The initiatives announced by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev during the Open Dialogue with entrepreneurs in Khiva, Khorezm Region continue to generate a strong response and heightened interest among representatives of the international business community, foreign investors, and transnational corporations.

The scale and depth of the announced reforms are being viewed by the global market as a clear sign of the country’s readiness to guarantee maximum capital security, ensure legal predictability, and create the most favorable conditions for doing business in the region.

The Open Dialogue sent a clear signal to the international business community. The meeting in the Khorezm Region not only summarized the large-scale transformation of the business environment in recent years, but also reaffirmed the country’s strategic course toward deep integration into global value chains, the promotion of exports, and the uncompromising protection of investors’ rights.

In recent years, the country has demonstrated impressive economic growth. The number of registered business entities has nearly doubled and exceeded 530,000, while 2.4 million permanent jobs have been created in the private sector, and export volumes have reached a historic high. However, the main message of the Khiva Dialogue is addressed to international partners and is focused on the future: Uzbekistan is building a highly predictable, secure, and favorable ecosystem for investment capital.

For foreign investors and joint ventures, opportunities for institutional support and access to financing are being significantly expanded.

The State Fund for Entrepreneurship Support has been reoriented toward supporting projects in the services sector and medium-sized businesses, while an additional 100 million dollars has been allocated to guarantee credit lines.

As part of the state program supporting high-growth companies, a system of grants and preferential financing of up to 10 billion sums has been introduced. This creates a strong platform for launching and developing high-tech and innovative startups with foreign capital participation.

In addition, in order to encourage joint ventures to enter global markets, the state will cover up to 50 percent of companies’ expenses for placing their products on major international electronic trading platforms.

A central part of the Dialogue was strengthening the inviolability of private property and ensuring absolute stability of tax legislation.

In order to reduce administrative pressure, a “single window” principle for assessing tax risks is being introduced. In Uzbekistan, duplicative inspections by regulatory authorities are being abolished, while the procedure for analyzing tax gaps is being adapted to international standards with the direct participation of the business community.

At the same time, penalties for administrative and criminal offences have been toughened for any unlawful interference by government bodies in the activities of business entities.

Uzbekistan is consistently implementing sustainable development standards and green growth principles, opening up broad prospects for institutional and green investors.

For enterprises investing in energy-efficient technologies and solar power generation, a package of tax deductions, accelerated depreciation mechanisms, and special tariff preferences has been introduced.

As part of the adaptation to international environmental standards and the requirements of the European carbon regulation mechanism, the country is launching a national certification system for “green” products, which will ensure the unhindered access of domestically produced goods to highly competitive global markets.

The holding of the Dialogue in Khiva underscores the state’s strategic priority of decentralizing the economy and ensuring the comprehensive development of the regions.

In the Khorezm Region, a special legal regime is being established for pharmaceutical, textile, and IT clusters, with direct integration into international transport and logistics corridors connecting Central Asia with the markets of the Middle East, South Asia, and Europe.

In special economic zones, the principle of full infrastructure readiness is being introduced. All engineering and utility networks are to be provided on a turnkey basis by the state before the arrival of the management company or investor.

The outcomes of the Open Dialogue in Khiva confirm Uzbekistan’s transition from a series of individual reforms to the establishment of strong institutional guarantees.

For international investors and transnational companies, this means a systematic reduction in country risks, direct state support at all stages of project implementation, and reliable access to the dynamic Central Asian market with its young and highly qualified human capital.

Today, Uzbekistan is firmly establishing itself as a stable and predictable jurisdictional hub for long-term international business.

Sadriddin Suyarov

Dunyo IA

New trends in Central Asian politics of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan's policy in Central Asia has reached a qualitatively higher level. The trend of developing mutually beneficial cooperation between the countries of the region is intensifying with its own characteristics. According to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has given priority to strengthening relations of close friendship and cooperation with neighboring countries, and over the past historically short period - the political position and influence of our country in the Central Asian region and the Middle East. The world has grown dramatically. The spirit of trust in New Uzbekistan and the principles of striving for cooperation with our country have increased in the world.

Central Asia is a region with important and unique resources, economic and communication potential. In the 90s of the 20th century, the countries of the region embarked on their own independent path of development and joined the ranks of developing countries, promoting humanism, social justice, and security. in the region there is international harmony, peace and well-established foreign policy activities and international cooperation, based on the principles of international law, such as the creation of an atmosphere of peace, and consistently developing them.

In the direction of the foreign policy of New Uzbekistan, in establishing practical cooperation in the countries of Central Asia, the fifth priority direction of the “Uzbekistan-2030” strategy has been identified - the consistent continuation of a policy based on the principle of “A Safe and Peaceful State”. the region to a new level of quality, good neighborliness and strategic partnership with all neighboring countries, pays special attention to the rapid development of relations, regular and effective conduct of bilateral and multilateral negotiations in political, economic, cultural and humanitarian areas.

The measures taken by the government of the Republic of Uzbekistan to expand mutual cooperation between the countries of the region also play an important role. It should be noted that as a result of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s reforms in the field of foreign policy, diplomatic relations of Uzbekistan with the countries of the Central region literally rose to a new level.

The fact that Shavkat Mirziyoyev began his first visit to foreign countries as President of Uzbekistan with a visit to the countries of Central Asia, literally indicating that he has raised the development of regional cooperation to a new level.

On March 6-7, 2017, Shavkat Mirziyoyev made a state visit to Turkmenistan. It should be noted that this was Sh. Mirziyoyev’s first visit to a foreign country as the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. This state visit of the President clearly confirmed that Uzbekistan attaches great importance to good neighborly relations in foreign policy, and was supported by the signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

The visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Kazakhstan on March 23, 2017 and the signing of a Joint declaration on deepening the strategic partnership and strengthening the friendly neighborhood between the two countries opened a new era in interstate cooperation. Thanks to the joint efforts of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, in 2017 the volume of bilateral trade reached 2 billion US dollars, and such direct contacts serve as the basis for the effective implementation of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Following the state visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Kyrgyz Republic, a declaration was signed on strengthening strategic partnership, friendship, good neighborliness and trust.

In 2018, the implementation of the new policy of the President of Uzbekistan to strengthen political trust and mutual solidarity in Central Asia continued consistently. In particular, President Sh. Mirziyoyev visited this country on March 9-10, 2018 at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan E. Rahmon. During the visit, the leaders of the two countries signed a Joint Statement on Strengthening Friendship and Good Neighborhood and an Agreement on Certain Sections of the Uzbek-Tajik State Border.

In addition, as a result of the continuation of negotiations of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the delimitation and demarcation of the state border with neighboring countries, the delimitation of the state border lines with Kazakhstan has been completed, 85 percent of the border with Kyrgyzstan has been passed. agreed upon, and 99.9 percent of the border with Tajikistan has been agreed upon.

At the end of 2021, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan amounted to almost 600 million US dollars. The number of joint ventures has increased 10 times. If in 2017 there were 24 enterprises operating in Uzbekistan, then by the end of 2021 240 enterprises with the participation of Tajik capital began operating. There are 61 enterprises operating in Tajikistan based on investments from Uzbekistan.

On June 2-3, 2022, the presidents of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the presidents of Tajikistan signed a historic declaration “On strengthening eternal friendship and alliance.” In addition, documents signed at the level of government, ministries and departments are designed to raise multifaceted Uzbek-Tajikistan cooperation to a new level.

Analyzing the platforms and formats of interstate dialogue organized on the initiative of Uzbekistan on regional cooperation, it should be noted that, on the initiative of the head of Uzbekistan, consultative meetings of the leaders of Central Asian countries are regularly held.

Consultative meetings are systematically organized as part of this initiative (March 2018, Kazakhstan; November 2019, Uzbekistan; August 2021, Turkmenistan; July 2022, Kyrgyzstan; 2023, Tajikistan). As positive trends in Uzbekistan’s policy in Central Asia, practical proposals made at these meetings can be noted. In particular, at the fourth consultation meeting held in Kyrgyzstan, he put forward a number of proposals that meet the interests of the region. In particular, the interests of the region today are served by such proposals as the creation of a system of border trade zones with unified and simplified procedures for the delivery of goods to Central Asia and the holding of a Central Asian festival of culture, art and cinema in each country.

Indeed, here it is permissible to note the high assessments expressed by many foreign experts to the initiatives of Uzbekistan. For example, Li Yunxuan, director of the Institute of European and Asian Social Development under the State Council of China, says: “Uzbekistan is an active participant in the processes of strengthening regional and interregional cooperation, in the mechanism of consultative meetings of leaders of Central Asian countries, in ensuring the effectiveness of cooperation on topical issues of ensuring regional stability and development plays an important role.

Indeed, as a result of the growing role of Central Asia in modern international relations, “the spirit of trust in New Uzbekistan and the principles of cooperation with our country have increased in the world.” ... Our countries, which have been common brothers and sisters from time immemorial, began to act in close cooperation on many regional and global issues and socio-economic development.

The phrase “spirit of Central Asia” has appeared in world political science.

On September 14, 2023, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke at the fourth consultative meeting of leaders of Central Asian countries held in Tajikistan and put forward a number of proposals to strengthen new trends in the Central Asian region. politics of Uzbekistan. Including the development of trade and economic cooperation in the region; development of industrial cooperation; increasing interdependence in transport; ensuring security in the energy sector; ensuring food safety; Combating the threats posed by climate change.

The issue of creating an interstate economic council to expand practical cooperation on the entire range of trade and economic issues in the region also deserves attention. Another platform implemented at the initiative of Uzbekistan is the Central Asian Economic Forum. On March 15, 2019, the first Central Asian Economic Forum was held in Tashkent with the participation of deputy prime ministers of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Positive results were achieved through discussion at the forum of issues of further development of regional cooperation, studying the possibilities of the transport and communications complex, increasing the volume of mutual trade and the attractiveness of tourism.

At the initiative of Uzbekistan, in order to ensure good neighborliness and interethnic harmony between the peoples of the countries of Central Asia, on November 15, 2019, an international conference was held in Tashkent with the participation of experts and scientists from foreign countries on the topic “Central Asia is our common home,” which serves to bring the countries of the region closer together in cultural and humanitarian sphere.

Uzbekistan's policy in Central Asia is consistent in identifying new trends, ensuring stability and security.

On March 9-10, 2018, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev made a state visit to the Republic of Tajikistan. At the high-level meeting, special attention was paid to strengthening interstate cooperation in the areas of ensuring regional security and stability, promoting the solution of international problems, combating terrorism and extremism and other types of organized transnational crime, which is an important achievement of Uzbekistan. diplomacy in ensuring regional security and stability. According to Tajik expert Kasimsho Iskandarov, relations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan depend on the political will of state leaders. After Shavkat Mirziyoyev came to power, relations between the two countries changed dramatically. The rapid development of Tajik-Uzbek relations has solved many problems not only between the two countries, but also between all countries in the region. The political environment for developing regional cooperation has improved. 

Also, on the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on June 22, 2018, the UN General Assembly for the first time adopted a resolution “Strengthening regional and international cooperation to ensure peace, stability and consistent development in the Central Asian region”.  Our opinion is confirmed by the fact that Uzbekistan has put forward proposals for the formation of a regional system for forecasting emergency situations in the region, their prevention, early warning and joint counteraction.

It is worth noting that there are several factors that contribute to the development of good neighborly relations, such as mutual trade, investments and joint projects.

If we look at the numbers, we can witness that Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with the countries of Central Asia has grown to an unprecedented level. Trade turnover in 2017 amounted to $2.4 billion, and by the end of 2019 it reached $5.2 billion. In two short years the growth was 150 percent. Despite the restrictions caused by the pandemic, the growth in freight volumes observed in Central Asia in 2020 demonstrates the enormous potential for further expansion of international roads and railways and strengthening of transport and logistics infrastructure. In this regard, on August 6, 2021, within the framework of the third consultative meeting of leaders of Central Asian countries, at the Economic Forum of Central Asian Countries, held in the Avaza National Tourist Zone (Turkmenistan), the Uzbek side discussed the development of transport corridors connecting the countries of Central Asia, increasing efficiency use of the transit potential of the countries of the region, and also, it is worth noting that he made a proposal to strengthen cooperation on the harmonization and digitalization of customs clearance procedures. It is worth noting that “in recent years, radical reforms in our country, a consistent and active foreign policy, especially strengthening the environment of close neighbors in the Central Asian region, have increased the international prestige of our country”.

If we evaluate the new trends in the Central Asian policy of Uzbekistan, we can see that their impact on regional interaction and international relations is acquiring positive significance.

It should be noted that on December 19, 2019, at the plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly, a special resolution “Sustainable tourism and sustainable development in Central Asia” was adopted, proposed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

In short, the special significance of the approaches in the regional policy of Uzbekistan lies in the fact that they serve to strengthen the belt of security, stability and cooperation throughout the region. In the context of increasing threats to regional and global security, the socio-economic well-being of countries, Uzbekistan is of great importance in determining new trends in the politics of Central Asia and the prospects for jointly combating modern dangers and threats.

Mirzayev Gulom,

Doctor of philosophy in historical sciences (PhD), associate professor at the University of Public Safety of the Republic of Uzbekistan

As Serbia’s economy continues to develop and demand for skilled workers grows across a number of sectors, an emerging model of cooperation with Uzbekistan could offer a solution built on legality, orderly mobility and institutional oversight by both countries.

This is not simply about sending workers from one country to another. The new approach is based on identifying the specific needs of the Serbian labour market, selecting and preparing the required specialists in Uzbekistan, directly involving employers in the process, and ensuring that employment takes place under conditions that safeguard workers’ rights.

In this context, a new and promising dimension is emerging in relations between Tashkent and Belgrade — a partnership in orderly labour mobility and human capital.

From political trust to a practical mechanism

The political foundation for this process was laid in October 2025.

The official visit of President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić to Uzbekistan marked a historic milestone in relations between the two countries. Following talks between Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Aleksandar Vučić, a Joint Declaration was adopted and a package of agreements covering the economy, investment, education, technology, tourism and other areas was signed.

Among them was a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of labour migration.

Orderly labour migration thus became one of the practical areas of high-level political dialogue between the two countries.

Seven months later, those political agreements began to take concrete institutional form.

On 18–19 May 2026, Tashkent hosted the International Migration Forum, attended by a Serbian delegation headed by Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs Milica Đurđević Stamenkovski.

One fact is particularly significant for the Serbian audience: according to the official information of the Government of Serbia, this is the first agreement of its kind on labour mobility that Serbia has begun negotiating with a foreign country. Uzbekistan was chosen as its first partner.

Legal, safe and regulated mobility

Serbia’s approach to this cooperation was clearly articulated by Minister Milica Đurđević Stamenkovski during her visit to Tashkent.

According to the Minister, the future agreement is intended to establish an effective mechanism ensuring that labour mobility takes place exclusively within a legal, safe and regulated framework, based on clear rules and full institutional oversight by the state.

As she stressed, responsible states do not leave migration flows unmanaged; rather, they manage them in the interests of their citizens, their economies and national security.

This position is closely aligned with the new model that Uzbekistan has been developing in recent years.

For Uzbekistan, the objective is likewise no longer simply to direct a citizen towards an available job abroad. The new model begins by identifying an employer’s needs, selecting suitable candidates, providing professional and language training where necessary, establishing employment conditions in advance and only then facilitating employment through legal and organised channels.

Cooperation is not starting from scratch

Uzbekistan and Serbia already have practical experience of cooperation in the employment sector.

According to Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency, 435 Uzbek citizens in 2022, 135 in 2024 and 215 in 2025 were sent to Serbia through organised channels for temporary employment in agriculture. During the first seven months of 2026, another nine citizens began working in Serbia through the same mechanism.

Today, three cooperation agreements are in place between Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency and Serbian companies for the recruitment of Uzbek citizens for temporary employment.

In 2026, cooperation began expanding beyond agriculture.

In February, Serbian partners reported demand for approximately 200 seasonal workers in selected sectors of the economy. In June, a Serbian recruitment company identified a need for another 50 specialists for façade works.

The clearest practical example of the emerging model, however, came in July.

A Serbian employer selects workers directly in Uzbekistan

From 6 to 10 July 2026, Serbian company M Enterijer Gradnja doo Beograd–Voždovac conducted direct recruitment in Uzbekistan for 120 positions in the construction sector.

The vacancies included 50 reinforcement workers, 50 carpenters, five civil engineers, five crane operators and ten special-equipment operators.

Monthly salaries were set at €1,000–€1,500. The employer covers the costs of visas and work permits, transportation, accommodation, two meals a day and medical insurance.

One hundred Uzbek citizens expressed interest in the vacancies. Of these, 74 were admitted to interviews and practical assessments. Following the selection process, 43 specialists successfully passed the recruitment process, and their documents were submitted to the Serbian employer for further processing.

This experience illustrates the essence of the emerging model.

Rather than assessing candidates solely on the basis of their CVs, the Serbian employer can evaluate their professional skills directly in Uzbekistan. Candidates, meanwhile, know before travelling to Serbia where they will work, what their duties will be, how much they will earn and what employment and living conditions will be provided.

This reduces uncertainty for both sides.

Training first, employment second

Another important change in Uzbekistan’s approach to labour mobility is that a foreign employer’s request is no longer viewed merely as a vacancy, but as a specific requirement for workforce preparation.

In May 2026, the INTIL International Centre for Foreign Language and Vocational Training opened in Tashkent. At its initial stage, the centre provides training in eight foreign languages and 12 professions, hosts international examinations and offers advisory services related to visas and documentation.

In the future, this infrastructure can also be used to prepare specialists specifically for the needs of Serbian companies.

For example, if a Serbian employer requires a certain number of welders, construction specialists, drivers or workers in other occupations, candidates can be selected in Uzbekistan, their skills upgraded to meet the employer’s requirements, and initial language training provided before departure.

This aspect is also important to the Serbian side.

Milica Đurđević Stamenkovski positively assessed Uzbekistan’s readiness to prepare citizens before they travel to Serbia for temporary employment, including by introducing them to the Serbian language. Such preparation could help workers adapt more quickly to both their workplace and everyday life in Serbia.

The prospective model of cooperation can therefore be expressed in a simple formula:

Serbia identifies the demand — Uzbekistan selects and prepares the workforce — the employer assesses their qualifications — and state institutions ensure that the process remains legal and transparent.

People at the centre

Any labour mobility model can only be sustainable if people remain at its centre.

For Uzbekistan, protecting the labour rights of citizens temporarily employed abroad, ensuring the timely payment of wages, decent living conditions and access to legal protection are therefore just as important as securing the job itself.

Dialogue with Serbia in this area is not new.

As early as 2022, an Uzbek delegation held talks with Serbia’s competent labour authorities, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, representatives of the agriculture, construction and hospitality sectors, employers, and the International Organization for Migration’s office in Serbia. Direct meetings were also held with Uzbek citizens working in Serbia to assess their employment and living conditions.

There is now an opportunity to transform this experience into a permanent institutional mechanism between the two states.

Here again, the two sides share a common principle: labour mobility should be legal, safe and orderly.

Another step towards greater mobility

Practical steps are also being taken to facilitate movement between the two countries.

Since late April 2026, Serbia has been issuing Uzbek citizens category “C” electronic visas, allowing a single entry for stays of up to 30 days.

Looking ahead, there is scope to explore more convenient mechanisms for seasonal employment, simplify visa procedures for other categories of work, and strengthen direct cooperation between Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency and Serbia’s National Employment Service in the field of organised employment.

Importantly, this relationship is not one-way.

Serbian citizens are also legally employed in Uzbekistan. In particular, relevant work authorisations were issued to 53 Serbian citizens in 2022, 48 in 2023 and 32 in 2024.

The issue, therefore, is much broader than “sending workers from Uzbekistan to Serbia”. It is about orderly labour mobility between two countries.

Why Uzbekistan?

For a Serbian audience, this is a natural question.

The Government of Serbia itself has addressed it: Uzbekistan’s selection as Serbia’s first foreign partner for such a labour mobility agreement was linked to the country’s dynamic economic development and the rapid deepening of bilateral relations towards a strategic partnership.

Uzbekistan, for its part, has a large and young workforce while simultaneously developing a system for preparing citizens according to the specific requirements of international labour markets.

This is where the interests of the two countries complement one another: Serbia’s demand for workers and Uzbekistan’s capacity to select and prepare them.

In the future, this also creates an opportunity to expand cooperation beyond seasonal agriculture and construction. Based on the actual needs of the Serbian economy, specialists could be trained specifically for other sectors as well.

A new bridge between Tashkent and Belgrade

During the first summit between Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Aleksandar Vučić in October 2025, the importance of developing new transport corridors between Central Asia and the Balkans was highlighted.

Yet one of the most important bridges between the two regions may be built not only through railways or highways, but through human capital.

For Serbia, orderly labour mobility offers an opportunity to attract pre-selected and trained workers who match the real needs of its economy through transparent and legal mechanisms.

For Uzbekistan, it offers an opportunity to open new legal labour markets for its citizens, strengthen their professional skills and earning potential, while ensuring state-level protection of their rights and interests abroad.

For this reason, it would be too narrow to view the process now unfolding between Tashkent and Belgrade simply as another labour migration project.

Its potential is considerably broader: to build a long-term partnership model based on targeted workforce preparation, direct employer participation, legal and safe labour mobility, and investment in human capital.

Speaking in Tashkent, Serbia’s Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs Milica Đurđević Stamenkovski said that relations between Uzbekistan and Serbia were entering a “new historical phase”, with the goal of elevating ties between the two friendly countries to the level of a strategic partnership.

The practical steps taken in the field of labour mobility in recent months show that this vision is already acquiring tangible substance.

High-level political trust is in place. The legal framework is taking shape. Direct links between employers and potential employees have already begun.

The task now is to transform this opportunity into a sustainable system that serves the economies of both Serbia and Uzbekistan — and, above all, the people of both countries.

Exactly one year ago, on January 29, 2025, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, visited the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. During his visit, he provided a series of recommendations and directives regarding the incorporation of scientific and innovative projects developed by more than two thousand domestic and international researchers into the exhibitions of the Center.

It was truly a historic visit. Over the past year, the construction of the Center has been fully completed. Specialists and designers from more than 40 countries were involved in enhancing the Center’s activities and enriching its exhibitions. All of them were united around a megaproject initiated and guided by the vision of the President.

In September 2025, the Head of our State, from the high podium of the United Nations, announced the completion of the construction of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan and its imminent opening. Since then, the internal content of the exhibitions has become even more comprehensive. The Center has evolved into a unique space that captures the attention of the global community. Today, visitors from around the world, as well as leaders of states and international organizations, engage with the Center’s work, its scientific projects dedicated to civilizations, prominent figures and discoveries, openly acknowledging its significance.

The world is experiencing a period of profound civilizational transformation. Technological advancement often outpaces moral reflection, while global crises – ranging from geopolitical conflicts to the erosion of cultural identity – increasingly raise questions about humanity’s capacity for dialogue. In circumstances where religion is sometimes used as a tool for conflict, and culture becomes a dividing line, the need for new platforms that can restore the constructive essence of inter-civilizational dialogue is especially urgent.

It is in precisely this historical moment, in the heart of Eurasia – on land where great civilizations and empires arose, where trade routes, religions, scientific schools, and cultures have intersected for millennia – that the unique Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan has been established. Its creation is no coincidence and is not motivated by transient considerations; it is a direct reflection of the strategic vision of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

As early as 2017, speaking from the podium of the United Nations, the President addressed the global community with a call to restore the true place of Islamic civilization in world history, emphasizing that the foundations of sacred Islam lie in enlightenment, science, and humanistic values and that extremism and ignorance can be countered through knowledge and culture.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, during his visit to the under-construction Center of Islamic Civilization, expressed high international appreciation for this initiative, noting:

“Your President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, is a great and respected leader who consistently promotes the ideas of dialogue, enlightenment and mutual respect from the high podium of the United Nations”.

These words reflect the understanding that has already taken hold within the international community: under the leadership of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has become an active participant in shaping contemporary history.

The address of the President of Uzbekistan from the United Nations podium laid the intellectual and scholarly foundation for the Center, both as a monumental architectural complex and as a fundamentally new humanitarian model of global significance. Within this model, Islam is presented through the history of great civilizations where scientific revolutions occurred, universities and academies were established, libraries and laboratories were created and the foundations of medicine, philosophy, art and scientific thought were formed.

Thanks to the President’s personal political will, strategic vision and consistent leadership, the idea of creating the Center of Islamic Civilization has been realized on an unprecedented scale, in terms of scope, content and international significance. A unique civilizational complex has been established, uniting a next-generation museum, advanced research infrastructure, a modern library, national and international archives on the history of Central Asian civilizations, digital humanities technologies and a broad network of global scientific and cultural cooperation.

The project also received high praise from the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev:

“This is a large-scale and unique facility. It is a scientific, tourist and ethnocultural project. I agree with the President of Uzbekistan: Center of Islamic Civilization can become a shared platform for research in this important field”.

According to global experts, Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan is not merely an infrastructure project or a symbol of cultural policy. It represents a deliberate civilizational response by the leader of Uzbekistan to contemporary global challenges. For the first time in the history of the Islamic world, such a large-scale permanent platform for genuine inter-civilizational dialogue has been created.

Uzbekistan has assumed a historic and spiritual mission - not by issuing declarations, but by establishing a real, world-class intellectual space to counter distorted interpretations of Islam and Islamic civilization.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, emphasized:

“Visiting the Center of Islamic Civilization, established at the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan, we were once again convinced of the country’s leadership’s deep commitment to preserving and promoting the rich cultural and spiritual values of the Uzbek people. In the context of rising Islamophobia, the opening of the Center carries special significance. It vividly demonstrates that Islam is a religion of creation, humanism, tolerance, friendship and brotherhood”.

Experts and policymakers unanimously note that this project has become a humanitarian shield against radicalism and distorted perceptions of Islam - a shield built on knowledge.

A particularly important aspect of the Center’s activities is the repatriation of cultural heritage. By the directive of the President, special state and diplomatic mechanisms were established to ensure systematic cooperation with the world’s leading auction houses - Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Bonhams - as well as with major museums and private collectors. As a result, around two thousand rare artifacts have been returned to the country, including manuscripts of Ibn Sina, works of Al-Biruni, Timurid-era miniatures and masterpieces of Islamic art.

This achievement represents a tangible restoration of Central Asia’s civilizational memory and the historical justice of the region.

President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, upon visiting the exhibitions, noted:

“Visiting the Center of Islamic Civilization left a profound impression on me. Many of humanity’s scientific and cultural achievements originated here. Unfortunately, the world does not always recognize that fundamental works in algebra and medicine emerged on this land. This visit inspired me and strengthened my confidence in Uzbekistan’s tremendous potential”.

Experts emphasize that the President of Uzbekistan shapes the future with the same consistency with which he restores the past. For this reason, the Center was conceived from the outset as a dynamically evolving system - an international scientific platform, a media space and a publishing and educational hub.

President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, after his visit, stated:

“I was struck by an impression I have never experienced anywhere else. Three thousand years of history are presented in a modern and compelling way. Here, one truly feels history - it is impossible to remain indifferent”.

Today, Center of Islamic Civilization is becoming an intellectual hub of the modern world, much like Bayt al-Hikma in Baghdad, Academy of Al-Ma’mun in Khwarazm and Ulugh Bek madrasa in Samarkand once shaped the development of science.

Center represents a new type of civilizational institution for the 21st century. Historical knowledge is combined with digital technologies, manuscripts become global digital resources, the museum acquires the characteristics of a scientific laboratory and national heritage becomes a foundation for international dialogue and mutual understanding.

In conclusion, it is appropriate to cite the words of the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić:

“I have never seen a center like this anywhere. It is built in a modern and very expressive architectural style. I have learned a great deal here and will certainly return. I would tell my fellow citizens: dear friends, I made a big mistake by not coming here earlier. Please visit Uzbekistan as soon as possible”.

Firdavs Abdukhalikov

Director of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan

From 3 to 6 May 2026, Samarkand will host the 59th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The event is expected to bring together heads of banking and financial institutions from 69 member countries, as well as representatives of international organizations. Discussions will focus on the key development challenges facing the countries of Asia and possible ways to address them.

The holding of such a high-level forum in Uzbekistan reflects the growing recognition of the country’s ongoing economic reforms and the strengthening of its position within the global financial system. A significant factor has also been the notable expansion of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the ADB in recent years, as evidenced by a number of objective international assessments of the country’s socio-economic development.

First, there has been a steady rise in Uzbekistan’s international standing and stronger performance in global rankings. In particular, in the Government Technology Maturity Index published by the World Bank, the country advanced by 71 positions, entering the world’s top ten.

Second, despite continuing disruptions in global production and transport-logistics chains, rising commodity prices, and tighter financial conditions, Uzbekistan continues to demonstrate устойчивый economic growth. In 2025, for the first time in the country’s history, gross domestic product exceeded USD 145 billion, while gold and foreign exchange reserves surpassed USD 60 billion.

At the same time, the volume of attracted foreign investment increased significantly, reaching USD 43.1 billion, while the share of investment in GDP exceeded 31 percent. Moreover, despite growing protectionism and sanctions pressure in the global trading system, the republic increased exports by 23 percent, bringing them to USD 33.4 billion.

Third, cooperation between Uzbekistan and the ADB is comprehensive and long-term in nature. The total portfolio of joint initiatives amounts to 174 projects worth USD 27.5 billion, of which 66 projects worth USD 10.5 billion have already been completed, while another 30 projects valued at USD 4.6 billion are currently under implementation. These figures confirm the ADB’s status as one of Uzbekistan’s leading development partners.

Building on accumulated experience, the ADB launched a new five-year partnership strategy with Uzbekistan in August 2024 for the period 2024–2028. Its key priorities include supporting the republic’s transition toward a green and inclusive economy, enhancing private sector competitiveness, and stimulating investment in human capital.

In addition, Uzbekistan and the ADB approved a Memorandum of Understanding for 2026–2028, which envisages the implementation of 28 projects with a total value of USD 4.2 billion.

The fact that the meeting is being held in Uzbekistan positions the country as a regional hub for dialogue on development and investment, demonstrates the progress of reforms, and contributes to attracting global partners to accelerate the country’s sustainable development. According to experts, the meeting will serve as an important platform for strengthening cooperation and concluding priority agreements between the Government of Uzbekistan and the ADB.

Furthermore, in order to consolidate long-term priorities, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev put forward an initiative to mark the Samarkand summit with the signing of an important document — the Expanded Strategic Partnership Programme with the ADB for 2027–2030. It will serve as a medium-term roadmap, with primary emphasis placed on human capital and social resilience.

Thus, cooperation between Uzbekistan and the ADB has evolved from financial assistance into a strategic partnership. Today, the Bank finances key projects, shapes the reform agenda, and supports the long-term transformation of the national economy, effectively acting as an institutional partner.

Such cooperation opens a number of significant advantages for Uzbekistan:

Economic – access to concessional loans and grants, reduced budgetary burden in implementing large-scale programmes, improvement of the investment climate and inflow of long-term foreign investment, infrastructure development, and employment growth;

Structural – acceleration of market reforms, liberalization and diversification of the economy, and private sector development;

Strategic – integration into the global economy, transition to a green growth model, and participation in regional value chains and transport-logistics corridors.

As can be seen, the modern ADB agenda largely coincides with Uzbekistan’s current reform trajectory. According to experts, the republic has synchronized its national strategy with the Bank’s priorities and, as a result, can attract even greater volumes of financing to accelerate structural reforms and strengthen economic resilience.

Overall, the key features of the modern model of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the ADB are: comprehensiveness (covering all major sectors), strategic orientation (alignment with the long-term goals of “Uzbekistan–2030”), institutional depth (reforms, regulation, standards), and sustainability (environmental protection and inclusiveness).

Thus, today the ADB is not merely a creditor, but a key strategic partner participating in structural reforms, economic modernization, and Uzbekistan’s integration into global economic processes.

Dmitriy Trostyanskiy

Chief Research Fellow,

Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies

under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan,

Doctor of Economic Sciences

Over the past few years, Central Asia and the Caucasus have emerged as some of the fastest-growing regions in technology and innovation. Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan are increasingly strengthening their positions on the global startup map, attracting international investors, technology companies, and entrepreneurs. One of the key platforms bringing together the region’s innovation ecosystem has become the international INMerge summit.

What is INMerge?

INMerge is an international innovation summit that brings together startups, investors, corporations, government representatives, and technology communities from across Central Eurasia. Over the past five years, the project has evolved from a relatively small corporate gathering into one of the region’s leading technology forums.

Today, INMerge hosts participants from Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Türkiye, and other countries. Discussions focus on investment, artificial intelligence, startup development, digital infrastructure, and cross-border collaboration. Most importantly, however, the forum helps transform networking opportunities and ideas into real partnerships, projects, and investment deals.

In 2026, INMerge expanded beyond a single-city format by launching a regional Roadshow initiative. Ahead of the main summit, the team is organizing a series of events across key locations in the region. One of the central stops became Tashkent — a city that clearly demonstrated how rapidly Central Asia’s role in the global technology landscape is evolving.

Today, the three countries are shaping a new regional ecosystem, where each contributes its own strategic strengths.

Uzbekistan is now considered one of the fastest-growing tech markets in the region. Over the past year, venture investment volumes increased more than fivefold, the number of startups doubled to over 950, and Tashkent entered the world’s top 100 startup ecosystems for the first time. The country is actively opening up to international investors and steadily becoming a new destination for technology-driven businesses. Uzbekistan is already home to two unicorns.

Kazakhstan continues to focus on infrastructure development and a systematic approach to building its startup ecosystem. The country is developing a large-scale $1 billion fund of funds and has spent several years consistently creating conditions that allow startups to scale not only domestically, but internationally as well. Kazakhstan has also produced two unicorns.

In 2024, IT Park Uzbekistan and Astana Hub took another important step toward regional integration by launching the Central Asian Innovation Hubs initiative. The platform opened access for Central Asian startups to joint programs, international venues, and global accelerators. Today, Azerbaijan is increasingly exploring participation in this ecosystem, gradually contributing to the formation of a unified technological space connecting Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Azerbaijan, in turn, is becoming a platform that connects different markets and innovation communities. Baku was recently named Startup City of the Year, while INMerge Ventures became one of the country’s first locally registered venture capital funds. The city is now emerging as a hub for dialogue between corporations, investors, and technology teams from across the broader region.

At INMerge, this evolving dynamic is described as an “innovation corridor.” It is not simply about neighboring countries collaborating — it is about creating a shared ecosystem where ideas, technologies, investments, and talent can move freely across borders.

From Local Startups to the Global Stage

For startups today, building a product is no longer enough. Founders also need access to investors, strategic networks, and international markets. This is why platforms like INMerge are becoming increasingly important across the region.

One of the clearest examples is the startup competition held in Tashkent. Winners receive not only visibility and recognition, but also the opportunity to present their projects at the final summit in Baku before international investors and major corporations. This model helps connect local ecosystems into a larger regional network, giving young startups a real opportunity for international growth.

The final stage of INMerge will take place on October 8–9 in Baku, bringing together startup founders, investors, corporate leaders, and government officials who are actively shaping the future of Central Eurasia’s innovation economy.

A region that until recently remained outside the global technology spotlight is steadily becoming a new center of growth. And today, INMerge is playing a key role in accelerating that transformation.

Development of the “Central Asia Plus” Formats

In recent years, Central Asia has increasingly acted as a unified region in international relations. Alongside bilateral ties, “Central Asia Plus” formats have been developing, allowing the countries to coordinate their shared interests and discuss trade, investment, industrial cooperation, transportation, energy, and security with external partners.

Existing formats include “Central Asia–European Union,” “Central Asia–Russia,” the C5+1 platform with the United States, as well as dialogue mechanisms with China, Japan, South Korea, and other partners. These mechanisms do not replace bilateral cooperation but complement it with a regional agenda.

Central Asia’s Multivector Cooperation

The first “Central Asia–European Union” summit, held in Samarkand in April 2025, focused on developing a strategic partnership between the two regions. Particular attention was paid to investment, technological modernization, green energy, critical minerals, transportation, and logistics.

Uzbekistan proposed establishing an investment platform to advance regional projects and developing coordinated conditions for expanding the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. It also proposed holding a meeting of the transport ministers of the countries located along the route.

The second “Central Asia–Russia” summit, held in October 2025, focused on expanding trade, industrial cooperation, and collaboration in energy and transportation.

Uzbekistan proposed holding annual summits, establishing a coordination council at the deputy prime minister level, and creating an integrated transportation and logistics framework combining national road, rail, and air connectivity programs. Particular attention was also paid to developing the North–South Corridor and resilient production chains.

Thus, the “Central Asia Plus” formats enable the region to develop cooperation in several areas simultaneously. Their purpose is not to choose a single partner or route, but to expand economic ties and strengthen the region’s resilience to external changes.

Establishing a New C5+1 Format

The “Central Asia + Azerbaijan” format differs from other platforms because Azerbaijan is directly connected to the region through the Caspian Sea and is a key component of transportation routes leading toward the South Caucasus, Türkiye, and Europe.

For Central Asia, Azerbaijan is an important transit, investment, and industrial partner. For Azerbaijan, the Central Asian countries represent a growing market and a source of cargo flows for its port, railway, and logistics infrastructure. The new format therefore has not only political significance but also a specific economic dimension.

At the seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, held in Tashkent on November 16, 2025, a decision was made to grant Azerbaijan full participation. This became the first meeting of regional leaders in the expanded format.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed gradually transforming the consultative dialogue into a strategic “Central Asian Community” format. Initial steps included strengthening the institutional framework of the meetings, establishing a rotating secretariat, and elevating the status of national coordinators to special representatives of the presidents.

In trade and economic cooperation, Uzbekistan proposed developing a Comprehensive Regional Program for Trade and Economic Cooperation through 2035. The document is expected to address the removal of administrative barriers, simplification of customs and tax procedures, joint use of industrial and free economic zones, and other measures to increase intraregional trade.

Initiatives were also proposed to establish a common investment space and develop e-commerce. These measures include coordinating basic approaches to investor protection, creating regional digital marketplaces, and developing reliable digital payment systems.

Particular attention was paid to transportation and energy infrastructure. Uzbekistan proposed establishing an Infrastructure Development Council at the deputy prime minister level. Priorities included the construction and modernization of roads, railways, border checkpoints, energy networks, green corridors, and digital infrastructure.

Transportation initiatives covered the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, the Trans-Afghan route, and the Trans-Caspian transportation routes connecting Central Asia with the markets of the Caucasus, Türkiye, and Europe.

In 2026, the meeting is expected to continue under Turkmenistan’s chairmanship in the new “Central Asia and Azerbaijan” format.

Economic Foundation of Cooperation

The expansion of the regional format is taking place against the backdrop of growing trade and investment ties between Uzbekistan and the Central Asian countries.

In 2025, Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with the countries of the region reached $8.3 billion. Exports totaled approximately $3.2 billion, while imports amounted to $5.1 billion. Kazakhstan remained Uzbekistan’s largest regional trading partner, accounting for 60.2% of its trade with Central Asian countries. Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan each accounted for 14.5%, while Tajikistan accounted for 11%.

As of June 2026, Uzbekistan was home to 2,384 enterprises with capital from Central Asian countries. These included 1,283 enterprises with Kazakh capital, 442 with Tajik capital, 362 with Kyrgyz capital, and 297 with Turkmen capital.

The total volume of direct investment and loans attracted from the countries of the region in 2017–2025 amounted to $2.5 billion. In 2025 alone, this figure reached $1.3 billion.

At the same time, the potential of intraregional trade has not been fully utilized. According to calculations by the Center for Economic Research and Reforms, replacing some goods imported from third countries with intraregional supplies could increase trade within Central Asia by $11.4 billion, more than doubling its current volume. Unlocking this potential requires reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, improving information exchange among businesses, and developing regional production chains.

Uzbekistan’s economic relations with Azerbaijan are also strengthening. Between 2017 and 2025, bilateral trade increased 9.5-fold, from $32.5 million to $307.3 million. Uzbekistan’s exports reached $227.3 million, while imports from Azerbaijan amounted to $80 million.

Uzbekistan’s exports mainly consist of manufactured goods, machinery and transportation equipment, food products, beverages, finished goods, and services. Imports are dominated by food and manufactured goods, machinery, transportation equipment, and chemical products.

Uzbekistan is home to 460 enterprises with Azerbaijani capital. Their number has increased 6.5-fold since 2017. In 2025, Azerbaijani investment in Uzbekistan totaled $173.7 million, bringing cumulative investment to $318.6 million.

An additional instrument was created in 2023 with the establishment of the Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan Investment Company, which has authorized capital of $500 million and can finance projects in Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and third countries.

Cooperation is also developing in the automotive industry, textiles, construction, agriculture, and other sectors.

The Middle Corridor and Azerbaijan

Expanding trade and industrial cooperation requires reliable transportation infrastructure. For Uzbekistan, which has no direct access to the sea, developing alternative routes is essential to strengthening the resilience of foreign trade.

The Middle Corridor connects China and Central Asia with the South Caucasus, Türkiye, and Europe. Cargo from Uzbekistan can be transported through Kazakhstan or Turkmenistan to Caspian ports, shipped by sea to Azerbaijan, and then delivered to European markets through Georgia and Türkiye or across the Black Sea.

Azerbaijan occupies a central position in the western section of the route. Its transportation infrastructure includes the Alat International Sea Trade Port, the Caspian merchant fleet, and the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway.

The capacity of the Alat Port is expected to increase from 15 million to 25 million metric tons, while the capacity of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway has been expanded to 5 million metric tons. A unified digital platform is also being developed to simplify transportation operations and trade between Caspian ports.

According to the World Bank, if the necessary infrastructure and organizational reforms are implemented, freight traffic along the Middle Corridor could triple by 2030, while delivery times could be reduced by half.

During the first nine months of 2025, transit freight between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan exceeded 1 million metric tons. This indicates growing prospects for using Azerbaijan’s transportation infrastructure as a transit route for Uzbek cargo.

The opening of the Zangezur Corridor is also expected to create additional opportunities for all Central Asian countries.

Opportunities for Uzbekistan and Central Asia

For Uzbekistan, the Middle Corridor provides an additional route to the markets of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye, and the European Union. This makes it possible to diversify transportation routes and reduce foreign trade dependence on a limited number of corridors.

Delivery times and predictability are especially important. They directly affect the competitiveness of textiles, fruits and vegetables, electrical equipment, automobiles, and other high-value-added products. Coordinating rail and maritime transportation schedules, introducing digital documentation, and reducing border-crossing times could lower exporters’ costs.

The corridor’s development will also create demand for dry ports, multimodal terminals, warehouses and cold-storage facilities, repair enterprises, and insurance, financial, and digital services. Transportation can therefore be viewed not only as a means of delivering goods but also as a separate area of investment and industrial development.

Additional opportunities are associated with the construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway. Its integration with the Middle Corridor would establish a shorter and more resilient transportation link between China, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe.

For Central Asia as a whole, developing the route would make it possible to consolidate cargo flows, harmonize transportation procedures, and increase the region’s attractiveness to international investors. A larger and more stable cargo base would support regular train and vessel services, reduce per-unit costs, and expand the geographic reach of shipments.

The Middle Corridor is not viewed as a replacement for northern or southern routes. Its main purpose is to expand available options, strengthen logistics resilience, and create additional connections to external markets.

The Importance of Industrial Cooperation

Transportation cooperation will have a long-term impact if it is linked to the development of manufacturing. Growth in transit alone will not ensure the full realization of the new format’s economic potential.

Uzbekistan, other Central Asian countries, and Azerbaijan could establish joint production chains in the automotive industry, textiles, agricultural processing, electrical engineering, construction materials, chemicals, and machinery manufacturing.

An analysis by the Center for Economic Research and Reforms shows that regional enterprises could supply one another with raw materials, components, and finished products, reducing their dependence on imports from third countries.

One promising area is the establishment of joint industrial zones and logistics centers along the Middle Corridor. The idea of creating “mirror” special economic zones in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan has not yet reached the implementation stage, but it offers significant development potential.

At the same time, growing bilateral trade, the work of the joint investment company, and expanding transportation links are creating conditions for revisiting this initiative.

Such zones could specialize in product assembly and processing, consolidation of export shipments, warehousing operations, and transportation services. Establishing interconnected production facilities in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan would combine Central Asia’s industrial potential with the transportation infrastructure of the South Caucasus.

Conclusion

The first meeting in the expanded format established a political and institutional foundation for cooperation between Central Asia and Azerbaijan. The next meeting, under Turkmenistan’s chairmanship, could focus on the practical development of the Middle Corridor and the expansion of industrial cooperation.

In transportation, the main priorities include coordinating tariffs and procedures, developing regular rail and maritime services, modernizing port and border infrastructure, digitizing documentation, and exploring opportunities to connect the Middle Corridor with the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway.

In industry, priorities could include establishing joint production chains, developing industrial zones, implementing projects through the Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan Investment Company, and attracting international financial institutions to infrastructure and manufacturing projects.

For Uzbekistan, the “Central Asia + Azerbaijan” format creates opportunities to expand exports, diversify transportation routes, and attract investment in manufacturing and logistics. For other Central Asian countries, it provides an additional route to Western markets.

The format’s future significance will depend on how consistently the participating countries develop the Middle Corridor and complement the transportation agenda with industrial and investment cooperation. The upcoming meeting could provide practical momentum for implementing the most ambitious and mutually beneficial projects.

Edvard Romanov,

Center for Economic Research and Reforms

The text of the article is in Uzbek.

Today's events and developments in the international arena once again demonstrate the growing need for the states of the Central and South Asian regions to achieve mutual understanding, solidarity, and a common goal. In this regard, the main goal of the Termez Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia, held on May 19, 2025, on the theme "Building a Common Space of Peace, Friendship, and Prosperity," was to strengthen regional connectivity and bring cooperation to a new level. It can be said that over the past year, significant results have been achieved on the topical issues discussed during the dialogue. The next Termez Dialogue is also aimed at discussing topical issues such as strengthening cooperation between Central and South Asia, deepening interregional ties and ensuring economic growth, as well as further improving security and sustainable development.

Cultural relations. It should be noted that today the city of Termez has become an important center for ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan and restoring its economy. It is noteworthy that in the past, Termez was a center of intercultural and religious dialogue, where Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islamic traditions emerged and developed. Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, noted that the city, located between the Greco-Bactrian, Kushan, and other ancient states, flourished during the Timurid era and became a major center of trade, craftsmanship, 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 areas. 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]" Undoubtedly, the main goal of our efforts today is to restore these historical ties, further strengthen the bonds of friendship and brotherhood between our peoples, and ultimately raise the development of our countries to a new level. To this end, Uzbekistan has been increasingly developing ties with South Asian countries in recent years.

It should be noted that the education sector in Afghanistan has experienced a deep decline due to the long-standing unstable situation. In such a situation, it should be noted that assisting the Afghan people in obtaining education and training personnel with modern knowledge and skills is one of the most rational ways to lead Afghanistan out of the crisis. In this regard, in accordance with the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated November 13, 2017, "On organizing the activities of the Educational Center for Training Afghan Citizens under the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan," an Educational Center for Training Afghan Citizens operates in the city of Termez, Surkhandarya region. During the 2018-2019 academic year, 96 students studied at the Center in the "Uzbek Language and Literature" direction, all of whom received a bachelor's degree from the Alisher Navoi Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature.

Economic relations. It should be noted that the impossibility of achieving any positive results with weapons and troops in establishing peace and stability on Afghan soil was once again confirmed by the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in 2021. From this perspective, today Uzbekistan's economic ties with Afghanistan serve as one of the important factors in establishing peace and economic recovery in the country.

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 the volume of trade to $5 billion. Therefore, today Uzbekistan is becoming one of the key 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 traffic 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 ports with access to the Black and Baltic Seas, and 5 times shorter than the route to 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, it should be noted that this prestigious international conference will contribute to the further expansion of ties between our regions, the opening of new horizons for cooperation, and our confident progress on 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.

[1] 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

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

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

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

On 23 September this year, a regular meeting of the Central Election Commission was held to discuss the accreditation of observers from abroad and from international organizations, as well as the organization of the activities of the Instant Information Center.

The interest of foreign countries and international organizations in the elections to the representative bodies of state power, which will be held this year in accordance with the updated electoral legislation, is extremely high.

In particular, it is expected that more than 1,000 international and foreign observers will participate in observing the elections, particularly about 400 from 50 countries, about 500 from 21 international organizations such as the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Organization of Turkic States and another 60 from the election commissions of 26 foreign countries.

It should be noted that the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe intends to participate in the observation of the elections in Uzbekistan with a comprehensive mission consisting of a core group, long-term and short-term observers, about 350 observers in total.

The great interest of foreign states and international organizations in the elections in Uzbekistan testifies to the international community's recognition of the democratic reforms being carried out in our country.

Accordingly, it was decided at the Central Election Commission meeting to accredit observers from international organizations who will participate in the elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and the local Councils (Kengashes), and some observers from international organizations such as the Commonwealth of Independent States, the CIS Inter-parliamentary Assembly and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe were accredited.

As of today, foreign and international organizations wishing to accredit observers can log into the “E-Saylov” information system in their country and enter data electronically in a specific format and submit it for review.

Another notable aspect of this process is that new samples of mandates of accredited foreign observers are automatically generated electronically through this system.

Also at the meeting of the Central Election Commission, the relevant decision was taken on the establishment of the Instant Information Center – “Call Center” - and the approval of its statutes. The “Call Center” will receive citizens' complaints centrally and provide them with legal explanations and consultations in real time.

The main objectives of the “Call Center” are to establish a dialog with citizens in real time during the election campaign, to provide the population with complete and reliable information on the activities of the commissions, the stages of the electoral process, to create the necessary conditions for the unconditional realization of citizens' rights to vote and appeal, and to strengthen their awareness of electoral legislation and processes.

Central Election Commission Press Service

The upcoming visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Serbia could mark an important stage in the development of bilateral relations. Over the past year, the political dialogue between Tashkent and Belgrade has intensified noticeably and taken on a more systematic character. Against this backdrop, one of the key tasks now is to translate the political engagement achieved so far into concrete trade, investment, transport, and humanitarian projects.

The current momentum builds on relations that have developed over three decades. Serbia recognized Uzbekistan’s independence on 31 December 1991, and the two countries established diplomatic relations on 18 January 1995. In the early years, the diplomatic mission of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in Tashkent maintained contacts between the two sides. In 2003, the mission ceased operations amid the economic situation in Serbia at the time.

Relations gained new momentum in 2025. In September, on the sidelines of events in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Second World War, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held conversation with President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic. A key milestone followed on 28–31 October, when the Serbian leader paid his first official visit to Uzbekistan. Following the talks, the two heads of state signed a Joint Declaration and adopted a package of intergovernmental and interagency documents covering the economy, investment, education, tourism, labor migration, and other areas of cooperation.

The mutual accreditation of ambassadors marked another important institutional step. On 7 July 2025, the first Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Serbia presented his credentials to the President of Serbia, and on 27 October the Ambassador of Serbia to Uzbekistan presented his credentials to the Uzbek side.

High-level contacts continued in 2026. In April, the foreign ministers of the two countries held talks on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, and in May, Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Duric visited Uzbekistan. On 18 May, Sh.Mirziyoyev and A.Vucic met again on the sidelines of the World Urban Forum in Baku. In July, the two leaders held a phone conversation, and on 3 August, the foreign ministries of the two countries held a third round of political consultations in Belgrade.

The political dialogue is gradually being complemented by growing ties between the two countries’ legislatures. The chambers of the Oliy Majlis have set up an inter-parliamentary group for cooperation with the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. Senate Chairwoman T.Narbaeva visited Belgrade in June 2026 to take part in the IPU Global Conference of Women Parliamentarians, and a few weeks later Tashkent hosted a delegation from the “Serbia–Uzbekistan” parliamentary friendship group, led by its chairman A.Markovic.

The political and institutional foundation now in place creates favorable conditions for expanding economic cooperation. At the same time, its current scale still falls well short of the existing potential. In 2025, bilateral trade turnover totaled around $12 million. 9 enterprises with Serbian capital currently operate in Uzbekistan, pointing to considerable room for expanding both trade and industrial cooperation.

The cultural and humanitarian dimension of bilateral ties is also gradually expanding. An important step in this direction came in October 2025, when the two sides signed an agreement establishing partnership relations between Tashkent and Belgrade during the Serbian President’s visit. The agreement opens additional opportunities for direct contacts between the two capitals and for joint initiatives.

The progress achieved over the past year lays the groundwork for moving to more systematic work across several areas.

First, significant potential remains in trade and economic cooperation. Priorities here could include broadening the range of Uzbek exports, increasing the share of high-value-added products, and establishing a preferential trade regime. In February 2026, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan J.Khodjaev and Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia A.Mesarovic identified this as one of the priorities for further work.

Both sides have solid economic grounds for expanding trade. Uzbekistan has a growing industrial base in the textile, chemical, food, and machine-building sectors. Serbia, for its part, enjoys preferential access to the EU market and an extensive network of free trade agreements. This creates opportunities not only for increasing mutual deliveries but also for developing industrial cooperation with a view to reaching third markets.

Second, developing transport connectivity holds practical interest. In February 2026, an Uzbek delegation held talks with representatives of Serbia’s transport sector in Belgrade. In separate meetings, the delegation discussed prospects for rail cooperation with Serbian Railways Infrastructure and explored the possibility of launching direct flights between Tashkent and Belgrade with Air Serbia.

Launching direct flights could substantially ease business, tourism, education, and humanitarian contacts between the two countries. Developing freight links between Central Asia and the Balkans also represents a promising direction. Going forward, growing freight volumes on routes involving Uzbekistan could further strengthen transport connectivity between Central Asia and European markets.

Third, developing labor mobility carries particular significance. Uzbekistan has consistently built up a system of organized external labor migration and established itself as a reliable partner in training skilled personnel. According to the Migration Agency, the country has concluded 48 agreements with 23 states in this area.

This experience provides a practical foundation for building a similar mechanism with Serbia. Reaching agreements would make it possible to establish transparent channels for organized employment, strengthen the protection of citizens, and, at the same time, promote regulated labor mobility between the two countries.

Fourth, education, science, and technology cooperation offer significant opportunities. An intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in education, science, and culture, signed in October 2025, has strengthened the legal basis for this cooperation. One practical avenue could involve Uzbek students participating in Serbian state educational programs, including the “World in Serbia” scholarship program.

Ongoing transformations in Uzbekistan’s higher education system are creating further opportunities to expand such cooperation. The country now has 215 universities, including 30 branches of foreign educational institutions. Uzbek universities continue to strengthen their standing in international rankings, while joint programs with leading foreign educational institutions continue to expand.

Building on the existing institutional foundation, joint educational programs and research projects could become promising directions going forward, particularly in technical fields, digital technologies, and workforce training for priority sectors of both countries’ economies. Such cooperation could give the relationship a long-term character, complementing political contacts with lasting professional and institutional ties.

Fifth, tourism and cultural exchanges serve as an additional resource for rapprochement. In April 2026, the relevant agencies of the two countries discussed joint projects in film tourism, PR promotion, and familiarization trips for media representatives and bloggers. In practical terms, such initiatives could not only help increase tourist flows but also expand direct contacts between the two societies.

In sum, over a relatively short period, Uzbekistan and Serbia have built a fairly solid political and institutional foundation for further developing their relations. At the same time, the level of political dialogue still clearly outpaces the scale of trade, economic, and investment cooperation. The trajectory of the next stage will therefore largely depend on the two sides’ ability to translate the political capital they have accumulated into concrete projects and durable cooperation mechanisms.

The upcoming visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Serbia could give this process additional momentum. Its practical significance will depend above all on progress in trade and investment, transport, labor mobility, education, and tourism. Implementing such initiatives will help fill the rapidly developing political dialogue with more substantial economic and humanitarian content.

Madinabonu Kayumova,
Leading Researcher
of ISRS under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

ART

The Tashkent International Biennale of Contemporary Art has been held every two years since 2001 with government support. It serves as an open platform for cultural exchange in the visual arts, showcasing the modern creative potential of different countries and discussing current issues in contemporary art.

The theme of the X Tashkent International Biennale of Contemporary Art in 2024 is "Art and World". Conceptually, it explores the relationship between art and modern reality through the works of artists from various countries. This theme prompts reflection on the nature of the modern world: Does it possess integrity? Today, the world is characterized by polar stances, clashes, and numerous challenges related to preservation, ecology, morality, culture, and identity, spanning personal to state levels. Its landscape is shaped by opposition influenced by globalization, geopolitics, technogenic civilization, and artificial intelligence. How does contemporary art reflect on the modern world?

Simultaneously, the X Tashkent International Biennale aims to showcase various trends and new directions in contemporary art to the general public. It seeks to enhance international cultural relations, strengthen the creative dialogue between cultures, and highlight the achievements of different countries in visual art. The Biennale focuses on liberating creative consciousness, demonstrating pluralism in creative exploration, and illustrating the specifics of the postmodern condition in different countries. It addresses the state of intertextuality in modern art and the preservation or disappearance of local traditions in the era of globalization.

The concept of the Biennale is dedicated to displaying a multicultural lifestyle through the prism of contemporary art. The works presented will reflect diverse artistic expressions that uphold humanistic values. The theme provides an opportunity to explore concepts such as ecology, culture, tolerance, modern orientalism, identity, artificial intelligence, technogenic civilization, and the inner world of individuals.

FOR MORE DETAILS: biennale.uzbekistan@gmail.com, +998-71-233-04-27

Curator of the X Tashkent International Biennale of Contemporary Art:

Sukhrob Kurbanov - Art Critic and Art Historian.

Coordinator of the event:

Asya Tuychiyeva - Head of the Department for International Relations, Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan.