The Central Election Commission held a meeting and a series of events today, July 26th. The primary agenda item was the preparation and high-level accomplishment of the upcoming elections for the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and the Councils of People's Deputies in full compliance with the Constitution and laws.

According to Article 128 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, elections for the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and the Councils of People's Deputies are scheduled to take place on the first Sunday of the third ten-day period of October in the year their term expires. Considering that the term of the deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and the Councils of People's Deputies ends in 2024, the elections will be held on October 27th of this year, and the election campaign will begin on July 26th, as decided by the Central Election Commission.

These elections mark a significant departure from the past, taking place in a new socio-political environment as stipulated by our Constitution. The meeting underscored the unique features of these elections, which include:

1. For the first time in Uzbekistan's history, the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis elections will be conducted using a mixed electoral system, combining majoritarian and proportional systems. This significant change will see seventy-five deputies elected directly through the majoritarian system, where voters vote for specific candidates. The remaining seventy-five deputies will be elected based on votes cast for political parties under the proportional system.
2. One of the most significant advancements is the full digitization of election commissions' activities at all levels and their interactions with participants in the election process. This development significantly reduces bureaucracy, time, and document handling in election procedures, ushering in a new era of efficiency in our electoral system.
3. Our election legislation has been fundamentally improved to align with advanced democratic standards. These improvements include introducing a new system for election bodies led by the Central Election Commission and requiring political parties to ensure that at least 40% of their candidates for deputy positions are women. Additionally, a candidate must receive a relative majority of votes to be elected. If a candidate gets more votes than other candidates in their respective electoral district, they will be elected without needing a repeat vote.

4. The elections are taking place in conditions of significantly strengthened parliamentarianism and the powers of representative bodies at the local level, as established by the Updated Constitution. Specifically, the absolute powers of the Legislative Chamber have increased from 5 to 12, and those of the Senate from 12 to 18. The parliament's oversight functions over the activities of executive, judicial, law enforcement agencies, and special services have been expanded. The institution of hokims leading local Councils of People's Deputies is being abolished. To enhance the role of representative bodies in resolving important state issues, 33 powers previously held by hokims have been transferred to local Councils.

The meeting underscored the significance of these elections as a vivid example of democratic state-building in our country and an essential means for citizens to exercise their constitutional rights to vote and be elected to democratic state bodies. The elections will involve the election of 150 deputies to the Legislative Chamber, 65 members to the Senate, 65 deputies to the Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, deputies to 208 district (city) Councils in the regions and Tashkent city, with around 30,000 candidates and nearly 90,000 trusted representatives actively participating. Over 120,000 election commission members and more than 70,000 citizens and international observers are expected to participate in the election process.

Considering the important role of elections in state life and with the aim of widely engaging citizens in this process, the Central Election Commission announced that the elections will be held on October 27th under the slogan “My Choice—My Prosperous Homeland.”

The 'E-Saylov' information system is a key tool in making the election process more transparent and accessible. It facilitates around 60 interactions between election commissions, political party candidates, observers, and the media entirely electronically. Integrated with other electronic platforms, the system automates many procedures in the election process without human intervention. This system forms an extensive database of nearly 400,000 participants in the election process, including election commission members, candidates, and observers. Around 32,000 participants will professionally use the information system, which includes communication through 40 types of SMS notifications.

For citizens, the "E-Saylov" information system introduces several conveniences in obtaining election-related information. Specifically, it provides statistical data on voters and polling stations, information on candidates for various elections, and interactive maps to learn about candidates and their biographies.

The meeting emphasized that the "E-Saylov" information system represents a new level of technological advancement and transparency in elections.

It was also noted that according to Article 37 of the Election Code, political parties have the right to nominate candidates for deputies to the Legislative Chamber and local Councils.

To participate in the elections, political parties must have been registered by the Ministry of Justice at least four months before the announcement of the election campaign and collect at least 40,000 signatures supporting their participation.

Additionally, the meeting approved a calendar plan to ensure that the activities related to conducting the elections are carried out step-by-step within the timelines specified by election legislation. The Central Election Commission, as an impartial and independent constitutional body, will take all necessary measures to prepare for and conduct the upcoming elections in full compliance with national legislation and international election standards, ensuring the process is open and transparent.

A Press Center has also been established under the Central Election Commission.

Central Election Commission

of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The first meeting of the Termez Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia, dedicated to the theme "Building a Common Space for Peace, Friendship, and Prosperity," will be held in Termez on May 19-21, 2025. This meeting is expected to be attended by representatives of the foreign policy agencies of Central and South Asian countries, which are becoming the focus of world politics, as well as representatives of specialized UN organizations, international and regional organizations such as the CIS, the SCO, the CICA, and leading specialists and experts in relevant fields.

Central and South Asia have long been connected by reliable trade routes and have served as a bridge between the countries of the Middle East, Europe, and China. The peoples of this region share historical and civilizational commonalities, having repeatedly existed within common state associations in the past, as well as within a single political, economic, and humanitarian space. Over many centuries, relations between the two regions have been strengthened by numerous migration flows, intensive trade exchanges, rapid dissemination of scientific ideas, and cultural cross-pollination.

As a result of the spread of Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam in these regions, unique ethnocultural associations formed, which left a deep mark on human history.

The incorporation of the peoples of this region into such states as the Bactrian and Kushan kingdoms, the Turkic Khaganate, Khorasan and Transoxiana, the Ghaznavid, Timurid, and Mughal empires had a great influence on their historical, cultural, and political development. Common customs, traditions, lifestyles, and holidays were formed; spiritual values were created in Persian, Turkish, and Arabic. Medieval cities such as Bukhara, Samarkand, Termez, Balkh, Herat, Ghazni, Agra, and Delhi were shared centers of science.

The mutual competition of colonial powers negatively affected the traditional ties, trade, and cultural exchange of the peoples of Central and South Asia. Trade and economic relations in South Asia changed, and local supply systems, main industries, and economies became dependent on supplies from outside the region. This development weakened the traditional cultural ties between South Asia and Central Asia.

Today, jointly addressing existing problems that threaten peace and stability in the region is one of the important factors in the social, cultural, and economic development of these countries. Therefore, the renewal of their close historical ties is becoming increasingly relevant. Taking the above into account, the Termez Dialogue on the Connectivity between Central and South Asia is being organized.

The location chosen for the dialogue is connected to the geostrategic position of this city, situated at the crossroads of Central and South Asia, or at the intersection of interregional connectivity routes. Termez has long been a center of trade, economy, and crafts, serving as a link between the vast regions of Central and South Asia. Therefore, from a geopolitical perspective, the city can be considered a "natural bridge" connecting Central and South Asia, the most suitable place for bringing the peoples of the region closer together through its historical location and cultural heritage.

Currently, the countries of Central and South Asia represent a territory of global significance, with a population of more than 2 billion people and great educational potential. The region is experiencing high demographic growth, with the majority of the population consisting of young people, and there are enormous opportunities for realizing intellectual potential. While the population of South Asian countries is about 2 billion people, the number of people living in Central Asia is about 82 million, and the population of Central Asian states is growing year by year. The countries exhibit a "disparity in literacy levels." For example, among the leading countries of Central Asia, the average adult literacy rate is 99 percent, while in South Asia it is 74 percent.

One of the pressing problems is the uneven quality of education, insufficient coverage of preschool and higher education, especially among girls and residents of remote areas. In South Asia, youth unemployment remains high, and in some countries, this figure exceeds 40 percent. At the same time, the employment rate of women is one of the lowest in the world. In addition, the infrastructure of educational systems is not sufficiently developed, and the shortage of specialists and teacher qualifications also creates a number of problems.

In this context, cooperation in the field of science and education is becoming increasingly relevant. Scientific cooperation in the context of digitalization and geopolitical instability will allow for maintaining dialogue between academic circles. At the same time, limited academic mobility and weak coordination between scientific communities significantly hinder the development of states' potential in science, innovation, and technology.

In this regard, it is necessary to encourage joint research and innovation work, the organization of scientific and educational internships, experience exchange programs, the development of startups, and the holding of competitions.

The adoption of a joint program of academic and research exchanges under the auspices of UNESCO is becoming relevant. It is also necessary to launch an online platform between universities and research structures of the countries of Central and South Asia.

This will contribute to the creation of a sustainable regional network of scientific diplomacy, the formation of a common agenda in the field of education and technology, and the emergence of a unified scientific space.

The above-mentioned steps will serve as a powerful tool for the development of scientific diplomacy, which will facilitate interaction between the countries of the two regions.

From this point of view, the integration of intellectual resources in Central and South Asia, strengthening cooperation in the field of education, and developing cooperation platforms to improve the quality of education are important for the future of the region. The transformation of demographic potential into human capital is the main condition for sustainable development, economic growth, and a worthy place in global competition for both regions. In this regard, the development of education as one of the priority areas of regional cooperation, the development of partnerships for the exchange of experience and training of personnel in various countries is most relevant.

The countries of the region, in particular India and other South Asian countries, have in recent decades been occupying an increasingly prominent place in the world community in the field of science, technology, and innovation. Information technology, aeronautics, pharmaceutical production, and artificial intelligence are rapidly developing in India. For example, in 2014, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) made history as the first Asian country to launch an artificial satellite into Mars orbit. In 2023, as part of the "Chandrayaan-3" project, a successful landing on the Moon's surface was achieved. These results demonstrate the country's independent and innovative capabilities in the scientific field.

In the field of information technology, India has become one of the world's largest IT outsourcing centers. Cities such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai have become major hubs for Google, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, Oracle, and many other multinational corporations. Every year, millions of specialists in technical and technological fields are trained in the country. Among India's higher education institutions are prestigious scientific centers like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Science (IISc), which also rank highly in global ratings. It's worth noting that scientific research in artificial intelligence, bioengineering, quantum computing, and cybersecurity is widespread in the country.

Pakistan is also making progress in science, especially in nuclear energy and military technologies. Centers such as COMSATS University and the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) play a crucial role in the country's scientific development. In particular, government programs are being implemented to strengthen international cooperation in IT and cybersecurity.

In Bangladesh, alongside the textile and light industry, information technology is developing rapidly. Based on the "Digital Bangladesh" strategy, the country has widely implemented e-government, digital, and distance learning services. In 2021, over 120 IT parks were established in Bangladesh, demonstrating the country's commitment to digitalizing its economy.

Afghanistan's scientific and technological potential remains limited, and issues related to political stability are hindering its development. Nevertheless, some universities and educational institutions in the country, particularly Kabul University, participate in scientific projects with the support of various international educational organizations.

In this context, developing a joint strategy for digital connectivity between Central and South Asia is crucial. Adopting such a document will create significant opportunities for stimulating trade and investment, improving access to education and healthcare, strengthening regional cooperation, and increasing competitiveness on the global stage.

Coordinating efforts of Central and South Asian countries to widely implement the digital economy will contribute to improving digitalization processes in all spheres of life. Moreover, this will advance the implementation of the SDG initiative to ensure safe Internet access for the population and will open up great opportunities for education and medical services.

Overall, deepening digital connectivity between Central and South Asia will bring significant economic and social benefits to both regions, create a solid foundation for expanding trade, economic, energy, and transport links, and enhance the competitiveness of the region's states on the global arena.

In general, the Termez Dialogue is an important initiative that contributes to elevating the interaction between Central and South Asian states to a new level in the process of today's geopolitical and civilizational transformations. This dialogue, particularly in the fields of education, science, and new technologies, will stimulate, consolidate, and expand the intellectual potential of the two regions. This is because in both regions, the majority of the population consists of young people who show high interest in education, are capable of scientific research, and quickly adapt to digital technologies.

Today, countries such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have achieved world-class successes in information technology, biotechnology, nuclear physics, medicine, and artificial intelligence, while Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and other Central Asian countries are also taking active measures to update scientific infrastructure, expand international cooperation, and implement modern educational projects. The Termez Dialogue is a unique opportunity to combine this experience and achievements, establish student and scholar exchanges, create joint research centers, and develop startups and innovative platforms in IT and STEM.

This dialogue has great historical significance in ensuring regional stability, creating a foundation for peace, progress, and intellectual development through science and education. The states of Central and South Asia have the potential to become the leading intellectual center in the entire Eurasian space based on the principle of mutual trust and shared future, integration in the spheres of education and science.

The declaration of independence and the commitment of the Government of Uzbekistan to the ideals of democracy, the choice of a secular path of development of society have gradually made it possible to create equal legal conditions for the existence of religions in general and religious groups in particular.

In the religious sphere, this large-scale work is carried out by the relevant state bodies and civil society institutions and is aimed at ensuring citizens' constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of conscience; strengthening religious pluralism, tolerance and interfaith dialogue.

One of the significant results of joint work is the adoption in December 2018 by the UN General Assembly of a special resolution "Enlightenment and Religious Tolerance".

The adoption of the resolution was a practical implementation of the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, put forward at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly. The main goal of the proposed resolution is "to ensure universal access to education, the elimination of illiteracy and ignorance."

It is noteworthy that the resolution was not only unanimously supported by all UN member states, but also adopted with the co-authorship of over 50 countries. This testifies to the high recognition by the international community of the relevance and timeliness of the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan.

In recent years, significant changes have taken place in Uzbekistan and large-scale reforms have been implemented in many areas, including in the religious and educational sphere.

A number of legislative acts have been adopted aimed at further improving activities in the religious sphere.

In order to deepen the study of Islam and teach its scientific foundations, the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan was created. The Academy specializes in teaching secular and religious knowledge, training qualified personnel in the interpretation of the Koran, Islamic law, religious dogmas and hadiths.

In Uzbekistan, unique mechanisms are used to revive national and religious values, study and promote the rich scientific and spiritual heritage of great ancestors, and strengthen religious tolerance in society. The activities of the Center for Islamic Civilization, international research centers of Imam Bukhari, Imam Termizi, Imam Maturidi, Bahauddin Naqshbandi have been established.

As a result of large-scale reforms and transformations carried out in the religious sphere, the Higher Madrasah Mir Arab in Bukhara, the School of Hadith Studies in Samarkand, the Madrasah of Imam Termizi and the Islamic Institute named after Imam Termizi in Termez began their activities.

In addition, the Charitable Public Fund "Vakf" was established under the Office of Muslims of Uzbekistan, whose tasks include financing work on the reconstruction of mosques, holy places of pilgrimage and visits, other objects, providing material and technical support and providing material support to employees in this field. The Fund received the opportunity to dispose of funds coming to 3 accounts: charitable, vakf and zakat (ushr, fidya, fitr).

In accordance with the adopted legislative acts, in order to further improve the activities of the Committee on Religious Affairs, a new composition of the Council for Religious Affairs has been approved, which is a public advisory body under the Committee.

The activities of the Council are inextricably linked with ensuring freedom of religion in the country, respecting the rights of religious organizations and believers. The initiatives of the members of the Council are fully implemented within the framework of measures taken by the country's leadership in the field of protecting and further strengthening the rights and freedoms of religious movements.

The significance and timeliness of the measures taken by the country's leadership served as the basis for holding the international forum "Dialogue of Declarations" in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara on May 16-20, 2022. This event was part of the systematic and consistent efforts of Uzbekistan to practically implement the principles and provisions enshrined in the Special Resolution of the UN General Assembly "Enlightenment and Religious Tolerance", adopted in 2018 on the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

It is especially worth noting that at the past 76th session of the UN General Assembly, the "Bukhara Declaration" adopted following the results of this forum was recognized as an official UN document. As an official UN document, the document has been translated into 6 languages and distributed among the UN member states, as well as specialized agencies of the organization.

The second round of the international forum will be held on September 10-13, 2025 with the assistance of several NGOs from the USA. The participants of the event also visited Samarkand, where they got acquainted with the activities of the reconstructed complex of Imam Bukhari.

Uzbekistan has special dates that are closely related to the religious life of believers: these are "Day of Friendship of Peoples", celebrated on July 30, and "International Day of Tolerance", celebrated on November 16. Both of these dates are marked not only by holding events, but also by awarding the corresponding badges - the badge "Khalklar dustligi" ("Friendship of Peoples") has been awarded since 2021, and the badge "Diniy bagrikenklik" ("Religious Tolerance") began to be awarded to distinguished citizens since 2023. Among the awardees are representatives of various religious denominations of Uzbekistan.

At the same time, Uzbekistan attaches great importance to the preservation of religious and spiritual heritage, the enrichment of existing funds, the creation of necessary conditions for local and foreign researchers to work with historical sources, and the comprehensive study of historical and cultural heritage.

Today, in the country, in order to ensure interethnic and interfaith harmony in society, a legislative framework has been created that provides for the observance of the rights and legitimate interests of citizens.

The Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan enshrines the norm on freedom of religion for every person. Attention is also paid to improving and liberalizing national legislation in the field of religion. The procedures for obtaining permission for the production, import and distribution of religious literature have been simplified. The procedure for state registration of religious organizations has been further optimized.

Currently, the new Law "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations" is in force, which contributes to ensuring the constitutional rights of citizens of the country to freedom of conscience and religion.

Noting the fundamental innovations in the Law as a consistent continuation of large-scale reforms in the religious and educational sphere, special attention should be paid, first of all, to the creation of favorable conditions for ensuring freedom of conscience for every person, and clarifying law enforcement practice.

Currently, 2373 religious organizations of 16 religious denominations operate in Uzbekistan. Of these, Muslim organizations - 2174, which is 92 percent of the total number.

There are also 181 Christian organizations, 8 Jewish communities, 7 Baha'i communities, one Krishna society and one Buddhist temple, as well as the interfaith Biblical Society of Uzbekistan operating in Uzbekistan.

Recently, 134 religious organizations have been registered in Uzbekistan, including 3 higher and one secondary specialized Islamic educational institutions in Bukhara, Samarkand and Termez, 105 mosques and 25 non-Islamic organizations of 7 different religious denominations.

At the same time, the national legislation of Uzbekistan does not provide for any restrictions on the number of religious organizations or the terms of their registration.

Religious organizations operating in the republic, along with other public organizations, actively participate in spiritual and educational work, make a significant contribution to improving the spirituality of society, and forming strong beliefs in young people based on patriotism, as well as interfaith and interethnic tolerance.

It should be noted that religious policy in Uzbekistan is based on the principles of the secular nature of the state, religious tolerance and equal treatment of all religions. In the republic, representatives of various nations and ethnic groups professing Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism and other religions carry out their activities on equal terms.

All conditions have been created for adherents of each denomination, allowing them to freely and unhindered practice their religion.

Believers freely pray in mosques, churches, synagogues, observe fasting, and also make pilgrimages. Religious organizations have the right to own territory, publish literature, train their religious ministers, and organize pilgrimages to holy places.

The freedom of religion guaranteed by the national legislation of Uzbekistan has created all the necessary conditions for meeting the religious needs of all citizens - representatives of 136 national and ethnic groups.

Representatives of different faiths freely celebrate all religious holidays. Thus, from year to year, Kurban-Hayit and Ramadan-Hayit are celebrated on an increasingly large scale among Muslims, Easter and Christmas - among Christians, Pesach, Purim and Hanukkah - among Jews, Navruz - among Baha'is, as well as celebrations dedicated to Buddha and Krishna and other major events.

Believers make pilgrimages to holy places: Muslims to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj and Umrah rituals, Christians - to Russia, Greece and Israel, Jews - to Israel.

Over the years of independence, more than 484 thousand Muslims have made pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia, including 188 thousand - Hajj and 296 thousand - Umrah, more than 3.2 thousand Christians and Jews have visited religious shrines in Israel, Russia, Turkey, Italy, Georgia, Greece.

To meet the spiritual needs of society, a large number of religious literature of various orientations is published annually. To fully cover the religious life of Uzbekistan, a number of newspapers and magazines are published, including the newspapers "Islom nuri", "Slovo zhizni", the magazines "Khidoyat", "Vostok svyshe".

Today, in Uzbekistan, on a systematic basis, a set of measures is being carried out to protect the population from the negative influence of destructive ideas that reflect radical extremist ideology and religious fanaticism.

An important step in this direction was the application of acts of pardon. In particular, since 2017, 29 decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan have been adopted on pardoning persons who have committed crimes.

It should be noted that in recent years, within the framework of the consistent policy pursued in Uzbekistan in the field of protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens, special attention is paid to measures aimed at protecting the rights, freedoms, honor and dignity not only of citizens residing in the republic, but also of our compatriots who find themselves in difficult life situations in foreign countries.

Unfortunately, some of our citizens, who have fallen under the influence of alien ideas, believing false promises, in different years joined the ranks of international terrorist organizations in armed conflict zones abroad. Spouses, fathers of some women returned as part of humanitarian operations, died in the course of armed clashes.

Given this circumstance, on the instructions of the President of Uzbekistan, five humanitarian actions "Mehr" were successfully carried out in 2019-2021, within the framework of which more than 500 citizens of the republic, mainly women and children, were returned to their homeland from the zones of armed conflicts in the Middle East and in Afghanistan.

In order to further assist in their speedy reintegration and rehabilitation, a set of measures has been implemented at the state level to provide timely medical, psychological, material and moral assistance. To date, all returnees have been provided with the necessary conditions for their adaptation to peaceful life and integration into society, access to educational and other social programs has been provided, including through the provision of housing and employment.

In general, it is worth noting that an important distinguishing feature of the religious life of modern Uzbekistan is the inadmissibility of establishing advantages or restrictions for one religion in relation to other denominations.

One of the main priorities of reforming society in order to ensure interethnic harmony and religious tolerance is to ensure and protect the rights and freedoms of citizens, their equality before the law regardless of race, gender, nationality, language, social origin, beliefs, religion, personal and social status, which are enshrined in the Constitution of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan consistently and steadily fulfills its international obligations in the field of ensuring religious freedoms within the framework of international human rights treaties.

As is known, Uzbekistan has acceded to more than 70 major international human rights instruments. Accession to these documents contributed to the creation of an effective human rights protection system in Uzbekistan.

It is important that Uzbekistan's policy in the field of religion, aimed at strengthening interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance in society, is an important factor of stability and security.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that the large-scale reforms being carried out in the country are a clear confirmation of the consistent continuation by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan of the implementation of the principle "Everything in the name of man, in the name of his future."

Committee on Religious Affairs

The main feature of a democratic society is the protection of human rights and the provision of equal opportunities for all in public life and administration. Gender equality is an essential component of this, as it ensures equal protection of rights and freedoms for individuals.

The Constitution of Uzbekistan states that all citizens enjoy equal rights and freedoms, regardless of gender, race, nationality, language, religion, beliefs, social origin or social status. Article 58 states that men and women have equal rights, and the state provides equal opportunities for both genders in managing society and state affairs.

These principles of equality and social justice are reflected in all laws and regulations, ensuring that everyone has equal access to opportunities and rights. This includes gender equality, which is essential for a fair and just society.

It should be noted that, in recent years, more than 40 legislative documents and important conceptual programs have been adopted within the framework of which efforts have been made to create equal rights and opportunities for women and men, strengthen the role of women in government and community leadership, provide necessary conditions for education, vocational training, employment, and create decent working conditions. These efforts also aim to increase women's participation in economic life and protect them against various forms of harassment and violence.

In particular, the law “On guarantees of equal rights and opportunities for women and men” provides for the prevention of gender discrimination and the provision of equal participation for all in public administration. The Law on Protection of Women from Harassment and Violence establishes mechanisms to end various forms of violence against women and to provide protection and assistance to victims.

The “Strategy for achieving gender equality in Uzbekistan until 2030” approved by the decision of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on May 28, 2021, envisages a comprehensive approach to the implementation of the principle of equality between women and men in all spheres and levels of decision-making and implementation. Also, the strategy serves to ensure the promotion of gender equality in economic, political, and social life in order to create conditions for the realization of equal rights and opportunities for men and women and to observe fundamental human rights.

Due to this, gender policy in our country has become an important factor in society and state development. Concepts such as “gender equality”, “gender and development”, “gender balance”, and “the role of women in social and political life” are expressed in the development of program documents and all normative legal documents in our country.

In practice, the results are even more significant. In particular, the reason for the gender policy is that in the last seven years, the share of women in public administration in Uzbekistan has increased from 27% to 35%. In his speech at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, summarized the systematic efforts to achieve gender equality in our country and noted that the share of women in public administration reached 35% for the first time.

Moreover, in our country, 32% of the deputies in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and 25% of the members of the Senate are women. The number of women entrepreneurs has doubled, and the number of women who have started their own business has exceeded 205 thousand. Hundreds of thousands of women were trained in trades and entrepreneurship. Among the population employed in health care and education, the share of women is 77 percent, in the economy and industry, it is 46 percent. The number of girls studying in higher education institutions has increased by six times; more than half of the students are women.

Uzbekistan has ratified the main international human rights treaties and conventions related to gender equality. Our country joined the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1995 and undertook to eliminate discrimination and ensure the full development and well-being of women. Uzbekistan has also ratified the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action, which set strategic goals for achieving gender equality, and has been effectively fulfilling the relevant obligations.

Therefore, the systematic measures taken in this regard are duly recognized by the international community. In particular, in the World Bank index, Uzbekistan was listed among the 5 fastest developing countries in the world in the field of gender equality.

In addition, Uzbekistan ranked 18th out of 195 countries with a score of
69.7 in the “Open Data Watch” organization's Open Gender Data Index, and was ranked among the “Top-20”.

In the policy of ensuring gender equality in the public service, increasing the weight of women in public administration, in particular, issues of forming a team of potential female leaders are of priority.

It should be noted that after the introduction of open competitions by the Public Service Development Agency, practically the same requirements were set for everyone. The human factor between the employer, personnel department representatives, and candidates was limited. Equal opportunities are guaranteed for all.

This, of course, further expanded the opportunities for women to enter the civil service. If we base our opinion on the numbers, earlier women made up
5-8 percent of those who entered the civil service, now women make up about
34 percent of the winners of the competition.

To be more specific, 2.1 million applications have been received in open competitions to date, of which 20% are women. 56,500 of our citizens won these contests, and 19,670 of them (35 percent) were women.

The first direction of ensuring gender equality in the personnel policy is to attract the most potential women to the civil service, to increase the attractiveness of the civil service for them, and the second major direction is to hire highly skilled people in the management of the civil service – “HiPo” (High potential) is to systematically prepare female personnel for leadership positions and to form a corps of “Women leaders”.

According to many sociologists, a professional leader is a person who has certain characteristics for successful management, regardless of gender. For effective management, it is not the role of the leader in gender relations, but the presence of professional competences such as the ability to correctly set priorities in solving the problem, to direct the team, and to fully achieve the goals based on the rational distribution of resources, is considered important.

However, due to the problem of vertical segregation, the low proportion of women in high-ranking positions, and the problem of the “glass ceiling”—invisible barriers to advancement our women have to work in more middle and senior management positions. As a reason for such a situation, we can point out the high responsibility of leadership, and for this reason, the professional qualifications, knowledge, and potential of women are not in accordance with the relevant leadership position.

In order to form specialists into good leaders, it is necessary to develop the necessary soft skills in effective work with personnel and making optimal decisions in management, development of human resources, innovation, critical and systematic thinking, and leadership competencies.

Therefore, our agency, in cooperation with the Family and Women's Committee and the Academy of Public Administration, launched the “Women's School of Leaders” educational program aimed at preparing the most potential women working in state bodies for leadership.

Until now, on the basis of this program, he has a high professional potential, is active in the implementation of reforms, and is active in various fields of public administration. The qualification of 145 women was improved.

At this point, it should be noted that by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PF-81 dated March 1, 2022, the position of women activists was introduced in every neighborhood in all cities, towns, villages, and towns. In turn, through this, the President created a practical school for the formation of women leaders. Currently, there are about 9,400 women activists at the lower level, and 207 women are working as deputy governors, heads of family, and women's departments at the middle level.

Those who have achieved the highest results according to the KPI system by the State Service Development Agency are included in the National Personnel Reserve and are purposefully prepared for senior leadership positions.

As a result of the above-summarized measures implemented on the basis of today's gender equality policy, a unique national model of preparing women for leadership is being formed in our country.

In conclusion, a strong legal basis for gender equality policy has been formed in our country, and as a result of the full and correct implementation of these norms in life, we are making progress recognized by the international community. On this basis, it can be noted that gender policy in Uzbekistan serves as an important criterion for ensuring human rights.

Dilfuza Makhkamova,

Head of the Department of the Agency for the Development of Public Service under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Farangiz Avazbekova,

Chief Inspector of the Agency for the Development of Public Service

under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law

The text of the article is in Uzbek!

Over the past eight years, relations between Uzbekistan and Türkiye have undergone a profound qualitative transformation, evolving from traditionally friendly ties into a full-fledged strategic partnership with a strong economic, investment, and industrial dimension. While the period prior to 2017 was largely characterized by inertia, the launch of large-scale reforms in Uzbekistan marked a decisive shift in bilateral relations toward practical cooperation focused on trade, investment, and joint manufacturing.

A key role in this transformation has been played by the political will and personal engagement of the leaders of both countries - President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Regular high-level dialogue has provided Uzbek-Turkish relations with stability, strategic coherence, and a long-term economic horizon.

Political Foundations as a Driver of Economic Convergence

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992; however, a turning point came in October 2017 with the signing of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership in Ankara. This step laid a solid institutional foundation for the rapid expansion of trade, economic, and investment cooperation.

In 2018, the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council was established in Tashkent under the co-chairmanship of the two presidents. Its meetings in 2020, 2022, and 2024 became key platforms for aligning priorities in trade, investment, industry, transport, and interregional cooperation. Over time, political dialogue has evolved from declarative engagement into a practical instrument supporting concrete economic initiatives and project-based decisions.

Trade: Scale, Structure and Institutional Incentives

Türkiye is firmly among Uzbekistan’s largest trading partners. In 2020, bilateral trade turnover amounted to USD 2.1 billion, reaching USD 3.02 billion by the end of 2025.

Uzbekistan’s exports to Türkiye are predominantly industrial in nature, comprising non-ferrous metals and metal products, textiles, services, plastics, and food products. Imports from Türkiye consist mainly of mechanical and electrical equipment, chemical products, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and metal structures, reflecting Türkiye’s role as a key source of industrial technologies and equipment.

A significant qualitative step forward was the signing of the Preferential Trade Agreement in 2022, which entered into force in 2023. In 2025, the parties began expanding the list of goods covered by preferential treatment, creating additional incentives for trade diversification and deeper industrial cooperation.

Investment Cooperation: From Presence to Systemic Engagement

Investment cooperation is one of the most dynamically developing areas of bilateral relations. In 2024, the volume of Turkish investments utilized in Uzbekistan reached USD 2.2 billion, while in January-November 2025 it increased to USD 3.2 billion. A total of 2,137 enterprises with Turkish capital operate in Uzbekistan, including 496 joint ventures and 1,641 wholly Turkish-owned companies.

These enterprises are active in textiles and furniture manufacturing, construction, trade, transport, logistics, and services. Importantly, a substantial share of them is export-oriented, strengthening Uzbekistan’s integration into regional and global value chains.

Industrial Cooperation: Transition to Joint Manufacturing

In recent years, Uzbek–Turkish cooperation has increasingly shifted from traditional trade toward industrial partnership. Turkish companies are actively involved in establishing production facilities across Uzbekistan’s regions, introducing modern technologies, management standards, and export-oriented business models.

Regular meetings of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, accompanied by business forums, result in detailed roadmaps comprising dozens of measures covering industry, energy, logistics, and regional projects. This approach forms a solid foundation for sustainable industrial partnership.

Interregional Cooperation: Localized Economic Engagement

Active interregional interaction has become an essential element of the new partnership model. In 2024, targeted visits by delegations from the Fergana, Khorezm, Namangan, Navoi, Samarkand, and Jizzakh regions, as well as the city of Tashkent, were held to various regions of Türkiye.

This format enables a shift from framework agreements to concrete investment projects, creates direct B2B and B2G communication channels, and contributes to a more decentralized and resilient architecture of cooperation.

Transport and Logistics as Pillars of Trade and Investment

The expansion of trade and industrial cooperation naturally increases the importance of transport and logistics interaction. Türkiye is viewed by Uzbekistan as a key logistical gateway to European and Mediterranean markets, while Uzbekistan is becoming an important hub for Türkiye’s access to Central Asia.

The development of rail and road transport, along with intensive air connectivity - up to 97 regular flights per week across eight routes - enhances business mobility, supports investment activity, and strengthens economic integration between the two countries.

Prospective Areas of Cooperation: Converging Interests

The established economic core of Uzbek–Turkish relations provides a basis for a new phase of cooperation, shifting from quantitative growth to deeper structural and technological integration.

Localization and joint development of industrial production remain key convergence points. Uzbekistan offers industrial zones, resources, and a growing domestic market, while Türkiye contributes technology, design, managerial expertise, and access to external markets.

The textile and light industry is evolving toward the production of finished branded goods and contract manufacturing for international retail chains. Mechanical engineering and electrical equipment sectors are creating prerequisites for the establishment of assembly and production facilities. The agro-industrial complex offers opportunities for deep processing and joint exports of food products.

A separate strategic direction is the joint entry into third-country markets, where the combination of Uzbekistan’s production potential and Türkiye’s trade and logistics infrastructure creates substantial competitive advantages.

Overall, over the past eight years Uzbekistan and Türkiye have built a resilient model of strategic partnership based on trade, investment, industrial cooperation, interregional engagement, and transport connectivity. Trade turnover exceeding USD 3 billion, multi-billion-dollar investments, and thousands of joint enterprises testify to the maturity and long-term nature of bilateral relations.

Mashrab Mamirov,

The Central Election Commission held a meeting and a series of events today, July 26th. The primary agenda item was the preparation and high-level accomplishment of the upcoming elections for the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and the Councils of People's Deputies in full compliance with the Constitution and laws.

According to Article 128 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, elections for the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and the Councils of People's Deputies are scheduled to take place on the first Sunday of the third ten-day period of October in the year their term expires. Considering that the term of the deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and the Councils of People's Deputies ends in 2024, the elections will be held on October 27th of this year, and the election campaign will begin on July 26th, as decided by the Central Election Commission.

These elections mark a significant departure from the past, taking place in a new socio-political environment as stipulated by our Constitution. The meeting underscored the unique features of these elections, which include:

1. For the first time in Uzbekistan's history, the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis elections will be conducted using a mixed electoral system, combining majoritarian and proportional systems. This significant change will see seventy-five deputies elected directly through the majoritarian system, where voters vote for specific candidates. The remaining seventy-five deputies will be elected based on votes cast for political parties under the proportional system.
2. One of the most significant advancements is the full digitization of election commissions' activities at all levels and their interactions with participants in the election process. This development significantly reduces bureaucracy, time, and document handling in election procedures, ushering in a new era of efficiency in our electoral system.
3. Our election legislation has been fundamentally improved to align with advanced democratic standards. These improvements include introducing a new system for election bodies led by the Central Election Commission and requiring political parties to ensure that at least 40% of their candidates for deputy positions are women. Additionally, a candidate must receive a relative majority of votes to be elected. If a candidate gets more votes than other candidates in their respective electoral district, they will be elected without needing a repeat vote.
4. The elections are taking place in conditions of significantly strengthened parliamentarianism and the powers of representative bodies at the local level, as established by the Updated Constitution. Specifically, the absolute powers of the Legislative Chamber have increased from 5 to 12, and those of the Senate from 12 to 18. The parliament's oversight functions over the activities of executive, judicial, law enforcement agencies, and special services have been expanded. The institution of hokims leading local Councils of People's Deputies is being abolished. To enhance the role of representative bodies in resolving important state issues, 33 powers previously held by hokims have been transferred to local Councils.

The meeting underscored the significance of these elections as a vivid example of democratic state-building in our country and an essential means for citizens to exercise their constitutional rights to vote and be elected to democratic state bodies. The elections will involve the election of 150 deputies to the Legislative Chamber, 65 members to the Senate, 65 deputies to the Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, deputies to 208 district (city) Councils in the regions and Tashkent city, with around 30,000 candidates and nearly 90,000 trusted representatives actively participating. Over 120,000 election commission members and more than 70,000 citizens and international observers are expected to participate in the election process.

Considering the important role of elections in state life and with the aim of widely engaging citizens in this process, the Central Election Commission announced that the elections will be held on October 27th under the slogan “My Choice—My Prosperous Homeland.”

The 'E-Saylov' information system is a key tool in making the election process more transparent and accessible. It facilitates around 60 interactions between election commissions, political party candidates, observers, and the media entirely electronically. Integrated with other electronic platforms, the system automates many procedures in the election process without human intervention. This system forms an extensive database of nearly 400,000 participants in the election process, including election commission members, candidates, and observers. Around 32,000 participants will professionally use the information system, which includes communication through 40 types of SMS notifications.

For citizens, the "E-Saylov" information system introduces several conveniences in obtaining election-related information. Specifically, it provides statistical data on voters and polling stations, information on candidates for various elections, and interactive maps to learn about candidates and their biographies.

The meeting emphasized that the "E-Saylov" information system represents a new level of technological advancement and transparency in elections.

It was also noted that according to Article 37 of the Election Code, political parties have the right to nominate candidates for deputies to the Legislative Chamber and local Councils.

To participate in the elections, political parties must have been registered by the Ministry of Justice at least four months before the announcement of the election campaign and collect at least 40,000 signatures supporting their participation.

Additionally, the meeting approved a calendar plan to ensure that the activities related to conducting the elections are carried out step-by-step within the timelines specified by election legislation. The Central Election Commission, as an impartial and independent constitutional body, will take all necessary measures to prepare for and conduct the upcoming elections in full compliance with national legislation and international election standards, ensuring the process is open and transparent.

A Press Center has also been established under the Central Election Commission.

Central Election Commission

of the Republic of Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, September 24. /Dunyo IA/. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov held negotiations in New York City with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Baiba Braže, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.
"Had a productive meeting with H.E. Baiba Braže, Foreign Minister of Latvia, – the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan wrote in his telegram channel. – We highly value the opening of the office of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia in Tashkent. Transport connectivity and logistics, IT and digital technologies, trade and investments were on the focus of our meeting".

Uzbekistan's upcoming elections for the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) and the Councils of People's Deputies, scheduled for October 27th, are not just a routine event. They mark a significant milestone in the nation's democratic journey, introducing groundbreaking changes that promise to transform the electoral landscape. The recent meeting of the Central Election Commission unveiled several key innovations that will ensure greater efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity, making these elections a matter of global interest.

For the first time in the nation's history, the Legislative Chamber elections will employ a mixed electoral system, combining majoritarian and proportional representation. This change means that voters will elect seventy-five deputies directly, while another seventy-five will be chosen based on party votes. This system aims to create a more balanced and representative legislature, enhancing democratic legitimacy and ensuring a broader spectrum of political voices.

One of the most notable advancements in Uzbekistan's electoral system is the full digitization of election commission activities. The introduction of the 'E-Saylov' information system is a significant leap forward, revolutionizing the election process. This digital platform not only streamlines the process, reducing bureaucracy and document handling, but also ensures a smoother, more efficient, and transparent electoral experience. It automates interactions between election commissions, political parties, candidates, observers, and the media, providing real-time statistical data, candidate information, and interactive maps. This technological leap empowers voters with unprecedented access to essential election-related information, making the electoral process more inclusive and transparent.

Inclusivity is another cornerstone of these elections. New election legislation requires political parties to ensure that at least 40% of their candidates are women, a progressive move towards gender equality in political representation. This requirement not only aligns Uzbekistan with advanced democratic standards but also enriches the political discourse by incorporating diverse perspectives.

The elections are taking place in a context where the updated Constitution has significantly enhanced the powers of parliament and representative bodies. The Legislative Chamber's powers have increased from 5 to 12, and the Senate's from 12 to 18. Parliament's oversight functions over executive, judicial, law enforcement, and special services have also been expanded. Additionally, the leadership of local Councils of People's Deputies by hokims (governors) has been abolished, transferring 33 powers previously held by hokims to local Councils to increase their role in resolving critical state issues.

The slogan "My Choice—My Prosperous Homeland" not only captures the spirit of these elections but also reflects the unwavering commitment of Uzbekistan's leadership to democratic state-building and citizen empowerment. With over 120,000 election commission members, 70,000 citizens, and numerous international observers participating, the elections are set to be a transparent and inclusive process, further demonstrating this commitment.

In conclusion, Uzbekistan is setting a remarkable precedent with its upcoming elections by embracing technological innovation and inclusivity. These initiatives will undoubtedly pave the way for a more prosperous and democratic future, showcasing Uzbekistan’s dedication to advancing democratic principles and practices.

Eldor Tulyakov,

The Executive Director,

Development Strategy Centre (Uzbekistan)

Despite its limited access to the world's major ports, Uzbekistan can fully develop its transportation and logistics industry through the formation of land transport corridors, developing them throughout the Eurasian region. Being located in the center of the crossroads of trade routes during the Great Silk Road, Uzbekistan has a unique opportunity to become an important provider of logistics of cargo flows between China and Southern Europe, on the one hand, and the Indian Peninsula and CIS, Northern Europe, on the other hand.
Landlocked countries account for less than 1% of world exports. Moreover, the share of Central Asian countries in the global export of transport services is very small and is represented in the following proportions: Uzbekistan, which has access to the sea only through two countries – 0.1%, Kazakhstan – 0.3%, Tajikistan – 0.007%, Kyrgyzstan – 0.03%.
However, the transport complex of Uzbekistan maintains a dominant position in foreign trade in services and is one of the main sources of foreign currency inflow into the country. Transport services in the republic form 43% of the total volume of the country's service exports and 65% of the balance of foreign trade in services. Uzbekistan's transport service exports in 2022 amounted to $2.2 billion, and the positive balance of foreign trade in transport services amounted to $1.7 billion.


Figure 1. Uzbekistan’s share in global exports of transport services in 2022, %


Calculated according to UNCTAD and Statistics Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan
One of the main problems of Uzbekistan's international freight transport is the underutilization of its export and transit potential, which reduces revenues from the export of transport and logistics services. For example, when comparing actual exports in tons, Uzbekistan is behind Russia by 20 times, Turkey by 10 times, and Kazakhstan by 9 times.
In 2023, the volume of interstate cargo transportation in the Republic of Uzbekistan amounted to 62 million tons, which is 16% higher than in 2022. The largest share in the volume of export-import cargo transportation of the republic falls on Kazakhstan (30%), to a lesser extent on Russia (26%), China (10%), and Afghanistan (4%). Rail transport accounts for the largest share (76%) of Uzbekistan's international cargo transportation (export, import, and transit). The export of transport services includes the transit of goods through the territory of Uzbekistan with a total share in the export of railway services of up to 45%.
The unrealized transit crossroads of Eurasia
One of the main global logistics trends is trade between China and the EU. According to the ERAI review, in 2023, the trade turnover between them amounted to 738 million euros, and according to EUROSTAT exceeded 104 million tons. In the current realities, rail transportation between Europe and China is carried out along the Eurasian route through the territories of Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus; Mongolia and Russia (Naushki border crossing), as well as along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route – TITR (Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Black Sea).
Part of the cargo flows that previously passed through the northern corridor has been redirected to TITR. However, the Eurasian route continues to occupy a leading position. In 2023, a total of 674 thousand TEU passed along this route, which is 1.1% less than in 2022 (681 thousand TEU), but at the same time, in the first half of 2024, the volume of container traffic by China-Europe trains along TITR increased by 12.8% with a volume of 196.6 thousand TEU.
As can be seen, Uzbekistan does not fit into the list of major transit countries between China and the EU in the "Eurasian" and "Trans-Caspian" directions and claims only a part of the target markets mainly in direction along the Southern Corridor through Turkmenistan, Iran, and Turkey.
So, a limited number of international transport corridors pass through the territory of Uzbekistan. The main countries forming the transit of Uzbekistan are neighboring Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, as well as Russia, which is considered an important trading partner for the Central Asian countries. The transport isolation of the region, undiversified transport routes, and limited export deliveries mainly in the northern direction lead to a loss of profit due to the sale of domestic goods mainly to neighboring countries at a fairly low cost.
Transit Priorities
To sell domestic products at competitive world prices, Uzbekistan needs to develop additional export trade routes to other countries, such as China, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, India, Pakistan, and others. This requires competitive and efficient transport and transit corridors that allow for increasing the volume of transit cargo through the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Therefore, the priority directions identified by 2030 for the development of international transport corridors and bringing the volume of transit traffic through the territory of the republic to 16 million tons include the task of increasing revenues from the export of transport services. The key task in this case is to increase the volume of multimodal cargo transportation in the directions of China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan (Kashgar–Irkeshtam–Osh–Andijan–Tashkent) and Uzbekistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan (Termez – Hairatan – Logar – Karachi).
China - Kyrgyzstan - Uzbekistan. The volume of cargo transportation of the PRC with such countries as Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan in 2023 amounted to almost 50 million tons, with the main volume of cargo transportation carried out by sea transport. Studies have shown that it is possible to attract part of the cargo to the "China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan" route, in the amount of about 10 million tons, and with the stable organization of cargo transportation along the route, the volume of cargo transportation by 2040 may increase by 4 times.
Uzbekistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan. The geographical proximity to Afghanistan, and further south to Pakistan and India, gives Uzbekistan the opportunity to unlock its existing potential and provide cargo transportation services in export, import, and transit traffic in the direction of South Asian countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India), without competing for existing transport and trade corridors. Therefore, Uzbekistan is extremely interested in trade and transport cooperation with Afghanistan and in the implementation of the Trans-Afghan Railway project "Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan." This road will allow establishing a direct rail link between Uzbekistan and Pakistan through the territory of Afghanistan with further access to the ports of the Indian Ocean.
The importance and effectiveness of the "Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan" (UAP) project can be significantly increased if it is implemented in parallel with the project of building the "Uzbekistan – Kyrgyzstan – China" (CKU) railway line, which is the shortest way to connect China with Pakistan and India and will allow a multiple increase in the volume of traffic from/to China to the countries of Central and South Asia.
In this regard, within the framework of two strategic projects UAP and CKU, the ongoing activities on formation of new uninterrupted perspective multimodal transport corridors in the region are relevant. In November 2023 in Tashkent within the framework of the ECO Ministerial Meeting the Protocol of the multilateral meeting on establishment of the international multimodal route between Asia-Europe through “Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Türkiye”, was signed.

In November 2023, a Memorandum on mutual Understanding on the creation and development of international transport corridor “Belarus-Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan” with access to the ports of the Indian Ocean was signed in Tashkent. In April of this year, Termez hosted meetings of transportation agencies and railway administrations of the countries-participants of this corridor, which resulted in the adoption of the Road Map, including the main activities for further development of the corridor.
It should be noted that the abovementioned documents are open for other interested countries to join the transport corridors.
Multifaceted Transport Policy
It should be noted that the policy of forming international transport corridors in Uzbekistan is somewhat different from the policies of several other countries and is aimed at attracting as many countries as possible to the active development of a branched network of transport corridors that ensure efficient foreign trade cargo transportation. As emphasized by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the SCO Summit in Astana on July 4 of this year, "the multivariance of transport corridors is the most important condition for the sustainable development of our entire region."
However, the effective functioning of various corridor options is hindered by the lack of unified Cargo Transportation Rules, a unified Transport Document Standard that would be used on all types of transport, as well as the absence of digital platforms for providing customers with freight transportation services remotely from anywhere in the world. All this slows down the transport integration of Asian countries in the context of developing routes between Central and South Asia, and China, on the one hand, and the integration of Asian countries with European communications on the other.
To solve the problems of different legal and technical standards in freight transportation between European and Asian countries, which hinder the full-fledged transportation of goods without delays, it makes sense to develop new services for logistics and cargo transportation market participants, while applying modern technologies.
These include the production of universal wagons with variable gauge axle systems at the country's industrial facilities, with their further use both in Uzbekistan and southern countries, China and others, as well as the development of a digital platform for online registration of cargo transportation and transportation documents, which will lead to additional revenues from the export of transport services.
In this regard, the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, announced in June at the OTS Summit on the formation of a Council of Railway Administrations within the framework of the organization and the placement of its directorate in Tashkent, is relevant. The Council could act as a regulator for the integration of the railways of China, the Asia-Pacific region, South and Southeast Asia with the countries of Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the EU.
To assess the prospects for the coordinated development of transport corridors, a forecast of foreign trade volume was made based on an analysis of panel data using a combined model of two directions of international cargo transportation: China-EU and China-CA. The results of this forecast showed that by 2050, the volume of trade between China and the EU will increase by 4.5 times compared to 2023, and between China and CA - by 5 times. At the same time, the total volume of trade between South Asian countries (India and Pakistan) with trading partners (EU, Russia, China, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan) will increase by 3.8 times compared to 2023.

In the near future, a clearly defined strategy for integrating Central Asian countries into the international transport network can help solve the region's problems and lead to an increase in the export of transport and logistics services and attract cargo flow, and later passenger flow, to the territory of the Asia-Pacific region, South and Central Asia. As the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev said: "We are open to cooperation and ready to become a reliable partner in creating new transport corridors and integration projects."

Dildora Ibragimova,
Center for the Study of Transport and Logistics Development Problems under the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The "Uzbekistan 2030" strategy aims to increase the country's gross domestic product to $160 billion and per capita income to $4,000. Achieving this goal solely through the domestic market is not possible; therefore, it is crucial to actively attract foreign investments and increase exports.
The Tashkent International Investment Forum plays a significant role in this effort. In May 2024, the third edition of the forum took place in Tashkent, becoming a significant event for the economy of Uzbekistan and the international investment community. The main objective of the forum was to enhance the inflow of foreign investments and promote economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and other countries.
The forum attracted business representatives, investors, government officials, and international organizations, facilitating dialogue and the signing of major investment agreements. In recent years, Uzbekistan has demonstrated significant growth in attracting investments, and the forum has been an important step in this direction.
In his welcoming speech, the head of state noted that Uzbekistan has attracted over $60 billion in foreign investments in recent years, with approximately $14 billion coming from international financial institutions. These investments have been directed towards social and infrastructure sectors.
The forum has gained incredible popularity, with over 2,500 participants from 93 countries, providing a platform for global dialogue and exchange of investment experiences.
It is important to highlight that the forum garnered attention from international media, with coverage from more than 110 foreign publications in 30 countries, including leading global media outlets such as CNN, Euronews, London Post, and Associated Press.
One of the key events of the forum was the presentation of regional energy projects (the construction of Kambarata-1 HPP and Yavan HPP) to foreign investors. The presentation involved the Prime Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, emphasizing the importance of these projects for the entire region.
As a result of the Tashkent International Investment Forum, agreements were signed totaling $26.6 billion, indicating the high investment attractiveness of Uzbekistan and the success of the forum. For comparison, in 2022, 167 documents were signed at the forum, amounting to $11 billion, demonstrating a significant increase in investment interest in the country.
Specifically, agreements were reached on the implementation of the following major investment projects:
- Saudi Arabian company "Data Volt" will be involved in the construction of urban infrastructure in "New Tashkent" for $1 billion and will establish a "data processing center" based on green technologies for $3 billion.
- Saudi Arabian company "ACWA Power" will implement projects for the construction of a 5 GW wind power plant in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the creation of 2 GW energy storage devices, with a total investment of $6.2 billion.
- UAE company "Amea Power" will carry out a project to build a 1000 MW wind power plant in the Republic of Karakalpakstan for $1.1 billion.
- "Saudi Tabrid" will undertake the modernization of the heating systems in Nukus, Fergana, and Kuvasay for $750 million.
- Egyptian company "Nile Sugar" will engage in sugar beet cultivation and sugar production in the Jizzakh region for $500 million.
- Chinese company "Shanghai Knud International" will implement a project for the production of textile and sewing products in the Namangan region for $205 million.
- "Wilmar International" (Singapore) will produce food products and confectionery in the Tashkent region for $200 million.
Additionally, agreements were reached with several major global companies, such as "Orascom Investment" (Egypt), "Bonafarm Grup" (Hungary), "Sayar" (USA), "Goldwind," "Sinoma" (China), "Sam Yapi" (Türkiye), "Pasha Development" (Azerbaijan), "Lasselsberger" (Austria), and "Petrosat Chexelsoton" (Iran), for the implementation of new investment projects totaling $6.6 billion.
The event included a rich program of panel sessions, discussions, business breakfasts, and roundtable discussions, focusing on key aspects of economic development. The central theme revolved around the role of the state, investors, and entrepreneurs in supporting small and medium-sized businesses.
During the session on combating corruption, experts emphasized that effective anti-corruption measures are crucial for improving the investment climate. They highlighted that creating a safe and transparent business environment plays a vital role in this process.
"The successful fight against corruption requires a comprehensive approach, including strengthening legislation and increasing the transparency of government actions," stated Akmal Burkhanov, Director of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The session on retail trade identified the main challenges and opportunities in the industry. Participants expressed the need for improving tax legislation and simplifying import procedures. They also emphasized the importance of creating conditions for successful adaptation of new brands in the market.
"Thanks to the resolution on reducing customs duties, we have managed to establish fair prices, as in the UK and Kazakhstan," shared Ilya Lyapustin, Sales and Marketing Director of "Tashkent City Mall."
During the business breakfast dedicated to women entrepreneurship, the significant impact of women entrepreneurs on society was emphasized. Speakers presented inspiring examples and strategies for achieving a balance between profitability and social responsibility.
Special attention was given to attracting foreign investments through residency programs.
"In recent years, Uzbekistan has proven itself as an attractive destination for global investors due to its openness to cooperation and prospects in the real estate sector," stated Akram Mukhamatkulov, representative of Henley & Partners.
The roundtable discussion on "Supply Chains and Resilience: Finding Balance in Uncertain Times" addressed the problems and strategies for ensuring the resilience of global supply chains.
"Turkey and Uzbekistan have a strategic partnership, and we can significantly strengthen cooperation by working together," noted Deputy Minister of Trade of Turkey, Sezai Ucharmak.
Experts also emphasized the importance of integrating digital technologies into investment strategies. They highlighted that digitization is not just the future but already a reality, playing a key role in accelerating investment processes and increasing transparency.
The pitch session "IT-PARK Uzbekistan: New Perspectives for Development" presented plans to transform Uzbekistan into a regional hub for information technology by 2030.
Sherzod Shermatov, Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, highlighted the significance of recent investments. "Yesterday, we witnessed an important event - the start of the construction of the $5 billion green data center, Data Volt, a major project of direct foreign investment. We are creating a favorable environment for IT companies and launching the 'Zero Risk' program to cover all risks associated with opening and operating offices in Uzbekistan," he noted.
The roundtable discussion on "Connectivity: Reviving the Great Silk Road" brought together international experts and representatives of government bodies to explore opportunities for expanding connections, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange along the ancient Silk Road routes.
The roundtable discussion on "Integrated Urban Planning: Quality Investments, Environmental and Human Comfort" involved leading urban planners, architects, and business representatives discussing approaches to the development of the city of Tashkent. In particular, Vladislav Butenko, Managing Director and Senior Partner at BCG, emphasized the importance of integrating innovative solutions into urban planning to achieve sustainable city development. He stressed the need to consider both economic and social aspects in comprehensive planning, ensuring a balance between them.
The forum played a significant role in attracting investments for various ministries and regions of Uzbekistan. The signed agreements indicate the development of key sectors such as industry, energy, pharmaceuticals, and automotive manufacturing.
One of the major achievements of the forum was the agreement between the Ministry of Digital Technologies, the Ministry of Energy, and IT company Data Volt on the construction of a data center based on green technologies. Experts highlighted the importance of such projects for Uzbekistan. The signing ceremony was attended by Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade, and Rajit Nanda, Director of Data Volt.
The third Tashkent International Investment Forum has concluded, but the planned initiatives and signed agreements promise active work in attracting investments and ensuring sustainable development. Uzbekistan has once again confirmed its role as a strategic partner on the international stage, attracting the attention of global investors and contributing to the economic growth of the region.

Tengiz Asanov,
Deputy Head of the Department of the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan