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Uzbekistan’s Dialogue with Business: Five Years of Change
📅 12.08.2026
Over the past five years, the open dialogue between the President of Uzbekistan and entrepreneurs has evolved from a new feedback format into a stable mechanism of economic policy. Its importance is defined not only by the number of appeals received or proposals voiced. The main result has been a consistent transition from removing individual barriers to changing the rules of doing business themselves – in taxation, lending, access to land and infrastructure, export support, digitalization of services, and protection of entrepreneurs’ rights.
The logic of the five meetings held so far is clearly reflected in their dynamics. The first dialogue in 2021 focused on removing the most urgent post-pandemic restrictions and restoring trust between the state and the private sector. The second established a categorized approach to businesses and territories. The third set the goal of helping companies grow from microbusiness to small business, from small to medium-sized and large enterprises. The fourth expanded access to capital, land, energy, and markets. The fifth focused on legalizing entrepreneurial activity, developing digital financial services, simplifying tax administration, supporting startups, and protecting investments.
It is important to note that entrepreneurship indicators are the result of the full range of economic reforms, not only the annual meetings. However, the open dialogues have become the platform where business problems are translated into specific decisions, and their practical implementation is reviewed at the next meeting.
As Uzbekistan approaches the upcoming sixth dialogue, scheduled for August 2026, the country has a fundamentally different business climate from the one with which this process began.
2021: The First Dialogue
The first open dialogue took place on August 20, 2021. At that time, entrepreneurship was emerging from a difficult pandemic period, and businesses needed affordable financial resources, predictable taxation, simplified exports, protection of property, and reduced administrative pressure.
More than 15,000 appeals were received before the meeting, and about half of them were resolved on the spot. Following the discussion, the President outlined seven main areas of work and proposed holding the open dialogue annually. August 20 was designated as Entrepreneurs’ Day.
One of the central issues was access to financing. To strengthen banks’ resource base, $600 million was allocated through the Fund for Reconstruction and Development, and Eurobonds worth about $417 million were placed in the national currency. Foreign-currency loans of around 6,000 entrepreneurs, totaling about $1 billion, were converted into the national currency. This reduced currency risks for borrowers and expanded opportunities for long-term local-currency lending.
Conditions for microfinance organizations were simplified, while in the tax sphere the reduction of the tax burden and simplification of administration continued. For exporters, a mechanism was introduced to refund 80% of VAT within 7 days instead of 60 days, without additional inspections.
Significant changes also affected exports and logistics. Enterprises exporting goods with high added value were given the opportunity to receive compensation for up to 50% of transport costs for deliveries to neighboring countries and up to 70% for deliveries to the EU. The requirement for repeated national certification of a number of types of equipment, components, and raw materials already certified in countries with advanced quality control systems was abolished.
In regulation, more than 40 duplicating control functions were eliminated. The digitalization of permitting procedures expanded, while the process of receiving subsidies was transferred to a Single Window system.
As a result, by August 2022, the number of exporting enterprises reached 7,500, while total exports grew by 30%. In the first seven months of 2022, exporters received about $14.2 million in transport subsidies, and the geography of exports expanded by another 32 markets. A total of 15,800 land plots were put up for online auction, while more than 54,000 vacant land plots with a total area of over 22,000 hectares were entered into the YerElectron system.
2022: The Second Dialogue
The second open dialogue took place on August 22, 2022. Before the meeting, more than 12,000 appeals were received. Entrepreneurs were mainly concerned with issues related to financing new projects, working capital, connection to infrastructure, allocation of land, tax administration, and inspections.
The main decision of the dialogue was the categorization of businesses. Enterprises were divided by annual turnover: up to about $83,000 as microbusinesses, up to about $834,000 as small businesses, and up to about $8.3 million as medium-sized businesses. This made it possible to apply differentiated regulatory and support measures based on the scale, financial capacity, and stage of development of each enterprise. As a result, smaller companies no longer had to bear the same regulatory burden as larger businesses.
Starting in 2023, a single turnover tax rate of 4% was introduced for microbusinesses, replacing the previous range of 4% to 25%. For enterprises moving to the general taxation regime as their turnover increased, a twofold reduction in profit tax for one year was introduced. This measure helped 370,000 entrepreneurs move to the next stage of development.
Another major decision was the reduction of the VAT rate to 12% from January 1, 2023. At the same time, about $167 million of debt arising from the application of increased tax rates on unused buildings and land plots was written off.
The categorization of districts and cities according to business conditions was also important. Territories were divided into five groups, for which different regimes of taxation, subsidies, interest compensation, guarantees, and infrastructure connection began to be formed. Special tax, credit, and financial conditions were introduced in 60 districts of the republic.
A principle was also established under which a decision to allocate land or property to an entrepreneur can be canceled only by a court. In addition, criminal liability for violating trade rules was abolished.
By August 2023, the results of the second dialogue were already reflected not only in regulatory acts but also in measurable indicators. State support measures began to depend on the scale of a company and the conditions of a territory, while business growth no longer automatically meant a sharp increase in the regulatory burden.
2023: The Third Dialogue
The third open dialogue was held on August 18, 2023. It announced the creation of a comprehensive system for training entrepreneurs, preparing projects, providing financing, and finding new markets and partners.
Fourteen small business centers were established in each region with the aim of helping 150,000 small business entities get on their feet, moving 25,000 companies into the medium-sized category, and creating 250,000 permanent jobs.
To support the transition from small to medium-sized business, an industrial mortgage system was launched, providing businesses with ready-made production facilities. The program “New Uzbekistan: A Country of Competitive Products,” which previously covered 100 leading exporters, was expanded to 500 enterprises. The state moved from general export support to targeted work with companies capable of entering new markets and introducing international standards.
By August 2024, more than 700 issues, initiatives, and new projects proposed by entrepreneurs had been supported. An additional about $667 million was allocated, while another about $1.5 billion was directed to industry, agriculture, services, and entrepreneurial infrastructure.
The turnover of entrepreneurs grew by 25% over the year and reached about $82.2 billion. The number of medium-sized enterprises with turnover from about $834,000 to $8.3 million doubled, while the number of large companies with turnover above about $8.3 million exceeded 2,200, also roughly doubling compared to the previous year.
Joint work by the tax, banking, and financial-economic systems at the level of mahallas and clients helped 16,000 previously loss-making enterprises earn about $542 million in profit in half a year. The number of enterprises in categories “A” and “B” in the entrepreneurship rating increased by 91,000, while another 170,000 companies moved out of the lowest “D” category.
The level of business sustainability was especially telling: the share of enterprises operating for more than three years reached 76%, while the number of such active entities approached 300,000 for the first time.
2024: The Fourth Dialogue
The fourth open dialogue took place on August 20, 2024, in Nukus. During the year, the government, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Business Ombudsman, and khokims worked with entrepreneurial initiatives on a permanent basis. As a result, a number of effective economic measures were adopted.
The amount of microcredit was tripled to about $25,000, while collateral was no longer required for part of the loan up to about $8,300. Work began on preparing a law on Islamic finance, which was estimated as a source of an additional $5 billion in resources. VAT on land purchased through auctions was abolished. Installment payment terms for land were set at up to 3 years in Tashkent and regional centers, up to 5 years in other regions, and up to 10 years in districts of the fourth and fifth categories.
For industrial enterprises, the procedure for paying for electricity and gas when consumption limits were exceeded was softened. To launch the production of new types of domestic products based on long-term orders, $100 million was allocated.
As a result, by August 2025, 1,600 microenterprises had increased their turnover above about $834,000 and moved into the medium-sized category. Another 143 microenterprises exceeded turnover of about $8.3 million and became large businesses, while 122 small enterprises also entered the large business category.
In 2024 alone, 16 types of licenses and permits were abolished, which, according to estimates, saved entrepreneurs about $29.2 million.
By the time of the fifth dialogue, more than 600 startups were operating in the country. In the first seven months of 2025, they attracted $264 million in foreign investment, four times more than in the whole of 2024.
2025: The Fifth Dialogue
The fifth open dialogue took place on August 20, 2025, in New Tashkent. In preparation for the dialogue, meetings and consultations were held with almost 7,000 entrepreneurs representing 26 sectors. In addition, more than 13,000 appeals and initiatives were received through call centers.
The main result of the five-year cycle was that hundreds of entrepreneurial initiatives had already been enshrined in legislation. The agenda of the fifth meeting focused on further reducing the cost of doing business and supporting the transition from the informal sector to the legal economy.
The largest changes affected 300,000 individual entrepreneurs and 5.5 million self-employed people. A special legal regime was introduced for them until 2030, with digital services from registration to reporting, remote biometrics, electronic wallets for salary payments, and a universal QR code for accepting payments.
In addition, starting from January 1, 2026, individual entrepreneurs and self-employed people with annual turnover of up to about $83,000 pay turnover tax at a rate of 1% instead of 4%. Thus, the tax burden for businesses with turnover of up to about $83,000 was reduced by 3 to 4 times.
According to Presidential Decree No.214 of November 14, 2025, the principle of “Starting a business in 15 minutes” is introduced from January 1, 2026. Under this approach, when registering a business, an entrepreneur immediately receives an electronic digital signature, a bank account, the ability to formalize a lease, register a cash register, and submit the necessary notifications. This further simplifies the start of entrepreneurial activity and makes opening one’s own business more accessible.
It is important to note that 2025 data show that 493,000 enterprises were operating in the country, while 82,400 new enterprises were created during the year. The share of small business amounted to 52.2% of GDP, 36.6% of exports, and 28.5% of industrial production. In construction, its share reached 75.6%; in trade, 83%; and in services, 47.2%.
These figures show that entrepreneurship has become one of the pillars of Uzbekistan’s economy, accounting for a significant share of production, trade, construction, services, and exports. The scale of the private sector that has been formed creates a solid foundation for the further expansion of business activity, higher competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth in Uzbekistan.
Conclusion
The five open dialogues have formed a new tradition of interaction between the state and the business community. Its key feature is continuity: each new year begins with an assessment of already implemented decisions and then expands the horizon of new tasks.
During this period, many effective and useful decisions for business development have been adopted. However, the main outcome lies not so much in the number of measures taken as in the formation of a stable class of entrepreneurs capable of creating jobs, investing, introducing new technologies, and competing in foreign markets.
The sixth dialogue will be important precisely as the next stage of this trajectory. It is expected that particular importance will be attached to decisions that help introduce artificial intelligence and digital technologies into business, train managerial and engineering personnel, improve energy efficiency, implement international standards, and create competitive national brands.
If these expectations are translated into measurable decisions and implemented with the same continuity as in previous years, the open dialogue format will continue to perform its main function: turning the accumulated experience of entrepreneurs into a practical development program for the entire economy.
Khurshed Asadov,
Deputy Director of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms
Proposals for the development of engineering education were considered
📅 20.06.2024
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Inno innovative training and production technopark in Almazar district of the capital.
This technopark was established three years ago. Innovative ideas and inventions for the development of industrial sectors are developed here. In order to train young people in modern professions, cooperation with higher educational institutions has been established. Every year seminars and workshops are held with the participation of about 15 thousand students and pupils.
There are more and more such innovation centers in our country. Industry, energy and information technologies are developing, new complexes are being launched. They require engineers and technicians with up-to-date knowledge and qualifications.
The activity of higher engineering schools established at Tashkent State Technical University, Bukhara Institute of Engineering and Technology, Tashkent State Transport University, Fergana Polytechnic Institute, Tashkent Architecture and Construction University and Tashkent University of Information Technologies has been presented to the President.
The decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated February 2, 2024 sets a number of tasks in this direction. In particular, according to the decree, the organizational and managerial activities of higher education institutions that train personnel in engineering and technology are being improved. The existing training programs are being studied and fundamentally changed in accordance with modern technologies and the requirements of employers.
The head of our state was informed about it.
At the first stage, higher engineering schools will be opened at 10 institutions of higher education. The supervisory board of the schools will include not only scientists, but also representatives of partner enterprises.
Two-year master's degree programs will be implemented in these schools, candidates will be selected on the basis of manufacturers' orders. In the first year, students will design new products on the orders of enterprises, conduct scientific research and study in in-depth modular programs. In the second year, they will test at enterprises technological processes related to the creation of prototypes of new products.
The President paid attention to the practical applicability and effectiveness of scientific research in higher educational institutions. It was noted that the attention paid to the education system should be really embodied in scientific achievements.
The head of state also familiarized himself with the inventions and advanced developments of researchers. In particular, energy-efficient devices, a cooling system protecting transformers from overheating under load, chemical reagents important for the oil and gas industry, modern approaches in construction, including road construction, engineering projects for hydraulic structures and modern solutions in the field of information technologies were presented.
Inaugural Central Asia – Republic of Korea Summit at the highest level opens in Seoul
📅 15.09.2026
Ahead of the upcoming “Central Asia–Republic of Korea” Summit, which will be held for the first time in a Heads-of-State format in the coming days, Bekzod Normatov, Leading Research Fellow at the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISRS), noted in a commentary for Dunyo that the new format opens up opportunities to take regional cooperation to a qualitatively new level.
According to his assessment, of particular significance are the development of technological partnership, localization of manufacturing, deep processing of raw materials, implementation of regional projects and the training of engineering personnel.
The inaugural “Central Asia – Republic of Korea” Summit should be viewed as a significant milestone in the institutionalization of relations between the region and one of its most technologically advanced and proven partners.
To date, a multi-level system of contacts encompassing political, economic, parliamentary, business and humanitarian spheres has been established. In particular, “Republic of Korea – Central Asia” Cooperation Forum was established in 2007, followed by the creation of the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum in 2017. The Economic Council has been operational since 2020, the meeting format for parliamentary speakers was established in 2023 and the inaugural Think Tank Forum was convened in 2024.
The very fact of transitioning from long-standing cooperation at the ministerial level to the format of heads of state demonstrates that former mechanisms no longer fully correspond to the scale of accumulated interaction and new objectives. South Korean side also directly attributes the summit to the growing strategic significance of Central Asia and the intention to elevate cooperation to a new level in the spheres of trade, investment, energy, critical minerals and supply chain resilience.
“In my view, it is of fundamental importance that today the objective interests of the two sides are becoming increasingly complementary. The Republic of Korea has advanced technologies, capital and expertise, while Central Asia offers significant resource potential, expanding markets and opportunities for access to new high-tech markets”, expert noted.
The expert emphasized that cooperation in critical minerals could become one of the most promising areas. The region possesses substantial reserves of critical minerals, while the Republic of Korea has advanced technologies for their processing and industrial application.
Establishment of a regular mechanism for meetings of the ministers of industry within the “C5+K” format is already under discussion, while bilateral efforts with Uzbekistan focus particularly on artificial intelligence in industry, investments and concrete projects.
At the same time, the expert believes that it is crucial here not to reduce the new format predominantly to the supply of raw materials from Central Asia to South Korea. For the states of the region, a model where cooperation encompasses the entire production chain – from geological exploration and extraction to the deep processing of raw materials and the manufacturing of components and finished goods – would be far more promising.
Localization of manufacturing, technology transfer, training of engineers, and joint entry into third markets are capable of making this partnership long-term and truly mutually beneficial.
Second important emphasis is the regional nature of the projects. Today, practically all Central Asian nations are interested in industrial modernization, the development of transport connectivity, digitalization, as well as increasing water and energy efficiency. Therefore, it is preferable to utilize the “Central Asia – Korea” format not merely as the sum of five bilateral tracks, but as a mechanism for implementing projects that unite multiple states of the region. This could pertain to cross-border production chains, digital logistics, energy infrastructure, water-saving technologies and personnel training.
Technological partnership appears to be an exceptionally promising direction. Korea possesses strong competencies in electronics, automotive manufacturing, battery technologies, artificial intelligence, power engineering, medicine, water resource management and the digitalization of industry.
Central Asia, for its part, offers a growing market, a favourable demographic profile, significant resource potential and an increasingly developed industrial base. The combination of these advantages can forge a completely new quality of economic cooperation.
ISRS expert specifically highlighted the issue of resilience. The current international situation demonstrates how vulnerable global transport, energy, and production chains have become. Therefore, Central Asia is interested not merely in attracting investment, but in creating its own internal capacities – alternative routes, localized manufacturing, technological competencies, and qualified personnel. The Republic of Korea could become one of the key partners in fostering such resilience.
In practical terms, expert notes that it would be advisable to focus on several key areas: formulating a joint portfolio of projects for the deep processing of critical minerals; establishing a mechanism for the preparation and financing of regional projects; developing cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence and the digitalization of industry; launching joint programs on water-saving technologies and significantly expanding the training of engineering and technical personnel.
In this sense, the primary outcome of the upcoming summit should be measured not by the number of signed documents, but by whether it succeeds in transitioning relations from predominantly trade and investment toward joint manufacturing, technology, and human capital.
For Uzbekistan, this format holds particular significance. Our relations with the Republic of Korea already bear the character of a special strategic partnership and possess a substantial practical foundation. Therefore, Tashkent can act as one of the initiators to ensure that successful bilateral experience gradually acquires a regional dimension.
Ultimately, the promising formula for cooperation appears quite clear: the resources, markets and strategic geographic position of Central Asia, combined with the technology, capital and expertise of the Republic of Korea, should be transformed into high-value-added products jointly produced within our region.
“Such an approach will make it possible to infuse the “Central Asia – Republic of Korea” format with concrete substance and enhance its practical returns for the nations of the region”, the expert concluded.
Dunyo IA
To the participants of the joint conference of the International Federation of Textile Manufacturers and the International Association of Apparel Manufacturers
📅 10.09.2024
Dear participants of the conference!
Ladies and gentlemen!
First of all, from the bottom of my heart, I sincerely congratulate you, my dear ones, on the opening of today's prestigious event - the joint conference of the International Textile Federation and the International Association of Apparel Manufacturers.
I would like to express my special gratitude to the President of the International Federation of Textile Manufacturers Mr. Kei Vi Srinavasan and President of the International Association of Apparel Manufacturers Mr. Chem Altan for the fact that this joint conference is being held in Uzbekistan for the first time.
At the same time, I express my sincere gratitude to the high-ranking representatives of the industry, heads of prestigious international and regional organizations participating in this conference.
Welcome to the pearl of the ancient Great Silk Road, the land of craftsmen - the majestic city of Samarkand!
Dear participants of the conference!
In recent years we have taken decisive steps to radically improve the investment and business environment, create favorable conditions for foreign and domestic investors.
As in all spheres and sectors, we have been implementing large-scale reforms in the textile and garment industries.
First of all, the state monopoly in cotton cultivation has been abolished, and a cluster system has been created and is being consistently improved, covering the entire process from raw material procurement to the production of finished goods.
Our reforms in this area have won the recognition of prestigious international organizations, and the boycott of Uzbek cotton has been lifted. Our cooperation with the international coalition “Cotton Campaign” continues in this direction.
At the same time, as a result of creating a stable legislative framework, improving the investment environment and introducing new technologies, the volume of cotton fiber processing increased from 40 percent in 2017 to 100 percent. At the same time, the work on import of cotton raw materials and production of finished products with high added value began.
Thanks to the opportunities created in the sphere, the volume of textile production has increased 5 times, its export - 4 times.
The most important thing is that earlier a significant part, i.e. 70 percent of exports in the sector, was accounted for raw materials, while today 60 percent of exported goods are finished products.
In the first years of reforms, we identified as a priority task the development of human capital, training of the population, especially young people and women, in professions, training of qualified personnel for all sectors, and these issues will continue to be in the center of our attention.
Decent working conditions that meet international requirements are created for the employees of enterprises, and the “Better Work” and “Better Cotton” programs are systematically implemented.
Particular attention is paid to ensuring labor rights and providing full support to over 600,000 workers.
At the same time, decisive measures are taken to create national brands, attract prestigious international and foreign trademarks to our country.
Authoritative participants of the world market, such as “Teamdress” (Germany), “Cotonella” (Italy), “Indorama” (Singapore), “Posco International” and “Gwangyang” (South Korea) are effectively operating in the country.
Uzbekistan's textile industry is being actively integrated into global production processes, and the number of our reliable partners on all continents of the world is increasing.
It should be noted that long-term cooperation with foreign investors and international brands, increasing production of high value-added products, bringing national brands to the international level will remain our priorities in the textile industry in the future.
I am convinced that today's conference will serve as an effective platform for further strengthening and expanding cooperation in this area on an international scale, sharing best practices and ideas.
I hope it will contribute to further expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation between representatives of more than 500 national and international organizations, manufacturers and retailers participating in the conference, and will bring the development of the industry to a qualitatively new level.
We highly appreciate and support all mutually beneficial initiatives of our foreign partners. In particular, we are ready to provide all possible assistance in introducing the necessary standards for international brands to enter Uzbekistan.
We are ready to create all necessary conditions for prestigious international organizations to regularly hold conferences, exhibitions and fashion shows in our country, particularly in such cities as Bukhara, Khiva, Shakhrisabz, Margilan, Kokand, Namangan, Andijan, which have high tourism and industrial potential.
I am confident that the ancient history, rich cultural heritage of our country, meetings with our hard-working and generous people will make an indelible impression on you, and the huge socio-economic potential of our regions will encourage investors to implement new projects.
I congratulate you once again on the opening of the prestigious conference that is starting today and wish you all good health, happiness and prosperity, success in the fruitful work of the conference.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev,
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Central Asia and Turkiye: A New Phase of Interconnectivity
📅 29.01.2026
The strategic convergence between Turkiye and Central Asian states –driven by shared historical and cultural heritage alongside mutually reinforcing economic interests – is cultivating a novel architectural framework for regional interconnectedness. Through multilateral formats and bilateral initiatives, these actors have been establishing a durable platform for cooperation across trade, energy, transportation, and the “green” economy, transforming geographical proximity into a long-term factor of stability and collective development.
Amidst the diversification of Central Asian countries’ foreign policy vectors and the Turkish diplomacy’s increasing emphasis on the Eurasian dimension, this partnership has been acquiring a systemic character that goes beyond specific projects, thereby shaping a sustainable architecture of regional interconnectedness.
Political Foundations of Institutionalizing the Partnership
The core instrument facilitating political engagement is the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), which has evolved from a cultural and educational association into a regional a center of attraction spanning from Central Asia to the Caucasus and Europe. Regular summit meetings of OTS leaders exemplify a transition to a pragmatic cooperation phase. Particular significance is attributed to Uzbekistan and its President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who has initiated to deepen collaboration within the organization.
At the October 2025 OTS summit in Gabala, Azerbaijan, the Uzbek leader proposed to craft OTS’s Strategy of Development 2030, including the establishment of a Permanent Council for economic partnership headquartered in Tashkent. These initiatives aim to coordinate economic projects, support business initiatives, and enhance the efficiency of interaction – underscoring Uzbekistan’s aspiration to become a regional hub of integration and a platform for sustainable development.
Simultaneously, Turkiye is intensifying its engagement within other multilateral structures relevant to Central Asia, such as Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), where Ankara, holding the status of a partner and strives for full membership. This multi-format engagement allows for flexible adaptation of the agenda to specific priorities – from confidence-building measures in security to the coordination of transport corridors.
On January 20 2026, a meeting of the Joint Strategic Planning Group took place, co-chaired by the foreign ministers of Uzbekistan and Turkiye, confirming mutual readiness to deepen coordination within the UN, OSCE, OIC, and ECO, and to support each other’s candidacies in international organizations. This approach transforms bilateral relations into a component of a broader global diplomatic strategy, where support on the international stage becomes a shared interest.
Economic Dimension: From Trade to Strategic Investments
Since 2018, the bilateral trade volume between Central Asia and Ankara has more than doubled – from 6 billion to14.5 billion in 2025. In the long-term Turkiye has set an ambitious target of reaching $30 billion in bilateral trade with Central Asian region.
The volume of Turkish investments exhibits an even more remarkable trend. From 2016 to 2024, Turkish investments in the region increased 2.5 times – from 1.1 billion to3 billion – significantly surpassing the overall growth of Turkish investments in Eurasia (34%) during the same period. Central Asia accounts for 24% of Turkiye’s total accumulated investments in Eurasia. The number of Turkish companies operating in the region increased from 4,000 in 2016 to over 7,000 in 2025. Turkiye has become Uzbekistan’s third-largest investor (after China and Russia), with more than 2,000 enterprises, including 438 joint ventures.
Turkish business is gradually shifting from small-scale operations to implementing large-scale infrastructure projects across construction, telecommunications, textiles, and agribusiness sectors. Framework documents such as the “OTS Strategy-2026” and the “OTS Strategy-2040,” approved within the OTS, envisage creating a unified economic space –including a common energy grid and a regional development bank. Uzbekistan’s initiatives to expand the activities of the Turkic Investment Fund and the adoption of the “OTS’s Roadmap on Artificial Intelligence and the Creative Economy” indicate a transition towards a high-tech collaboration agenda.
Energy Interdependence: From Hydrocarbons to “Green” Transformation
Central Asia possesses significant hydrocarbon reserves: Kazakhstan holds approximately 30 billion barrels of oil; Turkmenistan ranks fifth globally in natural gas reserves; Uzbekistan has sizable, largely undeveloped deposits. Correspondingly, Turkiye aims to become an energy hub, providing Central Asia with direct access to the European market amid EU’s decarbonization efforts and reduced reliance on Russian supplies.
The Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, initially intended for Azerbaijani oil, has evolved into the Trans-Caspian export route. Kazakhstan has been exporting oil through this corridor since 2008, and Turkmenistan since 2010.
In addition, negotiations are underway concerning the export of Turkmen gas via the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP), with plans to double its capacity from 16 to 32 billion cubic meters.
Simultaneously, the countries are actively transitioning to renewable energy sources. In Uzbekistan, the Turkish conglomerate “Cengiz” has completed construction of two power plants totaling 460 MW, with additional facilities exceeding 500 MW under construction in Jizzakh. According to estimates from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan possess immense potential not only for domestic green energy production but also for export.
The culmination of these efforts is exemplified by the Trans-Caspian Green Energy Corridor project – an initiative under the Green Corridor Alliance, a joint Kazakh-Uzbek-Azerbaijani enterprise, with funding from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. It aims to connect the electricity grids of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with Azerbaijan across the Caspian Sea for subsequent export to Turkiye and Europe. An agreement on strategic partnership for this project was signed at COP29 in Baku in 2024.
The Central Corridor: An Artery of Development
The Trans-Caspian route (the Middle Corridor) has gained strategic importance as an alternative land corridor connecting China with Europe via Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus, and Turkiye. Forecasts suggest that freight volumes along this route could double by 2030, heightening economic interdependence and boosting its geopolitical relevance.
Uzbekistan actively supports the reinforcement of the Central Corridor, viewing it as a core factor for sustainable regional economic development. The infrastructural interdependence created by this project fosters long-term stability among the countries of Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Turkiye, transforming transport cooperation into a tool for regional security enhancement.
Cultural and Humanitarian Dimension: The Foundation of Sustainable Partnership
Historical and cultural links rooted in a common Turkic heritage continue to underpin modern cooperation. The parties are steadily expanding educational programs within the “Turkic World” concept. Several universities operate across Central Asia, including the International University of Turkic States and the Turkish University of Economics and Technology in Uzbekistan. Special attention is given to increasing scholarships for Uzbek students within the “Türkiye Bursları” program and developing joint scholarship initiatives.
Such exchanges in science and culture foster durable horizontal ties among the citizens of Turkiye and Central Asian countries. An increasingly important element is digital cooperation: joint projects in artificial intelligence, digital governance, and creative industries open new avenues for engagement. The expansion of tourism flows and media exchanges also contribute to forming a unified informational and communicational space which is particularly relevant amid the global competition in the modern media environment of information manipulation.
Conclusion
Overall, the partnership between Central Asia and Turkiye reflects a transition from ad hoc interactions to a systematic model of cooperation based on resource, infrastructural, and strategic complementarity. Turkiye gains access to energy resources and transit routes, strengthening its status as an Eurasian hub. In turn, Central Asian states diversify their foreign policy and economic ties, increasing their autonomy and competitiveness.
The future prospects of this partnership hinge on three core vectors: first, deepening economic integration through the OTS and bilateral agreements; second, jointly implementing cross-border infrastructure projects in energy and transportation; third, advancing the “green” and digital agendas as foundations for sustainable development. Achieving these objectives requires ongoing dialogue, regulatory harmonization, and trust-building measures, but it already clear that the Central Asia–Turkiye partnership forms a robust platform for regional stability and collective prosperity in a multipolar world.
Dilorom MAMATKULOVA,
Leading research fellow of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan's open and constructive foreign policy is based primarily on national interests
📅 02.08.2024The text of the article is in Uzbek!
Uzbekistan’s environmental initiatives are aimed at creating a healthy and sustainable environment in Central Asia
📅 26.07.2024
Due to the Aral Sea tragedy, the negative consequences of climate change are more acute in Central Asia. The increase in air temperature in our region is twice the world average. The number of extremely hot days is expected to double and the area of glaciers will shrink by a third. In the last 30 years, the rate of warming in Central Asia is higher than the global average, and the average annual temperature has increased by 0.5 degrees. According to forecasts, the temperature is expected to increase by 2.0-5.7 degrees by 2085.
Uzbekistan is making active efforts to improve the quality of the environment and prevent the negative consequences of environmental problems. In particular:
Within the framework of international cooperation
Currently, the need for international cooperation in the field of environmental protection is determined by the growing ecological interdependence of all countries. Ozon layer depletion, pollution of the atmosphere and oceans, and the rise in temperature on our planet affect the entire world community, not just the countries engaged in environmentally dangerous activities. Therefore, today, a number of countries have established cooperation with the United Nations Organization on issues of environmental safety.
Such cooperation is based on a number of principles generally recognized by the international community. They are partly reflected in interstate agreements and acts, normative documents of international organizations, and summarized in the decisions of the most important international conferences dedicated to environmental protection and the regulation of cooperation between states and peoples in this field.
Based on this, Uzbekistan is actively promoting important climate initiatives aimed at uniting the region to combat climate change. These ideas of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev are constantly supported by the countries of the region.
As a logical continuation of the formation of a unified climate agenda for Central Asia, the initiative to develop a regional strategy for adaptation to climate change was announced by Uzbekistan at the 5th meeting of state leaders. In addition, the Head of Uzbekistan proposed to establish a multilateral platform at the level of the ministers of ecology - "Central Asian climate dialogue", which can be an integrating link in the path of "green" development in Central Asian countries.
In addition, President Shavkat Mirziyoev put forward a number of proposals at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). In particular, our country's President advocated for an expeditious agreement on the Global Framework for Climate Adaptation within the framework of the Paris Agreement. At the same time, he noted the need for a fair, transparent and inclusive transition to a low-carbon economy on a global scale, in which the interests of developing countries must be taken into account. He proposed to consider this urgent problem on a permanent basis, including within the framework of the "G7" and "G20" summits.
Within the framework of environmental reforms in our country
A strategy for the transition to a «green» economy
Uzbekistan adopted the strategy of transitioning to a "green" economy for 2019-2030. The main goals of this strategy are:
Preservation of natural resources: Modernization of irrigation systems, introduction of water-saving technologies.
Use of alternative energy sources: Expanding the use of solar, wind and biomass energy.
Introduction of cost-effective means in economic sectors: Improving energy efficiency in manufacturing and service sectors.
Improvement of environmental legislation
Legislation is also being improved to ensure environmental stability in Uzbekistan. These laws are aimed at providing legal groundwork to the reforms implemented in the fields of environmental protection and ecological stability.
Project "Restoration of sustainable forest landscapes in Uzbekistan"
The project "Restoration of sustainable forest landscapes in Uzbekistan" is being implemented in collaboration with the International Development Association. The cost of the project is more than 205 million dollars and it will be implemented within 6 years. It is important that the goals of the project include such tasks as expanding the territory of forests, strengthening the material and technical base of forestry, introducing sustainable management and developing the infrastructure of ecotourism.
"Uzbekistan - 2030" strategy
In the "Uzbekistan-2030" strategy adopted by the Decree of the President of Uzbekistan on September 11, 2023, reforms in the framework of water resources conservation and environmental protection are set as one of the priority goals. A number of measures are envisaged within the framework of the strategy, and they are being effectively implemented. In particular,
National project “Yashil Makon” ("Green Zone").
The Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers No.144-F of March 7, 2024 was adopted in order to implement the activities of the nationwide project "Green Space" in 2024. This project included a number of important initiatives aimed at improving the environmental situation in Uzbekistan and expanding green areas.
138.1 million tree saplings were planted in the spring planting season of 2024 within the "Green Zone" national project. This indicator made 110.5 percent compared to the planned one. This part of the project is aimed not only at environmental improvement but also at improving the aesthetic appearance of our cities.
"Green Parks" and "Green Belts"
In particular, 257 "Green Parks" were established, their total number reached 517. Also, "Green Belts" were established by planting 5.3 million tree saplings in and around industrial enterprises. These efforts were made to reduce the impact of industrial enterprises and protect the environment.
Initiatives of organizations and agencies
Ministries and agencies are also contributing to the aforementioned work. In particular, the Ministry of Defense created a park of 100 hectares, the Ministry of Digital Technologies and the Ministry of Mining and Geology — 65 hectares. These efforts are critical to ensuring the comprehensiveness and sustainability of the project.
Tree planting and waste recycling
In our country, trees have been planted near highways and railways, on river and canal banks, at industrial enterprises and gas stations. These are especially aimed at reducing the negative impact of transport and industry on the environment.
On average, 6.8 million tonnes of household waste are produced in our country per year. In recent years, the number of neighbourhoods covered by sanitation services has increased by more than 90 percent. The level of waste processing was 38.1 percent as of July 1, 2024, and the number of such enterprises was 313 as of February.
Waste treatment and landfills
A new system for the regulation of landfills and waste processing is being launched. In each region, 3-4 landfills with a convenient location are being turned into special eco-industrial zones, and recycling projects are being implemented. In the remaining landfills, a new practice is being used to start temporary waste collection and reloading stations. The landfills that exhausted their resources are closed, poplar, mulberry, elm and maple trees are planted around them, and "green belts" are being established.
Avazbek Kholbekov,
Head of Department – Development Strategy Centеr
Food security in Uzbekistan begins with support for agricultural producers
📅 16.09.2025
Starting January 1, 2026, Value-Added Tax will be exempted for Farmers and Dehkan producers
С 1
Almost half of the population of the Republic of Uzbekistan lives in rural areas. Millions of hardworking individuals in these communities play a crucial role in ensuring the country’s food security and establishing a solid foundation for the export of agricultural products. The nation’s development cannot be limited solely to urban centers; it is equally important to ensure that life in rural and peripheral regions is comfortable and sustainable.
The care for rural residents and the stimulation of their activities merit special attention from both the state and society. Governmental support measures have become pivotal in strengthening the agricultural sector.
However, the agricultural industry still faces significant challenges, including high tax burdens and limited access to financing, which contribute to the expansion of the informal economy. According to various estimates, up to half of agricultural producers operate outside the legal framework, resulting in reduced profitability and hindering sectoral development. Without genuine incentives to transition towards a formal economy, the agrarian sector’s capacity for investment and modernization will remain constrained.
In this context, the introduction of a zero rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) starting January 1, 2026, for farmers and dehkan producers selling their own products—including vegetables, fruits, meat, milk, eggs, and other food items—is a timely and significant measure. Producers of grain and cotton are excluded from this provision, as these sectors are regulated through state-managed clusters.
The existing practice of VAT refunds on expenses related to the production of seeds, fertilizers, fuel, logistics, electricity, and other operational costs will remain in place. As a result, farmers are expected to save up to 700 billion Uzbek soms annually.
The zero VAT rate will reduce the tax burden, increase farmers’ net income, and enable the allocation of additional funds toward modernization.
According to projections, farm profitability is expected to rise from 5–7 percent to approximately 15 percent. This measure will also facilitate more accurate planning of subsidies and incentives.
Another positive impact will be the growth of domestic processing industries. When products are processed locally, demand for investment in processing facilities and export logistics chains increases, leading to job creation and improved working conditions.
The reorientation of agriculture towards food crops has been one of the strategic priorities pursued in recent years.
Areas allocated to cotton and grain cultivation are being reduced, while orchards, vineyards, and vegetable crops are being developed instead. Approximately 1,500 food production projects have already been implemented, with a total investment of around one billion dollars.
The introduction of a zero VAT rate will further stimulate processing and export activities, strengthening the potential of the agro-food sector and enhancing the competitiveness and attractiveness of its products on the international market.
For farmers and dehkans, this presents an opportunity to retain a significant portion of their income. The savings can be directed towards farm development, improving working and living conditions, and modernizing production processes. Rural areas will benefit from job creation, technology influx, higher product quality, and a favorable environment for sustainable development.
For the state, this translates into a reduction of the shadow economy, increased transparency in reporting, and more accurate planning of support measures, tax incentives, and development programs. For society at large, it means access to higher quality and more affordable food products, enhanced resilience of the rural economy, and the strengthening of domestic agro-industrial value chains.
Nadira RASHIDOVA,
Member of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis.
Public Diplomacy in Uzbek-Turkish Relations: The Factor of Trust and Cooperation
📅 28.01.2026
In the modern system of international relations, stable and long-term cooperation between states is based, above all, on political will and trust at the highest level. Relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Turkey have consistently developed based on an open, sincere, and trusting dialogue established between the heads of state. This political trust creates a solid foundation for public diplomacy, including deepening fraternal ties between the cities.
In recent years, high-level meetings, regular political dialogue, and strategic agreements between the presidents of Uzbekistan and Turkey have elevated relations between the two countries to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership. Mutual trust and political support from the heads of state have resulted in concrete and practical results in trade, economic, investment, cultural, humanitarian, and educational spheres.
From this perspective, public diplomacy is becoming an important component of Uzbek-Turkish relations. It strengthens official interstate agreements at the public level and deepens trust and mutual understanding between peoples. Particularly between two fraternal nations with shared historical roots, a common language, and spiritual values, public diplomacy is a natural and indispensable process.
In this context, the Uzbekistan-Turkey Friendship Society functions as an important institutional platform for the development of public diplomacy. Cultural events, scientific and educational conferences, youth and women’s initiatives organized by the society contribute to strengthening mutual trust and friendship between the two peoples. This activity promotes public support for priority areas established at the level of heads of state.
At the same time, fraternal relations between cities are one of the most effective and practical forms of public diplomacy. Fraternal relations established between the cities of Uzbekistan and Turkey strengthen political trust at the local level and create a favorable environment for economic and cultural cooperation. The Brother Cities Alliance and the Union of Municipalities of the Turkic World participate in this process as important international structures coordinating and systematically developing relations between cities.
Brother cities cooperation, which has historical significance in Uzbek-Turkish relations, includes ties between the cities as Bukhara – Izmir, Bukhara – Malatya, Samarkand – Sakarya, Tashkent – Ankara, and Khiva – Bolu. Cultural and humanitarian projects, educational and tourism programs, as well as investment initiatives implemented within the framework of this cooperation serve to achieve the strategic goals set by the leaders of the two countries at the local level.
It should be noted that cooperation between cities has not only cultural or economic significance but also an important political content. Trust and cooperation established at the local level ensure the stability and continuity of interstate relations. This demonstrates the significant role of public diplomacy in strengthening the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Turkey.
In conclusion, public diplomacy in Uzbek-Turkish relations is an important factor that builds on, complements, and strengthens the trusting political dialogue between the heads of state. Within the framework of the priority areas identified by the heads of state, work carried out at the city level in cooperation with the Brother Cities Alliance and the Union of Municipalities of the Turkic World will contribute to the further strengthening of friendship, trust, and cooperation between the two fraternal peoples.
Zokir Abidov,
Chairman of the Brother Cities Alliance
Bridges of Friendship: Toward New Horizons of Uzbek–Pakistani Partnership
📅 28.01.2026
In recent years, the deepening cooperation between Uzbekistan and Pakistan has emerged as a significant new strategic direction across Eurasia. Two countries standing at the historic crossroads of ancient trade routes are now consistently building a modern “architecture of connectivity” that permeates all key areas, including the economy, culture, education, and technology. Their shared centuries-old historical roots, dating back to the era of the Great Silk Road, are being transformed into concrete projects and initiatives capable of strengthening economic resilience, ensuring technological independence, and creating a solid foundation for regional integration.
Since the early 2020s, relations between Tashkent and Islamabad have been developing steadily, largely driven by the strong political will of the leaders of both countries. The Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, signed in 2021, set a high pace for bilateral dialogue, opening a new chapter in the history of relations. Regular meetings at the highest level, active consultations between the foreign ministries, and engagement within international forums make it possible to address pressing issues in a timely manner, identify mutually acceptable solutions, and explore promising areas of cooperation.
A vivid confirmation of the strengthening bilateral ties was the official visit of the Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Uzbekistan in February 2025 and his meeting with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The leaders of both countries expressed deep satisfaction with the impressive dynamics of multifaceted cooperation encompassing the economy, investment, transport, digital technologies, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges.
Admiring the achievements of Uzbekistan’s large-scale reforms under the Presidency of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Shehbaz Sharif stated that “miracles are possible only through a clear vision, high dynamism, hard work, and a resolute pursuit of a common goal.”
The culmination of the Prime Minister’s visit was the establishment of the High-Level Strategic Partnership Council, which imparted a new strategic impetus to bilateral relations. This step not only consolidated the prior agreements but also created a strong institutional platform for systematic cooperation.
The legislative framework of bilateral cooperation plays a key role in strengthening strategic interaction between Uzbekistan and Pakistan. A special contribution in this regard is made by inter-parliamentary friendship groups, which consistently promote legislative initiatives aimed at simplifying business procedures, increasing transparency, and creating a reliable legal environment for the implementation of joint projects. Their work forms a long-term platform of trust that ensures stability and predictability in bilateral relations.
The economic sector, in turn, serves as the most visible indicator of cooperation dynamics. Pakistan confidently ranks among Uzbekistan’s leading trade partners in South Asia, demonstrating strong interest in the Uzbek market. Over recent years, bilateral trade turnover has increased manifold and continues to grow steadily. In 2025, mutual trade exceeded $440 million, which is twelve times higher than in 2016, with particular attention drawn to Uzbek exports amounting to over $320 million.
These figures not only reflect the growing interest of businesses in both countries in expanding mutually beneficial cooperation but also demonstrate the emergence of a more diversified and resilient trade model incorporating new industries and segments. The current environment creates a foundation for further development of investment flows, financial services, and joint projects in mining, energy, and digital technologies, opening additional opportunities for deepening strategic partnership.
In line with agreements reached at the highest level, concrete steps have been outlined to increase bilateral trade turnover to $2 billion in the near future.
An important tool for achieving this goal has been the Preferential Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which provides customs benefits for 17 categories of goods from each side. This significantly facilitates market entry for companies and stimulates the expansion of trade flows.
At the same time, business ties are expanding rapidly. An increasing number of Uzbek and Pakistani companies are finding partners, establishing joint ventures, and exploring new niches. As of October 1, 2025, around 180 companies with Pakistani capital are operating in Uzbekistan, reflecting growing business confidence in joint projects and long-term partnership.
Cooperation spans a wide range of sectors – from the textile and food industries to the production of construction materials, electrical equipment, and logistics. Regular meetings of the intergovernmental commission, business forums, and specialized exhibitions serve as effective platforms for direct dialogue, experience exchange, and contract signing. The agreements concluded at these venues already amount to hundreds of millions of dollars, generating tangible economic returns and laying a solid foundation for further expansion of cooperation.
In 2024, Tashkent hosted the first International Exhibition “Made in Pakistan” and a joint Logistics Forum, featuring more than 80 leading Pakistani companies. These events created a platform for direct business dialogue, demonstrating real opportunities for joint ventures and logistics cooperation.
In turn, a national exhibition “Made in Uzbekistan” was held in Lahore in February 2025, resulting in the signing of 181 bilateral trade agreements worth $500 million. These events clearly illustrate mutual interest in expanding trade turnover and growing business confidence in bilateral cooperation prospects.
Significant progress has also been achieved in investment cooperation. In 2024, $33 million in Pakistani investments were utilized within joint projects, and from January to July 2025 this figure more than doubled, reaching nearly $70 million. This steady growth reflects increasing interest in long-term projects, confirms the stability of the business environment, and opens new opportunities for expanding strategic partnership.
Active work continues on joint projects in the textile, pharmaceutical, perfumery, and agricultural sectors, allowing both sides to strengthen traditional industries while developing new high value-added niches. Notably, Uzbek companies are conducting feasibility studies in Pakistan for the production of household appliances, tractors, smart meters, and modern gas blocks, opening avenues for technological exchange and the adoption of advanced manufacturing solutions.
Particular attention is paid to the digital sphere, where a broad range of promising initiatives is emerging: software development, IT solutions for business and public services, and joint startups and innovation projects. This direction accelerates technological modernization, enhances competitiveness, and facilitates the integration of digital products into key sectors of the economy.
Trade infrastructure development is also a key priority. In 2025, Uzbek trade houses were opened in Lahore and Karachi, with plans to establish Pakistani trade missions in Tashkent and Samarkand. These initiatives simplify market access, stimulate business cooperation, and strengthen trust within the business community.
Thus, the combination of industrial, digital, and infrastructure cooperation creates a multi-level platform for accelerated bilateral development, transforming Uzbek–Pakistani cooperation into a strategically significant and mutually beneficial endeavor.
Transport infrastructure remains a priority area of dialogue. Central and South Asia have historically been interconnected through trade and cultural routes, and today targeted efforts are underway to restore this natural connectivity. Improved logistics, new transport corridors, and simplified transit procedures create real opportunities to boost trade and deepen cooperation. For landlocked Central Asian countries, reliable transport links are a key factor in sustainable growth and regional integration.
One of the flagship projects is the Trans-Afghan Railway, a strategic corridor capable of transforming regional transport networks, strengthening the countries’ positions within the Eurasian economic space, and establishing a solid foundation for trade, investment, and logistics flows between Central and South Asia. By reducing delivery times from several weeks to 3–5 days and cutting transport costs by 40% or more, the route will significantly enhance the competitiveness of regional goods on global markets and stimulate export-import activity.
In 2025, tangible progress was achieved: key components of the feasibility study were prepared, and intergovernmental consultations on the route design and financing terms continue, reinforcing the project’s practical implementation.
Energy cooperation is another vital area with significant joint potential. Projects in geological exploration, oil and gas development, and modernization of processing facilities can ensure strategic energy security, diversify energy sources, and stimulate industrial growth in both countries.
Along with economic cooperation, cultural and humanitarian interaction is actively developing, as the peoples of Uzbekistan and Pakistan share a rich historical heritage rooted in the Silk Road era. This commonality manifests in joint scientific projects, educational initiatives, and cultural exchanges that strengthen human ties and build long-term trust.
In Pakistan, special attention is given to the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s concept of the Third Renaissance, viewed as a continuity of Uzbekistan’s rich historical and scientific legacy. The intellectual and spiritual traditions shaped by scholars such as Al-Horezmi, Mirzo Ulugbek, and Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur inspire modern educational and innovation initiatives, reinforcing cultural and intellectual bonds between the two nations.
Tourism deserves special mention as an important component of bilateral cooperation. Uzbekistan, with its unique spiritual and architectural heritage, is increasingly attracting Pakistani tourists and pilgrims. Ancient cities and the mausoleums of prominent scholars – Imam Bukhari, Imam Termezi, and Bahauddin Naqshband – reveal the country’s rich cultural and scientific traditions while strengthening people-to-people ties as enduring as official interstate agreements.
Improved transport connectivity has become a key catalyst. Direct flights between Islamabad and Tashkent, as well as between Tashkent and Lahore, enabled over 10,000 Pakistani tourists to visit Uzbekistan in 2025 – nearly 2.5 times more than in 2023. This data highlights both growing demand for tourism routes and the effectiveness of integration measures in transport and logistics.
Taken together, tourism, cultural, and economic initiatives form a solid platform for deepening connectivity between Uzbekistan and Pakistan. This comprehensive cooperation model not only enhances economic potential but also strengthens long-term trust, making bilateral relations a key component of regional integration between Central and South Asia.
The upcoming visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Islamabad early February 2026 will mark an important milestone in enhancing strategic partnership. It will open new opportunities for joint initiatives, activate projects in the economy, transport, energy, and digital technologies, and provide additional momentum to cooperation, enhancing its practical impact and strategic significance.
Today, it is especially important to maintain the high momentum of interaction, expand practical cooperation mechanisms, cascade dialogue to lower governance levels, and more actively engage regions, small and medium-sized enterprises, the academic community, youth, and civil society institutions. Such a comprehensive approach will not only consolidate achievements but also ensure sustainable growth of mutual cooperation, creating a platform for new joint projects and initiatives at all levels.
Thus, the “bridges of friendship” built between Uzbekistan and Pakistan – rooted in shared history, traditions, and spiritual affinity – connect the past and present while opening the way for deeper comprehensive cooperation. They transform traditional mutual trust into sustainable and long-term partnership forms that will serve as a foundation for expanding interaction at all levels, from local initiatives to strategic projects of regional significance.
Nigora Sultanova,
Chief Research Fellow at the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
The 1st Republic of Korea–Central Asia Summit: Why This Moment Matters
📅 11.09.2026
Authors:
Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
KANG Myongil, Senior Executive Director of the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security
When a diplomatic dialogue is elevated from the level of foreign ministers to that of heads of state, it is rarely a matter of protocol alone. Such decisions are typically made when existing mechanisms of cooperation no longer match the scale of emerging challenges.
That is precisely why the upcoming inaugural Republic of Korea-Central Asia Summit marks an important milestone in relations between the two sides. The state visit of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Seoul will take place on the occasion of the Summit.
The Republic of Korea-Central Asia framework itself is not new. For nearly two decades, it has served as a valuable platform for political dialogue and practical cooperation, generating numerous joint initiatives. Bringing the format to the leaders' level, however, reflects a qualitative shift — from sectoral coordination toward strategic decision-making.
For the Republic of Korea, this elevation also reflects a clear commitment to engage Central Asia as a strong strategic partner and to forge a mutually beneficial partnership that builds on strong bilateral ties while advancing broader regional cooperation.
The principal reason for this elevation lies not in a sudden change in Seoul's policy but in the convergence of two developments: the transformation of Central Asia itself and Korea's determination to deepen strategic engagement with the region.
Over the past several years, the region has undergone perhaps its most profound transformation since independence. The Central Asian states have significantly strengthened mutual trust, institutionalized regular political dialogue, and launched mechanisms for practical regional cooperation. As a result, Central Asia is increasingly viewed not simply as a geographical concept, but as a region with the capacity to pursue shared priorities and act with greater strategic coherence.
Against this backdrop, the Republic of Korea's growing interest in the region is hardly accidental.
Korea's economic competitiveness increasingly depends not only on technological leadership but also on resilient supply chains, diversified production networks, and reliable long-term partnerships. Seoul is therefore seeking partners that can offer strategic resources, industrial potential, skilled human capital, and political stability at the same time.
Korea's approach, however, should not be understood as a narrow search for resources or market access. Its comparative strength lies in jointly creating value through technology and knowledge sharing, capacity building, industrial diversification, and the development of secure and sustainable supply chains.
Central Asia is steadily emerging as one such partner, and Korea, for its part, can be a reliable partner in the region's efforts to diversify its economies and move up global value chains.
Today, the region is becoming one of Eurasia's most promising growth markets. Its combined population has surpassed 85 million, with more than half under the age of thirty, while its economies have maintained solid growth in recent years. This combination of demographic dynamism, expanding domestic markets, and growing regional connectivity is reshaping perceptions of Central Asia among global investors and technology-driven economies alike.
Uzbekistan occupies a pivotal place in this transformation.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's policy of openness and proactive regional engagement has become a key driver of Central Asia's growing cohesion. Uzbekistan, home to nearly 38 million people — almost half of the region's population — has played a leading role in promoting dialogue, connectivity and practical cooperation across Central Asia.
The country has likewise deepened its partnership with the Republic of Korea. Bilateral trade has nearly doubled over the past eight years. Around 700 enterprises with Korean capital are currently operating in Uzbekistan, while cumulative Korean investment has exceeded US$8 billion. Korean companies are active across a wide range of sectors, including energy, chemicals, engineering, healthcare, digital technologies and education.
People-to-people ties are equally significant. Uzbekistan is home to the largest ethnic Korean community in the post-Soviet space, numbering approximately 170,000 people. The presence of campuses of leading Korean universities further underscores the long-term and multidimensional nature of bilateral cooperation.
These human links give the partnership a distinctive depth. The “Koryo-Saram,” ethnic Koreans in Central Asia, is not only a reminder of shared history, but also a living bridge between the two societies: Expanding educational exchanges and professional mobility can ensure that this relationship remains strong for the next generation.
Yet the true significance of the partnership extends well beyond these impressive figures.
For Central Asia, the Republic of Korea represents one of the world's most compelling examples of successful modernization. Within the span of a single generation, Korea transformed itself from a developing economy into a global technology powerhouse. For a region pursuing ambitious economic reforms, industrial upgrading, and digital transformation, Korea's experience offers not simply a model to study but a practical source of policy inspiration and institutional know-how.
Against this backdrop, the first Republic of Korea-Central Asia Summit at the level of heads of state carries significance far beyond the diplomatic calendar.
It reflects a simple but important reality: Relations between the Republic of Korea and Central Asia have reached a level of maturity where future progress depends not on expanding the number of individual projects but on defining a shared long-term strategic vision.
If the past two decades were devoted to building a solid foundation for cooperation, the decade ahead should be shaped by a common response to the challenges of a new economic era — from artificial intelligence and digital transformation to critical minerals, green infrastructure, industrial cooperation, and human capital development.
This is the broader significance of the upcoming summit.
Its historic importance lies not merely in bringing regional leaders together for the first time but in providing an opportunity to define the next stage of a partnership whose ambitions have already outgrown its previous institutional framework. Success should therefore be measured not only by the number of agreements to be announced in Seoul but by whether the summit establishes regular dialogue at the leaders' level and a practical roadmap that delivers visible and mutually beneficial results for both the Republic of Korea and Central Asia.
ORGANIZATION OF TURKIC STATES: DYNAMICS OF DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIC POTENTIAL AND STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES
📅 27.05.2026
Over the past five years, the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) has undergone a qualitative transformation, evolving into an effective mechanism for interregional cooperation.
The stability and effectiveness of this format are largely determined by the degree of development of its institutional architecture. Within the OTS, this architecture features a multi-tiered structure, comprising the Council of Heads of State, the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, the Committee of Senior Officials, the Council of Elders and the Secretariat of the organization.
A powerful impetus to the development of the association was provided by the adoption in 2021 of the “Turkic Vision – 2040” strategy, which became the conceptual foundation for the formulation of sectoral roadmaps, action plans, and a system of long-term milestones. The implementation of this strategy has manifested most visibly in the areas of transport digitalization, customs procedures, investment cooperation, and educational exchange.
Special attention should be paid to the activities of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA), within the framework of which efforts have intensified to harmonize legislative approaches in the fields of trade, transport regulation and humanitarian cooperation.
A significant impetus to the development of the OTS was provided by the active engagement of Uzbekistan in the organization's work. In the subsequent period, Tashkent became one of the key drivers in modernizing the OTS agenda. At the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the promotion of projects in transport connectivity, industrial cooperation, digital transformation, and investment collaboration intensified. It is with the invigoration of Uzbek participation that many experts associate the organization's transition from a declarative stage to a phase of practical institutionalization.
The 2022 Samarkand Summit provided an additional symbolic and political impetus, during which decisions were made to establish the Turkic Investment Fund and institutionally expand the economic agenda. This stage solidified the evolution of the OTS toward forming a fully-fledged geo-economic space while preserving its cultural and historical foundation.
Concurrently, economic cooperation is steadily establishing itself as a key pillar of the OTS development. The combined demographic potential of the organization is estimated at approximately 178 million people, a significant portion of whom comprise a young, able-bodied population. The nominal GDP of the member states exceeds USD 1.8–1.9 trillion, while their total foreign trade turnover surpasses USD 1.1 trillion.
In recent years, interregional trade has demonstrated steady positive dynamics. According to estimates by the OTS Secretariat, mutual trade turnover among member states reached USD 22–23 billion, nearly doubling compared to the figures at the beginning of the decade.
Uzbekistan plays a notable role in this process. By the end of 2025, the Republic's trade volume with OTS countries exceeded USD 9 billion, whereas in 2019, this figure stood at approximately USD 4.2 billion. Thus, over a six-year period, the trade turnover has practically doubled.
A prime example is the Uzbek-Turkish industrial cooperation. The number of enterprises with Turkish capital participation in Uzbekistan has surpassed 2,000, while the total volume of joint investment projects is estimated at over USD 5 billion. A significant share of these projects is concentrated in the textile industry, building materials manufacturing, electrical engineering, and the food industry.
The specific significance of this interstate association is driven by its geo-economic location. The member states of the organization are situated at the strategic intersection of transport arteries linking East Asia, the South Caucasus, the Middle East and Europe.
Its central element is the Middle Corridor, which connects China, Central Asia, the Caspian region, the South Caucasus, Türkiye and onwards to European markets. Over the past three years, the route has demonstrated steady cargo traffic growth. By the end of 2025, shipment volumes along the corridor exceeded 4.5 million tons, whereas in 2021, they stood at less than 1 million tons.
A key driver of this growth has been the comprehensive modernization of port infrastructure. For instance, following its reconstruction, the Baku International Sea Trade Port now possesses the capacity to handle up to 15 million tons of cargo annually, including up to 100,000 containers, with future expansion potential reaching 25 million tons.
The acceleration of delivery timelines is of equally vital importance. While cargo transportation from China to Europe along this route previously required 40–50 days, the digitalization of document flows (e-CMR), the unification of pre-arrival customs declaration procedures, and infrastructure modernization have successfully reduced this timeframe to 18–23 days.
The creation of a trans-regional "green energy corridor" is emerging as a highly promising avenue of cooperation, envisaging the export of electricity generated from renewable sources in Central Asia and the South Caucasus toward Europe. Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have intensified their coordination regarding the synchronization and construction of the necessary power transmission infrastructure.
At the same time, in the context of accelerating global digitalization, technological development is acquiring not only economic but also strategic importance, forming the foundation for enhancing the efficiency of interstate cooperation, modernizing industry, and strengthening infrastructural connectivity.
The combined volume of the digital economy of the member states already exceeds $110 billion, while the average annual growth rate of the sector in a number of countries stands at 12–18%, which is significantly higher than the global growth rates of traditional industry.
The strengthening of the OTS digital development track was reflected in the agenda of the informal summit held on May 15, 2026, in Turkistan, where artificial intelligence and digital development served as the central theme. This highlighted the organization's transition toward treating technological transformation as a high-priority area of strategic cooperation.
Uzbekistan is likewise demonstrating accelerated digital modernization. By the end of 2025, the country's export of IT services exceeded $1 billion, representing a nearly fivefold increase compared to 2020. Hundreds of companies operate through a network of specialized IT Parks, serving external markets, including the OTS member states. Within the framework of regional cooperation, the Republic actively promotes initiatives for the unification of digital services and the development of joint educational programs in high technology.
However, the effectiveness of these processes is largely determined not only by economic but also by humanitarian factors. In this regard, the OTS possesses a unique advantage, as it is built upon a deep historical and cultural commonality, linguistic proximity, and a shared civilizational heritage among the member states.
A pivotal role in this process is played by a network of specialized institutions, among which the International Turkic Academy, TURKSOY, TURKPA, and the Turkic Universities Union hold particular significance, ensuring the comprehensive development of humanitarian, scientific and educational cooperation.
These structures provide coordination for scientific research, the development of joint educational initiatives, the promotion of cultural heritage, and the expansion of inter-societal engagement.
Special attention is dedicated to the development of academic integration. Since 2025, dozens of academic exchange programs, including joint master's and doctoral tracks, have been implemented within the framework of inter-university cooperation among the OTS states. The number of students participating in educational mobility between the countries of the organization increases annually by an average of 18–22%.
A notable contribution to this process is made by leading universities, such as the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Ankara University, Samarkand State University, and the Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, which serve as key centers for personnel training and scientific support for integration processes.
Separate attention of the member states is directed toward expanding tourism potential. The cumulative tourism flow among the OTS states has increased by more than 35% over the past five years. A significant impact was delivered by the development of joint tourist routes, including pilgrimage, historical-cultural, and ethnographic programs.
In this context, "Cultural Capital of the Turkic World" program and the granting of this status to cities such as Khiva, Aktau, Turkmenbashi, and Shusha have contributed to a significant intensification of tourism exchange within the format.
Another factor driving tourism development has been the formulation of a unified tourism product, "Tabarruk Ziyorat," aimed at developing religious and educational tourism among Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye.
Looking ahead, the OTS possesses significant potential for further strengthening as a space for practical cooperation.
Crucial importance in this context will be attached to the deepening of economic cooperation by reducing non-tariff barriers and digitalizing trade and customs procedures, the further development of transport and logistics connectivity - primarily within the framework of the Middle Corridor - the expansion of technological collaboration focused on the development of the digital economy and joint innovation platforms, as well as the strengthening of expert-analytical, academic and educational interaction.
On the whole, deepening cooperation across key areas will serve to strengthen the role of the OTS as one of the most promising frameworks ensuring the development and resilience of Central Asian nations.
In this context, the informal OTS summit held in Turkistan stands as a crucial milestone in advancing this agenda, reaffirming the commitment of the member states to expanding practical cooperation and defining new benchmarks for joint development, primarily in digital transformation and technological collaboration.
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan -
Diplomatic Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs -
State Committee for Tourism Development -
Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan
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invest.gov.uz -
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