Uzbekistan views its participation in the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) as an opportunity to give a new industrial dimension to trade relations. The focus is on production chains in which enterprises from different countries participate in the manufacturing of finished products and bring them to international markets. This is one of the key objectives of the “Space of New Economic Opportunities” initiative put forward by President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The OTS brings together Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye. Turkmenistan and Hungary also participate as observer states. This geographical scope connects Central Asia with the South Caucasus, Türkiye and western trade routes. For Uzbekistan, the value of the multilateral format lies in the opportunity to coordinate trade and transport conditions with countries whose decisions influence the development of production links between enterprises.

Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with the other OTS member states, as well as Turkmenistan and Hungary, increased from $4.13 billion in 2017 to $10.82 billion in 2025. In January–July 2026, trade turnover grew by 19.8 percent compared with the same period of the previous year. The presence of partner countries in Uzbekistan’s economy is also expanding. As of early August, 4,871 enterprises with their capital participation were operating in the country.

With trade ties reaching such a scale, the structure of trade is becoming increasingly important. In the first seven months of 2026, Uzbekistan’s exports to these countries amounted to $2.29 billion, while imports reached $4.46 billion. Strengthening export positions requires expanding the production of goods with a higher degree of processing. Industrial cooperation enables Uzbek enterprises to respond to demand in partner markets and expand beyond the OTS region.

This objective has gradually become central to Uzbekistan’s agenda within the OTS. Following Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s participation in the summit of Turkic states in 2018, Uzbekistan became a full member of the then Turkic Council in 2019. In 2022, Uzbekistan hosted the OTS summit in Samarkand and assumed the chairmanship of the Organization. At the summit, the President proposed creating value-added production chains and entering third-country markets with finished products. At the 2024 summit in Bishkek, he put forward an initiative to conclude a strategic partnership agreement that could strengthen the political foundation for long-term projects.

In 2025, Uzbekistan proposed instruments to develop direct business-to-business ties. At the meeting in Budapest, the President called for the creation of the “TURK-TRADE” platform, the development of an industrial cooperation programme, and the establishment of a unified investment portal. These proposals cover successive stages of business cooperation: finding partners, presenting investment opportunities and preparing production projects. Direct contacts were also strengthened at the Trade Forum of the Turkic States in Baku, where Uzbek producers concluded agreements on the supply of finished knitwear and construction materials.

Alongside these proposals, practical decisions have also been adopted. In February 2026, the ministers responsible for economy and trade of the OTS member states signed a memorandum on partnership in trade and approved a roadmap for cooperation in the areas of economy, trade, investment and finance. The Turkic Investment Fund also began its operations that year. The establishment of a Council for Economic Partnership remains subject to further agreement among the participating states.

Bilateral investment ties with partner countries already provide a foundation for developing production facilities. In 2025, investments from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan and Hungary amounted to $4.29 billion. In 2026, work is underway on 280 projects with a total value of $17.24 billion. Between January and August, $3.84 billion had been actually invested within these projects. The future impact of these investments will depend on the commissioning of new capacities and the resulting production volumes.

One example of bilateral cooperation is located in Kashkadarya Region. There, the first stage of a project by the Azerbaijani company Matanat to produce gypsum products has been completed, while the second stage — the development of gypsum board production capacity — has begun. In this way, partner investment is being channelled into processing and manufacturing activities within Uzbekistan.

The transport sector already offers an example of a result achieved at the level of the Organization as a whole. The E-permit electronic permit system began as a joint project between Uzbekistan and Türkiye and now operates between Uzbekistan and all OTS member states. This experience demonstrates how a solution initially agreed upon by two countries can develop into a common procedure. Further progress in transport connectivity is linked to the coordination of tariffs, digital customs procedures and the operation of logistics hubs. Uzbekistan advocates connecting the Middle Corridor with the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway currently under construction and the prospective Trans-Afghan route.

Alongside transport connectivity, the digital agenda is also developing. At the 2026 summit in Turkistan, the President of Uzbekistan proposed developing a “Digital Turkic Corridor” that would connect regional data centres through high-speed communication networks. He also invited partners to participate in a venture capital fund being established jointly with Kazakhstan. These initiatives focus on the next potential source of economic growth: technologies, innovation and entrepreneurship capable of operating across multiple markets.

For Uzbekistan, the next stage of cooperation within the OTS will be determined by the quality of economic growth. Trade turnover and investment ties provide scale to industrial cooperation. Its strategic impact will depend on the role Uzbek enterprises play in creating finished products and on how widely the markets for those products can expand. Uzbekistan’s initiatives in industry, investment, transport and technology are aimed precisely at addressing this objective.

Over the past five years, the Organization of Turkic States has undergone a profound transformation, evolving into an effective mechanism for interregional cooperation and coordination.

Resilience and effectiveness of this format are largely determined by the maturity of its institutional architecture. Within the OTS, this architecture is structured as a multi-tier institutional structure comprising the Council of Heads of State, the Council of Foreign Ministers, the Committee of Senior Officials, the Council of Elders, and the Secretariat of the organization.

Organization's development gained additional momentum from the adoption in 2021 of the “Turkic Vision - 2040” strategy, which became the conceptual foundation for sectoral roadmaps, action plans and a system of long-term priorities. The implementation of this strategy has been especially evident in the areas of transport digitalisation, customs procedures, investment cooperation and educational exchange.

Special attention should also be paid to the activities of TURKPA, within whose framework efforts to harmonies legislative approaches in trade, transport regulation and humanitarian cooperation have intensified considerably.

A significant impetus to the development of the Organization of Turkic States was provided by Uzbekistan's active engagement in the organization's activities. In the years that followed, Uzbekistan emerged as one of the principal drivers behind the modernization of the OTS agenda. At the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, efforts to advance projects in transport connectivity, industrial cooperation, digital transformation and investment interaction gained substantial momentum. Many experts associate the transition of the organization from a largely declarative platform to a stage of practical institutionalization precisely with the intensification of Uzbekistan's participation. An additional symbolic and political impetus was provided by the 2022 Samarkand Summit, during which decisions were adopted to establish the Turkic Investment Fund and to expand the institutional scope of the organization's economic agenda. This stage consolidated the evolution of the Organization of Turkic States towards the formation of a fully developed geo- economic space while preserving its cultural and historical foundations.

At the same time, economic cooperation has gradually become established as the central vector of the OTS's development. The organization's combined demographic potential is estimated at approximately 178 million people, a substantial share of whom belong to the young and economically active population. The aggregate nominal GDP of the participating states exceeds USD 1.8-1.9 trillion, while their combined foreign trade turnover stands at more than USD 1.1 trillion.

In recent years, intra-regional trade has demonstrated steady positive momentum. According to estimates by the Secretariat of the Organization of Turkic States, mutual trade turnover among member states has reached USD 22-23 billion, nearly doubling compared to the beginning of the decade. Uzbekistan has played a notable role in this process.

By the end of 2025, the republic's trade volume with OTS member states exceeded USD 9 billion, whereas in 2019 this figure stood at approximately USD 4.2 billion. Thus, over a six-year period, trade turnover has effectively doubled.

A particularly illustrative example is the industrial cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkey. The number of enterprises operating in Uzbekistan with Turkish capital participation has surpassed 2,000, while the total value of joint investment projects is estimated at more than USD 5 billion. A substantial share of these projects is concentrated in the textile sector, construction materials manufacturing, electrical engineering and the food industry.

The particular significance of this interstate association stems from its geo-economic position. The member states of the Organization of Turkic States are situated at the strategic intersection of major transport arteries linking East Asia, the South Caucasus, the Middle East and Europe.

Its central element is the Middle Corridor, connecting China, Central Asia, the Caspian region, the South Caucasus, Turkey and, subsequently, European markets. Over the past three years, the route has demonstrated stable growth in cargo traffic. By the end of 2025, freight volumes along the corridor exceeded 4.5 million tonnes, compared to less than 1 million tonnes in 2021.

A key driver of this growth has been the comprehensive modernisation of port infrastructure. Following reconstruction, the capacities of the Baku International Sea Trade Port now allow for the handling of up to 15 million tonnes of cargo annually, including up to 100,000 containers, with expansion potential reaching 25 million tonnes.

Another important factor has been the acceleration of delivery times. Whereas transportation of cargo from China to Europe along this route previously required between 40 and 50 days, the introduction of digital document management systems (e-CMR), the harmonization of preliminary customs notification procedures and infrastructure modernization have reduced transit times to 18-23 days.

A particularly promising area of cooperation is the creation of a trans regional "green energy corridor" aimed at exporting electricity generated from renewable energy sources in Central Asia and the South Caucasus towards European markets. Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have intensified coordination on issues related to grid synchronization and the construction of the corresponding energy I ransmissiоn infrastructure.

At the same time, amid accelerating global digitalisation, technological development is acquiring not only economic but also strategic significance, forming the foundation for enhancing the efficiency of interstate cooperation, modernizing industry and strengthening infrastructural connectivity.

The combined volume of the digital economy across the member states of the Organization of Turkic States already exceeds USD 110 billion, while annual growth rates in the sector across a number of participating countries range between 12 and 18 per cent - significantly surpassing the global growth rates of traditional industries.

The OTS's growing focus on digital development was evident in the informal summit held on May 15^th 2026 in Turkestan, where artificial intelligence and digital transformation emerged as the central themes. This demonstrated the organization's transition towards viewing technological transformation as one of the priority areas of strategic cooperation.

Uzbekistan has likewise demonstrated accelerated digital modernization. By the end of 2025, the country's exports of IT services exceeded USD 1 billion - nearly five times higher than the figures recorded in 2020. Through a network of specialized IT parks, hundreds of companies are now operating in external markets, including those of OTS member states. Within the framework of regional cooperation, the republic has been actively promoting initiatives aimed at harmonizing digital services and developing joint educational programs in the field of advanced technologies.

However, the effectiveness of these processes is determined not only by economic factors, but also by humanitarian ones. In this regard, the Organization of Turkic States possesses a unique advantage, as it rests on a deep historical and cultural commonality, linguistic proximity and similarities in civilisational traditions among its member states.

A key role in this process is played by a network of specialised institutions, among which the International Turkic Academy, TURKSOY, TURKPA, and the Union of Turkic Universities are of particular importance, ensuring the comprehensive development of humanitarian, scientific and educatiоnal coоperatiоn.

These structures facilitate the coordination of scientific research, the development of joint educational initiatives, the promotion of cultural heritage, and the expansion of people-to-people interaction. Particular attention is being paid to the development of academic integration.

Since 2025, as part of inter-university cooperation among member states of the Organization of Turkic States, dozens of academic exchange programs have been implemented, including joint master's and doctoral degrees. The number of students participating in educational mobility between the organization's countries has been growing at an average annual rate of 18-22%.

A notable contribution to this process is made by leading universities such as Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Ankara University, Samarkand State University and Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, which serve as key centres for human capital development and academic support of integration processes.

Member states are also placing special emphasis on expanding tourism potential. The combined tourist flows between OTS countries have increased by more than 35% over the past five years.

A significant contribution to this growth has come from the development of joint tourist routes, including pilgrimage, historical-cultural and ethnographic programs. In this context, “Cultural Capital of the Turkic World” programme, along with the designation of cities such as Khiva, Aktau, Turkmenbashi and Shusha as cultural capitals, has significantly contributed to the intensification of tourism exchange within the framework.

Another driver of tourism development has been the creation of a unified tourism product, “Tabarruk Ziyorat”, aimed at fostering religious and educational tourism between Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey.

In the longer term, the Organization of Turkic States has considerable potential to further strengthen its role as a space for practical cooperation.

Key priorities in this regard will include deepening economic cooperation through the reduction of non-tariff barriers and the digitalisation of trade and customs procedures; further development of transport and logistics connectivity, primarily within the Middle Corridor; expansion of technological cooperation focused on the development of the digital economy and joint innovation platforms; as well as strengthening expert, analytical, academic and educational interaction.

Overall, the deepening of cooperation across key areas will contribute to strengthening the role of the Organization of Turkic States as one of the most promising frameworks for ensuring the development and resilience of the countries of Central Asia.

More than 70 exhibitors from 11 countries have already confirmed their participation in “TransLogistica Uzbekistan 2026”.

The 22^nd International Exhibition “Transport and Logistics – TransLogistica Uzbekistan 2026” will be held on November 10–12^th, 2026, at the “Uzexpocentre” National Exhibition Complex in the capital of Uzbekistan.

“TransLogistica Uzbekistan” is the country's largest specialised platforms where suppliers, manufacturers, and customers of transport and logistics services can meet directly, establish cooperation, and find solutions for their business development.

The exposition will feature as follows:

• latest developments and innovations across all transport modes: rail, road, air, and sea;
• latest logistics services and digital solutions for optimising shipping and warehousing processes;
• government infrastructure development projects and promising routes for international transport corridors;
• experience of major companies in the construction of railways, seaports, logistics hubs, and rolling stock manufacture

Last year's results once again demonstrated the exhibition's effectiveness for businesses: 92% of the participants found new clients and partners at the exhibition, and 87% of them expressed their firm intention to participate next year. This underscores the platform's high potential for direct business contacts and long-term collaboration, as well as its status among professional audiences.

To date, more than 70 exhibitors from 11 countries have confirmed their participation in “TransLogistica Uzbekistan 2026”: Belarus, China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.

“TransLogistica Uzbekistan” will bring together industry leaders, international experts and transport and logistics professionals, providing a platform to advance transport infrastructure, IT technologies, investment and freight transport across Central Asia. Particular attention will be paid to new logistics routes and opportunities to develop the Middle Corridor, connecting Central Asia with international markets. For exhibitors, the event offers an opportunity to showcase solutions, establish business partnerships and discuss promising transport and logistics projects.

Exhibition sections:

• Air freight and aviation logistics
• Freight forwarding and 3PL/4PL services
• Road transport
• Rail freight and multimodal transport
• Warehousing and intralogistics
• Commercial vehicles
• Electric transport and electric vehicles
• EV charging infrastructure
• Fleet electrification
• Forklifts and warehouse equipment
• Warehouse automation and robotics
• Fleet management and telematics
• TMS/WMS and digital logistics
• Logistics centres and terminals

Visiting “TransLogistica Uzbekistan 2026” offers an opportunity to explore current market offerings, compare solutions from different suppliers and discuss cooperation directly with industry professionals. For companies involved in imports, exports, manufacturing, trade and freight transport, the exhibition provides a chance to find new suppliers and service providers, discover advanced technologies and identify solutions to optimise transport and logistics operations.

Another high-level forum in Tashkent is organized by the International Exhibition Company Iteca Exhibitions in partnership with ICA Eurasia Group.

Dunyo IA

Expanding Uzbekistan’s exports and developing industrial cooperation require reliable logistics, access to capital, and stable and predictable conditions in foreign markets. These objectives occupy an important place on the economic agenda of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), which brings together 28 member states. The Seventh CICA Summit was held on October 15, 2026, in Baku under the chairmanship of Azerbaijan, whose priorities have been defined as connectivity, digitalization, and sustainable growth.

CICA members include some of Uzbekistan’s key trading partners. In the first half of 2026, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, and Afghanistan together accounted for approximately 53 percent of the country’s total foreign trade turnover. The multilateral platform complements established bilateral relations in areas where the organization of transportation or implementation of investment initiatives requires coordinated participation by several countries.

Cooperation with CIS countries occupies an important place in Uzbekistan’s foreign economic relations. Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with the Commonwealth countries increased from USD 11.8 billion in 2020 to USD 28.1 billion in 2025. In January–July of this year, trade turnover reached USD 18.3 billion, representing a growth rate of 122.7 percent. As of the beginning of August, approximately 5,800 enterprises with capital participation from Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan were operating in Uzbekistan.

Access to different markets requires a network of complementary transport corridors that makes it possible to select delivery routes based on their cost and transit time. At the CICA Summit in Astana in 2022, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev identified the development of production and logistics links between Central Asia and South and East Asia, as well as the Middle East, among the key economic priorities. The knowledge economy and modern technologies were also highlighted as priority areas.

Practical aspects of this agenda were discussed in June 2026 at the Second Termez Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia. Held with the participation of the CICA Secretariat, the event brought together representatives of 17 CICA member states. Discussions on multimodal routes and digital logistics were accompanied by a visit to the infrastructure of the Termez Cargo Terminal and the Ayritom International Trade Center, which facilitate freight transportation and trade between the regions.

Links with ports in the Caspian region complement the overland transport network by providing access to maritime routes. The conference of heads of ports of CICA member states, held in Baku in September, focused on coordinating maritime, rail, and road transportation, cargo handling, and cooperation among operators.

The transport agenda is closely linked to ongoing work within the CIS aimed at harmonizing technical requirements, ensuring mutual recognition of conformity assessment results, and eliminating non-tariff barriers. Electronic document management helps reduce the time required for cargo clearance and control procedures.

Direct ties between regions and businesses facilitate the identification of partners and platforms for joint projects involving technology transfer, industrial automation, and the development of new materials. Strengthening such ties was a key focus of the First CIS Forum of Regions held in Tashkent in 2025. The CICA Business Council provides additional opportunities for business engagement by promoting cooperation among business associations of CICA member states.

At the CIS Innovative Industry Forum held in Tashkent in April 2026, participants discussed the application of artificial intelligence and cooperation between science and industry.

For small and medium-sized enterprises, participation in such value chains creates opportunities to manufacture components and provide specialized services to large industrial enterprises.

The preparation of joint projects also requires coordination of financing sources. The CICA Financial Summit serves as an additional platform for engagement with relevant national institutions. Its first meeting was held in Astana on 8 September 2026. Its consultative agenda covers development finance, investment cooperation, and digital solutions. For Uzbekistan, this provides an opportunity to present initiatives in logistics, energy, and industry to potential investors and discuss the terms and conditions for their implementation.

Participation in multilateral formats enables Uzbekistan to build on established partnerships when entering new markets and preparing joint projects. The economic impact of such cooperation is reflected in the establishment of new production facilities, long-term export contracts, and an increase in the value added generated in Uzbekistan.

Ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s planned visit to Samarkand for the C5+1 summit, the Center for Economic Research and Reforms has examined the outlook for the Central Asia–U.S. platform and opportunities to further expand Uzbek-American cooperation.

History of Visits

Visits by U.S. secretaries of state to Uzbekistan date back to February 1992. John Kerry’s visit to Samarkand on November 1, 2015, was particularly significant: it brought together the foreign ministers of the five Central Asian countries and the United States for the first time, launching the C5+1 platform. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s upcoming trip continues the established practice of combining bilateral talks with regional dialogue.

The U.S. secretary of state is expected to arrive in Samarkand in mid-October 2026, leading a delegation representing more than 200 American companies. A C5+1 ministerial meeting has been announced, with the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan set to participate. Its stated priorities are regional economic connectivity, energy security, and joint responses to shared regional challenges. Talks with Uzbekistan’s leadership are also planned.

For Uzbekistan, the visit offers an opportunity to advance projects already agreed upon, attract technology, and improve access to international capital. The scale of the announced business delegation provides additional scope to pursue these objectives.

The Evolution of Central Asia Plus Frameworks

Regional frameworks involving external partners are becoming a regular feature of Central Asian diplomacy. In April 2025, Samarkand hosted the first Central Asia–European Union summit, which elevated relations to a strategic partnership. The second summit with China took place in Astana in June of the same year, followed by the first summit with Japan in Tokyo in December and the first summit with the Republic of Korea in Seoul in September 2026.

These platforms share much of their economic agenda: transportation, energy, critical raw materials, industry, and digital technology.

The C5+1 platform provides a dedicated channel for engagement with American businesses and financial institutions. Established in 2015, it covers the economy, energy and the environment, and security. A regional approach allows participants to address issues that extend beyond any single country, including transit, cross-border infrastructure, and supply chain resilience.

Bringing the five countries and prospective American investors together on one platform helps align national projects with the regional conditions needed to implement them.

Outcomes of the First C5+1 Summit

The first presidential-level C5+1 summit took place in New York on September 19, 2023. The inaugural Critical Minerals Dialogue followed in February 2024, and the first B5+1 business forum was held in Almaty in March. The latter created a channel for businesses to contribute to discussions on the investment climate and regional economic integration. The political platform thus gained both an industry-focused mechanism and a forum for business engagement.

The summit held at the White House on November 6, 2025, strengthened the commercial dimension of cooperation. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, trade and investment agreements worth more than $25 billion across Central Asia were announced at the accompanying business conference. They cover aviation, agricultural machinery, rail infrastructure, digital technology, and critical minerals extraction.

At the summit, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed closer coordination on investment and trade, the development of transport and energy projects linking Central Asia with the South Caucasus and Europe, and cooperation in the exploration, extraction, and value-added processing of critical minerals. His proposals also included holding the next summit in Samarkand.

The practical question for the next stage is whether high-level decisions are backed by adequate project preparation and financing. In aviation, this means aircraft delivery and operation; in industry, the construction and commissioning of production facilities; and in raw materials, the adoption of processing technologies and agreements with buyers.

Bilateral Meetings and New Investment Mechanisms

Regional cooperation rests on direct dialogue between Uzbekistan and the United States. During Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s official visit to the United States in May 2018, he held talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, and the two countries adopted a joint statement marking the start of a “new era of strategic partnership.” The presidents met again in New York in September 2025 and held talks in Washington on November 6. In February 2026, the Uzbek president visited the U.S. capital for the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, with new bilateral agreements signed as part of the visit’s business program.

One outcome of the November talks was the establishment of the U.S.–Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council. It is co-chaired by Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of Uzbekistan’s Presidential Administration, and Sergio Gor on the American side. The Council’s responsibilities include supporting major trade and investment projects, monitoring the implementation of agreements, mobilizing financing, and promoting the services of IT Park resident companies, among other tasks.

The initial public offering (IPO) of the Uzbekistan National Investment Fund, or UzNIF, opened another channel to international capital. Its global depositary receipts were admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange on May 18, 2026. Managed by Franklin Templeton since 2025, the fund holds stakes in 13 state-owned enterprises. For Uzbek-American cooperation, its significance lies in the involvement of an American investment manager in transforming a portfolio of state-owned assets and improving access to global equity markets.

BlackRock represents another area of engagement. In Davos in January 2026, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed the acquisition of stakes in Uzbek enterprises and joint investment projects with BlackRock’s leadership. At a meeting in Tashkent on July 7, the priorities identified included privatization, financial markets, the fuel and energy sector, petrochemicals, and artificial intelligence technologies. These talks broaden opportunities for engagement with institutional investors.

A significant step has also been taken in cooperation with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). In February 2026, the parties agreed on the key terms for establishing a joint investment partnership. On June 16, DFC announced the launch of a U.S.–Uzbekistan investment platform involving the U.S. Export-Import Bank, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, and its Fund for Reconstruction and Development.

The platform’s priorities include energy, critical minerals, infrastructure, transportation and logistics, advanced manufacturing, information and communications technology, and pharmaceuticals. It is designed to attract private capital and participation from other financial institutions. Its significance lies in creating a mechanism to select and finance projects. This gives the October meeting a concrete basis for discussions on individual projects, their readiness, and the terms of partner participation.

Critical Minerals and Processing Opportunities

In September 2024, Uzbekistan and the United States signed a memorandum on a critical minerals partnership linked to initiatives from the 2023 C5+1 summit. In February 2026, the two countries signed an intergovernmental memorandum at the ministerial level on securing supplies through the extraction and processing of critical minerals and rare earth elements.

For Uzbekistan, the greatest returns are likely to come from developing production with higher added value. Where feasible, extraction should be complemented by ore beneficiation and further processing to produce materials that meet industrial customers’ requirements. The extent of processing, access to technology, training for local specialists, and the share of operations carried out domestically are therefore important considerations in evaluating joint projects.

Trade Trends and the Structure of Economic Ties

According to Uzbekistan’s National Statistics Committee, trade between Uzbekistan and the United States increased 4.7-fold between 2017 and 2025, from $215 million to approximately $1 billion. Exports rose from $32.1 million to $291.7 million, while imports increased from $182.9 million to $712.3 million. This trend reflects expanding ties, with purchases of American goods and services continuing to account for the larger share of bilateral trade.

In January–August 2026, bilateral trade reached $810.4 million, up 33.4% from the same period in 2025. Uzbekistan’s exports totaled $304.5 million, an increase of 59.9%, while imports reached $506 million, up 21.3%. The U.S. share of Uzbekistan’s total foreign trade rose from 1.1% to 1.4%.

Services accounted for $224.8 million, or 73.8%, of exports during the first eight months of 2026. Machinery and transport equipment contributed $44.8 million, while mineral fuels and related products accounted for $17.6 million. Machinery and transport equipment were the largest import category at $272.5 million, or 53.9%, followed by services at $84.1 million and chemical products at $73.5 million.

As of September 1, 2026, 377 companies with American investment were operating in Uzbekistan. The American business presence and joint projects span manufacturing and mining, energy and petrochemicals, agriculture, construction, and services, including information technology.

Total foreign direct investment and loans attracted from the United States exceeded $2.9 billion over 2017–2025. The annual figure rose from $8.6 million in 2017 to $383.2 million in 2025.

Conclusion

Given the announced agenda and the mechanisms already established, the most likely focus of the talks is advancing investment projects, energy infrastructure, and regional connectivity.

The partnership’s further development depends primarily on implementing the agreements already reached. Investment and modern technology create opportunities to upgrade production, raise productivity, and expand exports. For Uzbekistan, the long-term value of this cooperation lies in strengthening its industrial capacity, creating skilled jobs, and reaching new markets.

Regional dialogue also complements bilateral engagement by enabling countries to address transportation, energy, and trade issues together. Coordinated work in these areas can improve business conditions and make economic ties more resilient. The upcoming talks offer an opportunity to identify the next priorities and translate the existing partnership into further practical cooperation.

Overall, C5+1 allows Uzbekistan to connect its bilateral relations with regional transport and energy priorities, broaden its investor base, and strengthen its participation in international production networks. The forthcoming meeting in Samarkand could consolidate this shift toward project implementation.

Khurshed Asadov
Deputy Director of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms

At a time when economic sectors are changing rapidly and digital technologies are penetrating every sphere of life, new challenges are emerging for education systems. Higher education must nurture a generation capable of developing ideas, making scientific discoveries and creating innovative solutions that contribute to the development of countries.

From this perspective, taking cooperation among the Turkic states in higher education, science and innovation to a new level is of particular importance. Our countries are united by a shared history, closely related cultures, spiritual values and traditions of mutual understanding.

The 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, scheduled to take place in Ankara on 29–30 October this year, is also important for advancing this cooperation, strengthening mutual trust and identifying new opportunities for promising initiatives. On the eve of the summit, it is timely to reflect on the challenges facing higher education in the Turkic states, the opportunities available and the directions for future cooperation.

From a Shared History to Shared Development

The centuries-long history of the Turkic peoples is closely intertwined with the development of education, crafts, trade and cultural ties. Great thinkers, scholars and intellectuals from the Turkic world have made significant contributions to the development of world civilisation. Their scholarly legacy continues to serve as an outstanding example of the pursuit of knowledge, freedom of thought and enlightenment.

The task of today’s generation is not merely to preserve this rich heritage, but also to align it with the demands of modern development. To achieve this, it is important to expand links between educational institutions, create opportunities for young people to gain international experience, support cooperation among scholars and put research findings into practice.

Cooperation within the Organization of Turkic States can serve these objectives. Its effectiveness depends above all on clearly defining common goals, supporting them with practical programmes and consistently building on the results achieved.

In higher education, this approach covers several important areas. First, strengthening academic ties between universities can improve the quality of education and enhance research capacity. Second, exchanges of students and academic staff broaden young people’s horizons and help them acquire new knowledge and experience. Third, joint research projects make it possible to find solutions to shared challenges facing the Turkic states and to use available intellectual resources more effectively.

Most importantly, integration in education should promote mutually beneficial cooperation while taking into account each country’s national interests and distinctive characteristics.

Uzbekistan’s Path Towards a Turkic Education Space

Uzbekistan is paying particular attention to modernising higher education, expanding international cooperation and strengthening the integration of science and industry. Key priorities include aligning educational programmes with international requirements, training specialists in partnership with foreign universities, developing research activities and building modern infrastructure.

One initiative in this direction is the establishment of the International University of Turkic States. Established in Tashkent in accordance with Resolution No. PP–24 of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, dated 24 January 2025, “On Measures to Establish the International University of Turkic States”, the university is intended to expand multifaceted cooperation among the Turkic states in higher education, science, innovation and technology.

The university’s main objective is to train highly qualified and competitive specialists who meet the needs of the modern economy and international educational standards, as well as to develop joint academic and research projects.

In our view, the university’s significance goes beyond the establishment of a new educational institution. It creates new opportunities to bring together the scientific and intellectual potential of the Turkic states, strengthen practical links between their education systems and introduce international experience into the national educational environment.

In developing the university’s activities, particular attention is being paid to achieving practical outcomes from cooperation. These efforts include aligning educational programmes with partner universities, engaging foreign lecturers in the teaching process, establishing modern laboratories and organising students’ industrial placements through international cooperation.

This approach will help transform the university from a conventional educational institution into a modern academic environment that connects education, research and industry.

International Cooperation: Quality Education and New Opportunities

Cooperation with leading higher education institutions in Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan plays an important role in the work of the International University of Turkic States. This cooperation aims to develop academic fields, improve curricula, draw on the experience of academic staff and create new academic opportunities for students.

In the 2025/2026 academic year, specialist training began in five fields in cooperation with Turkish universities: medicine, computer engineering, electrical engineering, agricultural mechanisation and food technology.

Cooperation in these fields is being carried out with Hacettepe University, Middle East Technical University (METU), Istanbul Technical University (ITU) and Ege University in Türkiye.

The selected fields correspond to key needs of the modern economy. Training qualified medical professionals is essential for protecting public health and improving the quality of healthcare services. Computer and electrical engineering are key areas for the digital economy, industrial automation and the adoption of new technologies. Knowledge in agricultural mechanisation and food technology is directly linked to improving the efficiency of the agricultural sector, ensuring food security and using resources responsibly.

In the 2026/2027 academic year, the scope of cooperation is being expanded through new fields developed with universities in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. Five additional programmes are planned in petroleum and gas engineering, chemical engineering, the technology and engineering of geological exploration, telecommunications technologies, and international and comparative law.

Cooperation in this area involves the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, Azerbaijan Technical University and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

Thus, the cooperation programmes planned for two academic years are expected to cover ten fields of study. This demonstrates the university’s commitment to bringing together the experience of different countries within a shared academic environment.

An important feature of this cooperation is that it goes beyond increasing the number of academic fields. It also involves aligning curricula and course syllabuses with international requirements, engaging foreign specialists in teaching, using digital learning resources and enabling students to take part in international placements.

These mechanisms lay the groundwork for updating educational content, reinforcing theoretical knowledge with practical skills and improving graduates’ competitiveness in the labour market.

Modern Infrastructure — The Foundation of Quality Education

The effectiveness of international cooperation is measured above all by how it is reflected in the educational process. This requires qualified educators, up-to-date curricula, research laboratories and infrastructure designed to develop students’ practical skills.

Practical work is under way in these areas at the International University of Turkic States. In March 2026, a clinical simulation and practical skills centre began operating for medical students. Equipped in line with the curricula and clinical standards of Hacettepe University, the centre enables students to practise emergency medical care, preliminary diagnosis and treatment procedures using modern simulators and robotic devices.

Such centres help ensure a close connection between theory and practice in the professional training of future doctors. Before entering a real clinical environment, students can strengthen their knowledge and skills by simulating a range of situations.

Modern computer laboratories and software platforms meeting current requirements have also been established in engineering and programming fields. Work to develop laboratory facilities for petroleum and gas, chemical and electrical engineering is continuing.

In addition, student accommodation, an information and resource centre, and co-working spaces have been provided for students and visiting international lecturers. These facilities are intended to create a comfortable environment for learning, independent research and teamwork on joint projects.

The launch of a digital learning platform at the university is another important step. It brings class schedules, learning materials, assessment processes and academic monitoring together in a single digital environment.

Today, digitalisation is not merely the introduction of technical tools; it is also a means of changing the culture of educational management, using data effectively and increasing transparency in the learning process.

Integrating Science and Industry

The potential of a modern higher education institution is determined not only by the knowledge delivered in classrooms, but also by its research, links with industry and ability to solve practical problems.

Demand for new technological solutions is growing across many sectors of the economy. The effective use of scientific advances in energy, the chemical industry, agriculture, telecommunications, medicine and information technology has become an important condition for competitiveness.

For this reason, cooperation among universities in the Turkic states should be strengthened through joint research, shared laboratories and the practical application of scientific developments. Bringing together each country’s research traditions, specialist expertise and existing infrastructure can lead to more substantial results.

The International University of Turkic States also faces the task of strengthening integration among education, fundamental science and enterprises in the real economy. Establishing targeted cooperation with economic sectors is important for improving students’ practical training, advancing research and helping graduates find employment.

In this regard, it is important to study employers’ workforce needs in advance, adapt educational programmes to those needs, organise industrial placements systematically and involve students in research projects.

Another promising area of scientific cooperation is artificial intelligence and digital innovation. Establishing joint centres of expertise in big data analytics, cybersecurity, digital governance and the use of intelligent systems could open up new opportunities for the Turkic states.

Issues such as climate change, the responsible use of water resources, food security and the development of renewable energy sources also require joint research by scholars from our countries. Many of these challenges transcend national borders. As a result, regional scientific cooperation is becoming increasingly important in finding solutions.

A Common Academic Space: New Opportunities for Students and Scholars

Academic mobility plays a particularly important role in deepening the integration of higher education among the Turkic states. Students studying in another country for a certain period, academic staff delivering lectures and researchers participating in joint projects all strengthen the exchange of knowledge and experience.

Effective academic mobility requires mutual recognition of learning outcomes, harmonised educational programmes, transparent assessment criteria and clear administrative procedures for students. These mechanisms make it easier for learners to continue their studies in another country on the basis of the knowledge they have acquired at home.

In this regard, promising priorities include developing academic mobility programmes among the Turkic states, expanding access to grants and scholarships, and increasing the number of joint degree programmes.

Joint degree programmes allow students to benefit from the academic experience of two countries. However, their success depends on carefully addressing issues such as the compatibility of educational content, quality assurance and recognition of graduates’ qualifications.

The International University of Turkic States is also focusing on aligning curricula with partner universities, involving foreign professors and organising student placements at partner institutions in Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

Going forward, expanding this experience, increasing exchange opportunities for students and young researchers, and supporting joint research projects could take educational ties among the Turkic states to a new level.

Another important priority is supporting young scholars and start-up initiatives. Research competitions, innovation projects and start-up accelerators that bring together students and researchers from different countries can help generate new ideas and turn them into practical solutions.

A Shared Goal: An Educated Generation and Sustainable Development

Today, the Turkic states face serious challenges alongside significant opportunities. Changes in the global economy, technological competition, environmental problems and new labour-market demands require education systems to be continually renewed.

In these circumstances, the greatest asset of our countries is human capital. Young people’s access to quality education, acquisition of modern professional skills, independent thinking and ability to generate new ideas will shape the future of our states.

Therefore, cooperation in higher education should not be viewed merely as a way to meet today’s demand for skilled workers. It is a strategic direction aimed at long-term development, strengthening scientific capacity and creating new opportunities for future generations.

Further developing cooperation within the Organization of Turkic States can strengthen ties between our universities, expand joint research and create conditions for young people to demonstrate their potential in an international academic environment.

The International University of Turkic States also serves these objectives. Cooperation with leading universities in Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, educational programmes aligned with international requirements, modern laboratories and academic mobility opportunities are practical steps towards achieving them.

We are confident that the consistent development of mutually beneficial cooperation in education and science will further strengthen the intellectual potential of the Turkic states. This is important not only for our universities, but also for the innovative development of the entire region, its economic competitiveness and a sustainable future.

If our shared history brought us together in the past, shared knowledge, scientific research and worthy goals will bring our futures even closer. The new opportunities for higher education in the Turkic states lie precisely in this vision: enriching our common heritage with modern knowledge, uniting our intellectual potential and working together for shared development.

Bahodir Turaev,
Acting Rector of the International University of Turkic States

The third decade of the 21^st century is shaping up to be a complex yet opportunity-rich period for the international relations system.

In this context, trust can be viewed today as a unique form of developmental capital. This is because in an environment where political trust exists, economic cooperation expands, investment climates improve, transport and logistics links develop and scientific and technological exchanges accelerate. Most importantly, nations begin to seek solutions to common problems through collaboration rather than in isolation.

Central Asia’s role as a region of peace, trust, and cooperation has also achieved international recognition within the framework of the United Nations General Assembly. In 2025, Uzbekistan delegation to the UN emphasized that joint efforts aimed at strengthening mutual trust, expanding economic and humanitarian ties and ensuring stability in Central Asia are shaping a new regional agenda based on equality, solidarity and shared responsibility. 

Adoption of a resolution at the UN General Assembly in May 2026, aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and economic integration to ensure sustainable development in Central Asia, served as a logical continuation of this process. It places special emphasis on promoting innovation, creating new jobs, ensuring long term sustainable economic growth and further developing good-neighborly relations among Central Asian nations.  

In Uzbekistan’s contemporary foreign policy, transforming Central Asia into a peaceful, stable and prosperous region is viewed as a top priority. The Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asian nations have become an important mechanism for coordinating positions, advancing shared initiatives and strengthening mutual trust on an institutional basis. 

Today's Asia is one of the leading spaces for the global economy, industry, innovation and technological progress. However, the long-term future of the continent is not determined solely by economic growth rates. Asia's true potential also depends on the ability of states with diverse political, economic, and cultural systems to cooperate around shared interests. 

From this perspective, the meaning of “connectivity” in modern international relations is also evolving. While it was previously explained primarily through transport and trade routes, today it manifests as a complex phenomenon encompassing transport, energy, digital infrastructure, science, education and people-to-people ties. 

A technological innovation created in one country can increase the efficiency of another nation's economy, and joint scientific research can offer a solution to a pressing issue for the entire region. For this reason, the new Asian model must rely not only on the movement of goods and capital but also on the free exchange of knowledge, technology and human capital. 

In this regard, the cooperation between Central Asia and the Republic of Korea serves as a promising example. At the first “Central Asia – Republic of Korea” Summit held in Seoul in September 2026, security, practical economic cooperation and humanitarian exchanges were discussed as priority areas. Uzbek side particularly emphasized the open, pragmatic, and constructive nature of this partnership. 

Value of such formats lies in the fact that they enrich traditional diplomatic relations with concrete economic, technological, scientific and educational projects. As a result, mutual trust transcends the level of political declarations and begins to manifest in practical outcomes. 

One of the strongest foundations for sustainable peace is mutual understanding between people. Education, science and culture play an incomparable role in shaping it. 

Political agreements establish the legal and institutional framework for relations between states. However, long-term trust between nations is primarily strengthened by people who understand each other's language, history, culture and values. 

Therefore, viewing universities merely as educational institutions that train personnel no longer fully meets the demands of the modern era. A modern university is a space where scientific ideas are generated, different cultures engage in dialogue, youth gain international experience and long-term intellectual ties are formed between states. 

Educational cooperation between Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea

demonstrates noteworthy experience in this regard. Cooperation in higher education, vocational training, science and technology is expanding, making education a vital area of bilateral relations that shapes human capital. In particular, the need to train specialists who do not simply import modern technology but understand, adapt and develop it under local conditions is becoming increasingly urgent. 

Conceptual significance of this approach is that the education-science innovation-production chain ensures the stability of international cooperation alongside economic development. Joint scientific laboratories, academic exchange, mobility of professors and students, and international research projects build professional trust between states. Over time, professional trust transforms into intersocietal trust.  In this sense, international cooperation focused on education can be evaluated as a long-term investment in peace. Looking at this issue through the example of Bukhara, one can see a unique continuity between history and the present day. As one of the vital crossroads of the Great Silk Road, Bukhara has served for centuries not only as a hub for trade but also for science, education, culture and the exchange of ideas. 

This historical experience carries significant meaning for the modern era as well. Having connected peoples and civilizations through caravan routes in ancient times, Bukhara can contribute to dialogue between different countries today through international education, scientific cooperation and academic diplomacy. 

At Bukhara State University, we approach international cooperation precisely from this perspective. Joint educational programs with foreign higher education institutions, scientific research, international conferences, academic mobility and the exchange of professors and students are not isolated directions of the university's international activity. They serve a single purpose — bringing peoples closer together through knowledge and strengthening mutual trust through scientific cooperation. 

In this process, role of youth is especially critical. A student participating in an international academic program today may become a scientist, engineer, entrepreneur, diplomat or public administration specialist tomorrow. Their experience of communicating with representatives of other nations and cultures today will undoubtedly influence their future professional decisions. 

Therefore, it is not enough to evaluate the results of cooperation between universities simply by the number of signed memorandums or implemented projects. Its most significant outcome is the formation of a new generation that understands one another and can cooperate for the sake of common goals. 

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals also define the formation of peaceful and inclusive societies as an indispensable condition for sustainable development. This approach is no coincidence. Where there is no peace, long-term investment is difficult; in an unstable environment, scientific research and innovation slow down; and under conditions of distrust, states are forced to spend their resources on risk management rather than development.  Therefore, when thinking about sustainable development in Asia, it is necessary to view three interconnected concepts as a single whole: peace, trust and human capital. Peace creates a stable environment for development. Trust expands cooperation between states, institutions, and societies. Human capital, in turn, transforms these opportunities into scientific, technological, economic and social outcomes. 

Support for the initiative to strengthen regional cooperation and economic integration in Central Asia at the UN General Assembly in 2026 also shows the intrinsic link between peace, good-neighborliness, and sustainable economic development. 

In today's environment, Asia's future is determined not by the isolated success of a single state, but by the capacity of regional states to collectively find solutions to shared problems. Climate change, water resources, ecological safety, energy, food supply, digital transformation and technological progress are issues that are not restricted by national borders. Their solution also demands transnational cooperation. 

Therefore, modern era requires us to understand peace not merely as the absence of conflicts, but as an active socio-political environment that creates opportunities for development. Trust should be evaluated not as an abstract category of diplomatic relations, but as a practical mechanism for economic and intellectual cooperation.

Asia's progress in the 21st century largely depends on the degree to which we strengthen trust between states, how effectively we establish dialogue, and our ability to place common interests above competition. 

New cooperative environment emerging in Central Asia demonstrates important experience along this path. Open dialogue, good-neighborliness, economic integration and scientific and humanitarian exchanges are shaping a qualitatively new stage of relations between states.  The task now is to further deepen this trust through strong institutions, joint economic and scientific projects, academic exchanges, cultural dialogue and youth cooperation.  After all, peace is not just today's tranquility — it is an opportunity created for future development. Trust, on the other hand, is the force that realizes this opportunity.  Peace builds trust, trust expands cooperation and cooperation creates a solid foundation for sustainable development and shared prosperity.  This principle must become the most essential substance of Asia's future development paradigm.

Obidjon Khamidov 

Rector of Bukhara State University

The seventh summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) will take place in Baku on 15 October. The meeting comes at a time when the ability of states to sustain dialogue and find common ground is particularly important. In an increasingly complex international environment, CICA’s relevance stems primarily from its role as a multilateral platform that brings together countries with diverse political positions and national interests.

The framework’s principal strength is its inclusive character. CICA is not a military or political bloc and does not constrain its members’ independence in foreign policy. Its work rests on consensus, voluntary participation, equality and mutual respect, enabling states with differing interests to maintain regular dialogue.

These principles underpin Uzbekistan’s consistent approach to engagement within CICA. Tashkent advocates strengthening the forum’s role as a mechanism for implementing confidence-building measures and expanding practical cooperation among Asian states.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s approach to CICA encompasses several interrelated priorities. Together, they seek to preserve trust between states, translate that trust into practical cooperation and strengthen the capacity of multilateral mechanisms to address shared challenges. His addresses at the Dushanbe summit in 2019 and the Astana summit in 2022 developed this approach along three main lines.

First, a comprehensive approach to security.

Uzbekistan recognises that contemporary threats cannot be overcome through political measures and the use of force alone.

The resilience of states also depends on human capital, opportunities for young people to fulfil their potential, the development of education and culture, and the ability to counter radicalisation.

Cooperation in education, culture and youth affairs therefore features prominently in the President’s summit addresses. Uzbekistan’s substantial contribution to advancing CICA’s youth agenda demonstrates this approach in practice. In particular, Uzbekistan’s Youth Affairs Agency served as co-chair of the CICA Youth Council.

Tashkent also assumed a coordinating role in implementing confidence-building measures, reflecting its commitment to translating political initiatives into action through established cooperation mechanisms.

Second, a focus on practical outcomes in multilateral cooperation.

A distinctive feature of Uzbekistan’s approach has been to translate the broad principles of trust into specific areas of joint action. In 2019, this was reflected in proposals to expand trade, support small and medium-sized enterprises, develop transport links and jointly address environmental challenges, including the consequences of the Aral Sea disaster. In 2022, the agenda became more operational, with a focus on food security, digitalisation, innovation, and resilient production and logistics networks. These initiatives share a common premise: states’ shared interest in economic and social progress provides a tangible foundation for stronger mutual trust.

Third, joint responses to regional challenges.

The third priority reflects Tashkent’s commitment to making multilateral mechanisms more effective in addressing problems that no country can resolve on its own.

Afghanistan provides a clear example. The President proposed considering the establishment of a high-level international negotiating group under United Nations auspices.

On environmental issues, Uzbekistan put forward the “Green Asia” initiative, aimed at expanding cooperation among experts on greening efforts and the protection of vulnerable ecosystems.

Both proposals seek to keep pressing regional challenges on the international agenda despite deepening disagreements among major powers.

Together, these priorities capture the central purpose of Uzbekistan’s policy within CICA: to preserve trust between states, reinforce it through practical cooperation and use multilateral mechanisms to address specific challenges facing Asia.

The forthcoming seventh CICA summit in Baku will mark the next stage in advancing this agenda. CICA faces an important task: to build on its achievements while delivering more tangible benefits from cooperation. Transport and economic connectivity, digitalisation, sustainable development, food security and environmental protection will be particularly important.

In this context, CICA’s effectiveness will depend to a considerable extent on progress in three interrelated areas.

The first is stronger political trust. As geopolitical competition intensifies, it is essential to preserve CICA as an open platform for dialogue among states with differing interests and positions.

Economic connectivity is equally important. Transport, trade, energy, investment and digital infrastructure can create lasting links between states, providing additional incentives to maintain stable relations.

Finally, CICA must continue to strengthen its human dimension. Education, youth exchanges, culture, and cooperation among researchers and experts build a foundation of trust that develops over time and retains its value despite changes in the political environment.

Uzbekistan brings practical experience and specific initiatives to all three areas. It consistently promotes an approach within CICA that connects security with economic development and dialogue between societies.

Amid growing uncertainty, Asia’s task is to find mechanisms that enable states to identify common ground even when their interests diverge, rather than allow new divisions to emerge. CICA can serve this purpose by preserving space for political dialogue and creating opportunities for practical cooperation.

Uzbekistan’s contribution lies in the sustained implementation of initiatives that strengthen trust and help shape a secure and prosperous future for the region.

Bekzod Normatov

Leading Research Fellow at the

Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Today, the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia provide the region’s leaders with a regular platform to align their positions on issues that shape the future of Central Asia as a whole. Over the course of eight summits, direct dialogue has evolved into sustained engagement at the level of national coordinators, relevant ministries and agencies, regions, and business communities. From an economic perspective, it is particularly important that trade, industry, transport, and investment are being addressed with due consideration for the interdependence of national development plans.

Central Asia has arrived at its current model of cooperation within a relatively short period of time. In 2017, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed holding regular meetings of the region’s leaders, and the first such meeting took place in Astana in March 2018. The format was built around direct dialogue, allowing the states themselves to define the range of common issues and coordinate their positions in areas where results depend on the actions of neighboring countries. At the same time, the format has retained its fundamentally consultative nature, based on the independence of its participants.

As the scope of cooperation expanded, the necessary mechanisms were gradually established. In 2021, establishment of a Business Council was proposed. In 2022, the Treaty on Friendship, Good-Neighbourliness and Cooperation for the Development of Central Asia in the 21^st Century was signed. The Council of National Coordinators was established in 2023, and a year later the Central Asia 2040 Concept for the Development of Regional Cooperation was adopted. In this way, political dialogue acquired an institutional and legal framework between summits while preserving the flexibility of the original format.

Uzbekistan’s chairmanship in 2025 significantly strengthened sectoral cooperation. More than 20 major sectoral and interregional events were held, including the Interregional Cooperation Forum at the level of deputy prime ministers. Ahead of the Seventh Consultative Meeting in Tashkent, the first meeting of the Council of Ministers of Trade and Investment of the Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan was held. Discussions focused on practical objectives: increasing mutual trade to USD 20 billion, establishing production facilities under the “Made in Central Asia” brand, and attracting international financial institutions to infrastructure and industrial projects.

The current scale of economic ties makes it possible to pursue more ambitious objectives. By the end of 2025, Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with the Central Asian countries had reached USD 8.3 billion, an increase of 15.2 percent. In the same year, the volume of direct investment and loans attracted from countries in the region amounted to USD 1.3 billion. Growing trade and investment activity is creating a foundation for deeper industrial cooperation and the development of production chains among enterprises across the region.

This is the underlying rationale of “Made in Central Asia.” Enterprises from several countries can participate in the creation of a final product by distributing individual stages of production among themselves. For Uzbek businesses, such a model expands the pool of potential customers and enables production to be planned in response to demand beyond the domestic market. A practical foundation is already taking shape: an Action Plan for the Development of Industrial Cooperation for 2025–2027 has been approved, bilateral investment funds have been established, cross-border trade zones and industrial cooperation centers are being developed, and joint sectoral projects are being implemented.

The economics of production chains is directly dependent on logistics. The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, as well as the Trans-Afghan and Trans-Caspian routes, involve different groups of participating countries.

The consultative platform provides an opportunity to coordinate countries’ infrastructure plans, border crossing operations, and logistics hubs in advance. In 2025, Uzbekistan proposed establishing an Infrastructure Development Council at the level of deputy prime ministers in order to place such coordination on a permanent footing.

A more favorable business environment is also being shaped through decisions taken in bilateral and trilateral formats. Since 2023, citizens of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have been able to cross the shared border using ID cards. In 2025, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan signed a treaty on the junction point of their state borders. These measures facilitate travel, business contacts, and cross-border trade.

Azerbaijan’s accession as a full-fledged participant in November 2025 expanded the permanent dialogue toward the South Caucasus and brought into the format a country located along the continuation of the Trans-Caspian routes. This makes it possible to address trade, transport, energy, and investment issues within a broader economic geography.

At the same time, the planning horizon is expanding. The Central Asia 2040 Concept established long-term priorities, while at the Tashkent summit Uzbekistan proposed developing a Comprehensive Regional Program for Trade and Economic Cooperation through 2035, adopting a Declaration on a Common Investment Space, and introducing a joint program for the development of e-commerce. For businesses, these initiatives create a more predictable horizon for planning investments, supply chains, and entry into neighboring markets.

Uzbekistan’s proposal to move toward a strategic “Central Asian Community” format also fits within this longer-term perspective, with the aim of strengthening continuity in the implementation of long-term infrastructure, industrial, and investment initiatives.

Following the conclusion of Uzbekistan’s chairmanship, the focus continued to shift toward new forms of economic connectivity. At the informal meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia and Azerbaijan in July 2026, Uzbekistan proposed substantive work on integrated industrial and technological value chains, shared digital services, and investment platforms.

The mechanisms developed in recent years make it possible to connect suppliers across several countries, establish production facilities serving broader markets, attract capital to projects of regional scale, and incorporate logistics considerations from the earliest stages of investment planning. The established channels of cooperation facilitate the transition from strategic priorities to concrete projects while preserving each state’s independence in decision-making. Translating high-level agreements into programs and measurable results is what defines the substance of the next stage.

For Uzbekistan, this represents a qualitatively new scale of regional economic policy. Central Asia is becoming a space where coordinated decisions expand the potential market for national enterprises, connect production capacities, open new routes, and strengthen the foundation for investment. This is precisely where the strategic significance of the platform lies: the countries of the region are themselves shaping the conditions for long-term growth, while Uzbekistan consistently advances initiatives that translate the potential of good-neighborly relations into tangible economic opportunities.