On May 15, 2026, an informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States will be held in the city of Turkestan.

The upcoming high-level event will serve as a vital platform for discussing pressing issues of cooperation and defining the next priority areas for the development of interaction among member states.

The formation of the Turkic integration space has a multi-century history, rooted not only in the commonality of language, culture, and historical heritage but also in the rich traditions of enlightenment and intellectual thought of the Turkic peoples. The Jadidism movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries played a pivotal role in shaping the ideas of cultural and spiritual rapprochement. Its representatives advocated for education, science, social modernization and the strengthening of ties between the Turkic nations.

The first summit of the heads of Turkic-speaking states was held in 1992 in Ankara at the initiative of Turkish Prime Minister Turgut Özal. In the 1996 Tashkent Declaration, the heads of state solidified the provision for establishing a Secretariat. Over the following years, this format evolved consistently, leading to the establishment of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States in Nakhchivan in 2009. At the 2021 Istanbul Summit, a decision was made to transform the entity into the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). This reflected the expansion of the organization's activities and its growing international significance.

The primary objective of the organization is to develop comprehensive cooperation among the member states - Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan. Priority tasks include strengthening mutual trust and good-neighborly relations, coordinating foreign policy positions and expanding cooperation in trade, economic, transport, energy, and cultural-humanitarian spheres. Special attention is paid to creating favourable conditions for trade and investment, developing scientific and technical cooperation and improving the living standards of the region's population.

The organizational structure of the OTS includes a number of key institutions that coordinate multilateral cooperation. The Council of Heads of State is the supreme body, which defines strategic development goals and holds regular meetings. The Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States serves in a consultative capacity. Bringing together influential representatives from member states, it serves to strengthen the traditions of mutual understanding and trust within the Turkic world.

Uzbekistan has been an active participant in the processes of bringing Turkic states closer and developing multilateral cooperation within this format from the very beginning. A new turning point was President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's participation as a guest of honour in the 6th Summit of Turkic-Speaking States, held on September 3, 2018, in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. This step provided a new impetus to the organization's development. In 2019, the Republic ratified the Nakhchivan Agreement, officially formalizing its full-fledged participation in the activities of the OTS.

With Uzbekistan’s accession, the organization’s activities and the cooperation agenda among member states have intensified significantly. At the summits held between 2019 and 2025, the President of Uzbekistan put forward 116 initiatives aimed at deepening multifaceted cooperation. To date, 64 of these have been implemented, with several other projects currently in their final stages. These figures demonstrate Uzbekistan’s systematic and practical approach toward developing integration processes within the Turkic space.

The implemented initiatives cover a comprehensive range of areas. In the fields of economy and transport, the introduction of the “e-Permit”, “Digital TIR” and “Green Corridor” systems - aimed at streamlining logistics processes and developing the region's transit potential - has been of particular importance. In the tourism sector, key highlights included the declaration of Kokand as the Tourism Capital of the Turkic World and the implementation of the “Tabarruk Ziyorat” (Sacred Pilgrimage) project, which serves to develop pilgrimage tourism.

Cooperation in the fields of youth policy, science, and education is developing actively. Youth leadership forums, international conferences, and events within the framework of the Turkic Universities Union are being held regularly. At the same time, significant attention is paid to innovative development - IT forums, startup platforms and meetings of sectoral agencies are organized, including cooperation in the space industry and defence sectors. This reflects the striving of member states to form a unified technological space.

Uzbekistan's chairmanship, which began following the outcomes of the 2022 Samarkand Summit, holds particular significance for the development of the Organization of Turkic States. During this period, the country not only intensified practical cooperation but also introduced institutional innovations to the organization's activities. In particular, for the first time, the practice of developing a comprehensive Concept and Action Plan for the chairmanship period was introduced. This made it possible to give the cooperation a more systematic and consistent character. Within the framework of the chairmanship, more than 100 events were held at various levels, covering key areas from economy and transport to science, culture and education.

Today, OTS agenda is being shaped taking into account the interests of all participating states, with each country contributing to the development of integration processes.

Economic cooperation within the OTS framework demonstrates steady positive growth. According to the results of recent years, Uzbekistan's trade turnover with the member states of the organization has been consistently increasing and exceeded USD 10.8 billion in 2025. Kazakhstan and Türkiye remain our country's primary trading partners. At the same time, an increase in bilateral trade with other member states is also being observed. This indicates the deepening of economic integration and cooperation ties within the region.

From this perspective, the upcoming summit of the Organization of Turkic States to be held in the city of Turkistan will serve as a vital platform for discussing future directions of multilateral cooperation and developing new joint initiatives. Given the summit's theme, special attention is expected to be paid to digital transformation, the development of joint innovation ecosystems, the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies, strengthening cooperation in digital infrastructure and the training of highly skilled modern personnel.

At the same time, discussions are planned to cover the strengthening of trade and economic ties, the development of transport and logistics connectivity, the expansion of investment cooperation, as well as the promotion of joint high-tech and innovative projects within the Turkic space.

According to experts, Uzbekistan, as a supporter of deepening practical cooperation and strengthening mutual trust within the Turkic space, will continue to actively contribute to the realization of the organization’s common goals. The expected agreements and initiatives are anticipated to provide a new impetus to integration processes, serve the sustainable development of the region, and further enhance the international prestige of the Organization of Turkic States.

Dunyo IA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan announces the commencement of accreditation for representatives of mass media to cover the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand.

Journalists wishing to participate in the coverage of the conference are required to complete registration on the United Nations “INDICO” platform and obtain accreditation.

The online registration form is available at the following link: https://indico.un.org/event/1017853/registrations/21114/.

Applications from representatives of media will be accepted until October 10, 2025.

Applications submitted after the deadline, or without the required documents and a completed application form, will not be considered.

Please note that submission of an application does not constitute a basis for entry into the Republic of Uzbekistan or for engaging in journalistic activities of foreign media representatives without official confirmation of accreditation issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

For additional inquiries, please contact the Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at press@mfa.uz.

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.

In the year of a historic achievement for national sport – the first-ever qualification of Uzbekistan’s national football team for the FIFA World Cup – the documentary film “O'zbek futboli” has been unveiled, telling the story of more than a century of the formation and development of football in our country.

The production of the film coincides with an event that has become a source of national pride and a landmark moment in the history of modern Uzbekistan. The national team's qualification for the FIFA World Cup is not only an outstanding sporting accomplishment, but also a historic opportunity to revisit the origins of Uzbek football and pay tribute to the people, teams, and milestones that have shaped its legacy and brought this long-awaited success within reach over the course of more than one hundred years.

The idea for the documentary emerged in September 2023 during a meeting between the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and representatives of the Uzbek diaspora in New York. During the meeting, an initiative was proposed to create a documentary dedicated to the history of Uzbek football and its development over more than a century. The initiative received the support of the Head of State, after which work on the project commenced with the assistance of the Press Service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Center for National Content Development (Content Center), under the leadership of Kobuljon Akhmedov.

“O'zbek futboli” is an effort to preserve for future generations the story of the individuals whose dedication enabled Uzbek football to travel the remarkable path from the first matches of the early twentieth century to the country's participation in the FIFA World Cup. The documentary is built upon archival materials, eyewitness accounts, and interviews with football veterans, coaches, sports experts, journalists, and current members of the national team.

Filming took place in Tashkent, Kokand, and London. These locations were carefully selected to trace the key stages in football's development – from its beginnings in Uzbekistan to the origins of the modern global game. Particular attention was devoted to historical accuracy, recreating the atmosphere of different eras, and presenting an honest and authentic account of the journey Uzbek football has undertaken over the past century.

The film explores not only the national team's road to its historic World Cup qualification but also the broader evolution of football culture in Uzbekistan. It tells the story of the emergence of the country's first football clubs, the growth of youth academies, professional teams, coaching traditions, the role of supporters, and the contributions made by many generations of athletes to the development of national football.

The documentary features legendary footballers of previous generations, current players of the Uzbekistan national team, coaches, referees, sports officials, journalists, and researchers of football history. By bringing together the voices of several generations, the film allows audiences to experience the story of Uzbek football through the eyes of those who lived it and helped shape it.

At its heart, the documentary conveys a simple yet powerful message: great victories are never accidental. Every success is built upon years of hard work, an unwavering belief in a dream, and the efforts of countless people across generations. Through this film, its creators seek to emphasize the importance of respecting history, preserving continuity between generations, loving one's homeland, believing in one's own potential, and uniting society around a common goal.

“O'zbek futboli” is a story about how dreams become reality when an entire nation continues to believe in them for many years.

Uzbek football is not merely the fulfillment of a dream. It is a reward bestowed upon generations of people who refused to stop believing in it.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZwkXogix-5oZmlgy5s1uWIzG5AJ7TFck

Dear compatriots!

I cordially congratulate you, the multinational people of Uzbekistan on the coming New Year 2025.

Despite the difficult situation in the world, the outgoing year has been prosperous for our country.

Thanks to the selfless labor, socio-political activity of our people, the idea of New Uzbekistan is becoming a reality.

The past elections to the Oliy Majlis and local councils have reaffirmed that we have entered a new stage of democratic reforms.

New high-tech industrial complexes, infrastructure and logistics networks, roads and railroads have been built in the country, business, IT and tourism spheres are developing. The incomes and quality of life of the population are increasing.

Our skillful dehkans and farmers, clusters have harvested rich crops. The whole country is being improved.

Kindergartens and schools, universities, cultural and sports facilities are being built. Thousands of our compatriots are welcoming the New Year in new homes.

Our energetic, enterprising young people are achieving success in all spheres. Their record achievements at the Olympic and Paralympic Games have opened a new page in the history of national sport.

The role and influence of civil society institutions, including the mahalla, are being strengthened. The sphere of spirituality and enlightenment is developing. Our country's initiatives of global significance are receiving broad support.

Uzbekistan's authority in the international arena as a competitive country and a reliable partner is growing.

All this has become possible thanks to sustainable development, the atmosphere of friendship and harmony in our society.

On this festive evening, I express my sincere gratitude to you, my dear ones, to all our people-creators for your conscientious labor and service to the Motherland.

Dear friends!

We have declared 2025 the Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy.

Our main goal is to create a sustainable balance between the economic system and our environment. We will create even greater business opportunities.

We will resolutely continue to work to ensure the inviolability of private property and actively attract foreign investment.

The focus will be on the social sphere, increasing wages, pensions, scholarships and benefits.

We will mobilize all forces and opportunities to bring up our children harmoniously developed, with modern knowledge and professions.

We will increase attention to the development of science, education, health care, culture, art and sports.

We will continue to prioritize the care of veterans, women and youth, as well as improving the effectiveness of social protection.

We will raise to a new level the work on strengthening the potential of our Armed Forces, support for servicemen and their families.

In a word, all together, united, we will act to realize the main principle - “In the name of man, in the name of his happiness!”.

Dear friends!

Once again, I sincerely congratulate you - our compatriots abroad, as well as partners and friends of Uzbekistan around the world - on this wonderful holiday.

I wish you health, happiness, prosperity and well-being to every family, to our beloved Motherland!

May all our good dreams and hopes come true!

May our native Uzbekistan prosper!

Happy New Year to you, my dear ones!



Shavkat Mirziyoyev,

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Central and South Asia are increasingly facing the same reality: climate risks are no longer a distant forecast. Droughts, water scarcity, heatwaves, land degradation, dust storms, floods, and pressure on water, food and energy security are already affecting economies, public health, infrastructure, and the resilience of entire regions.

This is why the second meeting of the Termez Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia is of particular significance. The second meeting is organized by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in partnership with the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia. This format reflects Uzbekistan’s consistent foreign policy direction aimed at strengthening trust, open dialogue, and sustainable connectivity between the regions.

While the first meeting introduced the Termez Dialogue as a platform for bringing the two regions closer together, the new agenda takes the next step: moving from a discussion of connectivity to practical mechanisms for joint climate adaptation and stronger environmental resilience. Its task is to move from conceptual discussions to concrete priorities and practical mechanisms, with joint adaptation to climate change identified among the key areas of cooperation.

Climate as a New Test of Connectivity

Climate change shows how closely water, food, energy, transport, health, and ecosystems are linked. When water availability declines, the impact is not limited to agriculture. It also affects hydropower, food prices, migration, employment, soil conditions, and even regional stability. As extreme heat becomes more frequent, cities, transport systems, healthcare systems, and labour productivity all come under pressure.

The Synthesis Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), prepared as part of the Sixth Assessment Cycle, emphasizes that adaptation is already taking place in all regions of the world, but the gap between what is needed and what is being done remains and will continue to grow at the current pace of action. The IPCC also underlines that the most effective responses are not isolated measures, but integrated solutions that connect water management, agriculture, infrastructure, social protection, ecosystems, and population needs.

This is particularly important for Central and South Asia. Both regions depend on mountain watersheds, irrigated agriculture, the resilience of rural areas, as well as stable and secure energy supply and the cross-border movement of goods and people. Climate adaptation, therefore, cannot remain solely a matter of national policy. It must become part of interregional cooperation.

Uzbekistan: The Data Confirm the Urgency of Action

Uzbekistan’s Fourth National Communication under the UNFCCC identifies the country as among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change in Central Asia and Eurasia. This vulnerability is linked to accelerated temperature rise, growing water scarcity, glacier retreat, and the increasing frequency of extreme hydrometeorological events.

Water remains an especially sensitive factor. Uzbekistan’s water resources belong to the Aral Sea basin, while the main surface runoff of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers is formed outside the country. This means that Uzbekistan’s climate resilience is directly linked to the quality of regional and interregional cooperation. Water, data, forecasts, infrastructure, and trust become part of one security system.

Cities as a New Frontline of Climate Adaptation

The climate agenda is also becoming increasingly connected with the future of cities. Speaking at the Leaders’ Summit of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum in Baku, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that, over the next 15 years, the country’s population is expected to grow from 38 to 50 million people, while the urbanization rate is projected to rise from 51% to 65%.

For Uzbekistan, this is not only a demographic trend but also a climate challenge. Urban growth increases pressure on water, energy, transport, housing, air quality, and green spaces. Therefore, plans for sustainable urbanization — including the development of “green”, “smart”, “safe”, and “15-minute” cities, the expansion of urban greenery, and the introduction of green city principles — are directly linked to climate adaptation.

In this context, the Termez Dialogue can become a platform for exchanging experience not only on water and agriculture, but also on climate-resilient urban development: from reducing the urban heat island effect and saving water to clean transport, digital air quality monitoring, and designing new districts with climate risks in mind.

A New Emphasis: Adaptation as a Practical Development Agenda

The Termez Dialogue can offer an important new approach: to view adaptation not as a response to crises, but as an investment in sustainable development. This changes the very language of climate policy.

Adaptation is not only about building protective infrastructure or responding to emergencies. It is about more accurate forecasting of droughts and floods and data exchange between countries. It is about water-saving agriculture, the modernization of canals, pumping stations, and urban infrastructure. It is about restoring degraded lands and ecosystems. It is about preparing farmers, engineers, hydrologists, energy specialists, and local authorities to operate under new climate conditions.

This is why the Concept of the second meeting of the Termez Dialogue emphasizes the consolidation of efforts by states and partners to develop coordinated and mutually reinforcing approaches to climate adaptation and to reducing the socio-economic consequences of climate and environmental risks.

Why Central and South Asia Must Adapt Together

Climate risks do not recognize borders. Drought in one part of the region can affect food markets in another. Glacier retreat changes river regimes far beyond mountain areas. Dust storms, heatwaves, and extreme rainfall can affect several countries at once. Joint adaptation is therefore a practical necessity.

The IPCC stresses that around 3.3 to 3.6 billion people worldwide live in conditions of high vulnerability to climate change. It also emphasizes that the vulnerability of people and ecosystems is interconnected: the degradation of ecosystems increases risks for people, while social vulnerability reduces societies’ ability to adapt.

For Central and South Asia, this means that resilience must be built across several dimensions at once: water, food, energy, environment, and society. Food and environmental security cannot be strengthened without water. Infrastructure cannot be modernized without climate forecasts. Risks cannot be reduced without trust and information exchange.

Termez as a Place for Climate Partnership

The choice of Termez has both historical and practical significance. Termez is Uzbekistan’s southern gateway and a natural bridge between Central and South Asia. In today’s conditions, this role acquires new meaning: the city is becoming a symbol not only of transport and trade connectivity, but also of climate partnership.

Afghanistan has a particularly important role. The idea of the Termez Dialogue implies the need for the gradual integration of Afghanistan into regional economic, transport, humanitarian, and climate processes with the support of the international community. In the climate agenda, this is especially meaningful: without Afghanistan’s participation, it is impossible to build genuinely sustainable connectivity between Central and South Asia.

What the Termez Dialogue Can Deliver

The Termez Dialogue can become a platform for launching several practical areas of cooperation.

First, the exchange of climate and hydrological data, including forecasts of droughts, floods, glacier changes, and dust storms.

Second, the joint promotion of early warning systems, so that countries can prepare in advance for extreme weather events.

Third, the development of climate-resilient agriculture: water-saving technologies, drought-resistant crops, digital services for farmers, and the restoration of pastures and soils.

Fourth, ecosystem-based adaptation — the restoration of forests, wetlands, mountain and desert ecosystems that themselves serve as natural protection against climate risks.

Fifth, climate-resilient infrastructure — from transport corridors and logistics centres to energy facilities and rapidly growing cities.

From a Common Challenge to Shared Resilience

The main value of the Termez Dialogue is that it allows the climate agenda to be discussed not in the language of alarm, but in the language of joint solutions. Central and South Asia can not only exchange risk assessments, but also create common adaptation mechanisms: from scientific networks and pilot projects to investment programmes and regional standards for resilient infrastructure.

The new climate agenda of the Termez Dialogue is part of the larger idea of connectivity. Genuine connectivity is not only about roads, trade, and energy corridors. It is also about the capacity of countries to jointly protect ecosystems, human health, and the future of coming generations. The Termez Dialogue can become the space where Central and South Asia move from recognizing their shared vulnerability to building shared resilience.

D.R. Ziganshina, SIC ICWC | 20 May 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

At the invitation of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh will pay a state visit to our country on June 23-26.

In accordance with the program of the high-ranking guest's stay, it is envisaged to hold high-level talks in Tashkent, during which issues of further expansion and strengthening of Uzbek-Mongolian relations of friendship and multifaceted cooperation will be considered.

In particular, the agenda includes plans to develop constructive political dialogue and inter-parliamentary contacts, increase bilateral trade turnover, implement cooperation projects in mining, agriculture, livestock, light industry, healthcare, transport, logistics and other areas. Joint measures aimed at boosting cultural, humanitarian and tourist ties will also be discussed. There will be an exchange of views on international issues.

A package of intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents will be signed following the results of the summit.

As part of the program of the state visit, the leaders of the two countries will meet with representatives of leading companies and business circles, and a number of other bilateral events will be held.

Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh will also visit Khiva, where he will familiarize himself with the rich cultural and historical heritage of our people.

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.

Uzbekistan's upcoming elections for the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) and the Councils of People's Deputies, scheduled for October 27th, are not just a routine event. They mark a significant milestone in the nation's democratic journey, introducing groundbreaking changes that promise to transform the electoral landscape. The recent meeting of the Central Election Commission unveiled several key innovations that will ensure greater efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity, making these elections a matter of global interest.

For the first time in the nation's history, the Legislative Chamber elections will employ a mixed electoral system, combining majoritarian and proportional representation. This change means that voters will elect seventy-five deputies directly, while another seventy-five will be chosen based on party votes. This system aims to create a more balanced and representative legislature, enhancing democratic legitimacy and ensuring a broader spectrum of political voices.

One of the most notable advancements in Uzbekistan's electoral system is the full digitization of election commission activities. The introduction of the 'E-Saylov' information system is a significant leap forward, revolutionizing the election process. This digital platform not only streamlines the process, reducing bureaucracy and document handling, but also ensures a smoother, more efficient, and transparent electoral experience. It automates interactions between election commissions, political parties, candidates, observers, and the media, providing real-time statistical data, candidate information, and interactive maps. This technological leap empowers voters with unprecedented access to essential election-related information, making the electoral process more inclusive and transparent.

Inclusivity is another cornerstone of these elections. New election legislation requires political parties to ensure that at least 40% of their candidates are women, a progressive move towards gender equality in political representation. This requirement not only aligns Uzbekistan with advanced democratic standards but also enriches the political discourse by incorporating diverse perspectives.

The elections are taking place in a context where the updated Constitution has significantly enhanced the powers of parliament and representative bodies. The Legislative Chamber's powers have increased from 5 to 12, and the Senate's from 12 to 18. Parliament's oversight functions over executive, judicial, law enforcement, and special services have also been expanded. Additionally, the leadership of local Councils of People's Deputies by hokims (governors) has been abolished, transferring 33 powers previously held by hokims to local Councils to increase their role in resolving critical state issues.

The slogan "My Choice—My Prosperous Homeland" not only captures the spirit of these elections but also reflects the unwavering commitment of Uzbekistan's leadership to democratic state-building and citizen empowerment. With over 120,000 election commission members, 70,000 citizens, and numerous international observers participating, the elections are set to be a transparent and inclusive process, further demonstrating this commitment.

In conclusion, Uzbekistan is setting a remarkable precedent with its upcoming elections by embracing technological innovation and inclusivity. These initiatives will undoubtedly pave the way for a more prosperous and democratic future, showcasing Uzbekistan’s dedication to advancing democratic principles and practices.

Eldor Tulyakov,

The Executive Director,

Development Strategy Centre (Uzbekistan)

In recent years, wide-ranging reforms have been implemented in our country aimed at creating equal rights and opportunities for women and men, ensuring the full participation of women in social and public life, supporting them socially, economically, and legally, as well as protecting them from harassment and violence.

Thanks to the high political will and initiatives of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the issues of ensuring gender equality, protecting the interests of women, and ensuring the strength of families have been designated as priorities of state policy. The programs and strategies adopted in this regard are recognized not only at the national but also at the international level.

The participation of women in the socio-political, economic, and spiritual life of our country is increasing day by day. Today, they actively participate in state administration bodies, parliament, local councils, entrepreneurship, and scientific fields. Systematic measures are being implemented to create new jobs for women, develop their knowledge and potential, and widely involve them in entrepreneurial activities.

Within a short period, a national legislative base corresponding to international standards in this field was created. In particular, more than 100 normative-legal acts have been adopted over the past eight years. Among them, such important regulatory documents as the Law "On Guarantees of Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men" and the Law "On Protection of Women from Harassment and Violence" are of particular importance.

Today, Uzbekistan consistently continues to cooperate with international organizations such as the UN, OSCE, and UNESCO in implementing its gender policy. This cooperation is creating new opportunities for protecting the interests of women and allowing them to fully manifest their potential in our country.

In order to properly establish the gender equality policy and ensure its full implementation, the “Strategy for Achieving Gender Equality until 2030” was adopted. Work on its introduction to all spheres and sectors is being carried out rapidly.

The “Uzbekistan – 2030 Strategy” defines important goals and tasks for strengthening the system of supporting women, ensuring their rights and legal interests, increasing their social, economic, and political activity, and ensuring gender equality.

First, to continue the policy of ensuring gender equality and increasing the share of women in leadership positions by boosting their socio-political activity;

Second, to create an environment of intolerance toward harassment and violence against women in society, and to ensure the rights and legal interests of women;

Third, to establish a transparent mechanism for targeted work with the “Women's Notebook” (“Ayollar daftari”) and establish public control over these efforts.

Concepts such as gender analysis of regulatory legal acts, adopting a gender-responsive national budget, and gender auditing are being introduced into legislation and put into practice.

The Commission on Increasing the Role of Women in Society, Gender Equality, and Family Issues has been established. It coordinates efforts to create equal opportunities in all aspects of rights and freedoms, protect the interests of women in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and develop and implement relevant measures to eliminate existing problems. Furthermore, regional commissions on increasing the role of women in society, gender equality, and family issues are operating under local Councils of People's Deputies.

To effectively implement state policy on ensuring the rights and interests of women and comprehensively strengthening the family institution, a vertical system has been created that reaches down to the lowest level – the neighborhood (“mahalla”) and household.

In order to elevate state policy regarding families and women in the Republic to a new level, find systematic solutions to their problems, and effectively organize and coordinate the activities of authorized bodies, the “Committee for Family and Women” was established along with its divisions in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions, Tashkent city, and districts (cities). The Committee has been effectively implementing tasks such as continuing the policy of ensuring gender equality, increasing the socio-political activity of women, and carrying out reforms to support them.

The "Family and Gender" Research Institute under the Committee has created the `uzgender.uz` electronic platform for studying and monitoring gender issues in Uzbekistan. It contains data such as gender indices, an electronic corpus, interactive services, a gender analytical newsletter, and a gender library. In addition, online platforms such as `gender.stat.uz` by the National Statistics Committee and `gendermadad.uz` by the NGO "Madad" under the Ministry of Justice have been launched to provide our people with consultations and information on relevant topics.

To ensure the implementation of tasks set out in the Law "On Guarantees of Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men," advisory councils on ensuring gender equality have been established under state bodies, economic management structures, the private sector, and civil society institutions.

Today, the number of these Gender Advisory Councils has reached 4,000 nationwide. These councils serve as an important platform for ensuring equal rights and opportunities for men and women, maintaining gender balance in workplaces and all spheres of social life, protecting the interests of women, and effectively implementing decisions related to gender policy.

Attention is paid to increasing women's activity in political life: the Electoral Code legally stipulates that at least 40% of candidates nominated for deputy positions by political parties (or 2 out of every 5 candidates) must be women. A norm was also introduced in the Family Code establishing the marriage age for both men and women as 18 years. The list of occupations with unfavorable working conditions where the use of women's labor was fully or partially prohibited has been abolished.

In the political arena of our country, women are emerging not just as participants, but as leaders. Currently, they make up:

35% of leadership positions;

45% of entrepreneurship;

49% of political parties;

53% of higher education.

Many leading women are working in several key positions in our country – including the Chairperson of the Senate, Head of the Presidential Administration, Deputy Prime Minister, Ombudspersons, ministers, and heads of agencies and committees. This is a high evaluation of the intellectual potential, spiritual maturity, and management skills of modern Uzbek women. While the share of women in ministerial and equivalent positions was only 2.9% in 2018, by 2025 this figure reached 7.7%.

It should be noted that preparing women for leadership positions at various levels is a complex and systematic process that requires thorough preparation. To this end, 244 women have been trained so far under the newly created “School of Women Leaders” curriculum, and about 60 of them have been appointed to various leadership positions.

In particular, 15 women who received the highest Key Performance Indicators (KPI) at the “School of Preparation for Khokim (Governor/Mayor) Positions” were selected and involved in special training programs, indicating a future increase in the number of women among regional, district, and city-level leaders.

Based on Decree No. PF-95 of the President of our State dated June 19, 2025, strategic directions were set to elevate the civil service to a completely new level of quality. Within the framework of these reforms, the issue of increasing the role and activity of women in state governance is designated as a special priority. Specific target indicators have been set for the active recruitment of women into public service for the period up to 2030. In particular, the goal is to increase the share of women in the civil service as well as in the “National Personnel Reserve” to 40%.

By relevant decision of the Government, it has been established that, as a rule, at least 30% of the total number of candidates recommended for admission to the master's program of the Academy of State Policy and Governance under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan must be women. In addition, comprehensive measures are being taken to improve the system of preparing women for high-level positions and to develop their leadership potential. Through this, women will have the opportunity to actively participate not only in the state administration system but also at the level of strategic decision-making.

Education reforms implemented in recent years are also playing an important role in increasing the social activity of women. In the process of reforms carried out to radically reform all stages of continuous education, introduce the latest advanced technologies into the educational process, and raise the professional level of teachers, special attention is paid to the education of women. As a result, in recent years, the interest of women in applied and exact sciences has been growing.

Starting from 2020, a system was introduced to admit women from needy families to higher education institutions on the basis of state grants (1,000 quotas). In 2021, these grant places were doubled, reaching 2,000. In the current year, these quotas were doubled again, reaching 4,000. As a result, over the past 5 years, nearly 13,000 women were admitted to higher education institutions on the basis of state grants under this privilege.

The number of quotas for women who have 5 years of work experience but do not have higher education was increased 5-fold, reaching 2,500. Under this privilege, more than 2,000 women entered higher education institutions between 2022 and 2025.

Since 2022, contract fees for all women studying in master's programs at State Higher Education Institutions have been covered by the state budget. In this regard, funds amounting to 333.8 billion soums were covered by the state budget between 2022 and 2025.

A system of interest-free educational loans for up to 7 years has been established for female students studying in higher education institutions, technical schools, and colleges. In this regard, educational loans worth 4.6 trillion soums were allocated to nearly 415,000 female students in 2022-2025.

As a result of these opportunities and privileges, the share of women among students in higher education reached 53.2%, and in master's programs 65.8%. The interest of girls in modern knowledge and professions is growing. For example, girls make up 51% of the youth trained under the "One Million Coders" project.

Expanding the economic opportunities of women, ensuring their employment, involving them in entrepreneurship, and developing their businesses play an important role in increasing their social activity. Based on the decrees of our head of state, it is planned to ensure the employment of 2 million women and to train 250,000 women in professions and entrepreneurship this year alone.

Also, within the framework of the “HAMROH” program for supporting businesswomen, the following goals are set:

Allocating grants up to 50 million soums to 1,000 “mentor” female entrepreneurs who supported women in implementing "green projects" and IT projects, as well as helping at least 5 women start their businesses;

Allocating collateral-free loans up to 100 million soums to women with a positive credit history;

Forming entrepreneurship skills in women who want to start their own businesses through the launch of the "Partner Entrepreneur" (“Hamkor tadbirkor”) program, helping women start businesses on a cooperative basis, and assisting women in placing and selling their products on local and international electronic platforms.

Also, targeted work is being carried out with female entrepreneurs through a 4-stage system: “First Step to Business”, “Starting a Business”, “Expanding a Business”, and “Elevating a Business” to form a wide layer of “champion entrepreneurs” in cooperation with partner organizations.

As a result, in 9 months of this year, assistance was provided to secure lucrative employment for 2 million 48 thousand women across the Republic:

527.6 thousand women were employed in vacant positions in enterprises and organizations.

296.8 thousand women were trained in vocations and entrepreneurship. In particular, 160.8 thousand women were trained in vocations, 136 thousand women in entrepreneurship, and 63.9 thousand were attached to artisans.

99 thousand women were involved in training by Women's Entrepreneurship Centers.

Commercial banks allocated credit funds amounting to 15.7 trillion soums to 203 thousand women to support entrepreneurship projects. Of this, 1.7 trillion soums of credit funds were allocated to 105 thousand women within the framework of family entrepreneurship development programs. The Central Bank approved the Strategy for Providing Financial Services in the Field of Supporting Women's Entrepreneurship.

In order to systematically organize employment and health-strengthening efforts for women by training them in professional and entrepreneurial skills at the lowest level – the neighborhoods (“mahallas”), the activities of centers for ensuring employment and strengthening the health of women were launched in 2,876 mahallas.

In order to provide comprehensive legal, psychological, and mediation services to families and women, and to train couples getting married in family life lessons, “Family and Women Centers” were established in 197 districts and cities based on new approaches.

The public council “Women's Enlightenment” (“Ayol ma'rifati”) was established, uniting women in the scientific and creative fields to elevate family education and effectively utilize the scientific developments of family scholars that contribute to the development of the family institution. This council implemented about 10 projects, such as "History of Jadid Women," "Woman - Symbol of Progress," "Women towards Ecological Activity," and "Woman - Support of Society."

The "Responsible Parenting" project, aimed at forming prosperous and stable families based on national values among young families, was introduced. As a result of selection events for nominating families for the "Exemplary Family of New Uzbekistan" contest and awarding them with the "Exemplary Family" badge, their number exceeded 160 thousand. 2,000 families were awarded the "Exemplary Family" badge, which is a 9.6-fold increase compared to last year. Today, they actively assist in preventing family conflicts.

In order to sanitize the socio-spiritual environment in families and prevent women from falling under the influence of various negative and foreign ideas, propaganda groups consisting of more than 145 thousand active women were re-formed.

To award active women, the “Mo'tabar Ayol” (Venerable Woman) badge was established, and 2,090 women have been awarded to date. 480 talented girls were awarded the Zulfiya State Prize, established to increase the socio-political activity of young women and create conditions for them to realize their abilities and potential in various fields, as well as to encourage them.

In order to support persons with disabilities, disabled individuals, lonely elderly citizens, and other socially vulnerable categories of the population, and to organize social assistance in a fair, targeted, and transparent manner, completely new and unique mechanisms such as the “Iron Notebook” (“Temir daftar”), “Women's Notebook” (“Ayollar daftari”), and “Youth Notebook” (“Yoshlar daftari”) were created. Through the system of working with the "Women's Notebook" alone, practical assistance was provided to 4.5 million needy, low-income women in 2021-2025.

In order to expand opportunities for increasing women's socio-political activity, special attention was paid to strengthening the preschool education system in the country. While the coverage of children with preschool education was 38% in 2018, as a result of reforms, it was increased to 78%.

In all legal entities except budget organizations, a procedure has been established for granting and paying pregnancy and childbirth allowances from the State Budget funds based on the minimum consumer expenditure for each month to women who have continuous work experience of at least the last 6 months. Under this, it is stipulated that an allowance in the amount of 4 times the minimum consumer expenditure is paid before the birth of the employee's child. For this purpose, more than 56.6 billion soums of pregnancy and childbirth allowances were paid to women working in the private sector from the Social Insurance Fund.

Subsidies are being paid from the State Budget to cover the wages of educators in preschool education organizations established under organizations where women work evening shifts.

A mechanism for taking women victims of harassment and violence under state protection and issuing protection orders has been created. In order to prevent gender-based violence, separate articles on domestic (household) violence, harassment, and disclosing information that humiliates a person's honor and dignity or reflects confidential aspects of human life were included in the legislation.

Centers for Rehabilitation and Adaptation of Women operate to provide socio-legal and psychological assistance to women who have suffered from harassment and violence or fell into difficult social situations, and to provide them with targeted support.

The Committee for Family and Women and its territorial divisions:

Are exempted from paying state fees for lawsuits filed in courts to protect the rights and legal interests of women;

Can submit mandatory representations to heads of state bodies and organizations to eliminate violations of legislative acts, as well as the causes and conditions giving rise to them, in the field of ensuring the rights and legal interests of women and strengthening families;

Benefit from a newly created system to release women from punishment ahead of schedule on bail (surety).

An expert from the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan, commented to Dunyo IA on the outcomes of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s working visit to the United States, which took place from February 17 to 19:

- The visit of the President of Uzbekistan to the United States, which took place as part of his participation in the first meeting of the Board of Peace, was not just another diplomatic event, but a logical continuation of the strategy of pragmatic and mutually beneficial dialogue with Washington built over recent years. It demonstrated a shift from symbolic political interaction to systemic coordination in security, economics, trade, and humanitarian exchanges.

This visit marked the culmination of an intensive partnership over the past six months. Meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the C5+1 summit, participation in events in Davos, and the signing of the Charter of the Board of Peace, as well as personal contacts between the two leaders, have fostered a stable dynamic of political dialogue. This fifth summit in six months demonstrates that relations have entered a phase of regular strategic communication, with each meeting reinforced by concrete agreements.

The visit’s busy business program confirmed its practical nature. During his stay in the United States, the head of state held talks with representatives of the American administration, financial institutions, and business circles, including the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the International Development Finance Corporation, the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce, as well as the heads of major companies such as Traxys, Valmont Industries, Gulf Oil, Aviagen, John Deere, BlackRock Financial Markets Advisory, Oppenheimer, and others. Following the signing of bilateral documents, the parties solidified agreements in priority areas such as the agro-industrial complex, critical minerals, financial market development, improving the investment climate, and the creation of an investment platform.

Discussions with the US Trade Representative and the Secretary of Commerce deserve special attention. During these talks, the need to intensify work within the framework of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement between the countries of Central Asia and the United States was emphasized. This gave cooperation not only a bilateral but also a regional dimension, strengthening Uzbekistan’s position as a coordinator of economic processes in the region.

Viewed historically, the current stage’s foundation was laid back in 2018 during Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s first official visit to Washington, when agreements worth over $4.8 billion were signed. This package signaled Uzbekistan’s systemic openness to international businesses. In 2021, the Strategic Partnership Dialogue was established, and its subsequent expansion testifies to the institutionalization of bilateral relations. The invitation of the Uzbek leader to the G20 summit in Miami, personally initiated by US President Donald Trump, further confirmed the country’s strengthening international status and recognition of its growing role on the global agenda.

The economic dimension of cooperation is demonstrating steady growth. While trade turnover stood at $408 million in 2018, it consistently exceeded $1 billion by the end of 2024-2025. The current three-year Economic Cooperation Program, worth $35 billion, reflects the long-term nature of the parties' intentions. At the same time, the structure of interaction is undergoing a qualitative change: the emphasis is shifting from trade operations to the implementation of investment and production projects.

Today, flagship American companies such as Air Products, General Electric, General Motors, Boeing, Honeywell, and John Deere are actively operating in Uzbekistan. The $8.7 billion package of agreements signed at the C5+1 summit, including a contract for 22 Boeing aircraft, investments in the critical minerals sector, and projects in the agro-industrial sector, confirms the practical focus of the dialogue.

The transformation of the export structure is particularly revealing: services now account for approximately 86% of Uzbek exports to the US, with the IT sector remaining the key driver. Of the 800 active digital services exporters, 448 target the US market, accounting for 45% of all industry exports. This demonstrates that the partnership is gradually becoming more high-tech, moving beyond traditional commodity-based models.

The humanitarian dimension of cooperation is no less important. Academic exchange is expanding, the number of joint research projects is growing, and the integration of Uzbek specialists into international educational networks is strengthening. Currently, 40 Uzbek universities are implementing partnership programs with more than 25 US universities. Webster University’s Tashkent branch and the American University of Technology, established jointly with Arizona State University, are successfully operating. Thus, a long-term intellectual infrastructure for strategic partnership is being formed.

Overall, the current stage of relations between Uzbekistan and the United States is characterized by a transition from symbolic declarations to systemic coordination on issues of regional security, sustainable development, investment policy, and technological modernization. These achievements confirm that Uzbekistan is steadily establishing itself as a key US partner in Central Asia.

Dunyo IA