The text of the article is in Uzbek!

The Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan (ISRS) Eldor Aripov, commented to Dunyo IA on President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s Address to the Oliy Majlis and the people of Uzbekistan:

- The Address of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Oliy Majlis and the people of Uzbekistan goes far beyond the scope of a routine annual political speech in its significance. It constitutes a strategic policy document that marks the country’s transition to a qualitatively new stage of development — the institutional consolidation of reforms and the formation of a sustainable growth model oriented toward the long term.

Over the past decade, Uzbekistan’s economy has undergone an accelerated process of qualitative and systemic transformation. While in the mid-2010s the country’s nominal gross domestic product stood at approximately USD 60–65 billion, it has now reached USD 145 billion, as noted in the President’s Address. In practical terms, this represents more than a twofold expansion of the nation’s economic scale over an unprecedentedly short historical period.

In recent years, average annual economic growth has consistently remained at around six percent. This reflects not only the preservation of positive momentum, but also the economy’s capacity for sustained growth amid external shocks — including the pandemic, disruptions to raw material supplies and logistics chains, and global inflationary pressures.

Sectoral indicators corroborate this assessment. Over the past decade, industrial output has more than doubled, whereas in the early 2010s industry played a largely auxiliary role relative to the commodity-based and agricultural sectors. Today, mechanical engineering, the electrical equipment industry, and the chemical sector make a stable contribution to the economy, while the share of processing and manufacturing activities in the GDP structure has already exceeded 80 percent.

The dynamics of the agricultural sector are equally indicative. Whereas ten years ago production volumes remained the primary benchmark, today — as emphasized in the President’s Address — the priority has shifted toward processing and the export of finished products. The expansion of fruit and vegetable processing and the growth of food exports are shaping a more resilient development model, reducing the economy’s dependence on fluctuations in harvest yields and prices.

Investment dynamics also reflect qualitative change. In recent years, investment in fixed capital has been growing at a rapid pace and has reached levels well above historical averages, whereas in the early 2010s this indicator was significantly lower. At the same time, the composition of investment has shifted: while previously it was concentrated primarily in infrastructure and state-led projects, a substantial share is now being directed toward industry, energy, transport, and digital solutions. As a result, investment is beginning to support not only current growth, but also the formation of the country’s future productive base.

External trade dynamics further reinforce this picture. Over the past decade, Uzbekistan’s export revenues have more than doubled: whereas in the mid-2010s exports of goods and services stood at approximately USD 12–13 billion, in recent years they have consistently exceeded USD 24–25 billion. Crucially, this growth has been driven not only by favorable price conditions, but also by changes in the structure of export supplies.

This transformation is most clearly visible in the manufacturing and processing industries. Over the past decade, exports of textile products have increased more than threefold — from less than $1 billion to around $3 billion and above — reflecting a shift from raw-material exports to finished goods. A similar trajectory can be observed in the electrical engineering, chemical, and food industries, where export volumes have risen several times over as a result of expanded production chains and access to new markets.

Macroeconomic balance warrants particular attention. Economic and investment growth has been accompanied by the maintenance of a controlled level of public debt and overall financial stability. This is especially significant, as recent experience shows that rapid growth without adequate balance often leads to the accumulation of constraints on future development. The Address underscores that Uzbekistan has deliberately chosen a more cautious, yet strategically advantageous, development trajectory.

A comparison of developments over the past decade leads to a key strategic conclusion: the republic has reached a stage at which further progress is determined less by the sheer size of the economy than by its quality. This is why the President’s Address places central emphasis on boosting labor productivity, advancing technological modernization, and deepening industrialization. The achievements to date are viewed as the foundation upon which the economy of the coming decade is to be built.

Compared with the starting point a decade ago, the country’s economy has become larger, more diversified, and more resilient. These changes provide a long-term strategic foundation for improving citizens’ well-being and strengthening Uzbekistan’s position in both regional and global markets.

Another notable aspect of the President’s Address is its clear illustration of the feedback loop between the state and its citizens, particularly in terms of aligning ongoing reforms with the everyday needs of the population.

An analysis of the Address indicates that its priorities fully align with the issues consistently highlighted in public opinion surveys and citizen appeals over recent years. At the center of attention are employment, income levels, access to social services, the quality of education and healthcare, as well as fairness and efficiency in public governance.

Whereas in 2017–2018 poverty in Uzbekistan was measured in double digits (around 35 percent), by 2024 it had fallen to 8.9 percent.

The projected reduction to 5.8 percent in 2025 demonstrates that the country is not only approaching the previously set target — reducing poverty to six percent by the end of the year — but is actually surpassing it.

Moreover, the Address highlights a strategic goal of eradicating extreme poverty by 2030, making the fight against poverty a central pillar of the country’s long-term policy framework. This achievement has been made possible through the effective implementation of a series of social programs and reforms aimed at sustainably increasing household incomes, creating employment opportunities, and strengthening social protection.

For a significant portion of the population, particularly young people and residents of regional areas, access to stable employment and reliable sources of income is the key determinant of social well-being. Support for small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the development of industry and infrastructure highlighted in the Address, directly responds to these expectations. International organizations, including UNDP and the Asian Development Bank, note in their studies that such a focus on employment is among the most effective tools for social stabilization.

Equally important as an indicator that the state listens to its citizens is its focus on the quality of basic services. In the Address, education, healthcare, and workforce development are presented as strategic priorities rather than secondary concerns. This aligns with the public’s expressed demand for improvements in human capital and social mobility.

The section on public governance also warrants special attention. In recent years, one of the most frequent requests from citizens has been the reduction of bureaucracy and the enhancement of transparency and accountability among officials.

Taken together, the content of the Address suggests that the state demonstrates the ability to listen to its citizens and translate public expectations into elements of strategic policy.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev plays a particularly important role in this process as the key architect of these reforms. International financial and analytical institutions have repeatedly emphasized that political leadership is a decisive factor in the successful implementation of comprehensive reforms in countries with transitioning economies.

In Uzbekistan’s case, consistency, political will, and a focus on long-term results have made it possible to synchronize macroeconomic stabilization, social policy, and institutional reforms within a single strategic framework. The President’s Address serves both as a concentrated expression of this strategy and as a tool for its further deepening.

Taken together, the President’s Address to the Oliy Majlis and the people of Uzbekistan constitutes not merely an agenda for the next stage of reforms, but a strategic framework for the country’s future development. Supported by empirical data and assessments from leading international organizations, it strengthens domestic consensus and enhances the confidence of the international community. Its key significance lies precisely in its role as a document that defines the sustainability of reforms and the country’s long-term competitiveness.

Dunyo IA

Digital cooperation between Uzbekistan and South Korea already runs through telecommunications manufacturing, e-government data centers, healthcare digitization, artificial intelligence, and education — infrastructure the Central Asia–Korea Summit puts a spotlight on, not one it creates

For Uzbekistan, digital transformation is not a single initiative but a declared national priority, and South Korea has become one of its most consistent partners in pursuing it. As Uzbekistan diversifies its economy and builds out its technology sector, cooperation with Korea reaches into nearly every layer of that effort — telecommunications infrastructure, government data systems, hospital diagnostics, and university classrooms among them.

That relationship is especially dense in information technology, a sector both governments have identified as central to the partnership. Korean companies build infrastructure and open offices inside Uzbekistan; Korean universities train Uzbek engineers; Uzbek IT firms increasingly sell services into the Korean market. High-level meetings between the two countries, including the Central Asia–Korea Summit, mark and reinforce this cooperation rather than create it the projects behind it were already underway.

Korean partners have already manufactured the fiber-optic cable running through part of Uzbekistan's telecommunications backbone, supplied the servers and storage behind its national e-government data center, and begun designing a joint digital government cooperation center for Tashkent. IT Park Uzbekistan opened a representative office in Seoul on October 30, 2024, under a newly formed Uzbek-Korean IT Business Alliance developed with the Korea Institute for International Industrial Cooperation — one visible marker of a relationship that is already several projects deep.

Institutional foundations

Uzbekistan's digital transformation has been driven by a series of structural reforms over the past several years: a dedicated ministry overseeing digital technologies, IT Park Uzbekistan as the country's flagship technology hub with resident-company incentives, and a national strategy for artificial intelligence from 14.10.2024 № RP-358. A national "Digital Government" program, adopted under Presidential Resolution PR-257 from 08.07.2026, set the framework for much of the e-government modernization described below. Two annual state awards — the President Tech Award and the President AI Award — recognize achievement in the sector.

Digital infrastructure and e-government

Uzbekistan's Unified Interactive State Services portal is the backbone of its e-government system and is currently being modernized with artificial intelligence tools, natural-language-processing chatbots, geospatial data integration, and proactive services that deliver documents and notifications to citizens automatically. The infrastructure behind this system was built with direct Korean participation: a project to expand the storage and processing infrastructure for the e-government system was financed with support from Korea's Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), combining concessional financing with tax and customs incentives from the Uzbek side. Following a tender, a major Korean IT company was selected as general contractor and delivered the data-center network infrastructure, servers, and storage systems, along with software for virtualization, cloud services, monitoring, and information-security incident management. A separate data-center project is planned for the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

IT industry and services export

IT Park Uzbekistan is the country's central vehicle for attracting foreign technology companies, offering resident status with tax and customs benefits. By the first half of 2026, 23 companies with Korean capital were registered as residents — up 53 percent from 15 in the first half of 2024, employing 126 specialists in software engineering, technical support, IT consulting, data processing, and business process outsourcing. Among them are LG CNS Uzbekistan, the ITOMAX Central Asia Development Center, and NOMADIAN. Over the same two-year period, the number of resident companies exporting IT services to South Korea doubled, from 12 to 25, and employment among those exporters rose from 145 to 285 specialists, a 97 percent increase. Sector-wide digital services exports reached $2,606,287 in 2025 and $716,970 in the first half of 2026 alone.

Manufacturing capacity has followed the software growth. Global Optical Communication Uzbekistan, a joint venture with South Korean sector partners, produces fiber-optic cable domestically, having manufactured 232,100 kilometers of cable worth 657.5 billion soums between 2022 and 2025, alongside localization of production and new job creation.

Where the cooperation runs deepest

The breadth of Uzbek-Korean digital cooperation is easiest to see sector by sector.

Government-to-government. Cooperation rests on agreements signed between the two countries' digital technology, internal affairs, security, science, and ICT authorities, alongside joint work within international telecommunication and postal bodies. The clearest expression of this is the planned Digital Government Cooperation Center, to open in Tashkent between 2026 and 2028 with Korea's Ministry of Interior and Safety (MOIS), which already cooperates with Uzbekistan on digital government development. Its mandate covers policy consulting, joint research, civil-servant training, and adapting Korean administrative-technology practice for Uzbek systems — including the modernization of the national services portal described above, an international digital-government forum, and a program to train digital-transformation leads inside individual government bodies. Civil-servant training is already running: Korea's LOGODI institute has been upskilling ten Uzbek officials a year, thirty in total so far.

Healthcare. With technical support from Korea's KOFIH (Korea Foundation for International Healthcare), Uzbekistan is digitizing its national screening system with UZINFOCOM, aiming at earlier disease detection and better monitoring. A separate project, backed by a Korean financial institution, is building a hospital information system integrating medical imaging, AI diagnostics, and electronic medical records, alongside staff training. A state technology integrator has signed a cooperation agreement with a Korean private technology company to bring Uzbek-developed digital solutions into the Korean and Southeast Asian markets — early discussions cover HR-management systems and biometric identification for government buildings.

Artificial intelligence. The two countries frame AI cooperation around complementary strengths: Korea brings a developed regulatory framework, a national data platform, prepared datasets, AI safety mechanisms, high-performance computing, and industrial AI experience; Uzbekistan brings an adopted national AI strategy, an emerging open-data system, and an institutional base for applying AI in public administration and the economy. The stated ambition is for Uzbekistan to pilot AI solutions in healthcare, education, and public services, then extend proven models across Central Asia — positioning Korean partners at the front of a regional rollout, not a single national market.

Education. The Tashkent branch of Inha University, operating since 2014, runs a 4+0 bachelor's program in computer engineering, a 3+1 program in business logistics, and a 1+1 MBA in digital transformation, with Korean-language instruction and robotics workshops; close to 670 students have studied in South Korea through its exchange programs, and ten top students go to Inha's home campus each year on Summer School grants. Tashkent University of Information Technologies hosted more than 80 Korean professors between 2018 and 2023, sent 63 students on exchange to South Korean universities, and is building a joint Business-IT program with a Korean partner university, alongside joint tracks in big data and AI, AI-driven fintech, and ICT engineering. Cyber University has moved quickly on Korean ties: KAIST faculty visited in October 2025, a December 2025 delegation to Konkuk University's GLOCAL campus produced an agreement on faculty exchange and joint research, and a separate industry partnership with a South Korean AI company covers applied research and student projects. Cheju-Halla University runs a joint program for a selected group of high-performing Uzbek students.

Government funding underpins much of this training pipeline. KOICA (the Korea International Cooperation Agency) is running a $14 million project to build out Uzbekistan's IT-education ecosystem, and in 2025 alone funded professional training for 45 civil servants at a cost of $450,000. Korea IT Academy co-runs the Uzbekistan Summer Camp together with Uzbekistan's Ministry of Digital Technologies, the Center for Digital Education Development, and School 21, alongside a dual-degree program with Uzbek partners. In total, Korean grants and investment for joint projects reached roughly $17 million in 2026 — about $14 million from KOICA and roughly $1 million each from Cheju-Halla University, Korea IT Academy, and MOIS — funding IT education, digital-government cooperation, workforce training, and youth innovation projects. Much of that training tracks Korean labor-market demand directly: software developers, AI engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity specialists, cloud and DevOps engineers, mobile and web developers, and GovTech specialists are among the roles Korean employers are seeking from this pipeline.

Alongside these institutional partnerships, the Ministry of Digital Technologies has expanded initiatives to bring more youth into STEM and IT careers.

Korean partners are not being asked to imagine a market. They are already inside Uzbekistan's infrastructure, hospitals, classrooms, and government data systems, with contracts and counterparts in place.

“Our cooperation with South Korea today reaches into nearly every layer of our digital economy — from the fiber-optic plant producing cable for our own telecommunications networks, to the data center that now stores the records of our national digital-government system, to the hospitals adopting Korean-backed diagnostic tools, and the classrooms where Korean professors and Korean grants train our students. Korean partners committed roughly $17 million to joint projects in the past year alone, spanning IT education, digital government, artificial intelligence, and workforce training. This is one of our most substantive technology partnerships, and we intend to deepen it further — through a joint digital government center, expanded AI cooperation, and a wider door for Korean companies into our market and the region beyond it.”

— Sherzod Shermatov, Minister of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

International positioning

Uzbekistan has been positioning itself as a regional hub for digital cooperation in Central Asia, a role reinforced by its hosting the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) in 2026. For Korean partners, this matters beyond Uzbekistan's own market: solutions piloted domestically are explicitly intended to extend across neighboring Central Asian countries once proven.

Over the next three to five years, the areas most likely to define Uzbek-Korean digital cooperation are the ones already carrying the heaviest institutional weight: the joint digital government center, continued data-center and healthcare-infrastructure financing, AI pilots in public administration and healthcare, and the education and grant pipelines feeding all of it. None of this depends on the outcome of any single meeting — it depends on scaling relationships that already have contracts, campuses, and funding behind them. For Korean partners, that is the signal worth reading: a market already under construction, not one still being pitched.

At a glance

• Korean-capital IT Park Uzbekistan residents grew from 15 (H1 2024) to 23 (H1 2026), +53 percent; resident companies exporting IT services to South Korea doubled, from 12 to 25, over the same period.
• Korean grants and investment for joint digital projects reached roughly $17 million in 2026, led by a $14 million KOICA project to build out Uzbekistan's IT-education ecosystem.
• A Korean IT company built Uzbekistan's e-government data center under EDCF financing; a joint Uzbek-Korean Digital Government Cooperation Center, developed with Korea's MOIS, is planned for Tashkent for 2026–2028.
• Global Optical Communication Uzbekistan, a joint venture with South Korean partners, produced 232,100 km of fiber-optic cable worth 657.5 billion soums between 2022 and 2025.
• Korean partners are engaged across healthcare digitization (KOFIH, hospital information systems), AI cooperation, and education (Inha University's Tashkent branch, TATU, Cyber University, Cheju-Halla University, Korea IT Academy).

The President of Uzbekistan signed the Constitutional Law “On the Tashkent International Financial Center”.

In the legal hierarchy of the state, a Constitutional Law ranks immediately after the Constitution. This means that no agency, no instruction and no by-law may contradict its provisions. For an investor, especially an international one, this is the highest form of legal guarantee: capital flows to where it cannot be taken away tomorrow.

The signing of the Constitutional Law was accompanied by amendments to the Basic Law and dozens of legislative acts — the Criminal, Civil, Tax and Customs Codes, as well as laws on banks, securities, investment, auditing and many others.

Article 15 of the Constitution has been supplemented with a provision stating that a special legal regime may be established in special zones within the country's unified legal space. This legitimizes the existence of the TIFC as a jurisdiction with different rules within Uzbekistan, without contradicting the Basic Law.

Article 131 of the Constitution has been supplemented with a provision allowing for the establishment of specialized courts in zones with a special legal regime, which forms the constitutional basis for the Tashkent International Commercial Court.

The Tashkent International Financial Center is being established as an independent entity with clearly defined boundaries that cannot be arbitrarily reduced once it becomes operational.

The legal system of the TIFC is based on English law and the principles of equity of England and Wales. This is the very system under which the world’s largest financial centers operate. It is familiar and well understood by global banks, investment funds and multinational corporations. In other words, it is the language of international capital.

All decisions taken by the center's bodies are published in the official register in English, which is an important signal for foreign participants. The translation barrier, which often becomes a source of dispute, is eliminated here from the outset.

Particular attention should be paid to the establishment, within the TIFC, of the Tashkent International Commercial Court, which will become an institution of trust. The court enjoys full independence, and no agency or state body has the right to instruct it or interfere in its activities. Judges may be citizens of any state — specialists in international trade law, finance, technology and arbitration — which opens the way to attracting judges of international standing and reputation.

It is also important that the rulings of the Tashkent International Commercial Court are binding throughout the territory of Uzbekistan and cannot be reviewed by the country’s ordinary state courts, except in strictly defined cases. The court consists of a court of first instance and a court of appeal.

The law establishes a clear and exhaustive list of protective mechanisms for TIFC participants. First and foremost is the prohibition on confiscation, nationalization, expropriation and the freezing of assets other than by court order and strictly in accordance with the law.

Participants of the Tashkent International Financial Center are guaranteed freedom of capital movement and the right to conduct transactions in foreign currency and digital assets within the limits established by the Financial Services Authority together with the Central Bank of Uzbekistan. The right to freely repatriate capital is also provided for — that is, the ability to transfer profits abroad without administrative obstacles.

A separate set of provisions sets out the tax and customs regime. The TIFC's bodies and the structures under their control are exempt from corporate income tax and the social tax. This benefit is fixed until 1 January 2076 — that is, for 50 years. This is not a tactical incentive but a strategic guarantee designed to span a change of generations.

The list of services that participants may provide within the center covers the entire spectrum of the modern financial industry. These include banking and insurance activities, management of investment and pension funds, trust structures, leasing, crowdfunding, Islamic finance, work with digital assets, market-making, and transactions with securities of all classes — shares, bonds, sukuk and derivatives.

In addition to the financial sector, activity is permitted in auditing, consulting, legal and accounting services, corporate governance, and financial-technology (fintech) startups. Provision is also made for the establishment of holding companies, special-purpose vehicles and treasury companies.

The law also establishes a special visa regime for foreign nationals working at the Tashkent International Financial Center. An entry visa valid for up to five years can be obtained directly at Tashkent International Airport. Foreign specialists may be hired without obtaining work permits in Uzbekistan, which significantly simplifies the recruitment of global talent.

The Tashkent International Financial Center is governed through four bodies: the TIFC Council, the Administration, the Financial Services Authority, and the Tashkent International Commercial Court. Each operates within strictly defined powers and has no right to interfere in the sphere of competence of another.

The composition of the Council is approved by the President of Uzbekistan. At least one-third of the Council's members must be independent specialists in international finance and law who have never held positions within the government system of Uzbekistan. This serves as a safeguard against the governing body turning into just another administrative structure.

Council members (other than the chairperson) are appointed for a term of five years and may be removed early only on grounds provided for by law. The stability of the governing body's composition is another form of predictability for market participants.

Thus, the creation of the Tashkent International Financial Center is not merely another economic development project. It is a declaration of intent, enshrined at the highest legal level. Uzbekistan wants — and is ready — to become part of the global financial system as a fully-fledged platform operating under clear, internationally recognized standards.

Half a century of tax incentives, English law, an independent international court, constitutional guarantees for the protection of capital, and simplified visa procedures — each of these elements is, on its own, a competitive advantage. Together, they form a system capable of attracting long-term, institutional, smart capital.

Dildora Kamalova
Member of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan

(Dunyo IA)

In the modern system of international relations, stable and long-term cooperation between states is based, above all, on political will and trust at the highest level. Relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Turkey have consistently developed based on an open, sincere, and trusting dialogue established between the heads of state. This political trust creates a solid foundation for public diplomacy, including deepening fraternal ties between the cities.

In recent years, high-level meetings, regular political dialogue, and strategic agreements between the presidents of Uzbekistan and Turkey have elevated relations between the two countries to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership. Mutual trust and political support from the heads of state have resulted in concrete and practical results in trade, economic, investment, cultural, humanitarian, and educational spheres.

From this perspective, public diplomacy is becoming an important component of Uzbek-Turkish relations. It strengthens official interstate agreements at the public level and deepens trust and mutual understanding between peoples. Particularly between two fraternal nations with shared historical roots, a common language, and spiritual values, public diplomacy is a natural and indispensable process.

In this context, the Uzbekistan-Turkey Friendship Society functions as an important institutional platform for the development of public diplomacy. Cultural events, scientific and educational conferences, youth and women’s initiatives organized by the society contribute to strengthening mutual trust and friendship between the two peoples. This activity promotes public support for priority areas established at the level of heads of state.

At the same time, fraternal relations between cities are one of the most effective and practical forms of public diplomacy. Fraternal relations established between the cities of Uzbekistan and Turkey strengthen political trust at the local level and create a favorable environment for economic and cultural cooperation. The Brother Cities Alliance and the Union of Municipalities of the Turkic World participate in this process as important international structures coordinating and systematically developing relations between cities. 

Brother cities cooperation, which has historical significance in Uzbek-Turkish relations, includes ties between the cities as Bukhara – Izmir, Bukhara – Malatya, Samarkand – Sakarya, Tashkent – Ankara, and Khiva – Bolu. Cultural and humanitarian projects, educational and tourism programs, as well as investment initiatives implemented within the framework of this cooperation serve to achieve the strategic goals set by the leaders of the two countries at the local level.

It should be noted that cooperation between cities has not only cultural or economic significance but also an important political content. Trust and cooperation established at the local level ensure the stability and continuity of interstate relations. This demonstrates the significant role of public diplomacy in strengthening the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Turkey.

In conclusion, public diplomacy in Uzbek-Turkish relations is an important factor that builds on, complements, and strengthens the trusting political dialogue between the heads of state. Within the framework of the priority areas identified by the heads of state, work carried out at the city level in cooperation with the Brother Cities Alliance and the Union of Municipalities of the Turkic World will contribute to the further strengthening of friendship, trust, and cooperation between the two fraternal peoples.

Zokir Abidov,

Chairman of the Brother Cities Alliance 

A comprehensive monitoring of key business activity indicators across Uzbekistan’s regions points to growth across all major metrics.

Based on operational data from the Tax Committee, Customs Committee, Central Bank, and the Uzbek Republican Commodity Exchange, the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) continues to monitor business activity across the regions of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

As of March this year, tax revenues demonstrated steady positive momentum, increasing by 54% compared to the same period last year.

The most notable growth in revenues was recorded in the Navoi, Syrdarya, Tashkent, and Khorezm regions, as well as in the city of Tashkent, where average growth rates reached 33%.

Personal income tax revenues rose by 15.2%, property tax revenues by 10.7%, and land tax revenues by 33.8%.

Customs revenues increased by 19.5%. The highest growth rates were recorded in the Navoi region, up 77.6%, and the Namangan region, up 64.2%.

Stable positive dynamics were also observed in the Fergana and Samarkand regions, as well as in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, where revenues increased by an average of 32%.

Analysis of foreign economic indicators shows that merchandise exports rose by 30%. The strongest export growth was recorded in the Navoi region, up 71.4%, and the Tashkent region, up 52.4%. Export growth was also observed in the Samarkand region (30.6%), Namangan region (29.3%), and Bukhara region (27.2%).

At the same time, lending activity expanded significantly. During the reviewed period, the volume of loans issued by commercial banks increased by 9.1%. The highest growth was recorded in the Samarkand region (+69.5%). In the Bukhara, Khorezm, Fergana, and Tashkent regions, lending growth averaged more than 43%.

The active development of the private sector is also reflected in a substantial increase in the number of newly established business entities. In March this year, 22,443 new enterprises were registered. The largest numbers were recorded in the Tashkent region (2,276), Khorezm region (2,035), Samarkand region (1,854), Fergana region (1,626), and the city of Tashkent (4,759).

Trading volume on the Uzbek Republican Commodity Exchange increased by 20.8%. The highest growth in exchange activity was recorded in the Syrdarya region, where activity rose by 68.4%. Additional strong growth was observed in the Syrdarya, Bukhara, Navoi, Namangan, and Surkhandarya regions, as well as in the city of Tashkent, where average growth reached 33%.

Sultonmurod Ozodov, CERR

We, the participants of the First International Islamic Civilization Forum, held on July 7–8, 2026, in Tashkent, express our profound gratitude to His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and acknowledge the exceptional significance for contemporary society of the historic initiative he presented in September 2017 at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly. This initiative seeks the revival, scientific study, and broad dissemination of the rich humanistic heritage of Islamic civilization.

We unanimously recognize that the establishment of the Islamic Civilization Center in the Republic of Uzbekistan, the effective organization of its activities, and the convening of the First International Islamic Civilization Forum represent the practical realization of this initiative. These efforts have undoubtedly marked the beginning of a new era of international cooperation in the study, preservation, and promotion of the invaluable heritage of the Muslim Ummah.

Based on the principles of peace, tolerance, education, and intercultural and interreligious dialogue;

noting the enormous contribution of Islamic civilization to the development of global science, education, art, architecture, and spiritual and intellectual thought;

recognizing the need to counter ignorance, extremism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and distorted perceptions of Islamic heritage;

emphasizing that the scientific study of religious and cultural heritage is becoming increasingly important for strengthening international trust and ensuring sustainable development;

recognizing the historical contributions of both ancient and modern Uzbekistan, as well as the broader region, to the formation and advancement of Islamic and global civilization, we hereby adopt this Declaration.

1. To establish a new framework for international cooperation in the study, preservation, and dissemination of the heritage of Islamic civilization, the participants of the First International Islamic Civilization Forum propose the following global initiatives:

1. World Alliance for Islamic Civilization
   
   

The establishment of a World Alliance for Islamic Civilization, anchored by the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, is proposed to unite international organizations, scientific and educational institutions, academies of sciences, museums, libraries, foundations, archives, centers of Islamic manuscripts, research institutes, and other relevant entities.

The primary objective of the Alliance is to foster sustained international cooperation, implement collaborative scientific, educational, cultural, museum, and digital initiatives, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices, and coordinate efforts to preserve, study, and promote the creative achievements of Islamic civilization as an essential component of global cultural and intellectual heritage.

2. World Digital Registry of the Islamic Civilization Heritage

The development and maintenance of a unified international digital platform is proposed to aggregate manuscripts, archival materials, museum collections, architectural monuments, intangible cultural heritage, and scientific research related to the heritage of Islamic civilization.

3. International Program "Islamic Civilization: Heritage of All Humanity"
   
   

The implementation of a comprehensive international program is proposed to highlight Islamic civilization's contributions to global science, culture, and education. This initiative would encompass international exhibitions, educational projects, scientific conferences, publishing activities, and cultural events.

4. International Islamic Civilization Prize
   
   

The establishment of an international prize is proposed to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the study, preservation, and dissemination of Islamic civilization's heritage, as well as to the advancement of science, education, intercultural dialogue, and humanitarian cooperation.

5. International Foundation for the Study of Islamic Civilization
   
   

The creation of an international foundation is proposed to support fundamental scientific research, the restoration of historical monuments, the training of emerging scholars, the implementation of publishing projects, and the advancement of international academic collaboration.

6. Global Digital Library of Islamic Civilization
   
   

Establish a multilingual digital library that integrates manuscripts, scholarly works, archival documents, museum collections, educational resources, and digital exhibitions dedicated to the heritage of Islamic civilization.

7. International Encyclopedia of Islamic Civilization
   
   

Develop and publish a comprehensive, multi-volume scholarly encyclopedia focused on the history of Islamic civilization, prominent scholars, schools of thought, cultural monuments, and major achievements of the Islamic world.

8. Annual International Report on the State of the Islamic Civilization Heritage
   
   

Establish a framework for the annual production of an analytical report that addresses the condition of cultural and educational heritage sites, the outcomes of scientific research, current challenges, and opportunities for international cooperation in preserving and studying the heritage of Islamic civilization.

9. International Youth Islamic Civilization Forum
   
   

Establish a permanent international platform for dialogue among young scholars, researchers, students, and specialists in cultural heritage, with the objective of cultivating a new generation of scholars in Islamic civilization.

10. International Union of Museums of Islamic Culture, Art, and Civilization
    
    

Establish an International Union of Museums of Islamic Culture, Art, and Civilization to unite leading museums, museum complexes, galleries, and specialized institutions from multiple countries.

The Union aims to advance international museum cooperation, organize joint exhibitions, conduct research and implement restoration, educational, and digital initiatives, facilitate the exchange of collections, best practices, and specialists, and preserve, study, and promote the heritage of Islamic culture, art, and civilization.

Maintain the Forum's International Council, elected at the First International Islamic Civilization Forum, as a permanent coordinating body. Assign it the responsibility of consolidating all initiatives and proposals from Forum participants, developing and approving an international roadmap for joint actions through 2030, and presenting this roadmap to Forum participants, international organizations, and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan as a practical mechanism for implementing this Declaration.

We, the Forum participants, urge states, international organizations, scientific institutions, universities, museums, libraries, and public organizations to collaborate in implementing these initiatives for the sake of peace, mutual respect, education, and the preservation of the rich heritage of Islamic civilization as an essential component of the world's cultural treasury.

On August 14-15, 2025, the VIII Central Asian Expert Forum (CAEF) will be held in Tashkent under the title “Central Asia – a common space of trust, security and sustainable development”.

Established in 2018, the CAEF is held annually in the country chairing the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia. The forum serves as an important platform for discussing the current state and prospects of regional cooperation, as well as developing recommendations for the further development of cooperation in Central Asia.

The Forum is organized by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISRS). Event partners include the Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, the European Union Delegation to Uzbekistan and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

The Forum will traditionally bring together heads and specialists of strategic institutes, research centers, and academic institutions from across the region. For the first time, prominent experts from the EU, ASEAN, the Nordic Council, as well as researchers from the Russian Federation, the USA, Great Britain, Switzerland and Azerbaijan have been invited to participate in its work in order to exchange experience in regional studies.

The Forum’s program will focus on prospects for deepening regional cooperation and explore specific measures to promote multifaceted collaboration.

In addition, the Forum will feature separate events: a scientific-practical conference on shaping regional identity and a roundtable discussing prospects for partnership between Central Asia and Northern Europe.

The upcoming expert dialogue is expected to identify common interests and outline priorities for Central Asia’s future development. The resulting recommendations will enrich the agenda of the forthcoming Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, scheduled to take place this year in Uzbekistan.

OPEN CALL

The Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan invites you to participate

at the X Tashkent International Biennale

of Contemporary Art,

which will be held from 14 to 18 October 2024 in the city of Tashkent (Uzbekistan). Can take part in the Biennale artists of various areas of contemporary art and present your work on the topic

“Art and World”.

In addition to the main exhibition, the biennale will host a number of artistic and cultural events, such as exhibitions, lectures and master classes, an international conference, and a tour of the cities of Uzbekistan.

All expenses of foreign participants for their stay (meals, internal transportation, accommodation) in Tashkent, except for flights,

will be covered by the Organizing Committee.

Applications for participation in the Biennale are accepted until August 15, 2024 via Google form:

https://forms.gle/aUEMyfrsyQUsrp7b7

(detailed information is given in the attachment to this letter)

*Organizers have the right to make changes to the event program

*Application requirements

X International Biennale of Contemporary Art
(Tashkent, Uzbekistan, October 14-18, 2024)

Requirements for Art Works

*The organizers have the right to make amendments

Today, one of the priority areas of state policy in Uzbekistan is focused on expanding forested areas, increasing green coverage, mitigating the negative impacts of climate change, and ensuring environmental sustainability. In order to achieve effective results in these areas, studying advanced foreign experience and adapting it to the country’s climatic conditions is of particular importance. In this context, the participation of a delegation of representatives of the Forestry Agency under the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of Uzbekistan in a training and practical seminar organized during their visit to the Republic of Turkey in October 2025 was of significant importance.

The seminar, organized in cooperation between the Forestry Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Turkey, enabled participants to familiarize themselves with Turkey’s experience in forest establishment, restoration, ecological classification, and sustainable forest management. In particular, on the first day of the seminar, Turkish specialist Ahmed Yalvach delivered a detailed presentation on modern approaches applied in the development of forestry.

Within the framework of the practical visit, Turkey’s advanced experience in establishing and managing nurseries, creating forests using the “terrace” method in mountainous areas, developing “green belts” around cities, and establishing green public parks in urban and district areas was studied.

In addition, members of the delegation closely examined the activities of nurseries operated by the Seydikemer and Gökova Forestry Departments located in Muğla Province. Notably, the Seydikemer nursery, established in 1983, covers an area of 144 hectares and has an annual production capacity of 1.5 million seedlings. The Gökova nursery, occupying more than 61 hectares, stands out with its capacity to produce up to 7 million seedlings per year.

It was emphasized that special attention to seed collection, storage, and laboratory analysis in these nurseries allows the production rate of high-quality seedlings and saplings to reach 90–95 percent. Participants studied the practical experience of Turkish specialists in establishing mother plantations, caring for seedlings and saplings, and grafting techniques.

The delegation members were also introduced to the use of greenhouses, in vitro laboratories, modern equipment, and mechanisms for managing seasonal work processes. The experience-sharing activities were conducted in an atmosphere of open dialogue and professional cooperation.

In conclusion, cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkey in the forestry sector has acquired a practical dimension, contributing to the adoption of advanced practices, enhancement of specialists’ capacity, and the formation of a sustainable ecological environment in Uzbekistan. The knowledge and skills gained within the framework of this cooperation will play an important role in further improving the national forestry system.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in the Azerbaijani city of Gabala to participate in the summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

Due to its geographical position, historical ties, and natural resources, the Organization of Turkic States is becoming an increasingly significant platform for cooperation at this new stage of development. At the same time, OTS serves as a cultural bridge, fostering closer ties between the peoples of its member countries.

The Organization is based on the principles of equality and mutual interest, non-interference in internal affairs, and respect for the sovereignty of states - principles widely recognized by the international community.

The OTS comprises five member states: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, and Uzbekistan. Hungary, Turkmenistan, and the Economic Cooperation Organization hold observer status.

The current name of the Organization was introduced on November 12, 2021, at the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan. Previously, it was known as the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States.

The primary goal of the OTS is to strengthen trust and multifaceted ties among the brotherly nations, to promote cooperation in trade, economy, energy, transport, tourism, cultural and humanitarian spheres, and to coordinate efforts to ensure peace and security in the region.

The conceptual foundation for achieving these objectives is the “Turkic Vision – 2040” program, adopted following the Eighth Summit of Heads of State held in Istanbul in November 2021.

For Uzbekistan, which joined the Organization in 2019, participation has become an important step not only in strengthening economic and political ties but also in preserving and developing the shared cultural identity of the Turkic world.

Uzbekistan chaired the OTS in 2022–2023, beginning with the Samarkand Summit in November 2022 under the motto “A New Era of Turkic Civilization: Towards Common Development and Prosperity”.

During its chairmanship, more than 100 events were held, and new platforms for practical cooperation were created. Uzbekistan pursued an open, inclusive, and diverse model of interaction, embracing various regions and civilizations.

The adoption of the “OTS Strategy for 2022–2026” at the Samarkand Summit became a major milestone. This document marked the first roadmap for the implementation of the “Turkic Vision – 2040” concept.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has actively participated in OTS summits since Uzbekistan joined the Organization. In particular, he took part in the meetings of the Council of Heads of State on November 6, 2024, in Bishkek and May 21, 2025, in Budapest.

These meetings focused on the current state and future prospects of multilateral cooperation, as well as key issues of practical partnership.

In his address at the informal summit in Budapest, the President emphasized the complexity of today’s geopolitical and geo-economic situation, the intensification of regional conflicts, and the impact of climate change.

He stressed the importance of resolving international issues based on international law and the UN Charter, and the need for common positions and coordinated approaches among member states.

Speaking about the development of practical cooperation within the OTS, the President noted the enormous untapped potential and put forward several new initiatives.

Particular importance is attached to Uzbekistan’s proposal to sign a Treaty on Strategic Partnership, Eternal Friendship, and Brotherhood among the Turkic States, which would represent a significant step toward deeper unity and the creation of a long-term legal foundation for multilateral cooperation.

“Last year, we proposed developing a treaty on strategic partnership, eternal friendship, and brotherhood among the Turkic states. Today, the significance of this document is growing. Undoubtedly, it will promote further unity among our peoples and solidify the long-term legal framework for multilateral cooperation. I propose signing this document at the summit in Baku”, - the President stated.

Since 2019, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has put forward 98 practical initiatives at OTS summits aimed at advancing multilateral cooperation. More than 70 have already been implemented, and about 30 are in the process of realization.

For Uzbekistan, the main priority within the OTS is the economy. The country is currently focused on boosting exports, attracting investment, creating jobs, addressing unemployment, and reducing poverty. All these goals are closely tied to global economic integration, where the OTS format can support further coordination and development of production chains.

The total area of the OTS member states is approximately 4.2 million square kilometers, with a combined population of over 170 million - representing vast opportunities and a substantial market.

Under existing agreements, the OTS is viewed as an effective mechanism for regional cooperation with great integrative potential. Trade and economic indicators between member states are growing every year.

Today, OTS countries collectively rank third - after China and Russia - among Uzbekistan’s external trade partners. In 2024, mutual trade volume reached nearly $10 billion, accounting for about 15% of the country's total foreign trade.

Trade relations with Kazakhstan - Uzbekistan’s largest trade partner within the OTS - and Turkiye - the second largest - are showing particularly strong growth. By the end of 2024, trade turnover with Kazakhstan reached $4.28 billion, and with Turkiye, $2.9 billion.

Trade with Azerbaijan also continues to show positive dynamics. Notably, mutual trade volumes with OTS partners are setting new records each year.

Uzbekistan’s key exports to OTS markets include textiles, electrical products, automobiles, fruits and vegetables, and non-ferrous metals. Imports from OTS countries consist of rolled metal, aluminum, mechanical tools, construction materials, petroleum products, and a significant portion of grain and other food items.

To maintain and accelerate this positive trend, it is crucial to implement President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s initiatives, including the creation of the “TURK-TRADE” online platform to facilitate and speed up trade operations, and the adoption of a Program of Practical Measures to Expand Trade aimed at increasing mutual trade volumes.

Industrial cooperation is also a vital area. Uzbekistan is actively supporting the development of this sector and promoting the establishment of new enterprises with capital from OTS countries. This year, the number of such enterprises is expected to reach approximately 4 thousand, representing a 60% increase compared to 2019. Their share in the total number of foreign-capital enterprises in Uzbekistan is projected to reach approximately 20%.

Transport cooperation is receiving special attention. OTS countries are steadily increasing their role in global transit. In 2024, freight traffic through the Middle Corridor reached 4.5 million tons - almost six times more than in 2020. This growth underscores the strategic importance of infrastructure projects like the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway.

Member countries are also working to ensure secure and reliable transport and energy corridors across the Caucasus and Central Asia. These efforts not only facilitate trade expansion but also contribute to economic independence and regional prosperity.

Uzbekistan is actively involved in cultural and historical heritage preservation and promotion. In education, the country supports student and scholar exchange programs, strengthens cooperation between universities and research centers of Turkic states, and promotes joint academic initiatives and knowledge-sharing platforms. Key areas of Uzbekistan’s proposals also include projects in energy and environmental protection.

In conclusion, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's participation in the OTS summit in Azerbaijan will be another important step in advancing forward-looking initiatives for the development of the Turkic world and strengthening peace and stability in the region. This visit will also serve as a new impetus for the consolidation of unity and the enhancement of the well-being of the peoples of the Turkic states.