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, 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.

RIGA, July 9. /Dunyo IA/. A training seminar was held in Latvia for specialists of the Committee for Veterinary Medicine and Livestock Development and Production Center for Breeding of Uzbekistan, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The seminar, organized by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Riga in cooperation with the Latvian breeding center "Siguldas", aimed to expand opportunities for livestock breeding through artificial insemination under Uzbekistan’s climatic conditions, introduce modern technologies, and study international experience in this field.

During the seminar, participants received detailed information on Latvia’s best practices in veterinary and livestock management, technologies used in insemination processes, laboratory research, genetic quality assessment, and breeding selection methods.

Following the training, specialists from both countries agreed to further cooperation, joint research, and the organization of seminars on pressing topics.

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.

РИГА, 15 июля. /ИА «Дунё»/. Делегация Узбекистана во главе с директором Агентства по противодействию коррупции Акмалом Бурхановым посетила Латвию и Литву с целью укрепления двусторонних связей и определения новых перспективных направлений сотрудничества в сфере борьбы с коррупцией, сообщает корреспондент ИА «Дунё».

В рамках визита состоялись двусторонние встречи с директором “Transparency International Latvia” Кристой Асмусой и заместителем руководителя Бюро по предотвращению и борьбе с коррупцией Латвии Янисом Розе. В ходе встреч стороны выразили обоюдную заинтересованность в продолжении эффективного сотрудничества и расширении масштабов реализуемых совместных проектов.

В частности, на встрече с директором “Transparency International Latvia” обсуждались вопросы разработки эффективных стратегий противодействия коррупции, улучшения позиций Узбекистана в Индексе восприятия коррупции, обеспечения открытости и прозрачности государственных органов в этой сфере, а также повышения потенциала институтов гражданского общества.

На встрече с заместителем руководителя Бюро по предотвращению и борьбе с коррупцией Латвии состоялся обмен опытом по вопросам антикоррупционной экспертизы нормативно-правовых актов и их проектов, а также крупных строительных проектов. Стороны также обсудили практику оценки коррупционных рисков и мониторинга процессов государственных закупок.

Важно отметить, что Агентство по противодействию коррупции Узбекистана и Бюро по предотвращению и борьбе с коррупцией Латвии в 2022 году подписали Меморандум о взаимопонимании. В рамках этого документа осуществляется сотрудничество в сферах укрепления двусторонних связей в борьбе с коррупцией, обмена передовым опытом и информацией, повышения квалификации кадров, а также организации учебных мероприятий, семинаров и тренингов по вопросам профилактики коррупции.

В ходе встречи с директором Службы специальных расследований Литвы Линасом Пернавасом была подчеркнута значимость проводимых в Узбекистане реформ и роль международного сотрудничества в сфере противодействия коррупции. Стороны также отметили важность обмена опытом с Литвой для его адаптации и применения в национальной практике.

На встрече были обсуждены вопросы двустороннего сотрудничества в области профилактики коррупции, оценки коррупционных рисков и повышения квалификации кадров.

По итогам встречи был подписан Меморандум о взаимопонимании между Агентством по противодействию коррупции Узбекистана и Службой специальных расследований Литвы, создающий основу для дальнейшего развития сотрудничества в борьбе с коррупцией.

Подписание Меморандума стало важным шагом к укреплению международного сотрудничества Узбекистана в сфере противодействия коррупции. Ожидается, что реализация положений Меморандума будет способствовать обмену опытом, внедрению передовых практик и, как следствие, повышению эффективности антикоррупционных мер и улучшению позиций Узбекистана в международных рейтингах.

РИГА, 28 декабря. /ИА «Дунё»/. Глава Торгового дома Узбекистана в Риге и почетный консул нашей страны в Латвии Владимир Гальперин организовало в онлайн-формате «круглый стол» и семинар-тренинг на тему «Экспорт в Европу» для хокимов районов и экспортеров Сырдарьинской области, передаёт корреспондент ИА «Дунё».

В ходе мероприятия были подробно обсуждены нормативно-техническое регулирование и другие требования к экспорту узбекской продукции в страны Европы, поиску надежных партнеров, заключению контрактов, использованию возможностей торговых домов Узбекистана.

Кроме того, эксперт предоставил подробную информацию о требованиях и условиях, связанных с экспортом сельскохозяйственной продукции в Европу, стандартах упаковки пищевых продуктов, технологиях переработки и производства напитков. Участники были проинформированы о видах узбекской продукции, в которой заинтересованы латвийские, литовские и эстонские импортеры, а также о размерах этих рынков.

Мероприятие вызвало активный интерес участников к складам в Прибалтике и их аренде, а также таможенному оформлению и последующей доставке в другие страны Европы. На все вопросы были даны подробные ответы и достигнута договоренность между хокимиятами и Торговым домом Узбекистана о совместной работе по увеличению объемов экспорта из Сырдарьи на европейские рынки.

RIGA, June 18. /IA Dunyo/. Uzbekistan's Ambassador to Latvia Timur Rakhmanov yesterday presented his credentials to Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics, Dunyo news agency's correspondent reported.


The current state and prospects of development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Latvia were discussed during the conversation held within the framework of the ceremony.


The Latvian president praised the state of political dialog and bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Riga and Tashkent. He emphasized that Uzbekistan has become one of Latvia's largest trade and economic partners by the end of 2023.


A high assessment was given to the large-scale reforms carried out in Uzbekistan, noting that their results are welcomed by all EU countries.


Timur Rakhmanov arrived in the Latvian capital on March 13 as Uzbekistan's new ambassador. He replaced Kadambai Sultanov, who served as Uzbekistan's ambassador to Latvia (2019-2024) and at the same time to Lithuania (2021-2024), Finland (2020-2024) and Estonia (2020-2024) with residence in Riga.

RIGA, September 30. /IA “Dunyo”/. Uzbek Ambassador Timur Rakhmanov has met with Latvian Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis, Dunyo news agency's correspondent reported.

At the meeting, the sides discussed issues of developing cooperation between Uzbekistan and Latvia in combating various crimes.

The Latvian side was provided with information about the reforms carried out in Uzbekistan in the field of policing, as well as the attention paid to compatriots abroad.

The Latvian minister expressed interest in expanding cooperation between the two countries' Interior Ministries in such areas as expertise, youth crime prevention, combating IT and economic crimes.

An agreement was reached between the Embassy and the Latvian Ministry of Internal Affairs to facilitate the exchange of information on criminal cases of our country's citizens who have violated Latvian laws.

RIGA, June 17. /IA Dunyo/. Representatives of the largest in the Baltic region transportation and logistics company "Kreiss" visited Uzbekistan on June 10-17, Dunyo news agency's correspondent reports.


Kreiss" company, founded in 2001 in Riga, is one of the largest trucking companies in the Baltic region and important operators providing logistics services in Europe and CIS countries. The annual turnover of the company is 160 million dollars.

During the visit, the Latvian side held negotiations with the leadership of the Ministry of Transport, the Agency for External Labor Migration and the International Road Carriers Association.

Kreiss and the External Labor Migration Agency signed an agreement on the organized recruitment of 600 drivers to Latvia.

A Memorandum was signed with "Vatanparvar" organization on organization of special simulators for training Uzbek truck drivers on the platform of driving schools belonging to this association. It was emphasized that drivers trained at the centers can obtain certificates according to European standards and work in the EU countries.

The text of the article is in Uzbek!

RIGA, June 21. /IA Dunyo/. The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Riga has organized a consular reception for fellow citizens living in Estonia and Finland, Dunyo news agency's correspondent reports.


Diplomats visited places of residence and labor activity of Uzbek citizens. During the reception they were given legal consultations on issues of interest to them and practical consular and legal assistance.



During the meeting with compatriots the discussion was about the reforms being implemented in Uzbekistan to organize safe and legal external labor migration, as well as the opportunities created for temporary labor activity in foreign countries.



There was a discussion on the negative consequences of illegal migration, human trafficking, falling under the influence of foreign ideas and participation in mass riots, as well as the need to comply with the legislation of the host country.

RIGA, September 22. /IA Dunyo/. A round table was held at the Embassy of Uzbekistan jointly with the Institute of Central Asia and Middle East Studies to inform representatives of the Latvian government and public about the reforms implemented in political, economic and social spheres in our country, Dunyo news agency's correspondent reported.

The participants of the event were provided with detailed information on large-scale reforms in all spheres, strengthening of Uzbekistan's position in the international arena, implementation of political and socio-economic reforms. In addition, special attention was paid to the parliamentary elections to be held on October 27.

Speaking, head of the institute Aydin Askerov noted that the expected political event is a continuation of reforms observed in our country. According to him, the world highly appreciates the important changes implemented under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the path of establishing New Uzbekistan. This electoral process is being conducted under a completely new, mixed model, and by increasing the share of women from 40 percent, special attention is being paid to strengthening their role in the political life of our country.

Deputy Director of the Institute Andrei Bruy emphasized that the active interest and involvement of young people in the political changes taking place in Uzbekistan are proof that the country's leadership pays great attention to them and all conditions are being created for this purpose.

All questions of the participants were also answered during the event. In particular, information was provided on the opportunities created for Uzbek citizens temporarily and permanently residing abroad to participate in the upcoming elections.