The crises observed today in the system of international relations once again testify to the growing need for mutual understanding, unity, and the achievement of common goals for the states of Central and South Asia. In this regard, dialogue platforms that contribute to strengthening mutual understanding and trust are of particular importance. In this context, the Termez Dialogue serves as a platform for developing interregional cooperation. Its first meeting took place on May 19, 2025, aimed at strengthening regional connectivity and elevating cooperation to a new level.

The growing demand for this platform was reflected in the organization of a separate session dedicated to the Termez Dialogue within the framework of the Doha Forum in December 2025. The discussions highlighted the importance of practical approaches to enhancing interregional cooperation.

The current meeting of the Termez Dialogue is aimed at defining a new stage in the development of the platform - the transition from conceptual discussions to defining priority areas and practical mechanisms for realizing the potential of interregional cooperation.  During the Termez Dialogue, special emphasis is expected to be placed on strengthening cultural ties.

This is relevant because interdependence must be understood more broadly than just trade, infrastructure, and transport corridors. It includes social, intellectual, and cultural ties that unite the communities of the region. Revisiting this history creates an important conceptual foundation for modern regional cooperation.

It is noteworthy that even in the past, Termez, a city located between the Greco-Bactrian, Kushan kingdoms, and other ancient states where Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islamic traditions emerged and developed as a center of intercultural and religious dialogue, flourished during the Timurid era and became a major center of trade, crafts, and science^[1]. Indeed, if we look at our history, the countries of Central Asia and the South Asian region have always developed harmoniously as a single space, closely cooperating in all spheres. The works of the great thinker Abu Rayhan Beruni “India,” Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur “Baburnama” and other historical sources are clear evidence of these close ties.

Furthermore, the following remarks by Muhammad Sobir Turkestani, Deputy Ambassador of Afghanistan to Uzbekistan, deserve attention: “Both Uzbekistan and Afghanistan are located on the land between two rivers, which was once called Mawarannahr.” There are many similarities in our cultures.  The cultural heritage of Alisher Navoi is the wealth of the peoples of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. The remains of our ancestor Alisher Navoi are in the Herat region. All the minarets built in Herat during the reign of Sultan Husayn Bayqara stand as a single complex. Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur was buried in Kabul. In a complex called Babur's Garden. There are also large cultural museums in Afghanistan. Our antiquities are kept in our museums in Kabul, Herat, and Mazar-i-Sharif.”^[2] Of course, the main goal of our efforts today is not to develop these historical ties, but to restore them, and to further strengthen the bonds of friendship and brotherhood between our peoples.

To this end, in recent years, Uzbekistan has been increasingly developing ties with the countries of South Asia.

At the same time, special attention is paid to the development of cultural ties and people-to-people contacts, which contributes to strengthening economic ties and realizing untapped potential.

This approach is relevant given the ineffectiveness of using only military-political means to ensure security. For example, the failure to achieve positive results was once again confirmed by the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in 2021, which was carried out with the help of weapons and military to establish peace and stability on Afghan soil. In this context, Uzbekistan's economic ties with Afghanistan today serve as one of the important factors in establishing peace in the country and restoring its economy.

According to estimates by the Statistics Agency of Uzbekistan, mutual trade turnover amounted to $653 million in 2021, $688.8 million in 2022, $784.1 million in 2023, and $999.9 million in January-November 2024^[3]. Over the past five years, trade turnover has increased 2.5 times, reaching $1.68 billion in 2025, while Uzbekistan's exports amounted to approximately $1.5 billion. The parties set a new medium-term goal to increase trade turnover to $5 billion. Therefore, today Uzbekistan is becoming one of the important investors in Afghanistan. Specifically, according to a $1 billion agreement signed between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan will participate in the development of the Tuti Maidan gas field in the Jauzjan and Faryab regions for 10 years.

The Termez International Trade Center, established in the Surkhandarya region, plays a very important role in implementing such trade and economic instruments. This shopping center is the first trade zone in Central Asia serving various entrepreneurs, especially Afghan entrepreneurs, who cooperate with Afghanistan. The shopping center features permanent exhibitions and fairs, an Uzbek-Afghan business school, a medical clinic for the treatment and provision of medical care to patients who are citizens of Afghanistan, a hotel, enterprises specializing in the production of precious metal jewelry, a multi-currency system, and other conditions that allow entrepreneurs to trade freely.

According to analytical data, 60% of Uzbekistan's total international transport passes through the transit routes of Central Asian countries and Afghanistan. Uzbekistan's access to seaports through Afghanistan is 2-3 times shorter than the access to the Black and Baltic Seas, and 5 times shorter than the route to the Pacific ports^[4]. According to economic analysts, the cost of delivering one container from Central Asia to South Asia through Afghanistan to seaports will decrease from $900 to $286. In addition, transportation time will be reduced from 35 days to 3-5 days. At the same time, export potential will also increase sharply. Improving transport and infrastructure communications and attracting international transit carriers to Central Asia is one of the most important tasks uniting the countries of the region. Its resolution is determined by the need to improve the socio-economic situation in the region.

In conclusion, interdependence is the most important task for the countries of Central and South Asia in terms of ensuring stability and sustainable development. In this sense, the Termez Dialogue, as a prestigious international forum, will be effective in further expanding ties between our regions, opening new horizons for cooperation, and moving confidently along the path of peace and development.

Furthermore, the Termez Dialogue, as a platform for strengthening interregional connectivity and restoring common historical, cultural, and civilizational ties, opens opportunities for the development of new international transport and logistics corridors through Afghanistan. In the current difficult conditions of growing mutual trust and conflict of interests, such a format of cooperation as the Termez Dialogue is of great importance.

Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, Foreign policy and international economic relations Deputy Director of the Institute PhD., O. Abdurakhmonov

Eldor Aripov: "Termiz muloqoti Markaziy va Janubiy Osiyo o‘rtasidagi o‘zaro bog‘liqlikni mustahkamlashda muhim ahamiyatga ega". (21.05.2025), https://daryo.uz/2025/05/21/eldor-aripov-termiz-muloqoti-markaziy-va-janubiy-osiyo-ortasidagi-ozaro-bogliqlikni-mustahkamlashda-muhim-ahamiyatga-ega

Afg‘onistonda O‘zbekistonga aloqador madaniy boyliklar kam emas. (07.11.2023). https://xabar.uz/uz/madaniyat/afgonistonda-ozbekistonga-aloqador-madaniy-boyliklar-kam-emas

O‘zbekiston Respublikasi Tashqi savdo aylanmasi. 2024-yil yanvar-noyabr oylari uchun dastlabki ma’lumot // O‘zbekiston Respublikasi huzuridagi Statistika agentligi. – B.4.

Akmalov Sh. O‘zbekiston va Afg‘oniston: o‘tmishdan hozirgacha. Monografiya. – T.: “Zamon poligraf”, 2023. – B. 70.

Dear forum participants!

Dear guests!

I sincerely congratulate you, all those who make a worthy contribution to the development of the holy religion Islam, on the opening of the international scientific-practical conference dedicated to the study of the scientific heritage of the great muhaddis Imam Termezi in the homeland of outstanding Muslim scholars - in Uzbekistan.

It is gratifying that today's authoritative forum is attended by renowned specialists in the field of Islamic studies - prominent scholars and ulema, experts and researchers. In your person we see the continuers of the good traditions of the great thinkers who are the pride of the Muslim world - Imam Bukhari and Imam Termezi.

May the Almighty bless you, I wish you happiness and prosperity!

Dear friends!

Speaking about our outstanding ancestors-scientists, bright representatives of the Islamic world of the Middle Ages, we, of course, among the first names of Hazrat Imam Termezi.

We are rightfully proud of this incomparable person, the favorite disciple of the great Imam Bukhari, who was honored with the high rank of Sultan of Muhaddis, who has been glorifying our region for twelve centuries with his undying works and high human qualities.

Imam Termezi is recognized in the world as one of the six great muhaddis, his collection of hadiths is among the most revered and reliable sources, and the Muslim Ummah bows before the name of this outstanding man.

Another practical expression of such recognition is the fact that the topic for discussion at today's conference was the unique works of Imam Termezi “Ash-Shamoil al-Muhammadiyya” and “Sunani Termiziyya”, as well as important issues concerning the scientific heritage of the Ulema Termezis and its relevance today.

Dear participants of the conference!

In recent years, a great work has been carried out in our country to study and popularize the invaluable heritage of many of our thinkers-theologians who made a great contribution to the development of the Islamic religion, to honor their memory, to improve the places associated with their life and activities, including Imam Termezi.

It should be noted that a magnificent memorial complex has been erected in his honor in Sherabad district of Surkhandarya province, and an international research center, a specialized Islamic secondary school and an Islamic institute have been opened in the city of Termez bearing his name.

These institutions, together with the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan, the Centre for Islamic Civilization, the Hadith Scientific School and other religious educational and research organizations, are studying the rich heritage of Imam Termezi in a comprehensive and in-depth manner. In particular, works of the thinker are published, scientific researches, books and artistic works are dedicated to him.

I hope that after familiarizing yourselves with the work carried out in this direction within the framework of the conference, you will express your opinions and proposals on further activation of cooperation in this field.

We, the heirs of great scientists, emphasizing that Islam is a religion of peace, goodness and humanism, on the way of realization of good hopes and aspirations of mankind, consider it our most important duty to jointly enrich this incomparable spiritual treasure and preserve it for future generations.

I express my deep gratitude to the scientists and ulema of our country and to you, dear guests, to all figures of science who show real dedication for such a noble goal.

The doors of the leading research and educational institutions of Uzbekistan are always open for you.

Greeting you once again from the bottom of my heart, I wish you health, new achievements in your scientific and creative activities, and a successful conference.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev,

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Transforming water from an object of competition into a factor of cooperation is a vital condition for regional stability.

Water is a precious resource and a source of life. It is not merely a natural resource but also a strategic factor that determines a country's food and energy security, economic development, environmental stability, and the well-being of its people.

Against this backdrop, there is a growing need for political dialogue and practical cooperation aimed at the rational, equitable, and mutually beneficial use of transboundary rivers and shared water resources. In other words, water diplomacy is needed to turn water into a tool of cooperation that brings states together rather than a source of conflict.

The founding documents of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization list the rational use of natural resources, including water, environmental protection, and the implementation of joint ecological programs as main areas of cooperation. Therefore, the issue of water is not a topic that was later added to the SCO agenda, but one of the organization's initial priorities.

In recent years, the political and legal foundations of this area have been further strengthened. The SCO's Dushanbe and Samarkand Declarations identified access to safe drinking water and the integrated, rational management of water resources as important conditions for sustainable development.

At the seventh meeting of the heads of ministries and agencies of SCO member states responsible for environmental protection, held in Bishkek on April 3, 2026, issues of climate change adaptation, glacier preservation, and water resource management were discussed. This indicates that the topic of water is taking on an increasingly important role in the organization's practical agenda.

At the same time, representatives of the SCO member states are seeking practical solutions to water-related issues through meetings, consultations, and negotiations in various formats. On August 7, 2026, the 94th meeting of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (ICWC) was held in the city of Turkestan, Republic of Kazakhstan.

The water management ministers and officials from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan reviewed proposals for water limits and operating regimes for reservoirs in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya basins for the 2026 growing season, as well as a plan to introduce an automated water accounting system in the Syr Darya basin. The development of the document was approved, and special working group is expected to be established by September of this year.

Furthermore, the parties discussed the implementation of the $20 million Regional Cooperation for Improving the Efficiency of Water Resources Use in Central Asian Countries (CAWEC) grant project, in partnership with the World Bank, as well as the execution of tasks stemming from the decisions of the Council of Heads of the Founding States of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

With the support of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), measures are being taken to implement a pilot project to automate the water resources monitoring and accounting system at transboundary water facilities between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

From August 10-12, 2026, a three-day regional training was held in Tashkent on the topic "Introduction of Water-Saving Irrigation Technologies and Digital Solutions in the Water Management Sector of Central Asia under Climate Change."

The training was organized at the initiative of the Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan, within the framework of the National Water Resources Management Project in Uzbekistan and the Blue Peace Central Asia (BPCA) project, with the participation of the "Suvchilar maktabi" (School of Water Professionals).

Water management specialists from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan participated in the event.

The primary objective of the event was to enhance the professional capacity of water management specialists from Central Asian countries, expand the mutual exchange of experience, and strengthen practical cooperation in the efficient use of water resources, the introduction of modern irrigation technologies, and the digitalization of the sector, as well as to familiarize them with the advanced solutions being implemented in Uzbekistan.

It is important to emphasize that Uzbekistan views water diplomacy not only as an instrument of foreign policy but also as a logical continuation of the large-scale reforms being implemented domestically. Indeed, to promote the idea of efficient water use in regional dialogue, each state must first reduce water waste within its own territory and establish a modern management system.

In his Address to the Oliy Majlis and the people of Uzbekistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that water scarcity is becoming an increasingly urgent global issue; for this reason, the rational use of water was elevated to the level of state policy from the very first days of the reforms.

The results achieved in the sector in recent years are reflected in the figures . In 2025, construction and reconstruction work was carried out at 258 irrigation and melioration facilities, and 723 kilometers of canals were lined with concrete. Additionally, 158 kilometers of irrigation and 303 kilometers of collector-drainage networks were built or reconstructed. As a result, the water supply for 364,000 hectares of land was improved, and the loss of more than 500 million cubic meters of water was prevented.

In 2026, a total of 2 trillion 199 billion soums were allocated from the state budget for construction and reconstruction work under 308 irrigation and melioration projects.

As of August 1 of the current year, construction work worth 1.3 trillion soums has been completed, which constitutes 59% of the established annual plan. Specifically, 637 kilometers of canals were lined with concrete and reconstructed. Furthermore, 52 kilometers of irrigation networks—flumes and pipes—and 27 hydraulic structures were built and reconstructed. To increase the energy efficiency of water management facilities and ensure uninterrupted water supply, pumping stations with a capacity of 13 m3/sec, 31 irrigation wells, 33 kilometers of pressure pipelines for pumping stations, and 268 kilometers of collector-drainage networks were built and reconstructed.

Significant progress is also being made in the introduction of water-saving technologies. By the end of 2025, the coverage of such technologies reached 2.6 million hectares, or 61% of irrigated areas. Of this, drip irrigation technology was introduced on 664,000 hectares. Thanks to these technologies, 3 billion cubic meters of water were saved. By the end of 2026, the goal is to increase the coverage of water-saving technologies to 3.1 million hectares and save 5 billion cubic meters of water. To date, water-saving technologies have been implemented on a total of 638,000 hectares across the republic.

These figures are significant not only for the national economy but also for the regional water balance. Every cubic meter of water saved in one country reduces the pressure on the entire basin. In this sense, lining irrigation canals with concrete and implementing water-saving technologies are not only national-level initiatives but also diplomatic contributions that strengthen regional trust.

To manage water effectively, it must be accurately measured. Where there is no accounting, it is difficult to assess savings, identify losses, and ensure fair distribution.

From this perspective, the digitalization efforts underway in Uzbekistan's water management sector not only increase the efficiency of domestic management but also create a technological foundation for the reliable exchange of transboundary water data in the future.

In 2025, the Center for Digitalization and Monitoring of Water Management was established, and a modern Situational Center was launched to consolidate industry data at a single point. Ten information systems were introduced. The "State Water Cadastre" and "Melioration" information systems were enhanced with the capability to analyze data, generate forecasts, and develop recommendations using artificial intelligence.

Forty-four sensors were installed in reservoirs, enabling remote monitoring of water levels and volumes. A design organization is conducting nationwide studies for the installation of 272 devices to measure water intake across the state border in real time, as well as for the installation of specialized equipment at 1,895 points for the online management and monitoring of inter-district water resources.

The significance of such projects goes beyond technical convenience. Reliable real-time data increases transparency in water distribution, reduces the human factor, and prevents contentious situations.

In the future, it may be possible to coordinate the national information systems of the SCO member states. This does not mean transferring all data to a single center. On the contrary, it envisions the formation of a mechanism for exchanging necessary hydrological indicators in an agreed-upon format, while respecting the sovereignty and national legislation of each state.

The water-energy-food nexus is a prerequisite for sustainable development. Within the framework of the SCO, it is advisable to form a permanent mechanism that integrates cooperation between water, energy, and agriculture agencies. Such a mechanism would enable the joint analysis of seasonal reservoir operation, electricity exchange, irrigation needs, and ecological flows.

The SCO region has accumulated extensive experience in using drip and sprinkler irrigation, canal lining, closed pipeline networks, smart water meters, energy-efficient pumps, and forecasting systems based on artificial intelligence.

By consolidating this experience, it is possible to implement model projects adapted to various climatic conditions. For example, within the SCO, it would be beneficial to establish pilot zones to demonstrate water-saving technologies, train specialists and farmers, and evaluate the results based on a unified methodology.

Sound decisions on water issues must be based on scientific research. Therefore, it is important to implement joint scientific programs among the research institutes, universities, and water management organizations of the SCO countries.

When managing water resources, considering only today's needs is insufficient. The impact of every decision on future generations, natural ecosystems, and the interests of neighboring states must also be thoroughly assessed.

Today, it is not enough to view water diplomacy solely as a means of preventing conflict. It must also stimulate economic development, attract investment, accelerate the exchange of technologies, and strengthen food and energy security.

The SCO is a major regional structure capable of uniting these opportunities. Cooperation within the Organization must transition from negotiations over water distribution to the stage of creating common economic benefits and ensuring sustainable development through water.

Indeed, water does not recognize state borders. Its flow interconnects the destinies, well-being, and futures of peoples.

The rational use of water is economic development, its just management is good neighborliness, and conserving every drop is our shared responsibility for the future.

Zokir Ishpulatov,

First Deputy Minister of Water Management of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Bakhtiyor Mustafayev, Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the Head of our state (ISRS), commented on the outcomes of the working visit of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Switzerland and his participation in the ceremony of signing the Board of Peace Charter in Davos:

- The participation of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in events held on the sidelines of the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2026 constituted a landmark development, reflecting the country’s transition to a new stage of international positioning.

Against the backdrop of increasing geopolitical uncertainty, Uzbekistan demonstrated an approach that aligns domestic reforms with evolving global expectations, positioning itself as a reliable and predictable partner for investment and initiatives in the field of security.

A central milestone of the working visit was the participation of the Head of State in the ceremonial signing of the Board of Peace Charter on January 22, 2026. The invitation extended to the President of Uzbekistan by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to join this body as a founding member reflects a high level of international confidence.

Uzbekistan’s participation in the Board of Peace is grounded in clear strategic considerations.

First, this represents a natural continuation of the strategy of openness and multi-vector dialogue that Uzbekistan has consistently pursued in recent years.
Tashkent has been purposefully strengthening its presence across all major global platforms, actively participating in regional and international formats of the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and BRICS+.

The invitation extended to U.S. President Donald Trump to participate in the G20 Summit reflects the growing recognition of Uzbekistan as a responsible partner in global governance. Accession to the Board of Peace logically builds on this trajectory, reaffirming Uzbekistan’s capacity to engage on an equal footing with the world’s leading powers and to make a constructive contribution to the development of new mechanisms of international cooperation.

Second, Uzbekistan’s participation in the Board of Peace clearly demonstrates its firm commitment to a principled position on the Palestinian issue, where Tashkent combines humanitarian resolve with practical action.
Following President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s public call for a ceasefire in November 2023, the country moved from words to deeds: USD 1.5 million in assistance was allocated through UNRWA, and in December 2024 Uzbekistan carried out a humanitarian evacuation of 100 wounded Palestinian women and children from Rafah.

Drawing on the successful experience of the Mehr program, Tashkent created comprehensive conditions for their medical treatment and social rehabilitation, effectively offering the international community a functioning model of practical humanitarianism. This state policy—going beyond declarations and implying real responsibility for human lives—became a key factor of trust in the formation of the Board of Peace.

Third, the Davos platform served as a catalyst for advancing Uzbekistan’s economic and investment profile toward a higher level of global competitiveness. Over the past decade, the country has demonstrated sustained economic growth: GDP has more than doubled to USD 145 billion, economic growth reached 7.7 percent in 2025, and foreign exchange and gold reserves exceeded USD 60 billion for the first time.

Structural transformation of the economy is reflected in the fact that more than 80 percent of GDP is generated by processing industries, while exports reached a historic high of USD 33.4 billion, representing a 24 percent increase. Equally significant are the social outcomes of the reforms, including a reduction in the poverty rate from 35 percent in 2017 to 5.8 percent in 2025, contributing to more inclusive economic development.

In addition, negotiations between the President of Uzbekistan and the leadership of BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, marked an important step toward attracting long-term and sustainable investment. Discussions on potential equity participation and the establishment of joint investment mechanisms indicate Uzbekistan’s growing integration into global investment processes. This confidence is also reflected in the activities of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), whose total investments in Uzbekistan have reached nearly USD 7 billion, making the country one of the Bank’s key partners in the region.

Fourth, amid the fragmentation of the global order and the escalation of regional tensions, ensuring that the interests of Uzbekistan and Central Asia are adequately reflected in emerging security frameworks remains of critical importance. Participation in the Board of Peace serves as an instrument of preventive diplomacy based on the understanding of the interconnected nature of contemporary challenges and threats.

Uzbekistan is effectively establishing the first line of defence for its own security and for the stability of the entire region, ensuring that national and Central Asian interests are not marginalized in global decision-making processes.

In conclusion, it can be stated with confidence that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to Switzerland has set a new strategic trajectory for the country’s development.

The combination of institutional consolidation within the Board of Peace, internationally recognized macroeconomic achievements, a consistent humanitarian stance, and the active promotion of regional interests at the global level positions Uzbekistan as a unique model of successful modernization in the contemporary world — a state that not only adapts to changes in the international system, but also earns the right to participate in shaping the global agenda of the 21st century.

Dunyo IA

The changes taking place in Central Asia in recent years can hardly be described as simplediplomatic rapprochement. This process is also transforming the economic landscape of the region.

Several years ago, issues related to borders, transport, water and energy were largely viewed as sources of disagreement. Today, these very areas are becoming some of the greatest opportunities for cooperation. This is because the countries have come to understand that the individual market and opportunities of each country are limited, while an interconnected region creates a much larger economic space.

The political foundation of this change is linked to a new regional approach that began in 2017. The policy of openness, good-neighborliness and pragmatism promoted by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has strengthened dialogue among the Central Asian states.

While the first Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia was held in Astana in 2018, by 2025 such meetings had become a regular tradition. Most importantly, the economic results of this dialogue have become increasingly visible.

For example, in 2023, mutual trade among the countries of the region increased by more than 2.5 times compared with previous years, while mutual investment grew almost sixfold. At the 2025 Tashkent meeting, it was noted that intra-regional trade in Central Asia had reached $10.7 billion.

 There is an important logic behind these figures: as trust increases, risks decrease; as risks decrease, trade and investment increase.

The Seventh Consultative Meeting in Tashkent: A New Geoeconomic Architecture

The seventh Consultative Meeting, held in Tashkent in November 2025, marked a new stage in regional cooperation. Azerbaijan’s accession to the format as a full-fledged participant expanded the economic geography of Central Asia.

Why is this important? One of the major challenges facing Central Asia is its limited direct access to seaports. Azerbaijan, through the Caspian Sea, connects the region with the markets of the Caucasus, Türkiye and Europe.

In this regard, the Port of Baku, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and railway networks may open new export opportunities for Central Asia.

This is not simply about transporting goods. Logistics centers, warehouses, insurance and financial services, and processing enterprises will emerge around the new corridors. In other words, a single transport corridor can create new businesses across several sectors.

Therefore, Central Asia is gradually beginning to emerge not simply as a “landlocked region,” but as an economic hub where Eurasian transport corridors intersect.

Integration Is Driven by Business, Not Summits

The real outcome of regional cooperation is measured not by the number of documents signed at summits, but by changes in the lives of enterprises and entrepreneurs. In this regard, bilateral relations are particularly important. For example, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan is planned to increase to $10 billion.

Thousands of joint enterprises have been established in the two countries in recent years.

 Trade with Turkmenistan has also approached $1 billion. The growth of cross-border trade and cargo transportation shows that economic ties between the two countries are developing not only at the level of capitals, but also at the regional level.

With Kyrgyzstan, transport and energy cooperation is of particular importance, especially the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project. If implemented, it will further strengthen Central Asia’s transport connectivity along east-west routes.

Relations with Tajikistan are also increasingly viewing trade, industrial cooperation, transport, water and energy issues from the perspective of economic cooperation.

All these processes are connected by one trend: neighboring countries are beginning to see each other not only as markets, but also as partners in production and investment.

Uzbekistan–Azerbaijan: Towards Lasting Friendship and Joint Markets

Uzbekistan–Azerbaijan relations hold a special place in cooperation between Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

Joint projects between the two countries are expanding in trade, energy, logistics, construction, geology, textiles and tourism.

Bilateral trade increased in 2025, and high growth rates have continued in 2026.

Most importantly, relations are moving beyond ordinary trade toward investment and joint production. A target has also been set to bring bilateral trade turnover to $1 billion by 2030.

Another important aspect of this cooperation is the possibility of combining Uzbekistan’s production capabilities with Azerbaijan’s logistics opportunities in the Caspian and Caucasus regions.

For example, products manufactured in Uzbekistan can reach Azerbaijan via the Caspian Sea and then access the markets of Türkiye and Europe. If customs procedures, railway transportation, port operations and electronic document systems are coordinated along this route, the time and cost required to bring products to market can be reduced.

Therefore, Azerbaijan’s accession to the regional cooperation format is not merely a symbolic diplomatic event. It is a practical step that expands Central Asia’s economic map westward through the Caspian Sea.

From Cholpon-Ata to Avaza: Ahead of the Eighth Consultative Meeting

On October 8–9, 2026, the eighth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia is scheduled to take place in the Avaza National Tourist Zone of Turkmenistan.

The importance of this meeting can also be seen in its agenda. Along with transport and energy, issues related to water, climate, ecology, the Aral Sea, education and human capital are expected to be discussed.

This is not accidental. The economic future of the region can no longer be divided into separate sectors.

For example, water is directly connected with agriculture and energy; energy is connected with industry; transport is connected with exports; and education is connected with high technologies.

Therefore, at the next stage, it is not enough to understand integration simply as “more trade.” The key issue is to create more value together.

Regional Value Chains

One of the most important issues for Central Asian countries in the future is not simply increasing the volume of trade, but determining how much added value is created within that trade.

For example, if automotive components are produced in one country, a vehicle is assembled in another, spare parts are manufactured in a third, and the finished product reaches external markets through a fourth country — this represents genuine regional economic integration.

Such a model can be applied in textiles, electrical engineering, automotive manufacturing, food production, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and construction materials.

For this, a business-friendly environment is needed: digitalization of customs procedures, mutual recognition of certificates, shorter border-crossing times, and compatibility of electronic payments and documents.

Simply put, the greatest result of integration should not be a new declaration, but the ability of an entrepreneur to cross the border faster and at lower cost.

Water and Energy: From a Challenge to a Common Interest

           One of the most complex issues of integration in Central Asia is water and energy.

Water resources and energy potential are not distributed evenly among the countries. Therefore, if a state acts solely on the basis of its own interests, this may lead to unfavorable consequences for the region as a whole.

Conversely, coordinating reservoirs, hydropower, agriculture and electricity grids increases overall efficiency.

Climate change is making this issue even more urgent. Droughts, shrinking glaciers and growing demand for water will require countries to cooperate even more closely in the future.
Therefore, digital water accounting, data exchange, joint forecasting and the development of cross-border energy projects will become important components of integration.

“Central Asia Plus”: The Region Is Moving in Harmony with the Outside World

 Another important outcome of regional rapprochement is the growing perception of Central Asia as a common economic actor in negotiations with external partners.

Through “Central Asia Plus” formats, dialogue is being conducted with the European Union, China, Russia, the United States, South Korea and other partners.

The important point here is that external partners now have an opportunity to view the region not only as five separate markets, but as a larger interconnected economic space.

At the first “Central Asia–European Union” summit, held in Samarkand in 2025, transport, green energy, investment and digitalization were discussed. Trade and transport links with China are also expanding. The first “Central Asia–Republic of Korea” summit, held in Seoul in 2026, demonstrates the growing importance of technology and human capital.

Thus, the region is simultaneously strengthening internal integration and diversifying its external economic relations.

Seven Priority Economic Areas for New Development

 Political trust has been established in Central Asia. The next task is to turn it into economic results. Several areas are crucial for achieving this.

First, customs and trade processes need to be digitalized.

Second, the number of joint industrial enterprises and regional value chains should be increased.

Third, the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, the Trans-Caspian Corridor and other routes should be developed as a single interconnected logistics system.

Fourth, investment funds, export credit, insurance and public-private partnership mechanisms need to be expanded.

Fifth, data exchange and long-term planning in water and energy should be coordinated.

Sixth, common standards for digital payments and e-commerce are important.

Finally, investment in human capital is essential. The integration of the future will be driven not only by railways, but also by engineers, programmers, scientists, entrepreneurs and specialists of the new generation.

The most important feature of current developments in Central Asia is that countries are increasingly beginning to see one another not as competitors, but as partners.

The goal of increasing trade with Kazakhstan to $10 billion, the growth of cross-border trade and transport links with Turkmenistan, railway and energy projects with Kyrgyzstan, water and energy dialogue with Tajikistan, and the opening of new transport and investment opportunities through the Caspian Sea with Azerbaijan are all different manifestations of the same process.

This process is not yet complete. On the contrary, its most important stage is only beginning.

Because turning political agreements into economic results is not always easy. An agreement signed at a summit must become a new product at an enterprise, a transport agreement must lead to cheaper logistics, and an investment agreement must create a new job.

If this chain works, the geographical constraints of Central Asia can become an economic advantage.

If the ports on the Caspian Sea, railways coming from the east, common energy systems, regional industrial chains and a large consumer market become interconnected, Central Asia will become not simply a geographical region, but an important economic space in Eurasia.

Today, the region faces a historic opportunity: to turn geographical constraints into economic advantages, common problems into joint projects, and national markets into a large interconnected space for development.

To achieve this, the agreements reached at summits must be transformed into tangible results that enterprises, investors, farmers, transport operators, scientists and ordinary citizens can feel in their daily lives.

Only then will cooperation in Central Asia become not a political slogan, but a real economic force creating prosperity.

The New Uzbekistan’s open and pragmatic regional policy will remain one of the important initiators and driving forces behind this common path of development.

Tulkin Teshabaev,

Rector of Tashkent State University of Economics

Doctor of Economics, Professor

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was reported the current work and plans for 2025 in automotive industry.

The share of automotive industry in the country's industry is 10 percent. Over the past ten months, 338 thousand passenger cars were produced. Components of 1.4 thousand types were localized. Thanks to economic measures, the cost price in the industry decreased by 4 percent. Exports amounted to $455 million.

The chairman of “Uzautosanoat” JSC presented information on plans and future tasks.

Next year it’s planned to manufacture 450 thousand cars and elevate exports to $700 million. It’s planned to strengthen cooperation with regional enterprises and boost localization. In particular, 63 projects worth $325 million on developing production of 700 components will be implemented. 

As is known, together with “BYD” company an automotive plant was built in Jizzakh. Currently such automobiles as Chazor and Song Plus Champion are produced there. In the upcoming years the model range is planned to be expanded. At the second stage worth $300 million it’s planned to expand the share of electric cars’ production to 200 thousand per year, at the third – to 500 thousand.

The Head of our state instructed to consistently master the production of components and spare parts for electric cars in agreement with the Chinese partners. 

The task was set to form orders for local enterprises based on cooperation.

The text of the article is in Uzbek!

Official visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Belarus begins on July 8^th

On July 8–9^th, President of Uzbekistan will pay an official visit to Belarus.

Contemporary stage of Uzbek-Belarusian relations is characterized by steady positive dynamics and the sequential expansion of cooperation across a broad spectrum of dimensions.

Diplomatic relations between the two nations were established on January 21st, 1993. Embassy of Belarus in Tashkent has been operational since February 1994, while the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Minsk was established in October 2017 and commenced full-scale operations in March 2018. Over the intervening years, the sides have formulated a substantial legal and regulatory framework and accumulated significant experience of interaction in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres.

Legal and regulatory framework of Uzbek-Belarusian cooperation encompasses virtually all areas of bilateral interaction. Currently, 126 bilateral documents have been signed between Uzbekistan and Belarus, regulating cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, industrial cooperation, transport, education, culture, science, healthcare and interregional interaction.

Foundational document is the Treaty on the Principles of Interstate Relations, signed in Tashkent on November 6, 1991, which serves as the legal basis for the development of the Uzbek-Belarusian partnership and reaffirms the parties' commitment to the principles of sovereign equality, mutual respect and due consideration of mutual interests.

Political dialogue remains the key cornerstone of the Uzbek-Belarusian partnership. Regular contacts at the highest and high levels contribute to strengthening mutual trust and the sequential development of bilateral relations. From 1991 to 2026, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko, visited Uzbekistan six times, including official visits in 1994, 2018 and 2024. A significant milestone in the development of bilateral cooperation was marked by the official visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Belarus on July 31st – August 1st, 2019.

Intergovernmental cooperation constitutes an essential element of bilateral interaction. Between 2022 and 2026, a series of reciprocal visits by the Prime Ministers of Uzbekistan and Belarus took place, during which matters of trade and economic cooperation, industrial partnerships, logistics and the implementation of joint investment projects were discussed.

An important component of Uzbek-Belarusian interaction is inter-parliamentary cooperation, which in recent years has acquired a more systematic and practice-oriented character. A special place in the structure of inter-parliamentary cooperation is occupied by the Uzbek-Belarusian women's business forums, which have become an effective platform for the development of business contacts, support for entrepreneurial initiatives and the expansion of humanitarian ties.

Economic interaction remains one of the key areas of the Uzbek-Belarusian partnership and demonstrates a steady positive dynamic. Despite the complex international economic environment, the sides manage to consistently increase the volume of mutual trade, expand investment cooperation and strengthen industrial cooperation.

In recent years, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Belarus has increased more than fivefold - from 181.7 million dollars in 2017 to a record 965 million dollars at the close of 2025. This positive dynamic persists in the current year. Following the results of January - April 2026, volume of reciprocal trade reached 340.4 million dollars, representing a nearly one-third increase compared to the same period last year.

Structure of mutual trade is characterized by a high degree of diversification. Belarus supplies Uzbekistan with food products, machinery and equipment, vehicles, chemical products, and raw materials, whereas Uzbekistan exports industrial and food commodities, finished products, services and processed goods.

Investment cooperation also makes a substantial contribution to the development of bilateral ties. Currently, 244 enterprises with the participation of Belarusian capital operate in Uzbekistan, while 229 companies with the participation of Uzbek business are functional in Belarus. In 2025, the volume of Belarusian investments attracted into the economy of Uzbekistan amounted to 104.4 million dollars. The coordination of economic interaction is ensured by the Intergovernmental Commission on Bilateral Cooperation, established in 2001.

An important factor in strengthening Uzbek-Belarusian relations is the development of direct ties between the regions of the two countries, which facilitates the translation of agreements reached at the political level into concrete economic, investment and humanitarian projects.

Since 2017, more than forty mutual visits of regional delegations from Uzbekistan and Belarus have taken place. Active exchange of visits facilitates the expansion of contacts between local authorities, business circles and public organizations. A special place in the development of interregional cooperation is occupied by the Forums of Regions, which are traditionally held within the framework of official visits of the heads of state and are accompanied by national exhibitions, presentations of investment potential and the signing of cooperation agreements.

Cultural and humanitarian cooperation remains one of the important areas of the bilateral agenda, contributing to the strengthening of friendship, mutual understanding, and the expansion of educational, scientific and cultural exchanges.

Cultural exchanges represent a significant direction of cooperation. Creative groups from Belarus regularly participate in the “Sharq Taronalari” International Music Festival in Uzbekistan, while representatives of Uzbek culture perform at Belarusian venues, including the “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk” International Festival of Arts. Days of Culture of the two countries are regularly held on a mutual basis.

Monuments dedicated to prominent figures of the two nations hold symbolic value for strengthening cultural ties. In 2018, a bust of the classic of Belarusian literature Yakub Kolas was unveiled in Tashkent, and in 2019, a monument to the great Uzbek poet and thinker Alisher Navoi was installed in Minsk, serving as a clear testament to the mutual respect for the historical and cultural heritage of both states.

Cooperation in the field of education and professional training is developing dynamically. An important step was the establishment of the Belarusian-Uzbek Intersectoral Institute of Applied Technical Qualifications in Tashkent. Double-degree programs are being implemented between the universities of the two countries, while forums of rectors of engineering and technical universities, along with professional and educational forums, facilitate the expansion of academic interaction and the conclusion of cooperation agreements between educational institutions.

Cooperation in the fields of science, cinematography, and tourism is expanding. Days of Uzbek Cinema are regularly held in Belarus, and Days of Belarusian Cinema in Uzbekistan, with representatives from both countries participating in international film festivals. Interaction between tourism organizations is also growing, including within the framework of specialized forums and presentations of the tourism potential of both states.

Cooperation in the field of healthcare is an intensively developing area of bilateral interaction. In 2023, the first medical forum “Healthcare and Medical Education Days Uzbekistan – Belarus” took place, resulting in the signing of more than 120 agreements aimed at expanding partnerships between medical institutions, exchanging experience and implementing modern technologies.

Belarusian diaspora living in Uzbekistan plays a special role in strengthening humanitarian ties. Today, there are approximately 18 thousand ethnic Belarusians in the country. A significant contribution to the preservation of national culture and the development of public diplomacy is made by the “Svitanak” Belarusian Cultural Center in Tashkent and the Belarusian Cultural Center in Angren.

Thus, Uzbek-Belarusian relations are characterized by steady development across key areas of interaction. The high level of political dialogue, expansion of trade and economic cooperation, development of interregional ties, and humanitarian interaction create a solid foundation for the further deepening of a partnership that meets the long-term interests of both countries.

First Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan commented to Dunyo IA on the outcomes of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, held on October 8^th in the “Avaza” National Tourist Zone in Turkmenistan

Akramjon Nematov, First Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan (ISRS), commented to Dunyo IA on the outcomes of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, held on October 8^th in the “Avaza” National Tourist Zone in Turkmenistan:

Eighth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, held in Avaza on October 8^th, marked a fundamental shift in regional cooperation. The region is entering a new phase: from diplomacy built on trust to economic connectivity, and from resolving longstanding issues to shaping a shared future. The political trust developed in recent years is becoming a driver of tangible development, providing a foundation for joint manufacturing ventures, infrastructure and energy projects, technological cooperation, and new value chains.

Azerbaijan’s full participation significantly broadens the geographical scope and opportunities for this cooperation, strengthening Central Asia’s links with the Caspian region and the South Caucasus.

Nature of regional cooperation is thus changing. Central Asia is increasingly emerging not only as a region of good-neighbourly relations and political dialogue, but also as a centre capable of shaping its own economic and technological agenda.

This shift is particularly significant amid profound changes in the international system. Geopolitical tensions are reshaping established patterns of trade, transport and energy flows, reconfiguring supply chains and increasing the value of reliable connections. The technological revolution is turning data, computing capacity and skills into strategic resources, while climate change is placing growing pressure on water resources, food systems, energy and infrastructure.

As President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted, “The world is changing rapidly, tensions are rising, trade and transport links are being reshaped and new risks are emerging”. These conditions create a clear need for closer coordination among the countries of the region, particularly in areas where their interests and capabilities are already closely connected.

Significance of the “Avaza” meeting therefore lies less in the number of proposals put forward than in the shared direction of the regional agenda, which emerged even more clearly in the statements of all six leaders.

This points to an important qualitative change: the Central Asian countries now have an agenda of their own, set their own cooperation priorities and propose mechanisms to implement them. This is an increasingly clear expression of the region’s capacity to act in its own right.

Emerging model of cooperation remains open to the wider world, flexible in its arrangements and grounded in the region’s ability to determine its own priorities. President of Uzbekistan expressed its guiding philosophy clearly: “We need a flexible and transparent format in which strong, sovereign, and independent states cooperate on the basis of mutual respect, trust and pragmatism”.

Under this approach, stronger links within the region create greater opportunities for external engagement. Central Asia is increasingly positioning itself as a hub in its own right, connecting East Asia, the Caspian region, the South Caucasus, Europe, South Asia and other regions, rather than remaining on the margins of major geoeconomic developments.

Significantly, the leaders see the further development of the Consultative Meetings primarily in terms of effectiveness and the delivery of agreed commitments. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev advocated preserving the format as a platform for direct dialogue and proposed taking stock of earlier regional initiatives. The President of Uzbekistan expressed a similar view: “The number of documents in itself does not solve much. What matters far more is that the decisions we have already taken are implemented and deliver the results they were intended to achieve”.

The next phase of cooperation will therefore involve strengthening implementation mechanisms, improving coordination among the relevant agencies and consistently following through on agreements, while preserving the flexibility and trust that define the format. The aim is to establish institutional arrangements that make cooperation more effective without making it more cumbersome.

Convergence of interests was particularly evident in the economic sphere. Kazakhstan proposed increasing intraregional trade and linking trade and logistics hubs with centres for industrial cooperation to create regional value chains. Kyrgyzstan focused on specific projects in agricultural processing, light industry, building materials and logistics. Tajikistan emphasised joint ventures, industrial complexes and manufacturing and export projects. Azerbaijan proposed making greater use of existing joint investment funds to establish new manufacturing operations and enter international markets. Turkmenistan also identified industrial, investment, transport and energy cooperation as key priorities.

Against this background, the formula proposed by the President of Uzbekistan, “six economies – one product”, builds naturally on this common direction. It seeks to complement mutual trade with deeper collaboration in manufacturing, bringing together the resources, technologies, capital, industrial capacity, skills and logistics of several countries to produce finished goods.

This reveals another fundamental shift. The region is gradually moving beyond a role centred primarily on transit and raw materials, and is demonstrating its readiness to become an important link in global manufacturing value chains. This strengthens the resilience of national economies, broadens market access for businesses and places economic connectivity on a firmer footing.

Uzbekistan’s proposals for a Central Asia–Azerbaijan Business Forum in Khiva and a Platform for Financial and Technical Support of Joint Investment Projects offer practical ways to advance this approach. They would provide the tools for project preparation, expert assessment, financial structuring and implementation support needed to turn political commitments to industrial cooperation into results. Uzbekistan’s initiatives thus build on priorities already identified by its partners and help translate them into investment and manufacturing projects.

A similar complementarity is evident in transport. Kyrgyzstan sees the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway as central to future opportunities and proposes assessing transport projects by delivery costs and journey times. Kazakhstan is expanding the capacity of the Middle Corridor and the North–South route. Azerbaijan is steadily developing the Caspian link and the Trans-Caspian route. Tajikistan is focusing on multimodal transport, the removal of administrative barriers and the digitalization of procedures. Turkmenistan is developing connections along the East–West and North–South axes.

In this context, the President of Uzbekistan’s proposal to accelerate the establishment of the Council for Infrastructure Development advances the shared objective of connecting transport projects. Such a mechanism could help coordinate the development of roads, railways, ports, border infrastructure and logistics centres, integrating individual national routes into a more coherent regional network.

Transport connectivity is understood to extend well beyond the movement of goods. The development of corridors creates opportunities for new manufacturing facilities, industrial zones, logistics hubs and service facilities along their routes. Infrastructure thus becomes a driver of both territorial development and value creation.

This approach offers a new perspective on Central Asia’s place in Eurasia’s emerging connectivity network. The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, the infrastructure of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan’s Caspian transport capacity and Tajikistan’s multimodal transport capabilities are gradually forming a broader network of interregional connections.

Central Asia is thus emerging as a potential key pillar of this connectivity network, linking different markets and routes while strengthening its own manufacturing and logistics capacity.

A similar trend is emerging in energy. Tajikistan proposed drawing up a list of priority energy projects, identifying mechanisms for their joint financing and developing a regional strategy for the green transition. Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are already working to establish a green energy corridor across the Caspian Sea. Turkmenistan likewise considers energy one of the key areas for expanded cooperation.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s proposed Joint Concept for Low-Carbon Energy Potential takes this shared agenda forward through systematic planning. It would allow new generation capacity, energy storage and energy corridors to be planned around the complementary roles of hydrocarbons, hydropower, solar and wind generation. National energy strengths could thereby be combined more systematically into a resilient regional system.

Important areas of common interest are also emerging in the digital sector. Azerbaijan is developing Digital Silk Way and trans-Caspian fibre-optic infrastructure. Kazakhstan proposed cooperation on artificial intelligence and approaches to its responsible use. Tajikistan is establishing a Regional Artificial Intelligence Centre in Dushanbe. Kyrgyzstan is promoting a common e-commerce platform. Turkmenistan also views technological development and the adoption of AI as promising areas of cooperation.

President of Uzbekistan’s proposal for Common Computing Infrastructure, based on interconnected national data centres, would provide a technological foundation for these initiatives. It could link digital communications with computing capacity, research cooperation, skills development and practical applications. This would give AI cooperation the infrastructure needed for deployment in industry, transport, energy, agriculture and public administration.

Critical minerals, including rare earth elements, are closely linked to technological transformation. The President of Uzbekistan proposed stepping up efforts to establish a Regional Alliance on Critical Minerals and, as one of its first practical measures, developing a Unified Digital Map of Critical Mineral Reserves in Central Asia.

This initiative builds on efforts to deepen industrial and technological cooperation. A more comprehensive understanding of the region’s resource base could improve transparency for investors, support processing industries and lay the groundwork for products used in modern energy systems, electronics and other high-tech sectors. Critical minerals are thus viewed not only as raw materials, but also as a foundation for future regional value chains that generate greater added value.

The convergence of approaches was also evident in the water and climate agenda. Kazakhstan emphasises improving regional principles for water use. Kyrgyzstan pays particular attention to the preservation of glaciers and mountain ecosystems. Tajikistan highlights the implications of glacier conditions and low water availability for food security. Turkmenistan consistently highlights issues concerning the efficient use of the waters of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya, as well as the Aral Sea.

These priorities align with Uzbekistan’s longstanding commitment to stronger regional cooperation on water and climate. In Avaza, Uzbekistan focused on practical instruments: digital monitoring of water resources, modernisation of irrigation networks, the introduction of water-saving technologies, implementation of the Decade of Practical Action for the Rational Use of Water Resources in Central Asia, greater effectiveness of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) during our country’s forthcoming chairmanship, and sustained, substantive dialogue with Afghanistan.

Together, these measures would create a more comprehensive model in which common principles for water use are supported by objective data, glacier monitoring, technological solutions and durable mechanisms for cooperation.

The same progression is evident in environmental cooperation. The International Consortium “Clean Air of Central Asia”, proposed by Uzbekistan, gained a concrete project focus in Avaza. The President proposed launching its activities with a pilot program to improve the environmental performance of industrial zones, agricultural clusters and transport hubs. This would provide a practical mechanism for advancing the shared environmental agenda, allowing solutions to be tested and subsequently scaled up across the region.

Human capital is an essential part of this approach. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed developing a Regional Atlas of In-Demand Professions and Skills, bringing together national forecasts of shortages in specific occupations and of future occupational needs.

This initiative directly supports the industrial, infrastructure and digital agendas. As joint projects expand, demand will grow for engineers, energy and logistics specialists, programmers, AI experts and other skilled professionals. The regional atlas could align education with the actual needs of the emerging economy and provide the skilled workforce required for future projects involving several countries.

Avaza thus demonstrated the gradual emergence of an interconnected regional agenda. Trade is becoming more closely linked with manufacturing; transport with territorial development; energy with new corridors and storage technologies; digitalization with artificial intelligence and computing infrastructure; resource potential with processing; and economic development with human capital. Uzbekistan’s proposals reinforce this approach by building on its partners’ initiatives and providing additional practical measures and institutional support in specific areas.

Broader political and economic conclusion is even more significant. The Central Asian countries are increasingly confident in setting their own development priorities, designing mechanisms to implement them and managing their engagement with external partners. This is one of the clearest expressions of the region’s growing agency.

The region’s geoeconomic role is also changing. The shared emphasis on industrial cooperation, investment, critical minerals, technology and human capital signals a readiness to develop the region as a centre of value creation integrated into the global economy. Transit connectivity is increasingly being complemented by manufacturing and technological cooperation.

Crucially, this process remains open to the wider world. Stronger ties within the region expand opportunities for cooperation with Europe, China, Russia, South Asia, the Middle East and other partners. This reinforces Central Asia’s role as a bridge between different geoeconomic regions and as an important component of the emerging framework for interregional connectivity. Azerbaijan’s full participation strengthens this potential, extending the geographical reach of transport, energy, investment and digital cooperation across the Caspian Sea and through the South Caucasus.

Taken together, decisions and initiatives put forward in Avaza reflect a strong willingness among the participating states to build a region of shared development, in which national strengths reinforce one another and support common growth.

The effectiveness of regional cooperation therefore takes on particular importance at this stage. It should be measured by the expansion of joint manufacturing ventures, lower transport costs, a growing number of well-prepared and adequately financed projects, stronger energy and digital links, more efficient water use and, ultimately, greater opportunities for people.

Principle articulated by our Head of State, “solidarity and trust – for the sake of development and security”, captures the logic of the current phase: the trust built over time is finding practical expression in shared development and greater collective resilience. This model continues to rest on another principle set out by the President of Uzbekistan: “strong, sovereign, and independent states cooperate on the basis of mutual respect, trust and pragmatism”. Combination of national independence, a shared regional agenda and openness to the wider world defines the framework for cooperation that took further practical shape in Avaza.

Dunyo IA

Relations with the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) have reached a qualitatively new stage of development by 2026. While Uzbekistan’s accession to the organization in 2019 was largely of a political and symbolic nature, today this cooperation has evolved into a comprehensive system enriched with tangible elements of economic, transport-logistical, and technological integration. In this context, the OTS is no longer merely a platform based on shared language and cultural ties, but rather functions as a significant geo-economic center influencing regional development.

The summits held between 2024 and 2026, along with the documents adopted within their framework, have significantly accelerated the institutional consolidation of the organization. In particular, initiatives such as the “Charter of the Turkic World”, as well as decisions related to digital cooperation and green development, have defined the long-term strategic priorities of the OTS. By 2026, the practical outcomes of these initiatives have begun to materialize: the volume of mutual trade has increased, the number of joint investment projects has expanded, and transport connectivity among member states has been substantially strengthened. All these developments indicate the steady strengthening of the organization both institutionally and in practical terms.

A comparative analysis of development dynamics over the past seven years reveals several key trends. First, there has been a clear institutionalization of political dialogue, with meetings at the level of heads of state becoming systematic and mechanisms for implementing decisions being established. Second, the scope of economic cooperation has significantly expanded: whereas trade relations were previously limited, there is now active development of industrial cooperation, the establishment of investment funds, and the formation of joint production clusters. At the same time, cooperation in transport and logistics has intensified considerably, transforming the OTS into one of the key transit hubs of Eurasia. Particular importance by 2026 has been attached to the so-called “Middle Corridor” (the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route). Against the backdrop of global geopolitical shifts and disruptions in traditional supply chains, this corridor is increasingly viewed as a reliable and alternative route connecting Europe and Asia. Uzbekistan is actively participating in these processes by modernizing its railway and road infrastructure and developing logistics centers. As a result, the country is strengthening its position not only as a transit state but also as one of the key transport hubs in the region.

Economic cooperation within the OTS continues to demonstrate stable positive dynamics. By 2026, the volume of intra-organizational trade has grown significantly, driven by trade facilitation measures, harmonization of customs procedures, and the implementation of digital platforms. At the same time, new projects in industrial cooperation are being carried out, particularly in sectors such as textiles, automotive manufacturing, and agricultural processing.

In the energy sector, cooperation is acquiring new dimensions. While the primary focus was previously on traditional energy sources, priority is now increasingly given to green energy. Projects in solar and wind power, energy efficiency programs, and initiatives aimed at ensuring environmental sustainability are being actively promoted within the OTS framework. This contributes to strengthening the organization’s role in the global climate agenda.

Digital transformation has emerged as one of the most rapidly developing areas of cooperation. By 2026, collaboration in e-government systems, digital services, and IT startups has deepened significantly. These processes not only enhance economic efficiency but also contribute to the modernization of public administration.

Cultural and humanitarian cooperation continues to play a crucial role, serving as the foundation of the OTS’s “soft power.” Educational exchange programs, the establishment of joint universities, tourism development, and cultural initiatives contribute to strengthening mutual understanding among member states. This, in turn, creates a solid social foundation for further deepening economic and political cooperation.

From the perspective of future development, the further evolution of the OTS is associated with several strategic directions. In particular, the likelihood of forming elements of a common economic space is increasing. Further deepening of transport and logistics integration is expected, enabling the OTS to become an integral part of global trade chains. Significant potential is also linked to the development of the digital economy and innovation. At the same time, geopolitical factors will continue to play an important role, contributing to the transformation of the OTS into one of the key centers of power in Eurasia.

In conclusion, by 2026 the Organization of Turkic States has emerged as a dynamically developing integration structure steadily expanding its sphere of influence. Uzbekistan’s active and proactive participation in these processes plays an important role in ensuring its foreign policy and economic interests. The observed positive trends suggest that, in the future, the OTS is likely to secure a significant and stable position not only at the regional but also at the global level.

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.