Just a few years ago, the concept of the “smart city” was largely seen as a futuristic idea associated with digital control panels, autonomous transport, widespread sensor networks, and automated urban services.

Today, the smart city has become a practical tool for addressing modern urban challenges. This trend can be seen across countries facing rapid population growth, increasing migration to major metropolitan areas, overstretched infrastructure, and mounting climate risks.

In this context, smart technologies are no longer viewed as an end in themselves. Instead, they are increasingly used to improve the resilience and efficiency of key urban systems, including transport, energy, public utilities, waste management, and environmental monitoring. This allows cities to adapt more effectively to emerging challenges, reduce pressure on infrastructure, and improve the overall quality of urban life.

At the same time, smart city development is gaining strategic economic importance by creating long-term drivers of growth. Such projects attract substantial investment by combining digital infrastructure, innovative services, and principles of sustainable development.

The growth of smart urban areas also contributes to job creation in high-tech sectors ranging from IT and telecommunications to engineering and urban data analytics. In parallel, the modernization of urban infrastructure improves resource management and raises overall living standards.

Against this backdrop, the approaches taken by Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan deserve particular attention. Rather than simply following a global trend, both countries are developing their own models of smart urbanization — ones in which technology serves people and supports the creation of more comfortable, sustainable, and future-oriented cities.

In this regard, Uzbekistan offers a particularly notable example, as urbanization is becoming an increasingly pressing issue amid steady demographic growth. The country’s population is growing by approximately 1.8–2% annually, placing additional pressure on transport systems, housing, infrastructure, and social services.

Under these conditions, the government is focusing not on limited modernization of the existing urban environment, but on the creation of new growth centers. The Smart City concept adopted in 2019, followed by the Digital Uzbekistan – 2030 strategy, established the institutional foundation for the large-scale digital transformation of urban infrastructure and public services.

One of the most visible outcomes of this strategy is the New Tashkent project, whose significance extends far beyond that of a traditional urban development initiative.

In essence, the project aims to create a new economic, administrative, and investment hub capable of easing pressure on the existing capital while introducing a fundamentally new model of urban organization based on smart city principles and sustainable development.

In this case, the concept of the “15-minute city,” green infrastructure, digital governance, public transport prioritization, and energy efficiency are not treated as separate elements, but as components of a broader strategy aimed at expanding economic space and improving the quality of the urban environment.

Against this backdrop, New Tashkent illustrates how urbanization can serve not only as a response to infrastructure pressures, but also as a tool for creating new centers of economic growth capable of redistributing business activity and shaping the long-term development of the urban agglomeration.

This is also why the project has a distinctly international dimension. Its implementation involves Singapore’s Meinhardt Group, the UK-based Foster + Partners and Cross Works, the Dutch firm OMA, Japan’s Sojitz Corporation, South Korea’s Incheon International Airport Corporation, and other international partners. This reflects Uzbekistan’s efforts to integrate global expertise into its national development model.

Azerbaijan, in turn, has chosen a different approach to the development of smart urban spaces. Rather than building entirely new cities from scratch, the focus has been placed on the restoration and comprehensive modernization of recently reintegrated territories alongside the introduction of modern urban planning solutions and Smart City technologies.

This approach goes beyond the physical reconstruction of infrastructure and involves rethinking urban development through digital technologies, sustainable planning, and green standards.

Following the reintegration of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, Azerbaijan faced not only the challenge of rebuilding damaged territories, but also the task of their socio-economic reintegration into the country’s broader development framework. In this context, the concepts of Smart City and Smart Village have gained particular strategic importance, serving as the foundation for a new model of territorial planning and governance.

Within this model, technology is no longer viewed solely as a modernization tool, but as an instrument for comprehensive territorial development. It supports the rapid restoration of basic services, creates conditions for the return of displaced populations, stimulates economic activity, and enables more effective management of spatial development.

One of the clearest examples is Aghali — Azerbaijan’s first “smart village.” The project demonstrates how digital infrastructure, renewable energy, smart agriculture, and modern public services can become part of a new model of post-conflict reconstruction.

The village covers around 119 hectares and includes more than 200 modern eco-friendly homes equipped with smart systems, as well as social and public infrastructure facilities, including a school, kindergarten, medical center, ASAN xidmət and DOST service centers, small business facilities, and administrative buildings.

A similar development model can also be seen in Fizuli, Aghdam, Shusha, Khojaly, and several other settlements, where new infrastructure systems are being developed based on environmental sustainability, transport accessibility, and digital management of urban and rural services.

Like Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan also relies heavily on international cooperation as a key driver of modernization. Huawei is involved in implementing digital solutions, the World Bank provides analytical and advisory support, while Japan is expanding cooperation in smart infrastructure and green energy, contributing to the adoption of advanced technological practices.

Uzbekistan is building a new urban environment from the ground up, while Azerbaijan is developing its model against the backdrop of a complex historical and territorial transformation. At first glance, these are very different starting points. Yet this is precisely what makes the similarities in their approaches particularly notable. In both cases, digital infrastructure is not treated as an additional layer built onto the city, but as a core element shaping its future development from the outset.

At the same time, neither country is pursuing a model based on copying existing examples. The experiences of Singapore, Dubai, and Qatar are being studied, but not replicated. Instead, both states are developing their own models tailored to local demographic, geographic, historical, and social realities. This reflects not a limitation of choice, but the maturity of their strategic approach.

Against the backdrop of accelerating urbanization across Central Asia and the South Caucasus, the experiences of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are increasingly emerging as a kind of laboratory for new development models. While their strategies differ in tools and priorities, both are driven by the same objective: building a new generation of cities that combine technology, sustainability, adaptability, and a people-centered approach.

Abbosbek Mashrapov

Senior Research Fellow, International Institute for Central Asia

RIGA, December 6. /IA "Dunyo"/. A festive evening was held in Riga with the participation of our compatriots living and working in Latvia, reports a correspondent of the IA "Dunyo".
During the event, detailed information was presented on the content of the updated Constitution of Uzbekistan. It was emphasized that the Basic Law is a solid foundation for building a democratic state governed by the rule of law, a strong civil society, economy, as well as a peaceful and prosperous life for the people.

The concert program, which included national songs and dances performed by the Uzbek ensemble "Khalklar Dustligi", gave the participants of the event an elevated mood.

The text of the article is in Uzbek!

RIGA, September 20. /IA “Dunyo”/. With the support of our country's embassy, the volume of garlic exports from Uzbekistan to the Latvian market is increasing, Dunyo news agency's correspondent reports.

In particular, the products with a total volume of about 20 tons were supplied to Latvian company “KGS Group” by exporting company “Oksus” Ltd. from Uzbekistan, which went on sale in large shopping centers on September 16. It is planned to further increase the volume of supplies of these products to the markets of the Baltic States.

Negotiations are also underway with major importing companies to increase the range of Uzbek national products sold in the markets of these countries.

RIGA, May 2. /IA Dunyo/. Uzbekistan's Ambassador Timur Rakhmanov visited Liepaja city in order to study the prospects of establishing cooperation with industrialized regions of Latvia, Dunyo news agency's correspondent reported.
The program of his stay in the important industrial and port city included holding talks with the Liepaja administration, visiting the Liepaja Special Economic Zone (LSEZ), organizing a meeting with top managers of iCotton, a company specializing in deep processing of cotton and production of hygiene and cosmetology products, and acquaintance with the port infrastructure of the city.

Mayor Gunnar Ansins praised the reforms carried out in Uzbekistan, the conditions created in our country for foreign investors and the measures taken to support domestic producers.

The sides expressed interest in further boosting interaction in trade-economic, cultural-humanitarian, educational and other spheres.

Readiness to promote cooperation between the entrepreneurs of the two countries, including in the context of specific regions, was noted.

As a result of the visit, the schedule of forthcoming joint events was agreed upon, the organization of a business forum in Liepaja with the participation of representatives of Surkhandarya and Khorezm regions was started.

The text of the article is in Uzbek!

RIGA, May 19. /IA "Dunyo"/. Uzbek Ambassador Timur Rakhmanov has met with Deputy Chairman of Jurmala City Advisory Council Janis Ledins, Dunyo news agency's correspondent reports.

During the talks, the sides discussed issues of expanding cooperation between the regions of Uzbekistan and Latvia in the spheres of trade and economy, science, education, culture and tourism.

The Latvian side was provided with information about the current development of Uzbekistan, economic and social reforms carried out in the country, investment potential and created conditions for doing business.

The representative of Jurmala administration expressed interest in the development of interregional cooperation, including in the sphere of tourism. In this direction, the issue of participation of the delegation of the Jurmala City Administration in the International Tourism Exhibition, which will be held in November in Tashkent, is being considered.

An agreement was reached to hold a presentation of Uzbekistan's tourism potential in July this year - during the opening of the tourist season in Jurmala, for a wider coverage of the public, which will be familiarized with the history, culture and tourism opportunities of our country.



The Latvian side also invited the Uzbek delegation to Jurmala city to hold Days of Uzbekistan in the first half of September.

RIGA, May 24. /IA Dunyo/. Uzbekistan's Ambassador Timur Rakhmanov met with the head of Latvia's largest transport and logistics company Kreiss Dmitry Chebaevsky on May 22, Dunyo news agency's correspondent reported.



The parties discussed the issues of intensification of bilateral cooperation in the field of transport and logistics, recruitment of personnel, driver training and creation of specialized training centers in our country.



The Latvian side highly appreciated the reforms carried out in our country to support domestic cargo carriers, privileges and preferences provided by the state for transportation services within the framework of boosting exports of Uzbek products.



Interest in organized attraction of Uzbek truck drivers for employment in "Kreiss" was noted. The Latvian side also informed about plans to implement in Uzbekistan a project of opening a simulation-training and preparatory center for drivers of heavy trucks on the basis of one of the driving schools in Tashkent with the possibility of issuing a European registration certificate of professional suitability.



As a result of negotiations, an agreement was reached to organize a visit of "Kreiss" company delegation to Uzbekistan on June 10-14 with a series of meetings and negotiations in relevant ministries and departments of our country.

RIGA, April 29. /IA "Dunyo"/. A delegation of Uzbekistan headed by Deputy Khokim of Fergana region Nuriddin Mamajanov visited Latvia, Dunyo news agency's correspondent reported. Within the framework of the visit, the sides held talks on further development of trade and economic relations, increasing exports of national products and attracting direct investments in our country's economy.

In particular, during the meeting with Riga Deputy Mayor Linda Ozola the prospects of developing relations in trade-economic, investment, tourism, educational and cultural spheres were discussed, as well as an agreement was reached on participation of Fergana region representatives in cultural events to be held in Riga.

The delegation also held talks with Edgars Suna, Deputy Director of the Freeport of Riga (FPR). During the event, the sides discussed the issue of increasing exports of Uzbek products to Latvia and other EU countries, including active utilization of the port's terminal infrastructure. The issues of purchasing or renting warehouses in the territory of the REP by Uzbek entrepreneurs, granting them privileges and preferences were discussed. In turn, Edgars Suna said that the port management is ready to help in this matter. An agreement was reached to sign a memorandum on mutual cooperation between the parties in a short period of time.

Within the framework of the delegation's stay at the Uzbek Trade House in Riga, a B2B meeting between businessmen of the two countries was held. At this event, information about investment and export potential of Uzbekistan, including Fergana region, was presented. As a result of meetings and negotiations, agreements were reached on supplying agricultural products, household chemicals, confectionery and textile products to the Latvian market, and export contracts worth 25 million US dollars were signed.

At the same time, the opening ceremony of the exhibition hall of Fergana region in the Uzbek Trade House was held within the framework of the event.

Members of the delegation also held a meeting in Latvian company "KGS Group" and discussed the establishment of agro-logistic complex in Fergana region. The Latvian side expressed interest in the implementation of this project and readiness to invest 10 million dollars in it.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

KLAIPEDA, May 10. /IA Dunyo/. During a business trip to Lithuania, a delegation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan met with the head of BEGA company Laimonas Rimkus in Klaipeda, Dunyo news agency's correspondent reported.

BEGA, founded in 1992, is one of the largest modern stevedoring companies in the Baltic States, providing services in transportation, loading and unloading of cargoes, as well as temporary storage services.

Laimonas Rimkus expressed an opinion that today Uzbekistan's economy is dynamically developing, producing competitive national products that meet world standards.

- Taking into account the growing volumes of Uzbekistan's exports to European countries, Lithuanian companies show great interest in developing relations with Uzbek businessmen. The volume of export of Uzbek products to the EU countries through Latvia and Lithuania is also increasing," he noted.

It was noted that BEGA has created all necessary port infrastructure, has modern automated technologies for transportation and collection of chemical, food industry, construction materials, agricultural products and other cargoes. In addition, the enterprise is connected to the railroad and has the ability to serve all types of transport coming from Uzbekistan in a short period of time.

The parties discussed mutual procedures and legal aspects of leasing the company's warehouses and a building for the Trade House of Uzbekistan to be established in Lithuania.

The sides reached an agreement on holding the official opening ceremony of Uzbekistan Trade House in Klaipeda on May 24-27.

RIGA, June 14. /IA Dunyo/. A delegation from Uzbekistan headed by Bobur Bekmurodov, chairman of the national movement "Yuksalish", visited Riga within the framework of the grant project "Planning a sustainable policy of mitigation and adaptation to climate change in Uzbekistan", Dunyo news agency reported.



During the visit, a number of meetings and negotiations were held with the leaders of the Latvian Association of Local Governments, the Ministry of Climate and Energy and authorities of major cities.



During them, the sides exchanged views on improving the planning of sustainable climate change mitigation and adaptation policies, capacity building of decision makers, local public authorities, representatives of civil society institutions, integrated climate change management and disaster reduction.



The issues of developing climate change action plans, supporting the integration of gender equality in the protection of women and children from climate change, raising public awareness of the socio-economic impacts of climate change and helping to ensure their participation in decision-making in this area were discussed.



As a result of the meetings, it was decided to continue the process of exchange of experience between experts in this field of the two countries. In addition, an agreement was reached to organize a visit to Uzbekistan by a Latvian delegation consisting of representatives of state and public organizations in this field.

RIGA, May 7. /IA "Dunyo"/. Ambassador Timur Rakhmanov met with the director of the academic library of the University of Latvia, Venta Koster, Dunyo news agency's correspondent reports.

During the meeting they discussed the development of cooperation between the libraries of the two countries, including the exchange of experience in this field, as well as the organization of exchanges between experts.

The director of the library of the Latvian university highly appreciated the reforms carried out in the field of science and culture in our country, and expressed interest in developing relations with the Alisher Navoi National Library, holding an exhibition dedicated to Uzbekistan on the basis of the library. It was emphasized that this exhibition will give an opportunity to Riga public and guests of the city to get acquainted with the reforms carried out in the sphere of culture, science and tourism in our country.

Following the talks, the sides agreed to sign a cooperation agreement between libraries of Uzbekistan and Latvia, develop a program of joint activities for 2024-2025, as well as organize an exhibition of famous Uzbek artist and craftsman Anorkul Boibekov in Riga in June.