Proposals to improve the quality of education considered

📅 19.06.2024

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev familiarized himself with the proposals on improving the quality of pre-school and school education and the system of professional development of teachers.

Students' interest in subjects and their academic performance largely depend on the knowledge and skill of teachers. Therefore, necessary conditions are being created for teachers' professional development and the system of knowledge assessment is being improved.

The responsible persons reported on the developed proposals in this sphere.

It was noted that a new certification system based on advanced technologies has been introduced. More than 190 thousand teachers took part in it, 51 thousand teachers were promoted to the new category based on the results.

It was emphasized that it is necessary to constantly stimulate the increase in the number of professional and self-educated teachers in schools.

It was proposed to increase the salaries of teachers with the highest and first qualification category from September 2025.

It was instructed to develop and implement a separate professional development program for teachers who have not been certified and do not have sufficient experience.

In this process, it is necessary to make full use of the possibilities of professional development centers and teacher training colleges. To this end, based on the experience of the Presidential Schools, a system of professional development for the heads and teachers of kindergartens and schools will be organized at the Abdullah Avloni National Research Institute with a frequency of every 5 years.

A task has been set to transfer 11 pedagogical colleges in the regions under the authority of the Centers of Professional Development and attract trainers from abroad.

It was informed that kindergartens and schools, technical schools and "Barkamol Avlod" school will be established on the basis of teacher training colleges with low workload.

In order to disseminate best practices, the evaluation system of Presidential Schools was introduced in 500 schools last year. As a result, student achievement in these schools increased from 53 percent to 59 percent. A bonus of up to 40 percent has been set for school leaders and teachers of high-performing schools.

In this regard, starting from the new school year, this evaluation system will be applied in another 1,000 schools. They will be assigned to 182 specialized schools and 500 schools that have tested the system.

Also 270 schools will be equipped with interactive whiteboards, 365 schools will be provided with computer classes.

The presentation also considered a proposal to establish the National Institute of Pedagogy of Education on the basis of the Research Institute of Pedagogical Sciences of Uzbekistan named after Kary-Niyazi. The new institute will be entrusted with the tasks of strengthening makhalla-parents-school cooperation, creating educational literature for parents and children, and scientific research of didactic views of the Jadids. Activity of the Academic Council on 5 specialties will be organized, as well as training of personnel in master's and doctoral studies.

In addition, the issues of introducing international methods in the schools of sportsmanship of Bakhodir Jalolov and Oksana Chusovitina, improving the quality of education and training were touched upon.

The head of state gave instructions on improving the quality of teachers' training, organizing a fair system of evaluation and incentives.

Uzbekistan's key trading partners participate in CICA

📅 25.09.2026

Expanding Uzbekistan’s exports and developing industrial cooperation require reliable logistics, access to capital, and stable and predictable conditions in foreign markets. These objectives occupy an important place on the economic agenda of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), which brings together 28 member states. The Seventh CICA Summit is scheduled to take place in Baku on 15 October 2026. It will be held during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship, whose priorities include connectivity, digitalization, and sustainable growth.

CICA members include some of Uzbekistan’s key trading partners. In the first half of 2026, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, and Afghanistan together accounted for approximately 53 percent of the country’s total foreign trade turnover. The multilateral platform complements established bilateral relations in areas where the organization of transportation or implementation of investment initiatives requires coordinated participation by several countries.

Cooperation with CIS countries occupies an important place in Uzbekistan’s foreign economic relations. Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with the Commonwealth countries increased from USD 11.8 billion in 2020 to USD 28.1 billion in 2025. In January–July of this year, trade turnover reached USD 18.3 billion, representing a growth rate of 122.7 percent. As of the beginning of August, approximately 5,800 enterprises with capital participation from Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan were operating in Uzbekistan.

Access to different markets requires a network of complementary transport corridors that makes it possible to select delivery routes based on their cost and transit time. At the CICA Summit in Astana in 2022, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev identified the development of production and logistics links between Central Asia and South and East Asia, as well as the Middle East, among the key economic priorities. The knowledge economy and modern technologies were also highlighted as priority areas.

Practical aspects of this agenda were discussed in June 2026 at the Second Termez Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia. Held with the participation of the CICA Secretariat, the event brought together representatives of 17 CICA member states. Discussions on multimodal routes and digital logistics were accompanied by a visit to the infrastructure of the Termez Cargo Terminal and the Ayritom International Trade Center, which facilitate freight transportation and trade between the regions.

Links with ports in the Caspian region complement the overland transport network by providing access to maritime routes. The conference of heads of ports of CICA member states, held in Baku in September, focused on coordinating maritime, rail, and road transportation, cargo handling, and cooperation among operators.

The transport agenda is closely linked to ongoing work within the CIS aimed at harmonizing technical requirements, ensuring mutual recognition of conformity assessment results, and eliminating non-tariff barriers. Electronic document management helps reduce the time required for cargo clearance and control procedures.

Direct ties between regions and businesses facilitate the identification of partners and platforms for joint projects involving technology transfer, industrial automation, and the development of new materials. Strengthening such ties was a key focus of the First CIS Forum of Regions held in Tashkent in 2025. The CICA Business Council provides additional opportunities for business engagement by promoting cooperation among business associations of CICA member states.

At the CIS Innovative Industry Forum held in Tashkent in April 2026, participants discussed the application of artificial intelligence and cooperation between science and industry.

For small and medium-sized enterprises, participation in such value chains creates opportunities to manufacture components and provide specialized services to large industrial enterprises.

The preparation of joint projects also requires coordination of financing sources. The CICA Financial Summit serves as an additional platform for engagement with relevant national institutions. Its first meeting was held in Astana on 8 September 2026. Its consultative agenda covers development finance, investment cooperation, and digital solutions. For Uzbekistan, this provides an opportunity to present initiatives in logistics, energy, and industry to potential investors and discuss the terms and conditions for their implementation.

Participation in multilateral formats enables Uzbekistan to build on established partnerships when entering new markets and preparing joint projects. The economic impact of such cooperation is reflected in the establishment of new production facilities, long-term export contracts, and an increase in the value added generated in Uzbekistan.

Prospects for Cooperation Between Uzbekistan and Finland in the Field of Ecology and Sustainable Development

📅 29.10.2025

Uzbekistan and Finland possess significant potential to deepen their partnership in the areas of ecology, sustainable natural resource management, and climate change mitigation. Environmental institutions of both countries actively engage through international conferences, forums, and projects supported by international organizations and development banks.

One of the most notable examples of practical cooperation is the joint project between the Agency of Hydrometeorological Service of Uzbekistan, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and the Finnish Meteorological Institute. Valued at USD 2 million, the project aims to strengthen Uzbekistan’s hydrometeorological capacity, train specialists in modern forecasting methods for weather and natural disasters, and enhance climate services and adaptation measures to climate change.

To further expand bilateral cooperation, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan has identified several priority areas that could form the basis for a future Memorandum of Understanding with Finland.

One key area of collaboration could be sustainable forest management. Over 70% of Finland’s territory is covered by forests, which account for 0.5% of global timber reserves. Studying Finland’s experience in public-private partnerships in forestry and its effective mechanisms for conserving forest ecosystems could help Uzbekistan improve its own approaches to developing green zones and protecting natural territories.

Another promising area is circular economy development. Finland was among the first countries to adopt a national “roadmap” for transitioning to circular models of production and consumption. For Uzbekistan — which is currently developing a modern waste management and recycling system — learning from Finland’s sustainable production practices would be an important step toward achieving “green” growth.

Air quality management is also an area of great interest. Finland is recognized as one of the countries with the cleanest air in the world, thanks to its advanced monitoring systems and strict environmental regulations. Adopting Finnish technologies for tracking pollutants and reducing emissions could significantly improve air quality in Uzbekistan’s urban centers.

Particular attention is also given to climate action. Finland aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035 and its strategies for reducing emissions and adapting to climate challenges could serve as a valuable model for Uzbekistan in implementing its own climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.

An important area of focus is scientific and educational cooperation. The Ministry of Ecology of Uzbekistan is interested in establishing partnerships between Finnish universities and the Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies (Green University). Academic exchange programs, joint research initiatives and the development of green educational technologies will contribute to training a new generation of environmental and climate specialists in the region.

Cooperation in biodiversity conservation and protected areas management is also of high importance. Finland allocates 13.3% of its territory for these purposes and plans to expand this figure to 30% by 2030. This experience holds great value for Uzbekistan, which is actively implementing a national program to expand its network of reserves and national parks.

The signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of the Environment and Climate of Finland would be a logical step toward strengthening this partnership. Joint initiatives between the two countries will help combine innovation and scientific expertise in pursuit of a shared goal — protecting nature, enhancing climate resilience, and building a sustainable and environmentally secure future.

 

Anvar Tursunaliyev,

Chief specialist Department of international cooperation

and rankings of the Ministry of Ecology,

Environmental Protection and Climate Change

In Uzbekistan, during this challenging period, the state took on the role not just of a regulator, but of an active catalyst for modernization

📅 27.04.2026

Akramjon Nematov, First Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan (ISRS), in an analysis for Dunyo IA on the results of the April 24 meeting chaired by the Head of State, emphasized that the country's socio-economic development results for the first quarter of 2026 confirm: the nation has not only adapted to global turbulence but has also developed a reliable internal immunity to external shocks.

According to him, the achieved figures indicate that the national economy has reached a qualitatively new level of dynamic development. Despite unprecedented global market volatility, the disruption of global supply chains, and mounting inflationary pressures, Uzbekistan recorded an impressive GDP growth of 8.7%, significantly exceeding the 6.8% result from the same period last year.

Such a significant breakthrough, the expert is convinced, has been a direct result of the well-considered and consistent strategy of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, aimed at the fundamental transformation of all spheres of public life. During this challenging period, the state assumed not merely the role of a regulator but that of an active catalyst for modernization: the industrial sector grew by 8%, compared with 4.1% in 2025, while the services sector, which has become the engine of renewal, surged by 16.1%. Against the backdrop of global instability, Uzbekistan, for the first time on an annual basis, managed to curb inflation, reducing it from 10.6% in March 2025 to 7.1% in the current period, thereby opening new horizons for long-term investment planning.

The country’s leadership has made a significant contribution, reflected in unprecedented financial support for entrepreneurship. In 2026, 140 trillion UZS are being allocated for these purposes through the banking system, 30% more than last year. Targeted assistance to mahallas in the first quarter alone amounted to 3.6 trillion UZS, a 25% increase, enabling local budgets to generate an additional 2.2 trillion UZS in revenue.

As the expert noted, during the critical analysis, the Head of State emphasized that the quantitative records achieved must serve as a foundation for significant structural improvements in the economy, necessitating a transition to an advanced, innovative development model. One of the central tasks identified is a sharp increase in labour productivity, which should rise by at least 10-15% through the integration of modern technologies and management standards. The state aims to fully move away from the raw-materials-exporter model toward the creation of high-tech regional value chains, engaging more than 40 global brands as strategic partners.

Particular attention is being paid to the efficiency of project management. With a record volume of foreign investment in the quarter totalling USD 13.7 billion, 1.6 times higher than last year, the focus is shifting toward precise monitoring of returns. The President has decided to elevate the economy to a new international level: as early as next month, 30% of state assets worth USD 2.4 billion will be listed on international stock markets. This has become possible due to the transfer of management of 13 strategic enterprises of the National Investment Fund to the reputable company Franklin Templeton. At the same time, the state is accelerating reform of the energy framework, allocating USD 50 million for concessional lending to support businesses in transitioning to renewable energy sources, and creating a digital logistics infrastructure capable of increasing exports through electronic platforms, raising the target to USD 700 million.

At the same time, expert analysis shows that external challenges are not only persisting but also intensifying significantly: the continued rise in global energy prices and the increasing complexity of global logistics are creating tangible pressure on domestic production costs and competitiveness.

Under current conditions, activities in the external sphere must be maximally synchronized with domestic reforms. This implies a focus on facilitating technology transfer, attracting smart capital into artificial intelligence, and diversifying transport corridors to strengthen Uzbekistan’s status as a central link in regional connectivity. The steady acceleration of exports and the systematic removal of barriers for high-value-added products today require deep coordination between the state and the private sector, as well as the mobilization of all available resources to achieve qualitative results, the expert believes.

To maintain current high growth rates and reach new milestones, it is necessary, as the President emphasized, to radically increase the flexibility of managerial decision-making and execution discipline at the local level. It is important to transform quantitative growth into the structural quality of the economy, to ensure development through a multiple increase in productivity and the creation of high added value in key sectors.

The balanced and proactive foreign policy of the country’s leader creates the necessary zone of stability at the regional level. However, it is precisely the internal mobilization of the public administration, an uncompromising focus on innovation, and the efficiency of management that are today the decisive conditions for enabling Uzbekistan to successfully transform global pressure into new “windows of opportunity” for long-term national prosperity.

 

Dunyo IA

Climate Change Adaptation Measures in the Aral Sea Region

📅 21.04.2026

Today, climate change stands as one of the most urgent and complex global challenges, with its negative effects being particularly acute in ecologically fragile regions under high anthropogenic pressure. One such area is the Aral Sea region, where the consequences of climate change are having a far-reaching impact on the state of natural resources, the living standards of the population, and economic activities.

The desiccation of the Aral Sea has led to a sharp change in the region's microclimate, an increase in air temperature, a decrease in precipitation, intensified wind activity, and a greater frequency of dust and sand storms. These processes are causing land degradation, water scarcity, and a decline in biodiversity. Consequently, agricultural productivity is diminishing, the pressure on drinking water supplies is mounting, and a serious threat to public health is emerging.

Climate change adaptation measures in the Aral Sea region primarily encompass a comprehensive set of actions aimed at sustainable water resource management, strengthening hydro-technical infrastructure, establishing protective forest plantations on the dried seabed, reducing land degradation, conserving biodiversity, and enhancing the climate resilience of the population.

 

In the New Uzbekistan, the issue of adapting to climate change is one of the priority directions of state policy.

Under the leadership of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, numerous initiatives are being advanced at the international level to ensure environmental sustainability, protect natural resources, and adapt to climate change.

Notably, on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, a special resolution "On declaring the Aral Sea region a zone of environmental innovations and technologies" was adopted at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly on May 18, 2021.

Today, programs aimed at transforming the Aral Sea region into a zone of environmental innovations and technologies, developing green infrastructure, and increasing the population's resilience to climate change are being consistently implemented. This is crucial for combating the negative environmental and public health consequences of the Aral Sea's desiccation, addressing the resulting problems, and improving the living conditions of the local population by ensuring their employment.

In his speech at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2025, the leader of Uzbekistan will emphasize that the negative consequences of the Aral Sea's desiccation must remain a constant focus of the global community. It will be noted that in recent years, 2 million hectares of salt-tolerant desert plants have been planted on the dried seabed, and by 2030, green cover will be established across 80 percent of this area.

The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) is a key institutional center that develops practical solutions for climate change adaptation.

The Agency of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), operating within the IFAS system, plays a crucial role in implementing climate change adaptation measures in the Aral Sea region.

Specifically, within the framework of the "Creation of Small Water Bodies in the Amu Darya Delta (Phase II) " project, mechanisms for a stable water supply to the lake system have been improved. This is enabling the redistribution of water resources, regulation of the hydrological regime, and strengthening of the region's ecological balance.

In parallel, the reconstruction of the Muynak Canal has significantly increased its water conveyance capacity. Water distribution efficiency has improved, the water supply to the lakes has stabilized, and water losses have been considerably reduced.

Furthermore, as part of the reconstruction of the "Ribache" reservoir dam, hydraulic structures were reinforced, water discharge systems were modernized, and the risk of erosion was significantly diminished. This contributes to strengthening water security and ensuring the effective and rational use of water resources.

In the area of ecological restoration, protective forests are being established in the Akhantay and Akkum areas. Forest reclamation measures carried out on the dried seabed are helping to reduce wind erosion and salt migration processes. Through these efforts, the microclimate in the region is stabilizing, and landscape degradation is being prevented.

At the same time, the social dimension is also vital for ensuring environmental sustainability. To this end, competitions, educational campaigns, and promotional events aimed at raising ecological awareness among youth are regularly organized.

Additionally, modern models for the sustainable use of water and land resources are being introduced for the local population and farms. In this process, special attention is focused on the widespread adoption of water-saving technologies, effective management of land resources, rational land administration, and the implementation of agricultural practices adapted to climate change.

As a result of these measures, it is possible not only to mitigate environmental problems but also to raise the population's standard of living, ensure economic stability, and strengthen the region's resilience to climate change.

 

A Digital and Scientific Approach: A New Stage in Climate Adaptation

At the current stage, climate change adaptation processes are not limited to traditional methods but are being integrated with modern digital technologies and scientific approaches. Specifically, these include:

- real-time monitoring of hydrological and meteorological data;

- analyzing the condition of territories based on satellite imagery;

- planning and optimal allocation of water resources;

- and collecting and managing data through digital platforms.

These approaches enable the early detection of climate change impacts, the reduction of risks, and the efficient use of resources.

At the same time, international cooperation is crucial for the effective implementation of climate change adaptation measures in the Aral Sea region. In particular, through collaboration with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), efforts are underway to enhance the region's climate resilience through sustainable water resource management and the introduction of integrated approaches.

Additionally, in partnership with the Global Water Partnership (GWP), mechanisms for ensuring water security and the rational use of resources are being developed. Meanwhile, projects implemented with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) involve monitoring the ecosystems of the Aral Sea's wetlands to assess the impacts of climate change and develop adaptation measures.

Adapting to climate change in the Aral Sea region is not merely about addressing environmental problems; it is a fundamental condition for achieving sustainable development.

The ongoing systemic reforms show that through a scientific approach, modern technologies, and institutional cooperation, sustainable solutions can be achieved even amid the most complex environmental crises.

The primary task now is to prioritize climate change adaptation in every sector and integrate it into our way of life.

This is because adapting to climate change is not just a present-day task, but a strategic responsibility to future generations.

 

Birodarjon Burkhonjonov,

Head of the Agency of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

Bringing Markets and Capital Together: The Uzbekistan–Türkiye Economic Union

📅 28.01.2026

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

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

Political Foundations as a Driver of Economic Convergence

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

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

Trade: Scale, Structure and Institutional Incentives

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

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

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

Investment Cooperation: From Presence to Systemic Engagement

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

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

Industrial Cooperation: Transition to Joint Manufacturing

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

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

Interregional Cooperation: Localized Economic Engagement

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

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

Transport and Logistics as Pillars of Trade and Investment

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

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

Prospective Areas of Cooperation: Converging Interests

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

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

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

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

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

 

Mashrab Mamirov,

Head of Directorate General of the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan

CERR Assesses the Potential for Expanding Trade Between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan

📅 18.03.2026

According to estimates by the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR), there is potential to increase mutual trade between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan by 30–40%. Additional opportunities for expanding economic cooperation are primarily linked to the development of industrial cooperation between the two countries.

Economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan has demonstrated steady positive dynamics; however, the potential of bilateral relations remains only partially realized. This was stated today by Khurshed Asadov, Deputy Director of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR), during the international scientific and practical conference “Uzbekistan – Tajikistan: New Prospects for Alliance and Regional Cooperation”, held in Tashkent.

According to the expert, relations between the two countries have reached a qualitatively new level in recent years. Cooperation, reinforced by agreements on strategic partnership and allied relations, has created an institutional foundation for the active development of economic ties.

According to CERR estimates, mutual trade between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan increased 3.8 times during 2017–2025, rising from $238 mln to $912 mln. During the same period, Uzbekistan’s exports grew 3.7 times, while imports from Tajikistan increased more than fourfold.

Today, Tajikistan ranks among Uzbekistan’s key regional partners, occupying ninth place among the countries importing Uzbek products.

At the same time, current indicators reflect only part of the possible potential of economic interaction. According to CERR estimates, mutual trade could increase by an additional 30–40% solely through the substitution of Tajikistan’s imports from third countries with products manufactured by Uzbek producers.

The expert emphasized that geographical proximity, a shared border, and well-developed transport connections create favorable conditions for deepening trade relations. In particular, significant prospects remain for expanding Uzbekistan’s industrial exports, including automobiles, household appliances, textile products, and chemical goods.

At the same time, considerable potential also exists in the sphere of industrial cooperation. According to the expert, one of the most promising cooperation models could involve the establishment of joint processing facilities in border regions, particularly focused on the processing of agricultural raw materials and the development of agrologistics centers.

Asadov also noted that further development of transport infrastructure and the expansion of transit opportunities in Central Asia could serve as an additional driver of economic integration.

As emphasized by the Deputy Director of CERR, the current level of allied relations between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan creates the foundation for transitioning to a deeper model of economic cooperation, focused on joint investments, industrial cooperation, and the development of regional infrastructure, which could become an important factor in strengthening economic connectivity and promoting the development of Central Asia.

For reference: The international scientific and practical conference “Uzbekistan – Tajikistan: New Prospects for Alliance and Regional Cooperation” was organized by the International Institute for Central Asia (IICA). The event brought together representatives of government institutions, the diplomatic corps, and expert and academic communities from both countries. Participants discussed the current state and prospects for developing trade-economic, investment, and humanitarian cooperation between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

CERR Public Relations Sector

Changing economic priorities of Uzbekistan reshape its engagement with the CIS

📅 22.09.2026

For Uzbekistan, Commonwealth of Independent States primarily represent a set of practical mechanisms, including the free trade regime, mutual recognition of documents and standards, visa-free movement of citizens, and agreements on transit and transportation. These mechanisms have a direct, everyday impact on business operations and household incomes.

Speaking at the CIS Summit in Dushanbe in October 2025, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev described the member states as “our natural partners.” In this context, cooperation within the CIS is not viewed as an alternative to other foreign policy priorities, but rather as one of the pillars of the country’s economic diplomacy.

In 2025, Uzbekistan’s GDP grew by 7.7%, while exports reached $33.8 billion, an increase of 24%. CIS countries accounted for approximately one-third of Uzbekistan’s foreign trade. This share has remained broadly unchanged for several years, despite the rapid expansion of economic ties with other regions.

In October 2024, trade turnover within the Commonwealth was reported to have increased by 16%. By the end of the year, it had grown by a further 11%. In 2025, it reached $27.4 billion, representing an increase of more than 20%.

This stability is driven not by the inertia of established ties, but by rational economic considerations. CIS markets are familiar to Uzbek businesses: standards are broadly comparable, language barriers are limited, logistics networks are well established, and goods enjoy duty-free access. With a combined population of approximately 250 million, the Commonwealth generates sustained demand for fruit and vegetables, textiles, automobiles, electrical equipment, chemicals and services. For companies entering foreign markets for the first time, the CIS represents the least risky destination.

This is precisely why the Commonwealth serves as a launchpad for Uzbek businesses. Having gained export experience in neighbouring countries, companies are better positioned to enter more complex markets. Russia and Kazakhstan remain Uzbekistan’s principal partners within the CIS, followed by Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Belarus. At the same time, China - which has become Uzbekistan’s largest trading partner - Türkiye and the Republic of Korea are also among the country’s top five trading partners, confirming the multi-vector nature of Uzbekistan’s foreign economic policy.

Importantly, Uzbekistan ceased to be a passive participant in the Commonwealth long ago. Since 2017, it has restored its active presence within CIS institutions, joined more than twenty sectoral bodies and signed 24 multilateral agreements.

This policy culminated in Uzbekistan’s first chairmanship of the CIS in 2020. The guiding objective established at the time to “gradually advance cooperation to a qualitatively new level” - has shaped the country’s subsequent engagement within the Commonwealth.

At CIS summits, the President of Uzbekistan has put forward more than one hundred initiatives, most of them designed to address specific barriers. Tashkent has consistently advocated the operation of the free trade area “without exemptions or restrictions,” the expansion of green corridors, the development of e-commerce and broader access to public procurement.

In 2025, the President stressed that “it is important to expand mutual market access in our countries.” He proposed establishing a rapid-response mechanism under the CIS Economic Council to address changes in market conditions and called for the accelerated removal of technical barriers.

This is directly linked to Uzbekistan’s national objective of increasing exports to $67 billion by 2030. Harmonised requirements, digital document exchange, mutual recognition of certificates and faster border clearance can transform geographical proximity into a sustainable competitive advantage for Uzbek goods. This is particularly important for small businesses, for which the cost of administrative procedures often exceeds the tariffs themselves.

The significance of the Commonwealth, however, extends beyond trade flows to include labour migration. Remittances, which amounted to approximately $18.9 billion in 2025, account for a substantial share of household incomes. Their geographical distribution is becoming more diversified: between 2022 and 2025, remittances from Kazakhstan increased by 24.5%, from the United States by 50%, from the Republic of Korea by 2.1 times, from Türkiye by 2.5 times and from the European Union by 2.4 times. As a result, migration-related income is becoming more resilient to fluctuations in individual labour markets.

The quality of this process depends on an effective legal framework. As early as 2020, Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed creating a unified mechanism for recognising migrant workers’ documents and developing a programme for their social and legal protection. The economic rationale is clear: recognised qualifications and transparent employment arrangements increase workers’ earnings and allow them to bring accumulated skills and expertise back into the national economy.

These efforts are complemented by humanitarian cooperation, which helps build the human capital required for future development. In 2025, Uzbekistan initiated a new agreement on the recognition of diplomas and proposed holding a CIS Youth Forum in Khiva, together with the establishment of a Youth Innovation Laboratory. For a country where the average age of the population is approximately 30 and the population increases by around 750,000 people annually, access to educational and professional opportunities has direct economic significance.

The physical connectivity of markets is equally important. Uzbekistan is landlocked and separated from seaports by the territory of at least two countries. Logistics costs therefore have a direct impact on the competitiveness of its exports. Since most traditional transport routes pass through CIS countries, simplifying transit and harmonising customs procedures is not a matter of protocol, but a practical necessity measured in delivery times and production costs.

This issue has been a consistent feature of Tashkent’s proposals since 2020. In 2025, the President proposed establishing information and logistics centres integrated with all modes of transport, called for greater private investment in infrastructure and suggested holding a CIS Conference on Public-Private Partnerships in Transport in Uzbekistan.

The benefits of these measures extend beyond transit revenues. Linking the North–South and East–West corridors and securing access to ports on the Baltic, Black and Caspian seas would diversify transport routes and transform Uzbekistan into a connecting hub between Eurasian markets.

Reliable logistics also attracts warehouses, dry ports and export-oriented production facilities along major transport routes, thereby contributing to the development of the country’s regions.

Energy cooperation also deserves particular attention. CIS countries are connected through shared gas and electricity networks. For an economy with rapidly growing demand, this provides greater energy security and access to infrastructure whose reconstruction from scratch would require enormous investment. Uzbekistan is implementing programmes with its partners in conventional and renewable power generation, including the construction of a nuclear power plant. In 2025, it also proposed a Programme for the Innovative Development of the CIS Energy Sector. Similar considerations apply to food security, as a common market helps mitigate seasonal fluctuations in supply.

The existing foundation creates opportunities for more advanced forms of cooperation. The principal source of future growth lies in moving beyond a predominantly trade-based model towards deeper industrial cooperation, since Uzbekistan’s exports to CIS countries still largely consist of primary processed goods.

The objective of the next stage is to create greater added value within Uzbekistan—that is, to transform the nature of economic relations. Several of Tashkent’s proposals serve this purpose, including a Comprehensive Programme of Industrial Cooperation, the idea of placing joint production at the centre of the Commonwealth’s agenda, measures to encourage mutual investment, and a CIS Innovative Industry Forum to be held alongside INNOPROM. The President of Uzbekistan has noted the existence of “numerous examples of successful industrial cooperation.” The main task now is to replicate these successes on a broader scale.

Several promising areas are already apparent.

First, the agro-industrial sector: deep processing of fruit and vegetables, storage facilities, and cooperation in seed production and veterinary services. Uzbekistan possesses a substantial raw material base, while its partners have processing and packaging technologies that can increase the final value of products.

Second, mechanical engineering, electrical equipment and construction materials. Uzbekistan is interested not so much in importing finished products as in establishing highly localised joint ventures. This format facilitates technology transfer, engineering skills development and job creation—benefits that cannot be achieved through conventional supply arrangements alone. Promising areas include components for transport equipment and agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and advanced materials.

Third, digital solutions and payment infrastructure capable of reducing the costs of cross-border trade. Following the Artificial Intelligence Forum held in Samarkand in August 2025, Uzbekistan proposed an action plan to deepen cooperation on digitalisation and establish a CIS Venture Platform.

The necessary financial resources are available. According to the CIS Executive Committee, citing UNCTAD data, foreign direct investment inflows into CIS countries amounted to $23.2 billion in 2023, while outward investment reached almost $32.5 billion. To channel these resources into production, Uzbekistan proposed a roadmap to support special economic and industrial zones, along with measures to facilitate industrial cooperation projects. The interregional level is particularly promising, as it allows the practical needs of businesses to be identified more quickly.

It is also important that such projects extend beyond the bilateral dimension. Uzbekistan is located at the heart of Central Asia and maintains well-established ties with all its neighbours. A joint venture based in Uzbekistan gains direct access to a rapidly growing regional market of approximately 85 million people—a compelling argument in favour of localising production in the country.

Such cooperation is becoming a natural driver of the objectives set out in the Uzbekistan–2030 Strategy: accelerated industrialisation, export growth and higher household incomes. The Commonwealth remains one of the practical instruments for achieving these goals—not the only one, but one that is operational and well established. As Uzbekistan’s economy becomes more sophisticated, its expectations of the CIS are also evolving—from basic market access to the development of integrated production chains.

This transition represents the principal opportunity for future cooperation. Dynamic economic growth, an expanding domestic market and an active investment policy provide a solid foundation for a new quality of engagement. As President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has emphasised, the decisions being taken should serve “the well-being and prosperity of our countries and peoples.” This remains the key measure of the effectiveness of multilateral partnership.

 

Alexey Kustov,

Chief Research Fellow
Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies
under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

‘Mustaqillik’ Generation: New Navigators of the Silk Road

📅 14.08.2026

Sadriddin Suyarov,

Journalist

 

A Tashkent evening in midsummer can resemble a vibrant Mediterranean metropolis transplanted into the heart of Central Asia.

On a summer terrace in the city center, young people move effortlessly between Uzbek and English while discussing a new fintech startup. A few kilometers away, their peers are presenting an exhibition where traditional Uzbek ikat textiles meet digital art.

This is more than a snapshot of modern Tashkent. It is the face of Uzbekistan in 2026, a country marking the 35th anniversary of its independence.

Three and a half decades may be a brief moment in history, but for Uzbekistan, the anniversary carries a particular meaning. More than 60 percent of the population is under 30. Those turning 35 today are, in a sense, the same age as the independent Uzbek state itself. They are known as the ‘Mustaqillik Generation’ - Generation of Independence.

They have no personal memory of shortages, the Iron Curtain or a centrally planned economy. Their worldview was shaped instead by global connectivity, increasingly open borders and sweeping reforms of the past decade. Today, this generation is increasingly taking the helm and helping define Uzbekistan’s future.

 

From Caravans to Code

For centuries, the Silk Road connected East and West through Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Shakhrisabz. Today, that historic exchange is taking on a new form.

Caravans have given way to fiber-optic networks, while technology hubs are emerging where caravanserais once stood. The most valuable resources of the new Silk Road are no longer silk and spices, but data, technology and human capital.

Over the past several years, Uzbekistan has made a significant leap in the IT sector, moving from a regional consumer of technology toward an exporter of digital services. At the center of this transformation is IT Park Uzbekistan, which has created an ecosystem for technology companies and helped connect them with international markets. Uzbek digital services are increasingly reaching clients in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the UAE, and beyond.

Behind these figures are individual stories. Young programmer and entrepreneur Ziyobek Turdiev, drawing on his experience in a U.S.-based logistics company specializing in vehicle transportation, founded TheCarGo, an AI-powered platform designed for American auto-transport brokers. Today, the company serves the US market and continues to expand.

His experience reflects a broader transformation: for a growing number of young Uzbeks, global markets can be reached from Tashkent itself.

This transformation has been supported by economic liberalization and a strong emphasis on education. Programs such as ‘One Million Uzbek Coders’ opening of branches of leading foreign universities and tax incentives for the IT sector have helped create an environment where entrepreneurship and innovation can flourish.

 

A New Diplomacy of Openness

Historic Silk Road prospered when trade routes were open and travelers could move freely between its cities. Uzbekistan’s recent transformation has increasingly revived this principle.

Introduction of visa-free travel for citizens of more than 90 countries has helped turn Uzbekistan from one of the region’s more difficult destinations to access into an increasingly attractive tourism and business hub.

But the change goes deeper than mobility. Over the past decade, constitutional reform, stronger protection of human rights, the ban on forced labor and a greater role for civil society have contributed to a broader transformation of Uzbekistan’s social and political landscape.

A younger generation of lawyers, diplomats, civil servants and entrepreneurs, many educated at universities in Europe, the United States and Asia, is bringing international experience into national practice.

Their growing engagement is also visible on the global stage. The 14th UNESCO Youth Forum, held in Samarkand in October 2025, brought together 145 young leaders from 135 UNESCO Member States and Associate Members. Held for the first time in Central Asia, the forum focused on climate action and its social impact on young people, while Uzbek participants contributed to discussions on climate and cultural heritage.

 

A More Connected Central Asia

This opening has also changed Uzbekistan’s role in Central Asia.

Rather than being defined by the rivalries of the past, the region is increasingly becoming a space for cooperation, connectivity and shared economic opportunity. Young entrepreneurs and activists from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are increasingly working together across borders, seeing Central Asia less as a geopolitical fault line and more as a shared home.

Recent youth initiatives illustrate this shift. The international ‘Eco-Zakovat’ intellectual tournament in Samarkand brought together around 150 young participants from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.

Eco-Camp 2026 in Tashkent Region brought together around 300 young environmental activists for discussions, competitions and practical initiatives focused on environmental protection.

For this generation, regional cooperation is becoming less a diplomatic slogan and more a natural way of thinking and acting.

 

Tradition Reimagined

‘Mustaqillik Generation’ is also redefining how Uzbekistan presents its cultural identity to the world.

Traditional textiles such as adras and khan-atlas, produced through the distinctive ikat technique, are being reimagined by young designers and combined with contemporary fashion. Uzbek patterns and craftsmanship are increasingly appearing in collections aimed at audiences in Paris, Milan, New York and other global cultural centers.

Young designers such as Nigora Hashimova and Marjona Sadinova illustrate this new creative confidence, bringing Uzbek-inspired designs to international platforms.

Country’s participation in the 2026 Venice Biennale, through its national pavilion The Aural Sea, offers another example. Bringing together Uzbek artists, young creatives and international collaborators, the pavilion explores the ecological transformation of the Aral Sea through contemporary art and storytelling.

Cultural revival is not simply about preserving the past. Traditional crafts, from Rishtan ceramics to Bukhara gold embroidery, are also supporting local communities, creating economic opportunities and sustaining environmentally responsible production.

For international audiences, this creates a different image of Uzbekistan: not a country frozen in its historical heritage, but a living cultural space where tradition and innovation coexist.

 

The Age of Conscious Maturity

For an individual, 35 can mark the transition from youthful ambition to greater maturity and a clearer understanding of one’s place in the world. For a state, meaning can be much the same.

As Uzbekistan marks 35 years of independence, its transformation is increasingly becoming more than a government-led process. It is being reinforced by a generation that has grown up with greater access to information, greater mobility and a stronger connection to the outside world.

This generation may ultimately prove to be the most important guarantee that Uzbekistan’s opening to the world will continue.

Modern Uzbekistan is therefore revealing itself in a new light. It is no longer simply viewed through the prism of its Soviet past or as an exotic destination along the old Silk Road. It is emerging as a dynamic, increasingly open and future-oriented state, with an expanding role in the economic and diplomatic architecture of Central Asia.

The great legacy of the Silk Road was never only about trade. At its heart was the movement of people, ideas, knowledge and cultures.

Today, a new generation of Uzbeks is carrying that legacy forward - not with caravans, but with technology, entrepreneurship, diplomacy and creativity.

As Uzbekistan celebrates the 35^th Anniversary of its Independence, it is not merely commemorating its past. It is writing a new chapter in its global story.

 

The awakening lion: the era of renewal

📅 20.08.2024

Hey, great Turan, land of lions!
What has become of you? What are these days you endure now?
Oh, glorious cradle of Genghis, Timur, Oghuz, and Attila!
Where have the esteemed seats you once held gone?..
Abdurauf Fitrat
An American politician once said of the current life and fate of the Central Asian region: ‘They are neither post-Soviet nor post-communist countries now’.
Today no specialist knowledge is needed to understand this idea, which suggests that such labels are outdated in the research community. For example, ten to fifteen years ago the political behaviour of Central Asian societies – neighbours for thousands of years – was prone to national separatism, mutual dislike and latent hostility, but today they have undergone a remarkable transformation. Ideologues and ordinary Central Asians only a couple years ago endeavoured to prove their superiority, their antiquity and, for these very reasons, their greater belonging to the historical and cultural heritage of the region. Though they still might hurl some sharp insults at each other, now they have become united neighbours.
Every day we see and hear of events that illustrate this unity and provide concrete evidence of it. Meanwhile, as already noted, some latent and outdated policies of these neighbouring countries towards each other still attempt to turn the common cultural heritage of the region into a language of hatred.
As a result of Soviet nationalisation and post-Soviet ideologisation, these five states in the Eurasian centre, the land that once founded great empires and was famous throughout the world, unfortunately turned away from one another after gaining independence. This, in turn, allowed the region to remain a geopolitical object for the modern world’s empires.
At this moment, I do not intend to delve into the geopolitical picture of the region and its current situation. I would like to share my brief thoughts on the bold steps and the international image of what Uzbek leadership is calling ‘New Uzbekistan’. The country is transforming day by day and now has the ability to directly influence regional processes.
These joyful events have made me take up my pen.

August 2024 began with good news. That month’s two important events to which I would like to draw attention, are related to the growing role of New Uzbekistan in world politics, culture, and modern history. These were the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan and his participation in the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian States in Astana, as well as the historic victory of our athletes at the Olympic Games in Paris.
True, some may argue, “Well, the President has repeatedly participated in meetings in this format, and our athletes have delivered victories commensurate with those from other countries. What’s the big deal?”
But I also have a question for such people: When did the world powers take Uzbekistan, which will soon be celebrating thirty-three years of independence, so seriously? When have this country and its long-suffering people been recognised as independent subjects of international politics? When did our country’s representative reach thirteenth place in a set of international competitions in which athletes from more than two hundred countries took part? When was the anthem of Uzbekistan played eight times at such prestigious competitions? When was our flag raised thirteen times over the winners' podium? And when else did we hear that ‘Uzbek athletes have no equal in the world!’?
Of course, no one will be able to contradict me when I say that these two factors are the worthy fruit of the hard work of our country’s president Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
I would like to say a few words about the meetings in Kazakhstan. The details of this visit vividly demonstrated the results of Mirziyoyev’s changes in regional policy, which he put into place eight years ago.
The first meeting of the Interstate Supreme Council, which took place 7-9 August 2023, was cochaired by Mirziyoyev and President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
This was the first time in our history that the leaders of these two Central Asian states have met to agree on multifaceted supranational cooperation, which is recognised by the world community and international experts as one of the main locomotives of international affairs in the modern world. In the past, despite supranational general concepts such as ‘Central Asia’, ‘regional unity’ or the substanceless slogan ‘Turkestan is our common home’, the identity of the region as a whole has remained extremely blurred. The actions of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the two main powers in the region, towards this end are an important step in transforming these previous abstractions into a concrete plan. We will talk about this a little later, but for now let us focus on the first meeting of the Interstate Council.
The visit hosted meetings of the Intergovernmental Commission and the Business Council, as well as a business forum, political consultations, a think tank forum and intellectual games. The organizers of the meetings also organised cinema days and other cultural events to strengthen the unity of Central Asian peoples in cultural terms as well as economic and political.
One of the most significant events of these meetings was the adoption by the leaders of the two countries of the Programme for Strategic Partnership and Allied Cooperation for 2024-2034. This document undoubtedly marks the beginning of a new stage in Uzbek-Kazakh relations of friendship and good neighbourliness.
Economic relations between the two parties have already reached record highs in recent years. As a result of previous meetings, such as economic forums and business meetings of the parties, solid agreements worth $7 billion were signed.
‘We have opened a new chapter in our multifaceted relations – we have held the first meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council. This format is an expression of the highest level of interstate cooperation and clearly demonstrates the close ties between our countries and peoples and their firm desire to strengthen cooperation in all areas,’ Mirziyoyev said at the meeting.
Of course, this unprecedented level of cooperation between the two countries did not go unnoticed by the world community and international experts. Analysts and think tanks commented widely on the details of the visit. In particular, Roy Anthony Rogers, Deputy Director of the Asia and Europe Institute at the University of Malaya (Malaysia), outlined his observations as follows:
‘Thanks to the strong historical ties and personal friendship between the leaders of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, the current state of Uzbek-Kazakh relations is characterised by special dynamics, a high level of mutual understanding and trust. I believe that this visit of the president of Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan is of historic significance not only for the peoples of the two countries, but also for the prosperity of the entire Central Asian region.’
Praising Uzbekistan’s policy of regional cooperation, Nasri Al Saadi, Managing Partner of Premium Construction (Qatar), focuses in his article on the sincere actions of the neighbouring countries:
‘The two leaders are committed to uniting the region and coordinating efforts through consultative meetings and the Central Asia Plus platforms, which are becoming increasingly popular mechanisms for international cooperation. They actively support each other on global and regional political issues’.
Of course, my aim is not to summarise or comment on the opinions of foreign analysts on this historic meeting. My intention is to tell you about the activities of Mirziyoyev, who is striving with equanimity and wisdom to achieve his goal of transforming Uzbekistan’s previous isolation into regional openness and is achieving great success. After all, I am always proud to be a contemporary and compatriot of a person who has glorified and continues to glorify the name of the Uzbek people and Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan: stable friendship and reliable partnership

📅 02.07.2025

 

The Seoul Summit: Uzbekistan in the New Industrial Architecture of C5+1

📅 24.08.2026

The upcoming first “Central Asia – Republic of Korea” Summit in Seoul gives the C5+1 format a more substantive economic dimension. The new agenda focuses on industrial modernization, infrastructure, critical minerals and energy, human capital development, and private-sector participation. An important institutional basis for this work is provided by a dedicated consultative mechanism of industry ministers, aimed at maintaining regular sectoral dialogue, identifying joint initiatives, and developing a list of priority projects.

In this way, the national industrial priorities of Central Asian countries have an opportunity to be aligned with the technological and investment capabilities of the Republic of Korea at the level of specific production chains. Technology, infrastructure, financing, and markets come together here as an integrated system for implementing major joint initiatives.

The potential of this model is particularly evident in the case of Uzbekistan. Relations between Tashkent and Seoul have held the status of a special strategic partnership since 2019, while the accumulated volume of direct Korean investment in Uzbekistan’s economy has exceeded USD 8 billion. In January–June 2026, bilateral trade approached USD 1 billion, increasing by 11.5 percent.

Behind these figures lies an already established technological foundation for the partnership. Joint centers are operating in Uzbekistan in the textile industry, rare metals and alloys, agricultural machinery, and e-government, while cooperation in chemical technologies and construction is also developing. This network creates sustainable channels for the transfer of engineering solutions, practical knowledge, and production experience.

The accumulated foundation makes it possible to focus Uzbekistan’s C5+1 agenda on further developing processing, localization, technological upgrading, and the production of high-value-added goods. At the same time, the regional format expands the range of potential partners and connections between enterprises of Central Asian countries and Korean businesses.

One of the most promising areas is related to critical minerals. Cooperation covers the entire technological chain — geological exploration, processing, refining, and the development of value-added production. Under such a model, Central Asia’s mineral resource base becomes a starting point for deepening technological ties and creating new industries within the region.

Uzbekistan already has a concrete foundation in this area. The Uzbek-Korean Scientific and Technological Center for Rare Metals and Alloys is operating in the country. Its potential makes it possible to develop cooperation in materials science, processing technologies, research, and specialist training, with prospects for their further industrial application.

The development of more sophisticated industries simultaneously increases infrastructure requirements. Within the C5+1 agenda, this area includes energy, industrial complexes, transport and logistics, urban infrastructure, as well as the entire life cycle of major projects — from planning and construction to modernization and operation. For investors, this means the opportunity to consider an industrial site together with the necessary energy, engineering, and logistics solutions.

Uzbek-Korean cooperation already has a financial foundation for implementing projects of this scale. The cooperation program between Uzbekistan and the Economic Development and Cooperation Fund of the Republic of Korea (EDCF) for 2024–2027 has been established at USD 2 billion. At the same time, a new portfolio of initiatives is being developed, and financing mechanisms without state guarantees and on the basis of public-private partnerships are being explored.

The expansion of available financial instruments creates greater space for commercially viable projects, private capital, and long-term partnerships between companies. This is particularly important for industrial and infrastructure cooperation with long investment cycles, where the financing structure largely determines the possibilities for project implementation and subsequent expansion.

As production becomes increasingly technologically sophisticated, requirements for skilled specialists also grow. The development of professional skills and human capital is among the priorities of the C5+1 industrial mechanism. Uzbekistan already has a practical foundation in this area: four vocational education centers established with the participation of the Korea International Cooperation Agency are operating in Tashkent, Fergana, Shakhrisabz, and Samarkand, while another center is under construction in Urgench.

Further development of this model largely moves to the company level. It is here that technologies and accumulated knowledge are transformed into new production facilities, while sectoral priorities become investment decisions and commercial products. Therefore, the private sector, financial institutions, and research organizations play an important role in C5+1 industrial cooperation.

The development of a list of priority projects gives this work practical consistency. Such an instrument makes it possible to link promising areas with specific partners and sources of financing and to support their advancement between meetings of the industrial mechanism.

Uzbekistan is entering the new regional architecture with a substantial practical foundation: many of its elements are already functioning within bilateral cooperation with Korea. Investment is combined with technological centers, financial programs, a specialist training system, and experience in implementing complex projects. C5+1 makes it possible to bring this foundation to a broader level by connecting the national capabilities of Central Asian countries through new production linkages.

This is where the main economic potential of the Seoul Summit for Uzbekistan lies. The special strategic partnership with the Republic of Korea is gaining a regional dimension through deeper processing, technological localization, new production facilities, and access of finished products to new foreign markets. The accumulated Uzbek-Korean experience is becoming one of the practical elements of the industrial architecture of C5+1, strengthening Uzbekistan’s role in the Republic of Korea’s technological and industrial partnership with Central Asia.