For decades, Afghanistan was perceived primarily as a source of instability, geopolitical rivalry and security threats. In recent years, however, the regional agenda surrounding Afghanistan has gradually been shifting. Increasingly, expert and diplomatic circles in the Central Asian states are discussing not only the question of security but also Afghanistan’s potential as a transport, energy and trade corridor capable of linking Central and South Asia.

In this context, the «Termez Dialogue»^[1] acquires particular significance as a platform symbolizing the transition from a policy of isolation to a pragmatic model of regional interaction. For Uzbekistan and its neighbors, the issue is no longer merely the stabilization of Afghanistan, but the formation of a new geoeconomic architecture for Eurasia.

From a Geopolitical Buffer to a Geoeconomic Bridge

Historically, Afghanistan lay at the crossroads of major trade routes connecting the East, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. In the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, however, the country became a space of geopolitical confrontation among world powers rather than a territory of cooperation.

Today the situation is gradually changing under the influence of several factors at once. Firstly, global logistics is undergoing a profound transformation. Geopolitical tension, sanctions restrictions and crises affecting traditional transport routes are forcing states to seek new paths for trade and transit. Secondly, the Central Asian states are increasingly striving to diversify their foreign economic ties and reduce their dependence on a limited number of transport directions.

Against this backdrop, Afghanistan is acquiring new significance as the shortest overland route capable of providing the Central Asian states with access to the ports of the Indian Ocean through the territory of Pakistan.        Whereas the Afghan factor was once viewed primarily through the lens of threats, today growing attention is being paid to its transit potential.

Of particular importance in this regard is the project of the Trans-Afghan Railway Corridor^[2]. Initially, the principal route was considered to be Termez – Mazar-i-Sharif – Kabul – Peshawar. However, by 2025 the states of the region moved^[3] to elaborating a new direction: Termez – Naibabad – Maidan Shahr – Logar – Kharlachi. This route implies access to the Pakistani railway network through the Kharlachi border crossing and is regarded as more realistic in terms of security, cost, and implementation timelines.

The realization of this project could substantially reshape^[4] the transport geography of the region. For the Central Asian states, this would mean: a reduction in cargo delivery times; a decrease in transport costs; access to the new markets of South Asia; an expansion of export opportunities; a strengthening of the region’s transit potential.

Especially important is the fact that this concerns access to the South Asian market, with a population of nearly two billion people. For the export-oriented economies of Central Asia, this opens up fundamentally new prospects.

Equally important are the energy projects passing through Afghanistan. Among them are CASA-1000 and the TAPI gas pipeline, both intended to facilitate electricity and natural gas supplies between Central and South Asia.

These processes reflect a broader transformation of regional politics: states increasingly view Afghanistan not only as a source of risk but also as an important element of the transport architecture of Eurasia. Priority is shifting more and more from politically symbolic objectives toward the pragmatic logic of transit, connectivity, and economic efficiency.

Termez — the Southern Gateway of Central Asia

A special role in shaping the new regional interaction is played by Termez - the southernmost city of Uzbekistan, which is gradually turning into an important logistical, diplomatic, and humanitarian center. Its significance is reinforced by its unique geographical position: the city lies in the immediate proximity of the Afghan border, connected to it by a bridge across the Amudarya river, across which hundreds of cargo trucks and substantial flows of humanitarian aid and commercial goods pass daily^[5].

In logistical terms, Termez relies on developed infrastructure, including an international transport and logistics hub and a rail connection with the Afghan city of Hairatan, through which millions of tons of cargo are transshipped each year. This corridor is considered one of the most stable and manageable routes of regional trade with Afghanistan.

An additional dimension of Termez’s role is formed by its humanitarian component: the city operates^[6] as a platform for coordinating international assistance to Afghanistan, where deliveries of food, medicine, and basic goods are regularly carried out with the participation of international organizations. In 2025, the hub was incorporated into the UNHCR Global Supply Network, through which humanitarian aid shipments worth more than $500 million are distributed annually^[7].

At the same time, through Termez, Uzbekistan is actively promoting the concept of regional connectivity, in which Afghanistan is viewed not as a peripheral zone of instability but as a transit bridge capable of linking the markets of Central and South Asia. In this context, Termez is becoming not merely a border town, but an infrastructural and politico-economic node of a new regional architecture founded on pragmatism, trade interdependence, and phased integration.

In this context, Uzbekistan has attempted to institutionalize this Forum. Thus, in 2025 the international forum “Termez Dialogue” was held in Termez, devoted to questions of peace, stability, and economic interaction with Afghanistan. It was attended by representatives of the Central and South Asian states, as well as international organizations, including UN structures. The forum became one of the first attempts to institutionalize the discussion of Afghanistan precisely as an economic partner of the region.

Earlier, in 2021, Uzbekistan initiated^[8] the international conference “Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities,” held in Tashkent. One of the central themes of the event was the role of Afghanistan as a transit link between the two macro-regions. The conference was attended by representatives of more than 40 states and international organizations, which underscored the global interest in the Uzbek initiative.

The Termez Dialogue as a New Model of Regionalism

Under present-day conditions, the “Termez Dialogue” acquires significance not only as a diplomatic platform but also as a symbol of a new model of regional interaction.

What is at issue is the formation of an approach in which the states of the region strive to build mechanisms of cooperation independently, proceeding above all from common economic interests and mutual infrastructural interdependence.

In this sense, Afghanistan is gradually becoming not an object of external administration but a potential participant in a new system of regional connectivity.

For Central Asia, the development of the southern direction means an expansion of strategic autonomy, a diversification of foreign economic routes, and a strengthening of its own agency in international relations.

It is precisely for this reason that the future of Afghanistan is increasingly viewed not only as a question of security but also as a question of regional integration, logistics and geoeconomics.

Conclusion

Today Afghanistan stands at a historical crossroads. The country may either remain a space of chronic instability or gradually be transformed into a vital transport and economic bridge between Central and South Asia.

To a large extent, the outcome will depend on the ability of the regional states to construct a long-term strategy of cooperation founded not only on questions of security but also on the development of infrastructure, trade, and mutual economic interest.

In this process, Termez is already becoming one of the key centers of the new Eurasian interaction - a space in which the transition from geopolitical rivalry to geoeconomic partnership is taking shape.

Aziza Mukhammedova

Research Fellow

Center for Afghanistan and South Asian Studies at the

Institute for Advanced International Studies

[1]  https://www.euronews.com/2025/05/21/central-asian-countries-push-for-regional-development-at-termez-dialogue

[2] https://pakistan.mfa.uz/ru/news/trans-afghan-corridor-a-new-bridge-connecting-central-asia-with-the-world-1

[3] https://kun.uz/en/news/2025/07/18/uzbekistan-afghanistan-and-pakistan-agree-to-develop-new-railway-corridor

[4] https://thediplomat.com/2024/05/uzbekistan-and-the-new-realities-of-trans-afghan-trade/

[5] https://eurasianet.org/uzbekistan-offers-to-act-as-hub-for-afghanistan-aid

[6] https://unsdg.un.org/latest/stories/uzbekistan-steps-support-neighbor-afghanistan-critical-humanitarian-juncture

[7] https://iica.uz/ru/news/2025/02/13/termiz-logistik-habi-bmtning-global-yetkazib-berish-tarmogiga-qoshildi

[8] https://www.uzembassy.uk/news/990

In recent years, relations between Uzbekistan and the United States of America have gained a new impetus. Moving beyond formal diplomacy, the partnership has evolved into a deeper, multi-dimensional engagement. Today, political dialogue is active, economic and business ties are expanding, and humanitarian and people-to-people connections are steadily strengthening.

Until 2017, Uzbek-American cooperation was primarily focused on regional security issues and the situation in Afghanistan, while noticeable progress in the economy and investment was virtually absent. However, following the election of Shavkat Mirziyoyev and his visit to Washington in 2018, cooperation began to acquire a strategic character.

This marked the first visit by Uzbek leader to the United States in 16 years and signaled a new level of mutual trust. During the visit, agreements and memoranda totaling over $4.8 billion were signed, paving the way for projects involving major U.S. companies.

These positive trends have largely been driven by Uzbekistan’s domestic reforms and its pragmatic approach to regional and foreign policy. Consequently, diplomatic engagement has intensified: regular consultations at the level of foreign ministries have fostered systematic and structured cooperation.

Since the 2020s, relations have evolved into a multi-layered structure. In 2021, the format of political consultations was transformed into the “Strategic Partnership Dialogue between Uzbekistan and the United States,” encompassing the economy, security, and environmental issues. The first meeting of this new format took place in Tashkent and laid the foundation for comprehensive cooperation.

In 2024, bilateral relations reached a qualitatively new level with the official establishment of an expanded strategic partnership. This format is based on the alignment of key priorities: Uzbekistan seeks deep economic modernization, attraction of foreign investment, integration into global markets, and the formation of a competitive economy. The United States supports these efforts, affirming its commitment to the reform process and encouraging American business participation in the new opportunities emerging in Uzbekistan.

In this context, the meeting between Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Donald Trump in September of this year on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly outlined specific priorities for bilateral cooperation and established the foundation for long-term collaboration. More than ten agreements were signed with major companies, including Boeing, Cargill, and Citigroup and others.

Following this, in October 2024, a U.S. delegation led by President Biden’s Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor, and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau visited Tashkent. The visit reinforced mutual trust and underscored both sides’ commitment to advancing joint initiatives in key areas of the bilateral agenda.

Undoubtedly, the U.S. contribution to Uzbekistan’s economy maintains a steady dynamic: in 2024, trade turnover increased by 15%, reaching $881.7 million. The portfolio of investment projects exceeds $11 billion. These figures illustrate a steady expansion of trade and economic cooperation, even as overall volumes remain relatively modest.

At the same time, the contemporary economic agenda, however, extends beyond traditional trade. Joint industrial and investment projects, collaboration in logistics, civil aviation, agro-industrial complex, and metallurgy, as well as the implementation of digital and innovative solutions in supply chain management, are coming to the forefront.

Structural changes in Uzbekistan’s export profile are particularly noteworthy. Services now constitute 86% of the country’s main export portfolio. The United States remains the largest market for Uzbek IT services: of 800 active exporters, 448 provide digital services to the U.S., representing 45% out of total IT exports. This underscores the U.S.’s role as a strategic partner in Uzbekistan’s technology sector.

To increase the export of Uzbek goods to the U.S., the President instructed the regions of the country to establish direct connections with individual states. For instance, in August of this year, a task was set to increase textile exports to the U.S. five to sixfold. Within this initiative, the Andijan Region Textile Trade House opened a representative office in St. Louis, one of the country’s key logistics hubs.

The American company Oppenheimer plans to participate in the financing of three major projects in the Andijan Region with a total value of $1.2 billion, including the creation of a textile industrial zone worth $180 million.

Uzbekistan has again attracted U.S. attention due to the presence of critically important minerals and rare earth elements used in batteries, semiconductors, and modern defense systems. In April 2025, the countries signed an agreement on cooperation in the extraction of such resources, and in September, the American investor Cove Capital began geological exploration work.

Significant progress is also observed in the humanitarian sphere: the number of academic exchanges and educational programs is increasing, and the interest of Uzbek youth in American education has noticeably grown. Currently, 40 Uzbek universities implement partnership projects with more than 25 American universities and educational institutions. Cooperation includes academic exchange of faculty and students, joint research, and the engagement of American specialists in the educational process.

These initiatives reflect Uzbekistan’s aspiration for greater openness and integration into the international community, creating conditions for expanding contacts in tourism and cultural spheres.

In this context, starting January 1, 2026, Uzbekistan will introduce a 30-day visa-free regime for U.S. citizens. Previously, such a regime only applied to tourists over 55 years old. The new rules significantly facilitate U.S. citizens’ access to the country, promoting tourism, business travel, and cultural exchanges, as well as opening additional opportunities for establishing direct contacts between individuals and organizations in both countries.

A central element of multilateral interaction remains the regional C5+1 format, which unites the U.S. and the five Central Asian countries. The U.S. National Security Strategy indicates the intention to intensify work within this platform to promote initiatives on climate change mitigation, energy and food security, development of transport connectivity, and expansion of Central Asian countries’ access to global markets.

To sum up, the evolution of Uzbekistan-U.S. relations demonstrates how pragmatism and reform-driven policies can overcome barriers and create mutual benefits. Today, bilateral relations are comprehensive and resilient: Uzbekistan has emerged as a significant partner, recognized in Washington as a key contributor to regional stability. The trajectory of cooperation points toward constructive partnership, with Central Asia serving not as periphery, but as a bridge for sustainable development and mutually beneficial collaboration.

Shakhnoza Kodirova

Head of the Department the

the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies

under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Central and South Asia are increasingly facing the same reality: climate risks are no longer a distant forecast. Droughts, water scarcity, heatwaves, land degradation, dust storms, floods, and pressure on water, food and energy security are already affecting economies, public health, infrastructure, and the resilience of entire regions.

This is why the second meeting of the Termez Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia is of particular significance. The second meeting is organized by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in partnership with the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia. This format reflects Uzbekistan’s consistent foreign policy direction aimed at strengthening trust, open dialogue, and sustainable connectivity between the regions.

While the first meeting introduced the Termez Dialogue as a platform for bringing the two regions closer together, the new agenda takes the next step: moving from a discussion of connectivity to practical mechanisms for joint climate adaptation and stronger environmental resilience. Its task is to move from conceptual discussions to concrete priorities and practical mechanisms, with joint adaptation to climate change identified among the key areas of cooperation.

Climate as a New Test of Connectivity

Climate change shows how closely water, food, energy, transport, health, and ecosystems are linked. When water availability declines, the impact is not limited to agriculture. It also affects hydropower, food prices, migration, employment, soil conditions, and even regional stability. As extreme heat becomes more frequent, cities, transport systems, healthcare systems, and labour productivity all come under pressure.

The Synthesis Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), prepared as part of the Sixth Assessment Cycle, emphasizes that adaptation is already taking place in all regions of the world, but the gap between what is needed and what is being done remains and will continue to grow at the current pace of action. The IPCC also underlines that the most effective responses are not isolated measures, but integrated solutions that connect water management, agriculture, infrastructure, social protection, ecosystems, and population needs.

This is particularly important for Central and South Asia. Both regions depend on mountain watersheds, irrigated agriculture, the resilience of rural areas, as well as stable and secure energy supply and the cross-border movement of goods and people. Climate adaptation, therefore, cannot remain solely a matter of national policy. It must become part of interregional cooperation.

Uzbekistan: The Data Confirm the Urgency of Action

Uzbekistan’s Fourth National Communication under the UNFCCC identifies the country as among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change in Central Asia and Eurasia. This vulnerability is linked to accelerated temperature rise, growing water scarcity, glacier retreat, and the increasing frequency of extreme hydrometeorological events.

Water remains an especially sensitive factor. Uzbekistan’s water resources belong to the Aral Sea basin, while the main surface runoff of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers is formed outside the country. This means that Uzbekistan’s climate resilience is directly linked to the quality of regional and interregional cooperation. Water, data, forecasts, infrastructure, and trust become part of one security system.

Cities as a New Frontline of Climate Adaptation

The climate agenda is also becoming increasingly connected with the future of cities. Speaking at the Leaders’ Summit of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum in Baku, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that, over the next 15 years, the country’s population is expected to grow from 38 to 50 million people, while the urbanization rate is projected to rise from 51% to 65%.

For Uzbekistan, this is not only a demographic trend but also a climate challenge. Urban growth increases pressure on water, energy, transport, housing, air quality, and green spaces. Therefore, plans for sustainable urbanization — including the development of “green”, “smart”, “safe”, and “15-minute” cities, the expansion of urban greenery, and the introduction of green city principles — are directly linked to climate adaptation.

In this context, the Termez Dialogue can become a platform for exchanging experience not only on water and agriculture, but also on climate-resilient urban development: from reducing the urban heat island effect and saving water to clean transport, digital air quality monitoring, and designing new districts with climate risks in mind.

A New Emphasis: Adaptation as a Practical Development Agenda

The Termez Dialogue can offer an important new approach: to view adaptation not as a response to crises, but as an investment in sustainable development. This changes the very language of climate policy.

Adaptation is not only about building protective infrastructure or responding to emergencies. It is about more accurate forecasting of droughts and floods and data exchange between countries. It is about water-saving agriculture, the modernization of canals, pumping stations, and urban infrastructure. It is about restoring degraded lands and ecosystems. It is about preparing farmers, engineers, hydrologists, energy specialists, and local authorities to operate under new climate conditions.

This is why the Concept of the second meeting of the Termez Dialogue emphasizes the consolidation of efforts by states and partners to develop coordinated and mutually reinforcing approaches to climate adaptation and to reducing the socio-economic consequences of climate and environmental risks.

Why Central and South Asia Must Adapt Together

Climate risks do not recognize borders. Drought in one part of the region can affect food markets in another. Glacier retreat changes river regimes far beyond mountain areas. Dust storms, heatwaves, and extreme rainfall can affect several countries at once. Joint adaptation is therefore a practical necessity.

The IPCC stresses that around 3.3 to 3.6 billion people worldwide live in conditions of high vulnerability to climate change. It also emphasizes that the vulnerability of people and ecosystems is interconnected: the degradation of ecosystems increases risks for people, while social vulnerability reduces societies’ ability to adapt.

For Central and South Asia, this means that resilience must be built across several dimensions at once: water, food, energy, environment, and society. Food and environmental security cannot be strengthened without water. Infrastructure cannot be modernized without climate forecasts. Risks cannot be reduced without trust and information exchange.

Termez as a Place for Climate Partnership

The choice of Termez has both historical and practical significance. Termez is Uzbekistan’s southern gateway and a natural bridge between Central and South Asia. In today’s conditions, this role acquires new meaning: the city is becoming a symbol not only of transport and trade connectivity, but also of climate partnership.

Afghanistan has a particularly important role. The idea of the Termez Dialogue implies the need for the gradual integration of Afghanistan into regional economic, transport, humanitarian, and climate processes with the support of the international community. In the climate agenda, this is especially meaningful: without Afghanistan’s participation, it is impossible to build genuinely sustainable connectivity between Central and South Asia.

What the Termez Dialogue Can Deliver

The Termez Dialogue can become a platform for launching several practical areas of cooperation.

First, the exchange of climate and hydrological data, including forecasts of droughts, floods, glacier changes, and dust storms.

Second, the joint promotion of early warning systems, so that countries can prepare in advance for extreme weather events.

Third, the development of climate-resilient agriculture: water-saving technologies, drought-resistant crops, digital services for farmers, and the restoration of pastures and soils.

Fourth, ecosystem-based adaptation — the restoration of forests, wetlands, mountain and desert ecosystems that themselves serve as natural protection against climate risks.

Fifth, climate-resilient infrastructure — from transport corridors and logistics centres to energy facilities and rapidly growing cities.

From a Common Challenge to Shared Resilience

The main value of the Termez Dialogue is that it allows the climate agenda to be discussed not in the language of alarm, but in the language of joint solutions. Central and South Asia can not only exchange risk assessments, but also create common adaptation mechanisms: from scientific networks and pilot projects to investment programmes and regional standards for resilient infrastructure.

The new climate agenda of the Termez Dialogue is part of the larger idea of connectivity. Genuine connectivity is not only about roads, trade, and energy corridors. It is also about the capacity of countries to jointly protect ecosystems, human health, and the future of coming generations. The Termez Dialogue can become the space where Central and South Asia move from recognizing their shared vulnerability to building shared resilience.

In recent years, Uzbekistan has demonstrated significant progress in the field of international tourism, which pays special attention to cooperation with the CIS countries. Historically, this region has close cultural, economic and humanitarian ties with Uzbekistan, which contributes to the active exchange of tourists and the development of joint initiatives in the tourism industry. According to statistics for January–August 2024 and 2025, there has been a steady increase in the total number of tourists from 6.7 million visiting Uzbekistan to more than 7.5 million with an annual increase of 15-20% per year. By the end of 2025, more than 11 million foreign tourists are expected to arrive.
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan remain the most significant sources of tourists among the CIS countries. In 2024, Kazakhstan sent more than 2.1 million tourists to Uzbekistan in January – August, Kyrgyzstan — about 1.78 million, and Tajikistan — almost 1.6 million. In 2025, Kyrgyzstan slightly surpassed Kazakhstan in the number of visitors — 2.16 million against 1.77 million, which indicates a positive trend towards strengthening bilateral ties in the field of tourism. Tajikistan also showed an increase of almost 1.7 million tourists. In addition to the traditional leaders, the number of tourists from Turkmenistan increased significantly in January–August, from 125,000 in 2024 to 243,000 in 2025. This growth confirms the growing attractiveness of Uzbekistan as a tourist destination for all neighboring countries.
The CIS countries with fewer tourists, such as Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Ukraine and Russia, also note positive dynamics. The increase in the number of Russian tourists in January –August is particularly noteworthy — from 587,000 in 2024 to more than 663,000 in 2025, reflecting the strengthening of tourist and cultural ties between the two countries. The growth of the tourist flow from the CIS is largely due to Uzbekistan's comprehensive work to improve infrastructure, simplify visa procedures, and actively promote travel brands. The development of transport links, the introduction of modern services and the expansion of the range of tourism products make Uzbekistan more and more attractive to visitors from neighboring countries.
Uzbekistan is the historical center and pearl of the Great Silk Road, the crossroads of world cultures and civilizations. There are more than 8,000 cultural heritage sites in the country. 209 of them are part of four museum cities included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The magnificent monuments of the ancient cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva attract many tourists who want to get acquainted with the rich heritage of the region. Samarkand is the ancient capital of the empire of the great commander Amir Temur, which houses the most beautiful Registan ensemble, the Ulugbek Observatory and the Imam Al-Bukhari complex, the most important for Muslims, the fabulous city of Bukhara, famous throughout the Islamic world with its Bahauddin Naqshbandi complex, the Ark fortress and the Poi Kalyan ensemble, the capital of the Khorezmshah State Khiva with a museum city open-air Ichan-Kala, and of course the city of Shakhrisabz, where Amir Temur was born and built the Ok-Saroy palace there.
Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, is the geographical center and the largest hub of Central Asia, a connecting bridge between East and West. Tourists can get great emotions and impressions from their stay in Tashkent, which has many interesting sights, including the architecture of modernity and the ancient East. Uzbekistan is not only a historical city, but also a huge number of natural attractions: the picturesque mountains of the Western Tien Shan and Pamir Alai, mysterious caves, the endless Kyzylkum desert, a huge number of lakes, the Ustyurt plateau and the Aral Sea in Karakalpakstan. It should be noted that Uzbekistan occupies high places in the world tourism rankings, in the field of security, historical attractions, family tourism, gastronomy, etc. There is a tourist police in all tourist centers of the country, thanks to which all foreign visitors feel safe at all times. At the same time, over the past 10 years, Uzbekistan has not had any incidents related to the safety of tourists in the country, which could negatively affect the tourist image of Uzbekistan. Great attention is paid to youth tourism in the country, special tours of historical subjects, ecotourism, extreme tourism, and industrial tourism have been formed to visit various production facilities, which also serve as their subsequent professional orientation.
The Government of Uzbekistan has identified several territories with high tourism potential as free tourist zones created specifically for businesses operating in the tourism sector. Conditions have been created to attract foreign investment in the tourism sector. To encourage investors, various incentives have been introduced for the hotel sector, the construction of tourist complexes and infrastructure. Business representatives from the CIS countries are the most active investors, creating both enterprises with 100 foreign investments and joint ventures in the tourism industry of Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan invites Russian investors to take an active part in joint projects in the territories of Charvak, Chimgan, Nanai, Baysun, Maidanak, Miraki, Parkent, Akhangaran, Angren, Akchakul, Tudakul, Aydarkul and others tourist zones. The development of tourism with the CIS countries is becoming not only a factor of economic growth, but also an important element in strengthening interstate relations, cultural exchange and friendship of peoples. The growth of the tourist flow contributes to the creation of new jobs, the development of small and medium-sized businesses and the improvement of the standard of living of the population. The prospects for further development of tourism ties between Uzbekistan and the CIS countries look very promising. Enhanced cooperation, exchange of experience and implementation of innovative solutions will make the region one of the most attractive and dynamically developing tourist destinations in Eurasia. The Committee on Tourism of Uzbekistan is ready to support the tourism business of our countries in the implementation of joint projects, and create all necessary conditions for comfortable travel of tourists of all categories from the CIS countries.

Head of the Department of
Transport and Logistics Development Shukhrat Isakulov

A presentation of the literary and publicistic collection “Uzbekistan: Third Renaissance – Concept of the Future” was held in Islamabad, written in Urdu by renowned Pakistani journalist and author Muhammad Abbas Khan, explores Uzbekistan’s modern development vision and reform agendat.

The collection offers a comprehensive analysis of the essence, spiritual foundations, and global significance of Uzbekistan’s vision for a New Renaissance — the foundation of the country’s Third Renaissance — under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The book elaborates on the concept advanced by the Head of State, tracing its historical roots and outlining its relevance for the future of human civilization. The author emphasizes that this vision draws inspiration from the legacy of Uzbekistan’s great ancestors and seeks to unite the principles of modern development, enlightenment, and humanism, serving as a bridge between the nation’s rich intellectual past and its forward-looking aspirations.

The collection also highlights the shared initiatives and common aspirations of the leaders of Uzbekistan and Pakistan to advance major transport and communication projects linking Central and South Asia. According to the author, these efforts represent the revival of the legendary Silk Road. The book not only describes the sweeping reforms and modernization taking place in Uzbekistan, but also emphasizes that the development path of the “New Uzbekistan” may serve as an inspiring model for Pakistan and the wider Eastern world.

The presentation ceremony brought together members of Pakistan’s government and parliament, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Islamabad, prominent scholars, analysts, public figures, and media representatives. Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting of Pakistan, attended the event as the guest of honour.

The presentation opened with the national anthems of Uzbekistan and Pakistan, followed by a video highlighting the nine years of Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s leadership as a President of Uzbekistan.

The event commenced with welcoming remarks by Alisher Tukh­taev, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan. In his address, the Ambassador emphasized that, under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has entered an era of openness and creative transformation.

He noted that over the past nine years, the country has implemented comprehensive reforms across the socio-economic, political, educational, and cultural spheres. As a result, Uzbekistan’s Gross Domestic Product has doubled, reaching 115 billion US dollars; exports have risen to 26 billion dollars; and foreign investments have exceeded 130 billion dollars. Thousands of new enterprises have been established, reflecting the dynamic pace of development and modernization.

It was noted that relations between Uzbekistan and Pakistan have been elevated to the level of a strategic partnership, with the establishment of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. Direct air connections now link Tashkent with Islamabad and Lahore, while collaboration in the fields of education and culture continues to expand rapidly.

Particular attention was given to the Trans-Afghan Railway Project — recognized as a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening peace, mutual trust, and economic connectivity across the region, effectively reconnecting Central and South Asia.

Ambassador Alisher Tukh­taev expressed his sincere gratitude to the author of the featured work, Muhammad Abbas Khan, and to the management of “Daily Ittehad” publishing house for their contribution to the creation and publication of the book. He emphasized that this work will make a valuable contribution to fostering friendship and solidarity between the peoples of Uzbekistan and Pakistan.

In turn, Tahir Farooq, head of “Daily Ittehad” publishing house, expressed his satisfaction with the publication of the book “Uzbekistan: Third Renaissance – Concept of the Future”.

“This book is not merely a compilation of facts about Uzbekistan”, - he noted, - but an important work that vividly reflects the ongoing processes of reform and renewal in the country. It is not a collection of speeches or a translation of another author’s work, but the result of five years of observation and analysis by Muhammad Abbas Khan. His insights carry great significance for understanding Uzbekistan’s contemporary path of development. The book also serves as an important historical document of the new era unfolding in Uzbekistan”.

In his address, Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan, highlighted the deep historical ties between the peoples of Uzbekistan and Pakistan, noting that the land of Uzbekistan has produced eminent figures of the Timurid dynasty, including the distinguished scholar and statesman Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur. The Minister emphasized that the region connecting Central and South Asia has always been a vital part of the Great Silk Road, and that Uzbekistan’s contemporary policy under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is focused on revitalizing this historic corridor of cooperation.

Concluding his speech, Minister Attaullah Tarar reaffirmed the readiness of Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to extend full support in promoting the book and the “Third Renaissance” initiatives advanced by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Pakistani public.

In his address, author Muhammad Abbas Khan discussed the process of writing the book, the ideas it conveys, and its principal objectives. According to the author, the work is based on his research, observations, and personal impressions, providing an objective account of Uzbekistan’s ongoing processes of renewal and development.

“I have had the opportunity to directly observe the profound transformations taking place in Uzbekistan, the reforms being implemented under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the policies aimed at fostering an open society, enhancing human dignity, and advancing education and enlightenment, along with their tangible results. Today, Uzbekistan is experiencing a period of awakening. The concept of the Third Renaissance, being realized in Uzbekistan, serves as an example of a universal experience grounded in confidence in the future, scientific and spiritual renewal, and policies for the development of human potential”, - said Muhammad Abbas Khan.

The book “Uzbekistan: Third Renaissance – Concept of the Future” is expected to serve as a unique resource for familiarizing the Pakistani public with Uzbekistan’s new historical path of development, while further strengthening the cultural and spiritual bonds between the two nations.

The main goal of state policy in the penal sphere in Uzbekistan is aimed at liberalizing punishment and the system of its execution. Based on this, a number of strategic objectives have been identified. In particular:

Firstly, crime, improvement and liberalization of criminal and criminal-procedural legislation, decriminalization of specific criminal acts, humanization of criminal punishments and the procedure for their execution were determined as one of the priority directions for improving the state and society building system in the Action Strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021.

Secondly, the Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the Concept of improvement of criminal and criminal-procedural legislation” was adopted on May 14, 2018. It was aimed at improving the criminal responsibility and punishment system, in particular, eliminating forms and types of punishments that do not meet to modern requirements, and preventing crimes. The task of introducing types of punishment and other legal measures, simplifying punishment or expanding the norms regulating the conditions of criminal responsibility or exemption of person from liability was established.

Thirdly, the implementation of qualitatively new mechanisms for ensuring the unconditional observance of the rights of prisoners, respect for their honor and dignity, priority tasks such as further expansion of the scope of rights of convicts in accordance with generally recognized international standards were determined in the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated on November 7, 2018 “On measures to radically improve the criminal and executive legislation”.

Fourthly, the necessity to ensure labor, social security and other internationally recognized rights of convicts, people who have served their sentences, to introduce effective mechanisms to help their social adaptation and reintegration into society, and widely introducing the principle of humanitarianism into the penal system was noted as the essential and necessary condition for the development of the law priority principles in the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan in 2022-2026;

Fifthly, the task of reducing the practice of imprisonment from 30% to 20% was strengthened as the main criterion for reforms in the judicial system in the strategy “Uzbekistan – 2030”.

Sixthly, new version of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan was adopted pursuant to the Referendum on April 30, 2023, in which human rights and freedoms are guaranteed based on the universally recognized norms of international law, as well as the prohibition of the death penalty.

Meanwhile, 3 laws, 2 decrees and 7 resolutions of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, more than 20 resolution and decrees of the government, more than 15 departmental and interdepartmental regulatory legal documents aimed at further improving the system of execution of punishment for the implementation of these strategic goals were accepted.

As a result, the range of rights and legal interests of the prisoners were expanded and brought into line with international standards.

It is worth noting that at the initiative of the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the work on ensuring the rights and freedoms of prisoners serving sentences in penitentiary institutions has reached a completely new level.

In particular, based on the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated on April 2, 2021, “On additional organizational measures to further improve the activities of internal affairs bodies in the field of ensuring public safety and fighting crime”, the followings were determined:

to increase the effectiveness of educational work on the moral correction in order to prevent re-offending, to improve the system of execution of punishment, to ensure the protection of the rights, freedoms and legal interests of prisoners;

to ensure the priority importance of honor and dignity of prisoners, to introduce transparent and more effective legal mechanisms of moral education and labor training for social adaptation of convicts to society in the future;

to radically improve the criminal-executive legislation, taking into account modern international standards and advanced foreign experience;

to ensure strict discipline and legality in penitentiary institutions and investigative detention centers, to prevent corruption, and fully automate the processes of monitoring the condition of prisoners;

to create opportunity to purchase items in the prescribed manner by prisoners in penitentiary institutions, and their relatives as well, through electronic stores based on free market mechanisms;

to maintain the electronic database of information about the behavior and personality of each prisoner and fully digitize the process of distribution of prisoners in order to correctly determine the tactics of re-educating prisoners and prevent them from committing crime.

A number of practical results have been achieved as a result of the comprehensive reforms implemented in the field of criminal punishment.

Particularly:

Firstly, the restrictions on the visits of juvenile prisoners with their parents were removed, and female prisoners were given the right to visit their children in orphanages on unlimited basis.

Secondly, special attention was paid to the education and vocational training of prisoners, and the activity of "Master-Apprentice" schools was launched in penitentiary institutions.

In fact, there are 6 general educational schools and 4 vocational centers operating in the penitentiary institutions at present. More than 2,000 convicts are trained in such schools, and more than 5,000 in the vocational centers are trained in tailoring, carpentry, furniture making, auto electrician, electrician, locksmith and other professions, and they are given certificates in 16 specialties in total.

Thirdly, according to the law “On Education"” the right to distance education was given to prisoners in penitentiary institutions.

Henceforth, the dream of the prisoners who want to get higher education was fulfilled. 25 prisoners were admitted to the prestigious national higher educational institutions, as well as branches of international higher education institutions in our country in 2021-2023.

Fourthly, special attention was paid to the social welfare of prisoners, and the right to pension was guaranteed (as of January 1, 2024, pensions were granted to 676 prisoners) and it was determined that social insurance would not be deducted from wages. The number of phone calls, visits and meetings of the prisoners has almost doubled.

Fifthly, in the direction of expanding the political rights of prisoners, the requirements of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the positive experiences of France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Turkey, are implemented into national legislation, and the right to vote was given for the first time for prisoners who are serving sentences for crimes of low social risk and less serious crimes.

On this basis, 3,619 prisoners in the 2019 Parliamentary elections, 8,203 prisoners in the 2021 Presidential elections, and 9,738 prisoners in the 2023 referendum exercised their political right to vote.

Sixthly, the procedure for the visit of the Representative of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Human Rights (Ombudsman), diplomatic corps, representatives of international, republican and local non-governmental non-profit organizations, foreign and local mass media to prisons was established.

Seventhly, With the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan in 2022-2026”, a system of providing “initial socio-material support package” was introduced to help citizens who have served their sentences to find their place in society in the future.

Eighthly, in order to allow and support the convicts who realized the mistake of their actions, sincerely repented and resolutely chose to the path of recovery, the mechanism of “pardon” was established by the head of our state which is considered clear example of forgiveness and nobility of our nation.

In particular, in 2017-2024, a total of 7128 convicts were pardoned by the relevant decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 219 of them were foreign citizens and 377 were women.

Ninthly, according to the relevant decree of the government, certain information in prisons that cannot be disclosed until now, including:

the number of persons detained in penitentiary institutions and investigative detention centers;

the number of penitentiary institutions and investigative detention centers and their locations;

the production activities of penitentiary institutions, the goods produced by them according to the nomenclature and expressed in money;

the number of deaths among persons detained in penitentiary institutions and pretrial detention centers;

information on the number of prisoners kept in penitentiary institutions and subjected to coercive medical measures was disclosed.

Admittedly, in addition to the norms of international law, the United States, the countries of the European Union, Russian Federation, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Kyrgyz Republic and a number of positive experiences of other countries were taken into account in the improvement of criminal law and the mechanisms of its practical implementation, as well as in the expansion of the basic rights and freedoms of prisoners.

In addition, the provisions of the international legal norms related to the system of execution of punishment were introduced into the criminal law. In particular, the “Minimum standard rules for dealing with prisoners” (Nelson Mandela Rules), adopted by the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on December 17, 2015, was applied to the criminal law of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Hence, respect for the dignity of prisoners was guaranteed, mechanisms aimed at preventing the use of torture and cruel treatment were improved. Furthermore:

the right of prisoners to receive psychological assistance was enabled;

prisoners in need of medical care were allowed to be placed in regional institutions of the Ministry of Health;

prisoners suffering from a serious illness were given the opportunity to talk over the phone and meet their close relatives based on the doctor’s permission.

At the same time, the application of disciplinary punishment was completely canceled for the disorder in case of his mental state was disturbed.

Based on the abovementioned facts, as well as on the basis of the norms of international law and the positive experiences of foreign countries, it is expedient to implement the following proposals and recommendations in the practice of law enforcement in order to improve the criminal law of the Republic of Uzbekistan:

Further expansion of the basic rights of prisoners, in particular, the use of computer tools connected to the Internet (educational, artistic, electronic books, publications, educational materials, graphic designs) connected to the global information network in specially equipped rooms, the introduction of a simplified procedure for the use of electronic state services, including notary services;

education of convicts, acquisition of profession and wide involvement of them in useful work;

raising the legal consciousness and culture, ideological views of prisoners, defining systematic measures aimed at forming immunity of intolerance to violations to them;

determining the acceptable directions of exemption from punishment in legislation;

implementation of modern forms of social adaptation and resocialization of prisoners based on the analysis of international law norms and best practices of foreign countries.

At the same time, further liberalizing crimes and criminal law, especially by expanding non-custodial sentences for juveniles, women, the elderly, and prisoners with disabilities, is the best way to improve the most effective national crime-fighting system today.

In short, improving the law enforcement practice and legislation in the judicial executive system, and consistently continuing the ongoing reforms are aimed at building democratic legal state and fair civil society in our country, strengthening the guarantees of human rights protection, and ensuring the rule of law in society.

Khatamov Rustam

Head of the Academy of the Ministry of internal affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Doctor of philosophy in law sciences (PhD), Associate professor, Colonel

On November 18, the first session of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan after the elections was held in Tashkent.

It was attended by President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The session was opened by Chairman of the Central Election Commission Zayniddin Nizamkhodzhaev.

The National Anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan was played.

Temporary Secretariat of the first session, Counting Commission and temporary group on control over the use of electronic vote counting system were elected. The agenda was approved. The CEC Chairman presented information on the results of the elections to the Legislative Chamber.

On the proposal of the Council of Representatives of Political Parties, deputies elected Nuriddin Ismoilov to the post of Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis by secret ballot.

Then the chairmanship of the session passed to the Speaker. Deputy Speakers were elected. The factions of five political parties were registered. Ten committees of the Legislative Chamber were established in accordance with their agreed proposals.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressed the session.

At the beginning of his speech, the Head of State congratulated the deputies on their election, emphasizing that this is the embodiment of high trust and respect of our people.

It was emphasized that the current parliamentary elections have entered the history as being the first ones held in accordance with the updated Constitution. This process was conducted for the first time under a mixed electoral system.

As a result of the elections, 150 deputies were elected to the Legislative Chamber. Among them were 57 women and 11 young people under 35 years of age. Overall, the composition of the lower house was renewed by almost 60 percent.

The activities of the Chamber over the past five years were discussed. During this period, the Constitution has been updated and more than 130 new laws have been adopted, which is 1.5 times more than in the previous period.

The President also drew attention to the issues that remained out of parliamentary attention. For example, the share of laws with direct action and clear enforcement mechanisms remains low. Parliamentary and deputy control is still not effective enough. The activity of deputies in constituencies is mostly limited to organizing meetings, answering complaints and questions.

The Head of State outlined his vision of the new tasks ahead of the Legislative Chamber.

In particular, it was proposed to create public councils under each committee with the participation of representatives of civil society to strengthen the dialogue.

It is important to establish not only control and requirements in the work of parliamentary committees, but also close cooperation with ministries. It is also necessary to strengthen party and fractional discipline.

The President emphasized that lawmaking, primarily, should be aimed at solving urgent problems of society, and put forward a number of legislative initiatives. Among them are the construction of modern residential buildings replacing outdated ones, guaranteeing the protection of citizens' funds allocated for housing construction, support for private education and investors in the energy sector, introduction of compulsory health insurance, creation of a legal framework for franchising, capital market and startups, and relations arising in the field of artificial intelligence.

In order to boost the opposition, it was proposed to increase the number of guaranteed rights of the parliamentary opposition from 3 to 6, including giving it the positions of one committee chairman and two deputy committee chairmen, as well as additional rights to submit questions within the framework of the “government hour” and parliamentary inquiries.

Particular attention was paid to the need to transition to a system of broad, high-quality parliamentary control. In particular, in accordance with the updated Constitution, the control over the execution of the State Budget is the exclusive competence of the Legislative Chamber. In this regard, it is necessary to strengthen the work of the Chamber in this direction, including the introduction of the practice of submitting all reports of the Government on the State Budget to the Chamber only together with the audit report provided for by the Budget Code.

- A deputy is a servant of the people, a model for all, a person with a high level of political culture and knowledge, who sincerely loves his homeland. Our people, all of us, above all rely on you to strengthen peace, mutual understanding and harmony in the family, mahalla and society, to educate the youth in the spirit of patriotism, to defend the interests of Uzbekistan in the international arena, - said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Heads of political party factions and deputies addressed the session. The President supported their views, urged the deputies to work harder and be closer to the people.

- The voice of a deputy is the voice of the people. If you consider every issue concerning the fate of the country and first of all see our hardworking, generous and noble people in front of you, if you act thinking not only about today, but also about peace and happiness of future generations, then our people will be satisfied with you, - emphasized the Head of State.

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis adopted resolutions on the agenda.

Тошкент шаҳрида Ўзбекистон цемент саноатида иссиқхона газлари чиқиндилари бўйича илк тизимли баҳолаш натижалари муҳокама қилинди ҳамда паст углеродли иқтисодиётга ўтиш шароитида технологик модернизациянинг устувор йўналишлари маҳаллий ва халқаро экспертлар иштирокида муҳокама қилинди.

Тошкент, 2026 йил 28 апрель. Иқтисодий тадқиқотлар ва ислоҳотлар маркази (Марказ) Бирлашган Миллатлар Ташкилотининг Тараққиёт дастури (БМТТД) билан ҳамкорликда Ўзбекистон цемент саноатида углерод чиқиндиларини камайтириш масалаларига бағишланган давра суҳбатини ўтказди.

Тадбирда давлат ташкилотлари, соҳа мутахассислари, олимлар, саноат корхоналари, молия ташкилотлари ҳамда халқаро ташкилотлар вакиллари иштирок этди.

Тадбирдан мақсад цемент саноатида иссиқхона газлари чиқиндилари бўйича ўтказилган баҳолаш натижаларини муҳокама қилиш, шунингдек тармоқни технологик модернизация қилиш ва паст углеродли ривожланишга ўтиш бўйича амалий ёндашувларни ишлаб чиқишдан иборат бўлди.

Тадбирда сўзга чиққан Марказ директорининг ўринбосари Нозимжон Ортиқов тармоқни ривожлантириш ва углерод изини камайтириш ўзаро боғлиқ вазифалар эканини таъкидлади. Унинг сўзларига кўра, цемент ишлаб чиқаришни модернизация қилиш бир вақтнинг ўзида иқтисодий ўсишни таъминлаш ва тармоқнинг экологик барқарорлигини ошириш имконини беради.

Ўзбекистондаги БМТТД доимий вакилининг ўринбосари Анас Карман қурилиш соҳасининг мамлакат иқтисодиётидаги муҳим ўрнини таъкидлаб, цемент ишлаб чиқаришда паст углеродли ечимларни жадал жорий этиш зарурлигини қайд этди.

Марказ мутахассислари Абдурашид Бозоров ва Бахтиёр Исмоилов цемент саноатида иссиқхона газлари чиқиндилари бўйича комплекс базавий баҳолаш натижаларини тақдим этди. Ушбу баҳолаш иқлим ўзгариши бўйича Ҳукуматлараро экспертлар гуруҳи методологияси асосида тайёрланган.

Цемент саноатини декарбонизация қилиш Ўзбекистоннинг халқаро иқлим мажбуриятлари нуқтаи назаридан алоҳида аҳамият касб этмоқда. Янгиланган мақсадларга мувофиқ, мамлакат 2035 йилга қадар ялпи ички маҳсулотнинг углерод сиғимини 2010 йилга нисбатан 50 фоизга камайтиришни режалаштирмоқда. Шунингдек, 2060 йилга бориб углерод нейтраллигига эришиш имкониятлари ҳам кўриб чиқилмоқда.

Шу билан бирга, цемент саноати барқарор ўсишни намоён этмоқда. Сўнгги йилларда ишлаб чиқариш ҳажми икки баравардан ортиқ ошиб, 2019 йилдаги 10,5 миллион тоннадан ҳозирги кунда 20 миллион тоннадан зиёд кўрсаткичга етди. Экспертлар фикрича, инфратузилма ва қурилиш соҳасининг ривожланиши туфайли талаб юқори даражада сақланиб қолади.

Тақдим этилган маълумотларга кўра, мамлакатда йиллик умумий қуввати тахминан 37 миллион тонна бўлган 24 та цемент заводи фаолият юритмоқда. Шу билан бирга, амалдаги ишлаб чиқариш ҳажми тахминан 21,5 миллион тоннани ташкил этмоқда.

Таҳлиллар шуни кўрсатадики, энг йирик 13 та корхона умумий ишлаб чиқариш ҳажмининг қарийб 95 фоизини таъминламоқда. Бу эса ишлаб чиқаришнинг юқори даражада жамланганини кўрсатиб, технологик модернизация учун қулай шароитлар яратиш зарурлигини англатади.

Марказ баҳолашларига кўра, цементнинг асосий таркибий қисми бўлган клинкер ишлаб чиқариш босқичида углерод диоксиди чиқиндилари йилига тахминан 9 миллион тоннани ташкил этади (энергия сарфи, ёқилғи ва транспорт харажатлари ҳисобга олинмаган ҳолда). Шу муносабат билан, йирик корхоналарни модернизация қилиш тармоқда чиқиндиларни камайтириш салоҳиятининг асосий қисмини таъминлаши қайд этилди.

Тадқиқот натижалари, жумладан цемент ишлаб чиқаришнинг тахминан тўртдан уч қисмини таъминлайдиган 16 та етакчи корхона ўртасида ўтказилган сўров ҳамда халқаро кўрсаткичлар билан таққослама таҳлиллар тармоқда углерод изини камайтириш бўйича катта имкониятлар мавжудлигини кўрсатмоқда. Хусусан, бу салоҳият цемент таркибини оптималлаштириш, ишлаб чиқаришда энергия самарадорлигини ошириш ва муқобил ёқилғи турларидан фойдаланишни кенгайтириш билан боғлиқ.

Шу билан бирга, тармоқни янада ривожлантириш ва “яшил” инвестицияларни жалб этиш молиялаштириш шароитларини такомиллаштиришни, замонавий технологияларга кириш имкониятларини кенгайтиришни, тартибга солувчи жараёнларни соддалаштиришни, шунингдек малакали кадрлар тайёрлаш ва экологик тоза маҳсулотларга бўлган талабни шакллантиришни талаб этади.

Энергия самарадорлигини ошириш, клинкер улушини камайтириш, ортиқча иссиқликни қайта ишлатиш технологияларини жорий этиш ва углеродни ушлаб қолиш ечимларини ривожлантиришни ўз ичига олган чора-тадбирлар мажмуасини амалга ошириш чиқиндиларни барқарор камайтириш ҳамда тармоқ рақобатбардошлигини ошириш имконини беради.

Иқтисодий тадқиқотлар ва ислоҳотлар маркази

Жамоатчилик билан алоқалар бўлими

The Fifth Tashkent International Investment Forum will take place on June 16–19, 2026. This year’s theme – “Investment Resilience: New Frontiers, New Partnerships” – frames the agenda around a set of pressing questions: how to protect capital amid global uncertainty, what institutional mechanisms enhance investment resilience in frontier markets, and where the new partnership routes lie.

The forum’s context is set by macroeconomic results. According to the National Statistics Committee, Uzbekistan’s GDP grew by 7.7% in 2025 and exceeded $147 billion – the fastest pace since 2021 and among the highest in the Europe and Central Asia region. Fitch Ratings and S&P Global upgraded the country’s sovereign rating from BB– to BB for the first time, while Moody’s revised its outlook to “positive.” International reserves, per the Central Bank, surpass $77 billion. Exports rose 24% to $33.8 billion. Foreign direct investment increased by 46.9%, with FDI accounting for 40.5% of total capital investment. For an economy that attracted only $4 billion in annual foreign investment in 2017, the surge to $42 billion by 2025 represents a fundamentally different scale of growth. This tenfold increase over eight years underscores a profound transformation in the nation's investment landscape.

The forum is scaling alongside the economy. Last year’s TIIF drew over 8,000 participants, including some 3,000 international delegates from 97 countries. Guests included Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, heads of government from all Central Asian states, EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso, and New Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff. The aggregate value of signed investment contracts and trade agreements reached $30.5 billion. Yet what best speaks to the platform’s maturity is not the number of signings but the conversion rate – the share of agreements that translate into operating assets is increasingly the metric that matters to returning investors.

The centrepiece of this year’s forum will be the Tashkent International Financial Centre (TIFC), established by presidential decree in March 2026. Behind the headline sits a specific institutional architecture: a special legal regime based on common-law principles, a dedicated financial services regulator, an arbitration centre (TIAC), and tax exemptions through 2076. TIFC is part of a global trend toward specialised financial hubs that offer international market participants a familiar legal environment and regulatory predictability. Its defining feature is integration within the country’s legal framework: the centre operates under a special legal regime rather than creating a separate jurisdiction, reducing regulatory fragmentation and simplifying engagement with the domestic economy. A panel session featuring leaders of major global financial centres and international investors operating in Uzbekistan will address the central question: what are the practical conditions under which TIFC can attract international market participants.

The TIIF 2026 programme is structured around four thematic pillars: investment resilience and capital protection mechanisms, financial infrastructure and capital market development, trade connectivity and logistics corridors, and energy transition and climate finance. Key sessions include a discussion of the regulatory framework for alternative investment funds (a legal basis for private equity and venture capital being adopted for the first time), a panel on the Middle Corridor and trans-Caspian logistics, a session on sovereign ratings across Central Asia, and a practitioner-led workshop on blended finance instruments in frontier markets. A dedicated arbitration and dispute resolution track features two panel sessions co-organised with the Tashkent International Arbitration Centre (TIAC), the British-Uzbek Legal Association (BrULA), and the British Embassy. Topics range from the institutional design of Uzbekistan’s arbitration ecosystem – including the innovative Dispute Avoidance Protocol (DAP) – to the country’s positioning within the global investment protection architecture: ISDS frameworks, bilateral investment treaty reform, and New York Convention enforcement.

The energy agenda warrants particular attention. Uzbekistan has set an ambitious target of raising the share of renewables in electricity generation to 54% by 2030. Currently, the country operates solar and wind facilities with a combined installed capacity exceeding 4 GW, with a project pipeline envisaging an additional 19 GW of green capacity. Alongside this, the public-private partnership mechanism continues to develop: as of early 2025, PPP agreements worth approximately $28 billion had been signed in the country. For investors, this represents a large, structured market with standardised PPA contracts and a clear entry mechanism – a subject that will be examined in detail during the forum’s energy panel.

TIIF 2026 retains its bilateral business forum format, reflecting the expanding geography of Uzbekistan’s economic partnerships. Confirmed platforms include business forums with the Republic of Korea, the United States, Croatia, Hungary, Turkey, and Albania, as well as a China–SCO countries investment dialogue; the lineup continues to grow as the event approaches. The plenary session featuring heads of state and government will set the tone for the business programme. Running in parallel is an exhibition of industrial and investment potential spanning approximately 6,000 sq m – in 2025, a comparable facility facilitated over 500 B2B and B2G meetings for 100 participating companies.

At the same time, the forum agenda implicitly flags unresolved challenges. The corporate governance session raises the question of transitioning from concentrated to dispersed ownership – a process without which the stock market will remain illiquid. The discussion of privatisation and state asset IPOs calls for a candid conversation about pacing and institutional quality. The responsible business conduct panel, anchored in OECD standards, recognises that tax incentives alone are insufficient for accessing institutional capital – what is needed is verifiable supply chain transparency and functioning National Contact Point mechanisms.

The business programme is complemented by networking formats: an FIC and EY business breakfast on digitalisation and AI, the annual SQB Investor Day, an ESG Award ceremony, and the European Business Evening. The informal component – an invitational tennis tournament, TIIF Open, and an evening run – is designed for delegates who prefer to build relationships beyond the conference hall. The anniversary evening concludes with a collaboration with the Stihia electronic music festival – a detail that captures the tone in which Uzbekistan presents itself to an international audience.

For Uzbekistan, TIIF has long ceased to be a showcase. It is a working instrument of investment policy, whose effectiveness is measured not by the number of signing ceremonies but by the volume of capital that actually enters the economy between forums. The fifth, anniversary edition takes place at a moment when the country is simultaneously launching an international financial centre, adopting an alternative investment funds law, and receiving a sovereign rating upgrade – a convergence that creates a window of opportunity for investors prepared to operate in frontier markets with a growing institutional base.

The Regional Environmental Summit, to be held on 22–24 April 2026 in Astana, Kazakhstan, is of significant importance for Central Asia. Above all, it serves as clear evidence that the countries of the region are jointly seeking solutions to complex challenges such as climate change, water scarcity and land degradation. This reflects a transition to a new phase of environmental policy—one grounded in strong and sustained cooperation.

Shared Challenges Require Collective Solutions

Environmental challenges in Central Asia do not recognize national borders. The tragedy of the Aral Sea, inefficient use of transboundary water resources, desertification, and air pollution affect not just individual countries, but the future of the entire region.

In recent decades, unsustainable water management—particularly in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya basins—has increased pressure on both ecosystems and economic resilience. In this context, the regional summit represents a practical step forward—from acknowledging shared challenges to addressing them collectively.

The summit agenda outlines eight priority areas, reflecting a comprehensive approach to environmental policy. These include climate change mitigation; ensuring food security and ecosystem resilience; adaptation to natural risks and strengthening economic resilience; reducing air pollution and improving waste management; developing mechanisms to achieve environmental goals; sustainable management of natural resources; a just and inclusive green transition; and the development of environmental and digital competencies.

Thus, the summit agenda encompasses not only environmental, but also socio-economic dimensions.

Support for this initiative at the United Nations level adds considerable political and international weight to the process. It sends a strong signal that environmental issues are no longer confined to nature conservation alone—they are increasingly matters of security, economic stability and social well-being.

The participation of international financial institutions, such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, is particularly important. It expands the potential to translate environmental initiatives into concrete projects, as addressing these challenges requires not only political commitments, but also substantial financial resources and advanced technologies.

The Green Transition: Opportunity or Challenge?

The concept of a “green transition” occupies a central place in the summit agenda. For Central Asian countries, this process is inherently dual in nature.

On the one hand, the transition to a green economy offers opportunities to attract investment, foster innovation and create new jobs. The development of renewable energy, resource-efficient technologies and sustainable agriculture can serve as key drivers of economic growth.

On the other hand, this transition requires large-scale reforms. Modernizing outdated infrastructure, upgrading industry, and strengthening environmental awareness among the population are complex and demanding tasks. This is precisely why the emphasis on a “just and inclusive green transition” is of fundamental importance.

Uzbekistan: Advancing Reforms and Environmental Initiatives

For Uzbekistan, the summit provides an important platform to present its environmental policy on the international stage. In recent years, the country has been implementing large-scale initiatives and programmes such as “Yashil Makon,” “Toza Havo,” “Bio Meros,” “Territory Without Waste” and “Eco-Culture,” demonstrating its proactive stance on the environmental agenda.

Particular attention is being given to the restoration of the Aral Sea region. Practical measures undertaken in this area position Uzbekistan as a significant partner not only regionally, but also globally, creating favorable conditions for attracting investment and expanding international cooperation.

Key Expected Outcomes of the Summit

The summit is expected to result in the signing of a number of strategically important documents, including a Joint Declaration of the Heads of State of Central Asia; a Regional Cooperation Programme with the United Nations for 2026–2030; memorandums on biodiversity, ecotourism, and ecosystem protection; agreements on the establishment of a regional early warning system for wildfires; and initiatives to create a transboundary “Peace Park.”

These documents will form a solid foundation for long-term cooperation and financing of environmental projects.

Conclusion: A Regional Response to Global Challenges

The Regional Environmental Summit highlights the growing role of Central Asia in the global environmental agenda. The forum represents an important step toward the development of a unified regional strategy aimed at reducing climate risks, conserving natural resources and ensuring sustainable development.

On May 15, 2026, an informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States will be held in the city of Turkestan.

The upcoming high-level event will serve as a vital platform for discussing pressing issues of cooperation and defining the next priority areas for the development of interaction among member states.

The formation of the Turkic integration space has a multi-century history, rooted not only in the commonality of language, culture, and historical heritage but also in the rich traditions of enlightenment and intellectual thought of the Turkic peoples. The Jadidism movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries played a pivotal role in shaping the ideas of cultural and spiritual rapprochement. Its representatives advocated for education, science, social modernization and the strengthening of ties between the Turkic nations.

The first summit of the heads of Turkic-speaking states was held in 1992 in Ankara at the initiative of Turkish Prime Minister Turgut Özal. In the 1996 Tashkent Declaration, the heads of state solidified the provision for establishing a Secretariat. Over the following years, this format evolved consistently, leading to the establishment of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States in Nakhchivan in 2009. At the 2021 Istanbul Summit, a decision was made to transform the entity into the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). This reflected the expansion of the organization's activities and its growing international significance.

The primary objective of the organization is to develop comprehensive cooperation among the member states - Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan. Priority tasks include strengthening mutual trust and good-neighborly relations, coordinating foreign policy positions and expanding cooperation in trade, economic, transport, energy, and cultural-humanitarian spheres. Special attention is paid to creating favourable conditions for trade and investment, developing scientific and technical cooperation and improving the living standards of the region's population.

The organizational structure of the OTS includes a number of key institutions that coordinate multilateral cooperation. The Council of Heads of State is the supreme body, which defines strategic development goals and holds regular meetings. The Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States serves in a consultative capacity. Bringing together influential representatives from member states, it serves to strengthen the traditions of mutual understanding and trust within the Turkic world.

Uzbekistan has been an active participant in the processes of bringing Turkic states closer and developing multilateral cooperation within this format from the very beginning. A new turning point was President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's participation as a guest of honour in the 6th Summit of Turkic-Speaking States, held on September 3, 2018, in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. This step provided a new impetus to the organization's development. In 2019, the Republic ratified the Nakhchivan Agreement, officially formalizing its full-fledged participation in the activities of the OTS.

With Uzbekistan’s accession, the organization’s activities and the cooperation agenda among member states have intensified significantly. At the summits held between 2019 and 2025, the President of Uzbekistan put forward 116 initiatives aimed at deepening multifaceted cooperation. To date, 64 of these have been implemented, with several other projects currently in their final stages. These figures demonstrate Uzbekistan’s systematic and practical approach toward developing integration processes within the Turkic space.

The implemented initiatives cover a comprehensive range of areas. In the fields of economy and transport, the introduction of the “e-Permit”, “Digital TIR” and “Green Corridor” systems - aimed at streamlining logistics processes and developing the region's transit potential - has been of particular importance. In the tourism sector, key highlights included the declaration of Kokand as the Tourism Capital of the Turkic World and the implementation of the “Tabarruk Ziyorat” (Sacred Pilgrimage) project, which serves to develop pilgrimage tourism.

Cooperation in the fields of youth policy, science, and education is developing actively. Youth leadership forums, international conferences, and events within the framework of the Turkic Universities Union are being held regularly. At the same time, significant attention is paid to innovative development - IT forums, startup platforms and meetings of sectoral agencies are organized, including cooperation in the space industry and defence sectors. This reflects the striving of member states to form a unified technological space.

Uzbekistan's chairmanship, which began following the outcomes of the 2022 Samarkand Summit, holds particular significance for the development of the Organization of Turkic States. During this period, the country not only intensified practical cooperation but also introduced institutional innovations to the organization's activities. In particular, for the first time, the practice of developing a comprehensive Concept and Action Plan for the chairmanship period was introduced. This made it possible to give the cooperation a more systematic and consistent character. Within the framework of the chairmanship, more than 100 events were held at various levels, covering key areas from economy and transport to science, culture and education.

Today, OTS agenda is being shaped taking into account the interests of all participating states, with each country contributing to the development of integration processes.

Economic cooperation within the OTS framework demonstrates steady positive growth. According to the results of recent years, Uzbekistan's trade turnover with the member states of the organization has been consistently increasing and exceeded USD 10.8 billion in 2025. Kazakhstan and Türkiye remain our country's primary trading partners. At the same time, an increase in bilateral trade with other member states is also being observed. This indicates the deepening of economic integration and cooperation ties within the region.

From this perspective, the upcoming summit of the Organization of Turkic States to be held in the city of Turkistan will serve as a vital platform for discussing future directions of multilateral cooperation and developing new joint initiatives. Given the summit's theme, special attention is expected to be paid to digital transformation, the development of joint innovation ecosystems, the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies, strengthening cooperation in digital infrastructure and the training of highly skilled modern personnel.

At the same time, discussions are planned to cover the strengthening of trade and economic ties, the development of transport and logistics connectivity, the expansion of investment cooperation, as well as the promotion of joint high-tech and innovative projects within the Turkic space.

According to experts, Uzbekistan, as a supporter of deepening practical cooperation and strengthening mutual trust within the Turkic space, will continue to actively contribute to the realization of the organization’s common goals. The expected agreements and initiatives are anticipated to provide a new impetus to integration processes, serve the sustainable development of the region, and further enhance the international prestige of the Organization of Turkic States.

Dunyo IA

In today's New Uzbekistan, a lot of attention is paid to the development of reading culture and book publishing. As the head of our state says, “There will be no break in education,” in every meeting with representatives of the intellectuals, culture, literature and art, in every historical speech that sounded like an appeal to our people, he paid             special attention to the issue of studying and gaining knowledge about the fundamentals world civilization, the achievements of modern world science. He never gets tired of emphasizing the words "knowledge, knowledge, knowledge" over and over again.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev: "Each country in the world, each nation is powerful primarily with its intellectual potential and high spirituality. It is not for nothing that he said that the source of such mighty power is the great discovery of human thinking - books and readers.

Decree of the President of Uzbekistan dated January 12, 2017 "On the establishment of a commission on the development of the system of printing and distribution of book products, the promotion of book reading and reading culture", The decision of September 13, 2017 "On the program of comprehensive measures to develop the system of publication and distribution of book products, increase and promote book reading and reading culture" together with the decision “On additional measures for the further development of the publishing and printing industry”, It is well known that great work has been done on the decisions "On further improvement of information-library services to the residents of the Republic of Uzbekistan".

On December 14, 2020, the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On approval of the national program for the development and support of reading culture in 2020-2025" was adopted.

The processes of implementation of this National Program are showing positive results.

The fourth initiative put forward by our President - to raise the spirituality of young people, to widely promote reading among them - serious practical work is being carried out in our country. Young people, especially teenagers and children, are widely participating in reading contests. 

Members of the Writers' Union of Uzbekistan actively participate in events dedicated to book reading and development of reading.The Children's and Adolescent Creative Council operates under the association, master classes are regularly held by well-known poets and writers in all schools, higher and secondary educational institutions of our country.

By the Administration of the Republic of Uzbekistan in April-May of this year in order to attract students and pupils of all higher educational institutions and general education schools in our country to reading books, to raise the level of artistic literacy and educate them in the spirit of patriotism and concern for the future of our country as part of the “Sharing Enlightenment” project, 156 famous artists held meetings with writers and educational events in 202 higher educational institutions and 606 secondary schools, under their auspices. At these events, 150 works of art were recommended for reading, films and performances were shown.

During 2020-2023, the Writers' Union of Uzbekistan published 403 books in the fields of prose, poetry, playwriting, children's literature, literary studies, and artistic translation. Over the past years, our poets, writers and translators prepared 100-volume "Masterpieces of Russian Literature" and 100-volume "Masterpieces of Turkish Literature" for publication. This great project was supported by the Head of State, published and distributed to the regions.

At this point, it should be noted that the 16-volume set of books entitled "Masterpieces of Karakalpak Literature" was prepared for publication and submitted to the press by the Writers' Union of Uzbekistan.

Within the framework of the "Book campaign" project, in the first quarter of 2023, 4,679 books were sent to higher education institutions, general education schools, 14,800 books to the provinces, 50 books to the penal colony, 950 to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Spirituality, Information and Library Centers, 500 to the State Security Service, 7,267 to event participants, book authors, 461 to newspapers and creative houses, 300 to Uzbekistan-Kyrgyz Friendship Society, 350 to neighborhoods, 134 to the Office of Muslims, More than 30 thousand 791 books were distributed indiscriminately to Uzbekistan "Veteran" Association of combatants-veterans and disabled people, 500 books to Halq Bank, and 600 books to children's camp. To date, more than 1 million books have been distributed in four years.

At the moment, the 100-volume set of books "Masterpieces of World Children's Literature" is being prepared for publication by the Writers' Union of Uzbekistan.

In 2020-2023, the first books of 87 young authors were published in tens of thousands of copies each in the "My first book" project by the Writers' Union of Uzbekistan, and presentation events were held. The books were freely distributed to higher education institutions, general education schools, and military units.

All these are aimed primarily at the development of reading among young people, children and adolescents. Publication of books and promotion of book reading will be continued consistently.