Just a few years ago, Central Asia and the Caucasus were rarely considered major players in the global technology landscape. Today, that perception is rapidly changing. The region is steadily strengthening its position on the global innovation map, attracting international investors, technology companies, entrepreneurs, and venture capital.
What makes this transformation particularly remarkable is that the countries of the region are not developing as competitors, but as complementary innovation ecosystems. Each country is building on its own competitive strengths while contributing to a shared environment for innovation, knowledge exchange, investment, and cross-border collaboration.
A Region Evolving into a Unified Innovation Ecosystem
The progress made by Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan over the past few years illustrates this transformation particularly well. In 2026, Uzbekistan was named Country of the Year by StartupBlink, recognizing the country's remarkable startup ecosystem growth. Venture investments increased more than fivefold, the number of startups surpassed 1,200, and the country is now home to 22 venture capital funds managing over $200 million in combined assets.
Both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have prioritized building long-term innovation infrastructure. Each country has established its own Fund of Funds to accelerate venture investment and help startups scale internationally, while Kazakhstan's fund has reached a total capitalization of $1 billion.
Today, both countries have produced unicorn companies, developed globally recognized innovation institutions—including IT Park Uzbekistan and Astana Hub—and continue to earn the confidence of international investors.
From Bilateral Cooperation to a Regional Alliance
A major milestone in regional integration came with the launch of the Central Asian Innovation Hubs (CAIH) initiative in 2024 by IT Park Uzbekistan and Astana Hub. In 2025, IT Park Tajikistan joined the alliance, further expanding regional collaboration.
Since its establishment, dozens of startups from across the region have gained access to international markets in Europe and Asia through participation in major global events such as London Tech Week, GITEX Kazakhstan, and Digital Kazakhstan.
The alliance also established two international innovation hubs in 2025: Khan Tengri Innovation Hub in Shanghai and Tumar Innovation Hub in Dubai. Today, these hubs actively support startups in entering the U.S., European, Chinese, and Middle Eastern markets, facilitating investment opportunities while strengthening research and development capabilities.
Another important initiative has been the launch of joint Market Entry Programs. In 2025 alone, more than 50 startups expanded into international markets, including the United States, the UAE, China, and others. More than 20 startups also joined leading global acceleration programs, including Draper University Hero Training Program (6 startups), AlchemistX (10 startups), and the Silicon Valley Residency Program (6 startups).
Expanding Toward the Caucasus
Discussions are currently underway to bring Azerbaijan into this growing regional partnership, creating an integrated innovation ecosystem that connects Central Asia with the Caucasus.
One of the platforms where this collaboration is already taking shape is the international innovation summit INMerge. Over the past five years, the forum has evolved from a relatively small corporate gathering into one of the largest technology events in Central Eurasia. Today, INMerge brings together participants from Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Türkiye, and many other countries to discuss artificial intelligence, venture capital, digital infrastructure, startup development, and international cooperation.
In 2026, INMerge expanded beyond Baku for the first time by launching its regional Roadshow format across major innovation hubs. One of its flagship destinations was Tashkent, underscoring Uzbekistan's growing role as a leading innovation hub in Central Eurasia.
For startups, events like INMerge represent far more than networking opportunities—they provide direct access to international investors, strategic partners, and new global markets.
Digital Startup Awards: A Gateway to the Global Stage
Another example of the region's growing integration is the Digital Startup Awards, an initiative launched by Uzbekistan to foster a more interconnected innovation ecosystem. The program brings together startup founders from eight countries across Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Mongolia, and has become one of the region's leading platforms for identifying high-potential technology ventures.
More than a competition, the Digital Startup Awards offers a comprehensive growth platform for founders looking to scale their businesses, strengthen entrepreneurial capabilities, expand internationally, and secure investment.
Interest in the program continues to grow. In 2025, the Digital Startup Awards reached a new milestone by receiving a record 1,025 applications from startups across Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Mongolia.
The initiative aims to identify promising technology companies, connect them with investors and strategic partners, support their international expansion, and deepen collaboration among regional innovation ecosystems. Through programs like these, talented founders gain opportunities to compete on the global stage, while Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Mongolia continue to strengthen their position as one of the world's most dynamic emerging innovation regions.
IT Park Uzbekistan
The resilience of Finland’s development model and the dynamism of Uzbekistan’s reforms provide a solid foundation for deepening bilateral cooperation. Finland combines technological leadership, efficient governance, and a robust social policy. Its mixed model of development with strong public regulation and an active private sector is based on long-term planning, technological excellence, and social equality.
A balanced economic policy keeps inflation at 2–3%, while maintaining a high AA+ credit rating. The national research infrastructure is funded as a key element of state strategy. Total spending on research and development exceeds 3% of GDP, reaching €8.4 billion in 2023, up 6.3% from the previous year. The contributions came from the public sector, universities, and private business.
Finland’s economy remains open and export-oriented. In 2024, foreign trade reached €146.5 billion, including €72.2 billion in exports and €74.3 billion in imports. Its technological specialization, advanced digital environment, and high human capital create a predictable setting for investors.
At the same time, Uzbekistan has become a driver of reform in Central Asia over the past eight years. The country’s GDP has doubled to reach $115 billion. Since 2017, fixed capital investments have totaled $240 billion, with over $130 billion coming from foreign sources. International reserves exceed $48 billion. The structure of production has evolved: the share of industry rose from 20% to 26%, services from 44% to 47%, and labor productivity increased by 45%. Regulatory reforms expanded the space for private capital, while transport and energy infrastructure projects established a new foundation for industrialization and export growth.
As a result of these reforms, Uzbekistan’s trade with the European Union has entered a stable growth trajectory. Between 2017 and 2024, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and the EU increased 2.4 times from $2.6 billion to $6.4 billion. In 2024, exports rose by nearly 27% compared to 2023, while imports remained at a comparable level.
A New Stage of Political and Economic Relations
Particularly strong momentum has emerged in Uzbek–Finnish relations. Regular high-level contacts have given fresh impetus to the bilateral dialogue. On 12 November 2024, on the sidelines of the COP29 Summit in Baku, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with President of Finland Alexander Stubb. The two leaders discussed prospects for cooperation in the fields of the green economy, renewable energy, innovation, and education, and exchanged views on sustainable development and climate policy.
The political dialogue continued with a telephone conversation on 9 September 2025, during which the heads of state explored ways to expand economic and humanitarian cooperation. Furthermore, an official visit of the President of Finland to Uzbekistan is expected in late October 2025, aimed at consolidating earlier agreements and opening new areas of partnership.
This process is creating a favorable foundation for strengthening trade and economic ties, introducing Finnish technologies, and attracting investment into Uzbekistan’s priority sectors. From 2019 to 2024, bilateral trade more than tripled to reach $152 million. Uzbekistan’s exports to Finland increased almost 17 times to $4.73 million, while imports from Finland nearly tripled to $147 million. Over the past year alone, Uzbek exports to Finland grew by 56%, and imports rose 3.2 times. From January to August 2025, trade volume exceeded $68 million.
Trade flows reflect each country’s comparative advantages: Uzbekistan supplies industrial goods and services, while Finland exports machinery, transport equipment, chemicals, and food products.
Prospects for Cooperation
The emerging agenda for trade and economic cooperation draws on Finland’s experience in engineering, clean technologies, digital healthcare, education, and R&D management – areas closely aligned with Uzbekistan’s goals for technological renewal, energy efficiency, and human capital development. At the same time, Uzbekistan’s favorable business climate and major infrastructure projects are reducing operational costs for foreign companies.
Given Uzbekistan’s development priorities and conducive investment conditions, there is significant potential to further deepen Uzbek–Finnish cooperation across several areas. According to the Center for Economic Research and Reforms, Uzbekistan’s exports to Finland could expand even in the short term, particularly in sectors where Uzbek producers have existing capacity and advantage – textiles and garments, fruits and nuts, footwear, leather goods, stone and cement products, as well as copper and semi-finished copper products.
Logistics could be organized through the ports of Helsinki and HaminaKotka, with Turku as a potential reserve. Distribution channels could be developed via major retail networks and distributors, including Kesko and S Group. Key success factors include certification under EU standards, stable supply chains, and regular contracts.
Industrial cooperation should move toward deeper processing with full production cycles, for example, in knitwear, wool, and leather, from spinning and dyeing to finished apparel. Potential partners include Finnish companies such as Lapuan Kankurit and Pirtin Kehräämö, as well as the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture. In agriculture, joint breeding programs using Finnish sheep lines and supported by LUKE (Natural Resources Institute Finland) could strengthen the raw-material base of Uzbekistan’s textile clusters.
In the digital and green transformation sphere, collaboration could extend to telecom infrastructure and critical systems management with companies such as Nokia. In energy, there is potential for cooperation in localizing components for solar installations and storage systems, developing smart grids, and improving generation efficiency in hot climates, with participation from Finnish firms Valoe, Fortum Solar, and Wärtsilä.
For research and materials science, engaging institutions such as VTT and LUT University would help build a sustainable technological and human-resource base in Uzbekistan, while opening new regional export niches.
In mechanical engineering, cooperation could develop with Metso and Valmet on equipment components, servicing, and partial localization. In logistics and cargo handling solutions, Finnish companies Konecranes and Cargotec offer relevant expertise. In climate monitoring and water-chemical solutions, potential partners include Vaisala and Kemira.
A cross-cutting priority remains human capital. Joint programs with the University of Helsinki, Tampere University, and University of Oulu are needed to establish industrial internships and introduce Finnish methods for training engineers, technologists, and quality specialists for high-tech industries.
At the institutional level, further progress will require harmonizing border procedures, launching green corridors, implementing digital customs systems, and ensuring mutual recognition of certificates. It will also be important to develop industrial and agro-processing clusters, logistics hubs, and training programs for workforce development.
In the near future, Uzbek–Finnish cooperation may reach a stable, long-term trajectory. For Finland, Uzbekistan represents a reliable supplier of manufactured goods and components, and a new market for technology and equipment. For Uzbekistan, deeper cooperation provides access to advanced solutions and Northern European distribution channels.
In conclusion, the combination of Finland’s effective governance model, innovation, and environmental responsibility with Uzbekistan’s large-scale reforms creates a strong foundation for joint practical projects in manufacturing, energy, telecommunications, and education. Such a partnership can not only enhance the technological level of Uzbekistan’s economy but also give new quality to Uzbek–Finnish relations – anchored in long-term, sustainable, and mutually beneficial development.
Afzal Artikov,
Chief researcher,
Center for Economic Research and
Reforms under the Administration
of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
The analysis covers the key thematic and semantic emphases of the President’s speech, the structure of core concepts and their interrelations, priority directions of state policy, as well as the strategic benchmarks for the country’s socio-economic development in 2026.
On 26 December 2025, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered his Address to the Oliy Majlis and the people of Uzbekistan. Experts of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) conducted a linguistic content analysis of the President’s speech.
The analysis was carried out using modern linguistic methods and is aimed at identifying semantic priorities, key concepts and their connections. A word cloud and diagrams were also prepared to visually demonstrate the priority directions of state policy.
Analysis (from the original language)
In total, the President used 9,135 words in his Address. The creation of a word cloud made it possible to visualize the most significant themes and gain a deeper understanding of the priorities and directions of the country’s socio-economic development.
Figure 1. Most frequently used words in the President’s Address (26.12.2025)
The linguistic analysis showed that the most frequently used key words included “mahalla” – 49 times, “aholi” (population) – 35 times, “iqtisodiyot” (economy) – 28 times, “bozor” (market) – 26 times, “loyiha” (project) – 25 times, and “technology” – 22 times (Fig. 1).
Words such as “ta’lim” (education), “natija” (result) and “daromad” (income) were each used 20 times; “tadbirkor” (entrepreneur) and “sanoat” (industry) – 19 times each; “suv” (water) – 18 times; “elektr” (electricity) and “hudud” (territory) – 17 times each; “yoshlar” (youth), “infratuzilma” (infrastructure) and “qurilish” (construction) – 16 times each.
The analysis of two-word expressions showed that the phrase “Markaziy Osiyo” (Central Asia) was used eight times; “aholi daromadi” (household income), “qishloq xo‘jaligi” (agriculture) and “yangi bosqich” (new stage) – seven times; “yangi texnologiyalar” (new technologies) and “Toshkent shahri” (city of Tashkent) – six times each. Expressions such as “Davlat xizmatlari” (public services), “xorijiy investitsiya” (foreign investment) and “yangi tizim” (new system) were used five times, while “dual ta’lim” (dual education), “ish o‘rni” (jobs), “viloyat markazlari” (regional centers) and “tuman byudjeti” (district budgets) were used four times each.
Among three-word combinations, the most frequent expressions included “the next five years” – nine times; “based on dual education” – four times; and “water-saving technologies” and “water, electricity” – three times each.
Thus, the analysis shows that at the core of state policy are the mahalla, public welfare, and the transition to a new stage of development based on economic and technological transformation, with clearly defined strategic objectives for the next five years.
Thematic structure of the speech
The diagram below shows the distribution of the speech’s vocabulary by key directions, where the content is grouped into nine main thematic blocks.
The diagram clearly demonstrates that technological development and human interests, implemented at the level of the mahalla, are at the center of state policy. The ultimate goal of all reforms is to ensure public welfare through sustainable economic growth (Fig. 2).
Figure 2. Distribution of words by thematic areas in the structure of the speech
Interconnection of development directions
The analysis highlights key words that demonstrate the interconnection between various directions of Uzbekistan’s state policy in the coming years.
The transition of the economy to a technological and innovation-based growth model is a central element of state policy and implies a shift away from a raw-materials model toward high-tech industry. This direction is closely linked with such concepts as “investment,” “technology,” “market,” and “product.”
The block on economic growth and welfare reflects the key outcomes of reforms, including the increase of the economy to $145 bn and a twofold reduction in poverty over the past three years. It is directly associated with the concepts of “population,” “economy,” “mahalla,” and “services.”
The social foundation of reforms is built through the development of the mahalla and social solidarity. This direction is associated with “mahalla,” “youth,” “society,” and “values.”
Structuring vocabulary by thematic areas shows that the core of the President’s speech is technological modernization of the economy and a human-centered governance model based on the “mahallabay” system.
It emphasizes the interconnection between economic growth, improvement of public welfare and the development of local infrastructure, as well as priorities such as strengthening human capital, expanding employment and increasing the efficiency of public administration.
Figure 3. Interconnection of development directions
Among the highlighted semantic blocks are also tasks related to stimulating domestic demand, developing the housing and tourism sectors, modernizing the transport system, increasing productivity in agriculture and introducing water-saving technologies.
Special emphasis is placed on the “green” agenda, including the development of renewable energy, expansion of the “Yashil Makon” (“Green Space”) initiative, and strengthening resilience to climate risks.
In the foreign policy dimension, the analysis highlights Uzbekistan’s openness, strengthening of good-neighborly relations, and integration into the global economic system.
The linguistic analysis confirms that the idea at the core of the President’s speech is built around the triad “inson qadri – mahalla – farovonlik” (human dignity – mahalla – welfare), where the goal of reforms is sustainable growth, improved quality of life, and the further strengthening of Uzbekistan’s position.
Ilyos Rabbimov, CERR
CERR Public Relations Service
For inquiries, please contact:
(78) 150 02 02 (417)
Zilola Akhmedova,
Dunyo IA.
At the border checkpoint, the line moves slowly forward. A border guard opens a passport, glances through its pages for a second, and presses down a fresh stamp. The traveler continues on their way undisturbed. At first glance, this is an ordinary, everyday procedure. Yet behind those few seconds lie years of intergovernmental negotiations, complex agreements, mutual trust and balanced diplomacy.
On the eve of the 35th Anniversary of Independence, looking back at the path Uzbekistan has traversed, one can say with confidence that one of its most critical achievements has been the creation of an atmosphere of open and trusting good-neighborliness.
After all, Independence is not merely political sovereignty. Independence is a nation's right to live freely, to determine its own destiny, to build peaceful and mutually beneficial cooperation with neighboring states, and to engage in equal dialogue with the global community.
However, today's open borders and the environment of trustful good-neighborliness did not emerge on their own. Borders test not only history, but diplomacy itself. What now seems natural and familiar is the result of years of painstaking work, political will and a shared commitment to consensus.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, five Independent States appeared on the map of Central Asia. While political sovereignty was proclaimed, a significant portion of state borders remained unratified under international law. Lines that were considered mere administrative boundaries during the Soviet era turned into international frontiers overnight. The situation was particularly complex in the Fergana Valley, where borders cut through residential settlements, irrigation systems, pastures and motorways.
In those years, border demarcation was more than a political or legal issue - it directly impacted the daily lives of thousands of people. To travel from one village to a neighboring one located across the border, residents often had to make a detour of dozens of kilometers. Family visits became complicated and logistics costs for local entrepreneurs surged dramatically.
In this context, I would like to share a childhood story that deeply impacted me and one I still cannot recall without tears.
Exactly fourteen years ago, when I was twelve years old, my parents and I went on a trip across Uzbekistan. Along the way, we stopped for lunch. A woman was sitting at the adjacent table. Watching my father and me laugh and joke lightheartedly, she suddenly burst into tears. For a moment, I was confused and did not know what to do. Then she spoke:
“My name is Gulzoda. I was also the only and beloved daughter of my father. When I grew up, I married into a neighboring village. Only ten to fifteen minutes separated us from my parents' home. But then the border divided us. Our village remained in Uzbekistan, while my parents ended up in Tajikistan...”
She paused for a second as tears rolled down her cheeks again.
“A few years later, my father passed away. And I could not be there to bid him a final farewell. They did not let me cross the border...”
Now that I am older, I understand that a border is not just a line on a map. It is something that can profoundly shape human destinies.
Therefore, resolving border issues meant far more than simply drawing state lines. It restored trust between nations, served as a crucial step toward reviving economic ties, and laid a solid foundation for the overall development of the entire region.
A New Diplomatic Paradigm
Ongoing shifts in the global geopolitical landscape demanded new approaches, different policies and a fresh mindset capable of securing a strong international standing for the nation. It was under these conditions that the past decade became a period of profound transformation, new opportunities and rapid progress for Uzbekistan.
Foreign policy of New Uzbekistan designated Central Asia as its core priority. Open dialogue with neighboring states, practical cooperation, and the principle of mutual benefit formed the bedrock of this new diplomatic strategy. Its core idea was straightforward: the sustainable development of the region depends not on the isolated achievements of individual states, but on the harmonious alignment of their shared interests.
This policy translated into concrete action through the opening of new border crossing points, the revival of transport links and the steady expansion of trade and economic ties.
For instance, on March 1st, 2018, “Jartepa – Sarazm” checkpoints on the Uzbek-Tajik border resumed operations. In August 2025, “Khovosobod – Zafarobod” and “Bekobod Auto – Khashtiyak” checkpoints in the Syrdarya region were officially granted international status. This enabled seamless border crossings for third-country citizens as well as passenger vehicles.
Along the Kyrgyz border, “Uch-Kurgan Auto” checkpoint in the Namangan region and the “Ken-Sai Auto” checkpoint in Kyrgyzstan were reopened. Today, they serve as a major transport corridor capable of processing over 500 cargo trucks and 300 passenger cars daily. Operations were also restored at the “Khanabad – Bek-Abad” checkpoints connecting the Andijan region with Kyrgyzstan, alongside the opening of the modern “Mingtepa – Kara-Bagysh” post. Furthermore, “Ak-Kiya” checkpoint leading to Shakhimardan and “Chashma” checkpoint serving the Sokh district were modernized and converted to 24/7 operations. On the border between the Fergana and Batken regions, new “Sogment – Chorbagh” border complex was launched.
On the Uzbek-Turkmen border, a New Free Trade Zone was launched near the “Shavat – Dashoguz” border checkpoint in the adjacent territories of the Khorezm and Dashoguz regions.
On the Kazakh front, the largest and busiest checkpoint, “Gishtkuprik – Zhibek Zholy”, underwent large-scale reconstruction. As a result, its daily capacity increased from 30,000 to 70,000 people, while its vehicle processing capacity exceeded 2,000 passenger cars per day. “Navoi – Kaplanbek” checkpoint in the Tashkent region was similarly modernized: traffic lanes were expanded from two to six, reducing average border crossing times to 30 minutes.
March 31st, 2025, holds a special place in the modern history of Central Asia. On this day in Khujand, one of the region's most significant political and diplomatic events took place. Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Emomali Rahmon and Sadyr Japarov signed a historic Treaty on the Junction Point of the State Borders of the three nations. Simultaneously, Khujand Declaration was adopted and a symbolic Friendship Stele was unveiled at the border intersection.
History values specific documents not only for their legal weight, but for their power to transform the spirit of an era. The landmark agreements reached in Khujand marked the beginning of a fundamentally new chapter in Central Asian diplomacy. The legal settlement of border issues - long one of the region's most complex challenges - transformed not only the nature of relations between the three states, but the entire political climate of Central Asia, positively impacting the lives of millions today and for generations to come.
In geopolitics, trust is considered one of the most valuable assets. Where trust takes root, new transport corridors open, investments flow, trade volumes grow and security strengthens.
Concrete numbers clearly illustrate the practical outcomes of this trust. While Uzbekistan's trade turnover with Central Asian countries stood at approximately $2.5 billion in 2016, it exceeded $8 billion by the end of 2025.
Bilateral trade with Kazakhstan reached $5 billion, accounting for 60.2% of Uzbekistan's total regional trade. Trade volume with Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan reached $1.2 billion each, while trade turnover with Tajikistan surpassed $900 million.
Global Recognition and a New Geopolitical Reality
In recent years, regional cooperation initiatives put forward by Uzbekistan have gained strong backing within the United Nations. The adoption of UN General Assembly resolutions aimed at strengthening peace, stability, and sustainable development in Central Asia serves as practical proof that Uzbekistan's foreign policy is earning international confidence.
In the assessments of international experts, Central Asia is increasingly viewed as a region moving along a shared course, bound by solidarity, brotherhood, and common aspirations for the future. Uzbekistan's policy of resolving issues with neighboring states through negotiation has fostered mutual trust, accelerated transport and logistics projects, and created a more favorable climate for foreign investors. Particular significance is attached to the legal resolution of border issues, which is seen as a key step toward transforming Central Asia into a unified, interconnected economic space.
Specifically, according to Li Yonghui, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, President of Uzbekistan's visit to Khujand and his trilateral meeting with the leaders of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan represented a pivotal moment in strengthening regional cooperation and stability in Central Asia. “The unveiling of the Friendship Stele symbolizes the strengthening of good-neighborly relations, trust, and strategic partnership among the three brotherly nations”, the expert noted.
Tazin Akhtar, Editor of “Pakistan in the World”, highlighted:
“In an era of global instability, strengthening regional alliances provides a solid foundation for stability and mutual support. Achievements in border delimitation, rising trade volumes, and joint infrastructure projects make Central Asia more open to external partnerships. Uzbekistan has demonstrated a firm commitment to constructive diplomacy, creation, and integration”.
Overall, Uzbekistan's foreign policy today built on openness, pragmatism and mutual benefit is cultivating a new atmosphere of friendship and trust across Central Asia. Borders between neighboring brotherly states have transformed from dividing lines into symbols of cooperation, trade and dialogue.
Return to the Border Post
...The border guard takes the next passport, verifies the document, applies the stamp and the gate opens. The traveler moves forward without looking back. They may not even realize how much political will sits behind that brief moment. Yet that is precisely the greatest success of state policy: it frees individuals from anxiety and obstacles on their journey, allowing them to focus on their goals and dreams.
Past decade of independence has been a period for New Uzbekistan not only to reinforce its sovereign statehood, but to construct a new architecture of trust and collaboration in Central Asia. Open borders, lasting good-neighborliness and the vision of shared development are now becoming part of everyday life.
Uzbekistan, located in the heart of Central Asia, faces unique environmental challenges that require an integrated approach and strategic planning. In recent years, the country has been taking active steps to protect the environment by integrating sustainable development into national programs and projects. These efforts are not only aimed at improving the environmental situation in the country, but also make a significant contribution to solving global problems. Uzbekistan actively participates in global initiatives to combat climate change. The country ratified the Paris Agreement in 2016, committing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change.
Environmental policy issues play a key role on the agenda of the New Uzbekistan. Measures to transform the sphere of ecology and environmental protection to improve the activities of our ministry, actions to combat climate change and its consequences, a moratorium on tree cutting, the introduction of clean “green” energy, solid waste management, the development of “green” transport infrastructure, expansion networks of protected natural areas, measures to restore ecosystems and preserve biodiversity, combat desertification and drought, unify environmental legislation in accordance with international standards, supporting the introduction of modern information technologies, show positive trends.
One of the key aspects of Uzbekistan’s environmental strategy is the development of a “green economy”. The state program “Green Economy” for 2019-2030 is aimed at reducing the carbon footprint, increasing energy efficiency and developing renewable energy sources (RES).
Moreover, the government of Uzbekistan has set ambitious goals to increase the share of renewable energy sources in the country’s overall energy balance. As part of the Development Strategy “Uzbekistan - 2030” and subsequent plans. As President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated at the third Tashkent International Investment Forum held in early may this year, our country strives to create more than 20 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and increase its share in the energy sector. balance up to 40 percent. These goals include the construction of new solar and wind power plants, as well as the modernization of existing energy infrastructure.
In 2019, the law “On Renewable Energy Sources” was adopted, which creates a legal basis for the development of the green energy sector. The law provides benefits and preferences for investors, which stimulates the attraction of both domestic and foreign investment.
The development of “green energy” in Uzbekistan is actively supported by international organizations and financial institutions. Cooperation with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and other structures plays an important role. Investments and technical support from these organizations contribute to the rapid implementation of innovative technologies and best practices in the field of renewable energy sources.
Just last year, together with the strategic partners of Uzbekistan - the companies Masdar, Gezhouba, China Energy”, large wind and solar power plants with a capacity of 1.4 gigawatts were launched. Also, together with ACWA Power, we began implementing a project for the production of “green” hydrogen.
Currently, work is underway on the implementation of 28 eight projects in this direction. It is noteworthy that these important projects are carried out exclusively through foreign direct investment on the basis of public-private partnerships.
Achieving global sustainable development goals is no less important for the country.
In Uzbekistan, in 2022, an updated Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers “On additional measures to accelerate the implementation of National Goals and Objectives in the field of sustainable development for the period up to 2030” was adopted, which confirms Uzbekistan’s strong determination in achieving the global Agenda for the period up to 2030 year in a comprehensive partnership with all UN member countries to achieve sixteen national sustainable development goals.
The National Goals and Objectives in the field of sustainable development for the period until 2030, the Plan of Measures for the effective implementation of the National Goals and Objectives in the field of sustainable development for the period 2022–2026, as well as the National Development Strategies of Uzbekistan, approved by the Government of our country, serve the implementation of the Goals of Sustainable Development development.
The achieved results in implementing the national goals and objectives of Uzbekistan are generally approved and recognized by the international community.
The basic principle of the new Uzbekistan “In the name of the honor and dignity of man” is consonant with the UN principle on sustainable development “Leave no one behind”.
In the Interagency Ranking of Sustainable Development Goals published by the UN (SDR) in 2023, Uzbekistan took 69th place among 166 countries, increasing its ranking by 8 points.
The Voluntary National Reviews prepared in 2020 and 2023 on the implementation of the national Goals and objectives of sustainable development of Uzbekistan until 2023 were positively assessed by the UN.
Uzbekistan has achieved significant results on all Sustainable Development Goals, which were balanced and interconnected with the implementation of the “Strategy of Action for Five Priority Areas of Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017 - 2021”
An analysis of the current state of protected natural areas in Uzbekistan and current trends in this area shows that in recent years the number and area of protected natural areas in the country have been increasing. Reforms are being carried out in the forestry sector, as a result of which the amount of forest land in the country has noticeably increased.
In this context, the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev “Yashil makon” (“Green space”) has become a truly national project. The forest area in relation to the total land area of Uzbekistan has increased over 7 years from 8.3% to 8.7%. The share of protected areas increased 2.0 times.
Uzbekistan actively participates in international mechanisms for environmental protection and human development. Various initiatives are being implemented to preserve biodiversity, restore ecosystems in the Aral Sea region, protect the ozone layer and mitigate the effects of climate change, and waste management. There are also policies and programs aimed at ensuring people's access to healthy food and clean water. Uzbekistan cooperates with the European Union, its institutional bodies for environmental protection and sustainable development, as well as with individual states such as Germany, Finland, Turkey, and South Korea.
The country is a party to 14 international conventions, as well as more than 20 protocols, agreements and memoranda of understanding in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development.
Uzbekistan regularly takes an active part in the annual meetings of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. During the 27th meeting, held in 2022, the Uzbek delegation advocated consolidating efforts to achieve carbon neutrality, promoting renewable energy sources, climate change adaptation projects, combating desertification and land degradation, introducing water-saving technologies and other climate actions in Central Asia.
Another significant aspect was that the UN supported the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to hold the first International Climate Forum in Samarkand in 2024, dedicated to climate change issues, which provides for a discussion of opportunities for international cooperation to reduce risks and threats in the Central Asian region and issues of attracting climate finance . During the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in September of this year. In New York, the President of Uzbekistan took the initiative to adopt the UN General Assembly resolution «Central Asia in the face of global climate threats: solidarity for common prosperity» and proposed discussing its main provisions at the Samarkand Forum.
Cooperation with the countries of Central Asia is critically important to address the many environmental challenges facing the region. Cooperation in this area contributes not only to improving the environmental situation, but also to strengthening regional stability and sustainable development.
Another significant aspect was that the UN supported the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to hold the first International Climate Forum in Samarkand in 2024, dedicated to climate change issues, which provides for a discussion of opportunities for international cooperation to reduce risks and threats in the Central Asian region and issues of attracting climate finance . During the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in September of this year. In New York, the President of Uzbekistan took the initiative to adopt the UN General Assembly resolution “Central Asia in the face of global climate threats: solidarity for common prosperity” and proposed discussing its main provisions at the Samarkand Forum.
One of the most significant areas of cooperation between Uzbekistan and neighboring countries is water resources management. The transboundary rivers Amudarya and Syrdarya are vital for all countries in the region. Uzbekistan actively participates in international forums and initiatives aimed at the rational use of water resources and conflict prevention. Joint projects with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan include modernizing irrigation systems, introducing water-saving technologies and improving water basin management.
The problem of the drying up of the Aral Sea is one of the most acute environmental disasters in the region. The Aral Sea region is of international importance. In the second half of the 20th century, the state of the Aral Sea entered a phase of instability. This period, caused by anthropogenic impact, is characterized by a decrease in the volume and flow of water, an increase in salinity, a decrease in fish biodiversity and other negative processes. The shrinking Aral Sea has a significant impact on the ecosystems of all neighboring countries, its critical situation extends directly to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, in particular to the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Khorezm, Bukhara and Navoi regions, and indirectly to Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Restoring the Aral Sea requires joint efforts of all coastal states. Uzbekistan actively cooperates with Kazakhstan within the framework of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), implementing projects on reforestation, improving water supply and combating dust storms. These measures not only help improve the environmental situation, but also help mitigate the socio-economic consequences of an environmental disaster.
Desertification and land degradation are a serious problem for the countries of Central Asia. Uzbekistan is actively participating in regional projects aimed at combating these phenomena. Collaborative efforts include planting shelterbelts, restoring pastures, improving land management and introducing sustainable agricultural practices. Cooperation with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan allows for the exchange of best practices and technologies, which contributes to the effective fight against desertification.
Positive trends include the adoption of measures to increase the area of green space, a reduction in areas allocated for cotton and an increase in areas for growing vegetables, grains, fruits and fodder crops, as well as an increase in government support for the introduction of water-saving irrigation technologies.
Cooperation in the field of environmental education and knowledge exchange plays an important role in solving environmental problems in the region. Uzbekistan, together with neighboring countries, is implementing programs to increase environmental awareness of the population, train specialists and conduct joint research. This includes organizing conferences, seminars, training programs and exchanges of students and scientists. Such interaction contributes to the formation of a sustainable environmental culture and the training of qualified personnel to solve environmental problems.
Cooperation between Uzbekistan and the countries of Central Asia in the field of environmental protection is a key element of the regional sustainable development policy. Joint efforts to manage water resources, restore the Aral Sea, develop renewable energy sources, combat desertification and environmental education contribute not only to improving the environmental situation, but also to strengthening regional stability and prosperity. Uzbekistan continues to actively participate in international and regional initiatives aimed at solving common environmental problems, demonstrating its commitment to the principles of sustainable development and international cooperation.
In general, environmental protection in Uzbekistan is an integral part of the country’s sustainable development strategy. The measures taken to develop a green economy, combat climate change, protect water resources and promote sustainable agriculture not only improve the environmental situation in the country, but also make a significant contribution to solving global environmental problems. Uzbekistan demonstrates that an integrated and strategic approach to environmental protection can lead to a sustainable future, both nationally and globally.
The text of the article is in Uzbek!
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Antonella Bassani on September 30.
The sides discussed topical issues of further expansion of strategic cooperation with the World Bank Group and support of this leading international financial institution to the ongoing reform program in New Uzbekistan.
At the beginning of the meeting, Vice President Antonella Bassani conveyed to the head of our state sincere greetings and best wishes of World Bank President Ajay Bangui.
During the conversation, the current high level and fruitful nature of bilateral cooperation were noted with deep satisfaction.
In recent years, our country has become one of the largest partners of the Bank - the portfolio of projects has increased several times and now exceeds 12 billion dollars.
The World Bank is supporting the implementation of important reforms aimed at ensuring the sustainability of economic and social sectors. The Bank's regional office in Tashkent has been operating since July this year.
Such areas as poverty reduction, transformation of state-owned enterprises and banks, decarbonization, support for WTO accession and others have been identified as priorities for further expansion of the partnership.
Special attention was paid to the programs of urbanization and integrated development of regions, modernization of energy and irrigation infrastructure, support to the private sector.
There was also an exchange of views on the promotion of regional projects.
The current transformation of global supply chains and the search for sustainable alternative routes between Asia and Europe are bringing issues of transport connectivity to the forefront. In this context, the development of reliable corridors running through Central Asia and the South Caucasus takes on strategic importance, becoming a key factor in ensuring the sustainability of regional trade, diversifying transport routes, and strengthening economic integration across Eurasia.
Uzbekistan and Georgia occupy complementary geographical positions at the crossroads of key Eurasian routes. For Uzbekistan, a landlocked country, Georgia serves as a vital maritime gateway to Europe via its Black Sea ports. In turn, for Georgia, the partnership with Uzbekistan opens up access to the rapidly growing markets of China and South Asia. This complementarity forms a solid foundation for long-term transportation and logistics cooperation.
The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) plays a central role in this cooperation, with Uzbekistan and Georgia playing a particularly important role. By the end of 2025, steady growth was recorded: the volume of Uzbek cargo transported along this route doubled, reaching 1.2 million metric tons. These results confirm the corridor’s growing popularity and its emergence as a viable alternative to traditional transport routes between the East and the West.
A positive trend is also evident in bilateral freight traffic. By the end of 2025, the total volume of freight traffic between Uzbekistan and Georgia stood at 146.8 thousand metric tons, an increase of 5 percent. Exports grew by 27 percent to 53,400 metric tons, while imports rose by 26 percent to 71,500 metric tons.
Rail transport showed the highest growth rates. In 2025, the volume of rail freight traffic between the two countries reached 53,1 thousand metric tons, an increase of 56 percent. Exports grew by 71 percent, imports by 65 percent, and transit shipments by 49 percent, indicating significant untapped potential in this sector.
The key instrument for increasing rail freight traffic between the two countries and transit through them is the CASCA+ international route, which connects countries in the Asia-Pacific region—China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, and Europe. To develop this route, Uzbekistan has established a Coordination Committee, and the parties have designated logistics companies responsible for organizing transit container trains.
As part of this route, the railway administrations of the participating countries are granted annual tariff preferences of up to 70%, which leads to an increase in mutually beneficial freight volumes. In addition, on June 8–9 of this year, another six-party meeting was held among the participating countries, resulting in the signing of a protocol to increase freight volumes along the CASCA+ corridor.
Air service is also developing rapidly. Regular flights operate on the Tashkent–Tbilisi and Tashkent–Batumi routes. In 2025, Uzbek airlines operated 608 scheduled and charter flights to and from Georgia, a 12 percent increase over the previous year. In the first five months of 2026, the number of flights doubled compared to the same period last year, reflecting growing mutual interest and the strengthening of humanitarian ties between the peoples of the two countries.
The strategic outlook for cooperation is shaped by major railway projects being implemented with Uzbekistan playing a leading role. The construction of the “China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan” railway creates the shortest overland route from China to Central Asia and, via the Caspian Sea, to the South Caucasus. In turn, the Trans-Afghan Railway project (“Uzbekistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan”) opens a direct route to the markets of South Asia.
Integrating these projects with existing transport corridors through the countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia will strengthen their interconnectivity and efficiency. Thus, cooperation between Uzbekistan and Georgia is taking on the character of a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the interconnectedness of Central Asia and the South Caucasus.
Sh. Akhmedov, Leading Specialist at the Center for the Study of Transportation and Logistics Development Issues under the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Uzbekistan
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