Dear compatriots!

Sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, I congratulate you, all our people on the holiday of Kurban Hayit, which has come in our country, which is being transformed and illuminated with the light of peace, kindness and harmony every day.

In these blessed moments we all deeply feel the spirit and joy of the great holiday and give immense gratitude to the Almighty for the fact that we meet such bright days together with our people.

Today, Kurban Hayit, firmly established in people's lives as a symbol of mercy, generosity and humanism, is gaining more and more significance, consonant with the content of large-scale reforms in the New Uzbekistan, in which respect for human honor and dignity comes to the fore in all spheres.

It should be especially noted that our sacred religion and this bright holiday, which embodies its humanistic essence, serves as a source of strength and inspiration for us in all good deeds aimed at strengthening the atmosphere of peace and tranquility, friendship and cohesion in mahallas and families, caring for the older generation, youth and women, low-income families, and making sure that no one is left behind.

Dear friends!

In these bright days, when our hearts are filled with joy, we talk about the great work carried out in recent years to revive the original spiritual values, to improve the sacred places, to create favorable conditions for the Muslims of the country to freely perform religious rites, including hajj and umrah.

In a short period of time, international scientific centers of Imam Bukhari, Imam Termezi and Imam Maturidi have been organized. The memorial complexes of Abu Iso Termezi, Abu Muin Nasafi, Sulton Uwais Karani and Suzuk Ota have been radically transformed. Work on the construction and equipping of the Imam Bukhari memorial complex and the Centre for Islamic Civilization is continuing apace. Majestic mosques are being built in many towns and villages.

Over the past seven years, more than 60 thousand Muslims of the country have made the Hajj. These days 15 thousand more of our compatriots are making pilgrimage to two sacred cities - Mecca and Medina, having realized their most cherished dream.

In such blessed moments, when good thoughts come true, we wish them with all our heart to fully perform the rites of Hajj and safely return to their homeland.

On the eve of the celebration of Hayyit, during our telephone conversation with the Chairman of the Muslims' Board, the Honorable Mufti Sheikh Nuriddin Kholiknazar, who is staying in the holy Mecca, he emphasized the created conditions necessary for our compatriots to perform the rites of Hajj. We hope that, having returned home, our pilgrims will become an example in further strengthening the atmosphere of kindness and mutual assistance in the society, in the struggle of enlightenment against ignorance, strengthening the education of youth and establishing harmony in families.

Dear compatriots!

Today we sincerely congratulate our compatriots abroad on this holiday, wish them health, happiness and success.

We convey warm congratulations to believing Muslims in the states of near and far abroad and sincere wishes of peace and progress to their peoples and countries.

May the ongoing wars and conflicts in different regions cease! May peace reign on the Earth forever!

Dear friends!

Today, together with our multinational people, we are building a new Uzbekistan. The new Uzbekistan is a new life, a new development, a happy future.

If we unite more firmly and continue the initiated reforms with even greater determination, we will undoubtedly achieve this great goal.

We will surely raise our children to be a generation of true patriots, highly educated, possessing modern knowledge and professions.

I wish you happiness and success on this path.

May the Almighty protect our nation!

I once again congratulate you on the holy holiday of Kurban Hayit, wish you health, peace and prosperity to your families.



Shavkat Mirziyoyev,

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The text of the article is in Uzbek!

The text of the article is in Uzbek!

We are the luckiest children of our people. We are fortunate to see the days dreamed of by our Jadid ancestors and to build the future they desired. During the events of the seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, I was once again convinced of this.

         In recent years, Central Asia has acquired a new image on the world political map. Today, it is recognized that the countries of the region are not competitors, but reliable partners moving together on the path of development and cooperation. Consequently, other regions and powerful states are seeking to engage with us, envisioning a future in harmony with the spirit of Central Asia. This is not without reason. Because in the international arena, various conflicts and the pursuit of solely material interests have intensified. In such a situation, thanks to the political will and wise decisions of our President, a completely new policy, inherent to our people—one of openness and magnanimity—has gained priority in our region. All Central Asians rejoice in this. Why? Because our peoples have lived as neighbors, in-laws, sharing joys and sorrows as one nation.

         In awakening the spirit of Central Asia, our President first took the path of bringing our peoples closer together. We wisely used the power of literature and art to elevate relations to a new stage. In particular, various events and festivals were organized among cultural representatives of our countries. As part of state visits, performances by art and culture representatives and grand concerts have become commonplace.

         Our President has turned the gifting of books to his colleagues into a tradition. At the time, we understood this only within the framework of cultural ties. Time itself shows that the path chosen by our President is the way to reach the hearts of the people!

         After all, the peoples of Central Asia consider Khazrat Navoi their ancestor. Likewise, we also love Jami, Fuzuli, Makhtumkuli, and Abai just as we do Bobur or Alisher Navoi. We value the epic of Manas as if it were our own, and we read the works of Aitmatov more than anyone else. This alone indicates that our peoples have lived for centuries as close as flesh and nail. The leader of our state elevated such important aspects to the level of state policy. This opened a path to the hearts of our peoples. As a result, the seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia was rich in historic events. Importantly, following its conclusion, very important decisions for the future of the region were adopted.

         In particular, a concept for regional security and stability in Central Asia was adopted. In today's global world, security is of paramount importance. In such a situation, one cannot develop in isolation. Where there is peace, there is also stability. That is why the new Central Asia is seen on the international stage as a peaceful and stable zone. Our region has not only natural resources and economic potential but also a sufficient level of human capital. At a time when mutual conflicts and economic blockades are intensifying in various parts of the world, it is also true that Central Asia's ability to maintain stability is seen as a lifeboat for others.

         Maintaining this stability and achieving economic growth by utilizing its opportunities is not easy. Anyone who closely observes the working regime of our President understands this correctly. Because the leader of our state works day and night to strengthen international ties. From the world podium, he is advancing not only national but also universal human interests. He calls for resolving any conflict and dispute through peaceful, diplomatic means.

         It is these calls, aspirations, and initiatives that have awakened the spirit of Central Asia today. The entire region has unanimously decided to safeguard security and stability together. As our President put it, we have deeply understood that our strength is in unity, and our path to success is in friendship and cooperation.

         In recent years, relations in the "Central Asia Plus" format have expanded. Our region is demonstrating a unified position on the international stage. At the same time, it is actively integrating into the world economy. Investment attractiveness is growing, export opportunities to third markets are expanding, and transit potential is increasing. For example, last year, the mutual trade volume between our countries reached 10.7 billion US dollars. The total volume of investments attracted to our region increased by 17 percent.

         Further enhancing economic relations and correctly assessing the rapidly changing, unpredictable geopolitical processes is an urgent task. In this sense, it is gratifying that at the Consultative Meeting, a catalog of threats to Central Asian security and measures to prevent them for 2026-2028 were outlined.

         The Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia was established on the initiative of our President. The leader of our state chaired its seventh meeting. During this period, our cooperation has been highly effective. To further enhance the potential of cooperation, over 20 major events were held. A forum for inter-regional cooperation at the level of deputy prime ministers was launched. Likewise, meetings of ministers were held for the first time. In particular, ministers of geology, industry, agriculture, ecology, and culture held meetings.

         Due to such aspects, we are right to say that a new era of the Consultative Meeting has begun. Just one example: now, member states will engage in separate, individual cooperation in each sector within the Consultative Meeting. We were convinced of this once again at the ministerial meetings.

         Within the framework of the international congress on "Central Asia: Common Spiritual and Educational Heritage – Common Future" at the Islamic Civilization Center, we held our first meeting with the culture ministers of Central Asia and Azerbaijan. Various issues of multilateral cooperation were discussed. We discussed issues of cooperation in various fields of culture and art. We exchanged views on the current state of regional cultural cooperation and future plans.

         Our peoples have one thing in common. That is, people listen more to elders, to individuals respected by the community. They follow them. Precisely this aspect is considered our unique strength, unlike other regions. Therefore, for the future, vital issues were raised about expanding cultural exchange among cultural figures. As a result, we reached agreements on expanding regional cultural cooperation.

         Mutual respect and magnanimity among peoples do not appear by themselves. It must be admitted that the human psyche has a strong tendency towards negative information. In today's global world, we see enough examples of this. Our President, deeply understanding this very aspect and analyzing it thoroughly, created the opportunity for cultural workers to strengthen such ties. I believe that cultural workers, and intellectuals in general, are responsible for further developing peace and mutual understanding in the region. It is precisely we who must prepare and present to our peoples the positive content that will lead to this. In this sense, we united around a common idea to hold joint events and festivals in the fields of art, literature, cinema, theater, and music. Such events remind us of ourselves once again. They sing the universal ideas, friendship, and magnanimity promoted by Navoi, Jami, Fuzuli and Makhtumkuli, Abai and Aitmatov, which are the cause for awakening the spirit of Central Asia today.

         The gratifying aspect is that we will also expand joint projects for the study, restoration, and digitization of cultural heritage. Furthermore, we will develop exchange programs among young creators. We reached an agreement on organizing seminars, conferences, and summer schools. We also exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in training and advanced training in the field of culture and art. Importantly, positive opinions were expressed on developing a "Central Asian Cultural Brand."

         Observing this process, the meetings and agreements at the level of state leaders, I felt that today Central Asia has truly become a single region, a unified force. Our peoples have gone through many trials to reach this day. We can see this in the example of our Jadid ancestors. Thankfully, the river that flows, flows on. Our ancestors always called the people of the world to enlightenment, friendship, and kindness. Today, we, as a single region, continue this eternal tradition. It is gratifying that the leader of our state is wisely using these values of ours not only for our country but also for the benefit of the whole world. This was clearly evident in the initiatives put forward by our President at the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia.

         In particular, an initiative was put forward to establish an Council of Elders, comprising respected public figures with life experience and authority, based on the values and traditions of people's diplomacy. At the same time, it was emphasized that further improving cooperation mechanisms and the contractual-legal basis is of fundamental importance. Especially, the initiative to transform the Consultative Meeting into the strategic format of a "Central Asian Community" became the words in all our hearts.

         Because now Central Asia is not just a region, but is strengthening its place on the world political map as a single voice, a united force. That is why our President emphasized in his speech at the seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia: "I am fully confident that today we are on the threshold of a period of historical awakening of our region as the New Central Asia."

         Precisely for this reason, developed countries are eager to cooperate with us. This is a great opportunity for the countries of the region. Using it wisely depends on our ability to protect our unity, friendship, and interests in a coordinated manner. In New Uzbekistan, it is recognized as a people-oriented policy precisely because such important aspects are always the focus of attention. The scale of countries wishing to cooperate with us confirms how sincere these recognitions are. There are two important reasons for the strong aspiration of developed countries towards New Uzbekistan. First, New Uzbekistan has become known as a state promoting the ideas of peace and humanity.

         Here, a vital truth must be stated. No matter how a person may appear in a hostile guise, they still strive to live for peace and friendship. Countries are the same. They may engage in various conflicts for their own interests. But deep down, they desire peace and prosperity. The foreign policy position of New Uzbekistan offers guarantees of this peace and friendship.

         The second important point is that thanks to the people-centered foreign policy, Central Asia has achieved unity. Now it is not seen as a field for labor or natural resources. Rather, it is seen as a new force with broad economic power in the international arena. During the Consultative Meeting, the leaders of the countries were at the Islamic Civilization Center. Our President emphasized that this center is a unique platform for creating scientific knowledge and ideas, conducting research, and popularizing our common cultural-historical heritage. Therefore, it is natural for the center to become a haven for the scientific and spiritual elevation of youth.

         We certainly have grounds for saying this with full confidence. At the Consultative Meeting, our President proposed to regularly organize the first International Congress dedicated to spiritual heritage and enlightenment ideas. According to it, the congress will be held annually in the country chairing the Consultative Meeting.

         All this shows that the countries of Central Asia are uniting not only because of economic or security issues, but because they are familiar with enlightenment. We know well that relationships built solely on material interests are fragile. In our region, however, live peoples with a single history, a common past. This is the reason for a unity that surpasses any material interests. That is why, at the meetings of state leaders, issues of culture and enlightenment always find a place on the agenda. This evokes boundless pride and honor in our hearts. At the same time, it also imposes the responsibility of being a generation worthy of such honorable days. For, at a time when the educational policy of New Uzbekistan is opening new horizons in Central Asia, being worthy of it is the duty and debt of every child of this land

On August 13, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev familiarized himself with a presentation on measures to develop artificial intelligence technologies and IT startups.

Information technologies are developing rapidly in our country and are being introduced into all spheres. As a result, the volume of digital services exceeded 21 trillion soums only in the past period of this year, and by the end of the year it is expected to reach 43 trillion soums. Export of services of the sphere amounted to 367 million dollars. The number of IT park residents increased by 577 and exceeded 2 thousand. The number of young people working in them reached 32 thousand.

This year, more than 100 digitalization projects are being implemented in health care, energy, transport, education, agriculture, water management, construction and others.

Times are changing rapidly. Artificial intelligence and digital technologies are penetrating into all spheres. A number of projects have also been launched in this direction in our country.

For example, “My ID” and “UzFace” solutions have been implemented in more than 70 organizations, banks, marketplaces and payment systems, and the possibility of remote biometric identification of 10 million users has been created. “Uzbekcosmos” with the help of artificial intelligence identified about 43 thousand cases of illegal use of subsoil and unauthorized construction.

The presentation considered measures to develop artificial intelligence technologies in such areas as health care, agriculture, banking, tax, customs.

It was noted that first of all it is necessary to create a legislative base for artificial intelligence. The task was set to develop a strategy for the introduction of artificial intelligence and a two-year program of projects. The Center for Artificial Intelligence Technologies was assigned to be created.

In particular, the need to expand the application of artificial intelligence in banking and finance, training of specialized personnel and professional development of employees was emphasized.

At present, the personnel on artificial intelligence is trained in 4 universities. There is a need for 600 specialists in big data processing and language models. This number will increase many times in the coming years. Taking this into account, the importance of training specialists corresponding to the needs in terms of industries was emphasized.

All leading IT companies of the world started their activities from a startup. We are also taking the first steps in this direction. Last year, the volume of venture investments attracted in such projects amounted to 134 million dollars.

The head of state emphasized that it is time to create broad conditions for venture investments to finance startup projects. In this regard, instructions have been given to develop the startup ecosystem and introduce venture capital financing mechanisms.

The text of the article is in Uzbek!

There are about a thousand manufacturing enterprises operating in the electrical engineering sector of Uzbekistan, most of them small, producing over two thousand types of products. Almost all enterprises in the industry are privately owned. The total number of people employed in the industry exceeds 35,000.

The 76 largest enterprises in the industry, which produce over 90% of all electrical engineering products, are members of the Association of Electrical Engineering Manufacturers (UzEltechSanoat). Of these, 18 enterprises manufacture electrical wires and cables, 27 enterprises manufacture household appliances, and 32 enterprises manufacture power transformers and other electrical products.

The Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026 aimed to increase industrial production by 1.4 times by 2026, including doubling the production of high value-added products in the electrical engineering industry and tripling exports.

The Uzbekistan-2030 Strategy, adopted in September 2023, will ensure the achievement of all the goals outlined in the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan. It also sets the task of increasing copper processing in the electrical engineering industry to 300,000 tons per year and raising the localization level of manufactured products to an average of 65%.

Therefore, Uzbekistan pays special attention to the development of technologically advanced industries, including electrical engineering, and provides state support.

Over the past seven years, the President of Uzbekistan has adopted several legislative acts providing customs and tax benefits to enterprises in the electrical engineering industry, as well as subsidies to cover transportation and other expenses.

Specifically, until January 1, 2027, enterprises in the electrical engineering industry have received a 50% reduction in profit and property taxes. Additionally, benefits for exemption from customs duties on imported raw materials, components, and equipment for their own production needs have been extended.

Furthermore, several programs have been approved for the implementation of investment projects in the electrical engineering industry, focusing on technical and technological upgrades of existing facilities and the creation of new production lines.

Due to these measures, over the past 7 years, the volume of attracted investments in the industry has amounted to $935 million, of which about $400 million are foreign direct investments.

Additionally, more than 260 new investment projects worth over $800 million have been launched, including 50 cable production projects worth $120 million, 115 household appliance projects worth $380 million, 40 power equipment projects worth $60 million, and 58 other electrical engineering projects worth $250 million.

As a result, over 13,000 new jobs have been created, bringing the total number of jobs in the industry to 35,000.

As a result of implementing investment projects for modernizing and creating new production facilities, the production of new types of electrical engineering products has been mastered, particularly household appliances (washing machines, electric stoves, vacuum cleaners, hoods, water heaters, new models of refrigerators and washing machines under the Samsung brand, SMART HD TVs, built-in hobs and gas stoves, etc.); industrial air conditioners; new types of electrical cables (high and low voltage, used in solar energy systems, household appliances, as well as self-supporting insulated cables); dry transformers; electronics (monoblocks, SIM cards, electronic boards for household appliances); smart meters for electricity, gas, and water consumption; parts for solar panels and renewable energy stations; elevators and escalators; water pumps, etc.

Overall, from 2017 to 2023, the production volume of the electrical engineering industry increased 7.1 times to $1.98 billion, including a 5.5-fold increase in wires, cables, and copper products to $792 million; an 8.2-fold increase in household appliances to $633 million; and a 9.3-fold increase in power and technical equipment to $567 million.

The contribution of the electrical engineering industry to the development of the economy is also growing, and although the share of the industry's value added in the economy is still less than 1%, it has grown 1.5 times in recent years.

The growth in the production of electrical engineering products has contributed to an increase in export volumes, which have grown 5.5 times to $1047 million over the specified period, including a 4-fold increase in wires, cables, and copper products to $576 million; a more than 10-fold increase in household appliances to $214 million; and a 12-fold increase in power equipment and other products to $257 million.

It should be noted that the significant growth (more than 10 times) in the export of household appliances occurred due to the creation of new production facilities in Uzbekistan by Artel Electronics. In particular, the export volume of refrigerators increased 15 times to $58 million, televisions 6 times to $52 million, electric stoves 4.5 times to $40 million, washing machines 5 times to $20 million, air conditioners 4 times to $15 million, etc.

Moreover, not only the geography of export countries has expanded, but also the range of electrical engineering products supplied to foreign markets. Currently, about 200 types of various electrical engineering products are exported to almost 70 countries. The number of exporting enterprises in the electrical engineering industry has grown to 100.

In January 2024, a Presidential Decree "On Additional Measures for Further Increasing the Production and Export Potential of the Electrical Engineering Industry" was adopted, outlining target indicators for the industry's development in the coming years.

Specifically, in 2024, the plan is to increase the volume of production by almost 30% to $2.6 billion, exports by 43% to $1.5 billion, and the volume of copper processing into finished products to 140,000 tons. In 2025, the goal is to increase production to $3.2 billion, exports to $2.0 billion, and copper processing to 160,000 tons.

To achieve these targets, the Program for Creating New Production Capacities and Diversifying Production in the Electrical Engineering Industry in 2024-2026 and Beyond has been approved. The program aims to implement a total of 294 investment projects worth over $4 billion in the coming years.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the necessary conditions have been created in Uzbekistan for enterprises in the electrical engineering industry to increase production volumes and expand the supply of their products to both domestic and foreign markets.

Therefore, goals have been set to increase exports not only to traditional but also to new markets. In particular, there are plans to increase the export of electrical engineering products to European markets, considering the GSP+ preferential trade regime granted to Uzbekistan, as well as to South Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

Yuri Kutbitdinov,

chief Research Officer of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms under the Administration of the President of the

Republic of Uzbekistan

The upcoming official visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Türkiye reflects the deepening strategic partnership between the two countries. One of the most dynamic areas of this cooperation is labor migration, built on mutual trust and a shared human-centered vision.

In recent years, Uzbekistan has fundamentally transformed its migration policy, placing human dignity, legal employment, and social protection at the core of its reforms. This approach aims to ensure that citizens working abroad do so safely, legally, and with full respect for their rights.

Cooperation with Türkiye exemplifies this new philosophy. The entry into force of the bilateral agreement on the protection of the rights of labor migrants and their family members marked a significant milestone in strengthening legal and institutional guarantees for migrants.

Regular dialogue between migration and labor authorities, joint forums, and practical coordination mechanisms have contributed to more orderly and transparent labor mobility. Notably, agreements reached to legalize the status of Uzbek citizens without administrative penalties, particularly in sectors with high labor demand, demonstrate a shared commitment to humane and pragmatic solutions.

Another key dimension of cooperation is skills recognition and certification. Collaboration with Türkiye’s professional qualification institutions enables Uzbek citizens to obtain internationally recognized certificates, enhancing their employability both in Türkiye and beyond.

Partnerships with leading Turkish companies further expand legal employment opportunities, including participation in large-scale construction and infrastructure projects. These initiatives are complemented by the active role of Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency representation in Türkiye, which provides legal, social, and advisory assistance to citizens and safeguards their rights.

Today, negotiations have begun between the two countries on developing a “Social Protection” agreement. Through this agreement, Uzbek citizens working in Türkiye and Turkish citizens working in Uzbekistan will be able to reclaim their social insurance contributions. This will allow workers to formalize their employment and secure legal protections.

Uzbekistan and Türkiye view labor migration not as a challenge, but as a driver of development, stability, and human well-being. The forthcoming presidential visit is expected to elevate this cooperation to a new level, reinforcing a model of migration governance rooted in humanity and mutual benefit.

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

The Central Election Commission held a meeting and a series of events today, July 26th. The primary agenda item was the preparation and high-level accomplishment of the upcoming elections for the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and the Councils of People's Deputies in full compliance with the Constitution and laws.

According to Article 128 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, elections for the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and the Councils of People's Deputies are scheduled to take place on the first Sunday of the third ten-day period of October in the year their term expires. Considering that the term of the deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and the Councils of People's Deputies ends in 2024, the elections will be held on October 27th of this year, and the election campaign will begin on July 26th, as decided by the Central Election Commission.

These elections mark a significant departure from the past, taking place in a new socio-political environment as stipulated by our Constitution. The meeting underscored the unique features of these elections, which include:

1. For the first time in Uzbekistan's history, the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis elections will be conducted using a mixed electoral system, combining majoritarian and proportional systems. This significant change will see seventy-five deputies elected directly through the majoritarian system, where voters vote for specific candidates. The remaining seventy-five deputies will be elected based on votes cast for political parties under the proportional system.
2. One of the most significant advancements is the full digitization of election commissions' activities at all levels and their interactions with participants in the election process. This development significantly reduces bureaucracy, time, and document handling in election procedures, ushering in a new era of efficiency in our electoral system.
3. Our election legislation has been fundamentally improved to align with advanced democratic standards. These improvements include introducing a new system for election bodies led by the Central Election Commission and requiring political parties to ensure that at least 40% of their candidates for deputy positions are women. Additionally, a candidate must receive a relative majority of votes to be elected. If a candidate gets more votes than other candidates in their respective electoral district, they will be elected without needing a repeat vote.
4. The elections are taking place in conditions of significantly strengthened parliamentarianism and the powers of representative bodies at the local level, as established by the Updated Constitution. Specifically, the absolute powers of the Legislative Chamber have increased from 5 to 12, and those of the Senate from 12 to 18. The parliament's oversight functions over the activities of executive, judicial, law enforcement agencies, and special services have been expanded. The institution of hokims leading local Councils of People's Deputies is being abolished. To enhance the role of representative bodies in resolving important state issues, 33 powers previously held by hokims have been transferred to local Councils.

The meeting underscored the significance of these elections as a vivid example of democratic state-building in our country and an essential means for citizens to exercise their constitutional rights to vote and be elected to democratic state bodies. The elections will involve the election of 150 deputies to the Legislative Chamber, 65 members to the Senate, 65 deputies to the Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, deputies to 208 district (city) Councils in the regions and Tashkent city, with around 30,000 candidates and nearly 90,000 trusted representatives actively participating. Over 120,000 election commission members and more than 70,000 citizens and international observers are expected to participate in the election process.

Considering the important role of elections in state life and with the aim of widely engaging citizens in this process, the Central Election Commission announced that the elections will be held on October 27th under the slogan “My Choice—My Prosperous Homeland.”

The 'E-Saylov' information system is a key tool in making the election process more transparent and accessible. It facilitates around 60 interactions between election commissions, political party candidates, observers, and the media entirely electronically. Integrated with other electronic platforms, the system automates many procedures in the election process without human intervention. This system forms an extensive database of nearly 400,000 participants in the election process, including election commission members, candidates, and observers. Around 32,000 participants will professionally use the information system, which includes communication through 40 types of SMS notifications.

For citizens, the "E-Saylov" information system introduces several conveniences in obtaining election-related information. Specifically, it provides statistical data on voters and polling stations, information on candidates for various elections, and interactive maps to learn about candidates and their biographies.

The meeting emphasized that the "E-Saylov" information system represents a new level of technological advancement and transparency in elections.

It was also noted that according to Article 37 of the Election Code, political parties have the right to nominate candidates for deputies to the Legislative Chamber and local Councils.

To participate in the elections, political parties must have been registered by the Ministry of Justice at least four months before the announcement of the election campaign and collect at least 40,000 signatures supporting their participation.

Additionally, the meeting approved a calendar plan to ensure that the activities related to conducting the elections are carried out step-by-step within the timelines specified by election legislation. The Central Election Commission, as an impartial and independent constitutional body, will take all necessary measures to prepare for and conduct the upcoming elections in full compliance with national legislation and international election standards, ensuring the process is open and transparent.

A Press Center has also been established under the Central Election Commission.

Central Election Commission

of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The state visit of the President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Seok-yol at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has ended.
During the three-day visit, high-level talks were held, at the end of which the leaders signed a joint statement on further deepening and comprehensive expansion of the Special Strategic Partnership. A bilateral set of documents was received.
The heads of state participated in a joint business forum with the participation of representatives of leading Korean companies and banking and financial institutions.
The presidents visited the Technopark in Tashkent and got acquainted with the existing potential for industrial cooperation.
Today, the dialogue between the heads of state continued in Samarkand. The presidents and their wives got acquainted with the historical and architectural masterpieces of the ancient city.
After the end of the visit, President Yun Sok Yol and his wife were escorted by President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and his wife at the airport.

In October, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, will pay a state visit to the Kingdom of Belgium, during which important decisions are expected to be made that will mark a qualitatively new stage in relations between Uzbekistan and the European Union. In particular, the visit will feature the signing of the Agreement on Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation.

In recent years, Uzbekistan has been actively shaping a new framework of engagement with Europe – a key pillar of stability amid current geopolitical tensions and global economic uncertainty. The ties between Uzbekistan and European countries continue to grow, and the areas of cooperation are diversifying, supported by the ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan.

Building a New Chapter in Relations

After gaining independence, Uzbekistan’s relations with the European Union developed dynamically. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Uzbekistan and the European Commission was signed in 1992, followed by the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1994. The foundation of cooperation was laid by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) signed in June 1996 and entering into force in 1999. However, at a certain stage, cooperation faced difficulties due to the insufficient pace of democratic reforms in Uzbekistan.

With the election of Shavkat Mirziyoyev as President, the situation changed dramatically. As early as 2017, during his visit to Tashkent, Stefano Manservisi, Director-General for International Cooperation and Development of the European Commission, stated that “the EU regards Uzbekistan as a strategic partner.” The sweeping democratic and economic reforms launched in Uzbekistan helped resolve within a short period many issues that had long remained unsolved. Forced labor was completely eradicated, and reforms in the cotton sector enabled the country to abandon raw cotton exports altogether.

As reforms advanced, the legal and institutional framework of relations with Europe expanded rapidly. While previously Uzbekistan and the EU granted each other most-favored-nation treatment under the PCA, in April 2021 the EU granted Uzbekistan GSP+ beneficiary status, and in 2022 the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) was initialed.

Along with internal transformation, Uzbekistan’s foreign policy architecture also changed. Priority was given to closer cooperation with neighboring Central Asian states, as well as the active expansion of ties with European countries – a vector that has strengthened steadily in recent years.

Just in the past year, Uzbekistan established strategic partnership relations with France, Italy, and Slovakia, while discussions on expanding strategic cooperation with Hungary continued. President Mirziyoyev also visited Slovenia, and Italy’s Prime Minister and Bulgaria’s President visited Uzbekistan.

A milestone in strengthening relations between Uzbekistan and Europe, and between Europe and Central Asia as a whole – was the first EU–Central Asia Summit, held in Samarkand in April 2025 under the chairmanship of Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Uzbekistan presented a broad range of initiatives to create a new model of regional cooperation between Central Asia and Europe, including: a multilateral agreement on investment protection and promotion; the launch of a Central Asia–EU Joint Chamber of Commerce; the adoption of a regional support program for SMEs and women’s entrepreneurship; the establishment of an investment platform to promote regional projects in green energy, innovation, transport, infrastructure, and agriculture.

The Samarkand Summit was highly productive. A Joint Declaration was adopted, establishing a strategic partnership between the two regions in trade, transport, energy, digital connectivity, and water management. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU had prepared a €12 billion investment package for Central Asia under the Global Gateway initiative.

The Trajectory of Economic Cooperation

Uzbekistan’s deep democratic transformations have significantly improved relations with European countries. Economic reforms have enhanced the competitiveness of Uzbekistan’s economy, stimulating investor confidence and growing interest from European businesses.

The results are impressive. Over the past 8 years, Uzbekistan’s GDP has doubled, reaching $115 billion in 2024. Since 2017, investment in fixed capital has totaled $240 billion, of which foreign investment exceeded $130 billion. The country’s foreign exchange reserves surpassed $48 billion for the first time in history. Structurally, the share of industry in the economy increased from 20% to 26%, and services from 44% to 47%. Labor productivity (GDP per employed person) rose by 45%.

As a result, opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation between Uzbek and European businesses have expanded. Between 2017 and 2024, Uzbekistan’s trade with the EU increased 2.4 times to $6.4 billion; exports grew 3.6 times to $1.7 billion, and imports 2.2 times to $4.7 billion. In 2024, the EU’s share in Uzbekistan’s total trade turnover was 9.7%, in exports 6.3%, and in imports 12%. The EU ranked third among Uzbekistan’s trade partners, after China and Russia.

The EU’s share in Uzbekistan’s total exports increased from 3.8% to 6.3% over the same period. This growth was driven by Uzbekistan’s accession to the GSP+ preferential trade system, granting duty-free access to the EU market across roughly 6,200 tariff lines. The share of Uzbekistan’s exports benefiting from GSP+ reached 59%, with a preference utilization rate of 84%, indicating efficient use of trade benefits.

In 2024, Uzbekistan’s exports to the EU were dominated by chemical products (52.1%), as well as textiles, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, minerals, and food products. Among EU members, France accounted for 47.2% of exports, Lithuania for 10%, and Latvia for 6.9%.

Uzbekistan’s imports from the EU significantly exceeded exports – a reflection of the ongoing technological modernization of the national economy. Around 16% of Uzbekistan’s total imports of machinery, equipment, and transport vehicles come from EU countries.

Investment cooperation is also expanding rapidly. In 2024, foreign investments and loans from EU countries and their financial institutions increased by 77%, reaching $4.1 billion (compared to $2.3 billion in 2023). The most active investors were Germany ($1.37 billion), the Netherlands ($1.05 billion), Cyprus ($858.9 million), the Czech Republic ($137.8 million), Italy ($99.8 million), and Sweden ($97.5 million). Today, around 1,000 enterprises with EU capital operate in Uzbekistan, with a total project portfolio of €30 billion.

A special role in recent years belongs to the EBRD, of which Uzbekistan has become one of the largest beneficiaries. The Bank’s total investments in Uzbekistan’s economy exceeded €5 billion, including around €1 billion in 2024, primarily directed toward the private sector.

Reforms in Uzbekistan have become the key driver for unlocking the significant potential of trade and economic cooperation with the European Union.

Uzbekistan–Belgium

The upcoming visit will also focus on strengthening relations between Uzbekistan and Belgium. Diplomatic relations were established following the opening of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Brussels in 1993. In 1996, the two countries signed an Agreement on avoidance of double taxation, and in 1998 – an Agreement on mutual protection and promotion of investments, which provide legal guarantees for investors in both states.

Business contacts have intensified in parallel with Uzbekistan’s reform agenda. The visits of 2019 and 2022 set the tone for cooperation in infrastructure, energy, and the digital economy. More important than the current trade volumes has been the recognition and support of Uzbekistan’s reforms by EU partners, laying the foundation for long-term engagement.

In 2024, bilateral trade amounted to $62.3 million, including $7.3 million in Uzbek exports and $55 million in imports. Investment cooperation is gaining momentum: several dozen companies with Belgian capital now operate in Uzbekistan, including wholly owned enterprises. New technologies are being localized, for example, Jaga Climate Designers is participating in a joint venture for heating and ventilation systems, and Picanol Group is localizing the assembly of high-tech textile machinery. Belgian brands Belcolade and Prefamac are exploring opportunities to launch chocolate production with subsequent localization.

Despite modest trade volumes, there is significant potential for expanding cooperation in several areas. Given Belgium’s leading role in pharmaceuticals and biomedical research and Uzbekistan’s growing pharmaceutical market, joint ventures or industrial clusters could be developed in this sector, involving companies such as UCB and Janssen Pharmaceutica.

There is also strong potential for joint fruit and vegetable processing projects in Uzbekistan, targeting exports to the EU via Belgian logistics hubs such as the Port of Antwerp and wholesale markets. Potential partners include Greenyard and Puratos. Direct seasonal exports of fresh fruits (e.g., grapes in autumn and winter), as well as dried vegetables, spices, and organic products, could also be expanded. In light industry, there is room to increase exports of ready-made knitwear and home textiles, provided European quality and safety standards are met. The market potential is evident – Belgium imported about $7.9 billion worth of clothing in 2024.

The main challenges remain logistics and standards. Belgium functions as a major EU maritime hub centered around Antwerp, while direct routes from Uzbekistan are still limited. The near-term priority should be pilot supply chains ensuring quality and traceability, the development of cold logistics, certification under EU technical and sanitary regulations, the use of Benelux consolidation hubs, and trade finance tools for SMEs. With the gradual development of new overland routes along the Middle Corridor, Uzbekistan will gain a stronger foothold in high value-added exports without higher costs or delivery delays.

Conclusion

Uzbekistan is entering a stage of deepened economic cooperation with the European Union. During the ongoing modernization and digital transformation of its economy, European investment, technology, education, and research experience can play a key role. At the same time, Uzbekistan seeks to expand exports of industrial goods as their quality improves.

Uzbekistan is also a rapidly growing market with a young and dynamic population, now reaching 38 million people – an 18% increase since 2017. Every year, around 700,000 economically active individuals enter the labor market, forming a substantial human resource base for the economy, including joint ventures.

As a result of poverty reduction policies, living standards and household incomes have risen significantly. Whereas a third of the population once lived below the poverty line, 7.5 million people have been lifted out of poverty, and the poverty rate declined to 8.9% in 2024, with plans to reduce it further to 6% this year. These policies not only address social challenges but also expand domestic demand, increasing the interest of European businesses in entering Uzbekistan’s market.

The further deepening of Uzbekistan’s economic engagement with the EU and Belgium is an objectively mutually beneficial process – one that will define the success of the upcoming state visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Belgium.

The agreements expected to be signed will help advance joint projects in sustainable energy and infrastructure, strengthen transport and technological connectivity between Central Asia and Europe, and position Europe as a key partner in Uzbekistan’s long-term growth and modernization trajectory.

 Obid Khakimov,  

Director of the Center for
Economic Research and Reforms