Phone
Consular Issues
Phone
Uzbekistan news
We recommend
The text of the article is in Uzbek!
📅 25.07.2024The text of the article is in Uzbek!
Uzbekistan promotes initiatives in Central Asia that unlock new opportunities for cooperation
📅 14.10.2026
Today, the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia provide the region’s leaders with a regular platform to align their positions on issues that shape the future of Central Asia as a whole. Over the course of eight summits, direct dialogue has evolved into sustained engagement at the level of national coordinators, relevant ministries and agencies, regions, and business communities. From an economic perspective, it is particularly important that trade, industry, transport, and investment are being addressed with due consideration for the interdependence of national development plans.
Central Asia has arrived at its current model of cooperation within a relatively short period of time. In 2017, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed holding regular meetings of the region’s leaders, and the first such meeting took place in Astana in March 2018. The format was built around direct dialogue, allowing the states themselves to define the range of common issues and coordinate their positions in areas where results depend on the actions of neighboring countries. At the same time, the format has retained its fundamentally consultative nature, based on the independence of its participants.
As the scope of cooperation expanded, the necessary mechanisms were gradually established. In 2021, establishment of a Business Council was proposed. In 2022, the Treaty on Friendship, Good-Neighbourliness and Cooperation for the Development of Central Asia in the 21st Century was signed. The Council of National Coordinators was established in 2023, and a year later the Central Asia 2040 Concept for the Development of Regional Cooperation was adopted. In this way, political dialogue acquired an institutional and legal framework between summits while preserving the flexibility of the original format.
Uzbekistan’s chairmanship in 2025 significantly strengthened sectoral cooperation. More than 20 major sectoral and interregional events were held, including the Interregional Cooperation Forum at the level of deputy prime ministers. Ahead of the Seventh Consultative Meeting in Tashkent, the first meeting of the Council of Ministers of Trade and Investment of the Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan was held. Discussions focused on practical objectives: increasing mutual trade to USD 20 billion, establishing production facilities under the “Made in Central Asia” brand, and attracting international financial institutions to infrastructure and industrial projects.
The current scale of economic ties makes it possible to pursue more ambitious objectives. By the end of 2025, Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with the Central Asian countries had reached USD 8.3 billion, an increase of 15.2 percent. In the same year, the volume of direct investment and loans attracted from countries in the region amounted to USD 1.3 billion. Growing trade and investment activity is creating a foundation for deeper industrial cooperation and the development of production chains among enterprises across the region.
This is the underlying rationale of “Made in Central Asia.” Enterprises from several countries can participate in the creation of a final product by distributing individual stages of production among themselves. For Uzbek businesses, such a model expands the pool of potential customers and enables production to be planned in response to demand beyond the domestic market. A practical foundation is already taking shape: an Action Plan for the Development of Industrial Cooperation for 2025–2027 has been approved, bilateral investment funds have been established, cross-border trade zones and industrial cooperation centers are being developed, and joint sectoral projects are being implemented.
The economics of production chains is directly dependent on logistics. The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, as well as the Trans-Afghan and Trans-Caspian routes, involve different groups of participating countries.
The consultative platform provides an opportunity to coordinate countries’ infrastructure plans, border crossing operations, and logistics hubs in advance. In 2025, Uzbekistan proposed establishing an Infrastructure Development Council at the level of deputy prime ministers in order to place such coordination on a permanent footing.
A more favorable business environment is also being shaped through decisions taken in bilateral and trilateral formats. Since 2023, citizens of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have been able to cross the shared border using ID cards. In 2025, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan signed a treaty on the junction point of their state borders. These measures facilitate travel, business contacts, and cross-border trade.
Azerbaijan’s accession as a full-fledged participant in November 2025 expanded the permanent dialogue toward the South Caucasus and brought into the format a country located along the continuation of the Trans-Caspian routes. This makes it possible to address trade, transport, energy, and investment issues within a broader economic geography.
At the same time, the planning horizon is expanding. The Central Asia 2040 Concept established long-term priorities, while at the Tashkent summit Uzbekistan proposed developing a Comprehensive Regional Program for Trade and Economic Cooperation through 2035, adopting a Declaration on a Common Investment Space, and introducing a joint program for the development of e-commerce. For businesses, these initiatives create a more predictable horizon for planning investments, supply chains, and entry into neighboring markets.
Uzbekistan’s proposal to move toward a strategic “Central Asian Community” format also fits within this longer-term perspective, with the aim of strengthening continuity in the implementation of long-term infrastructure, industrial, and investment initiatives.
Following the conclusion of Uzbekistan’s chairmanship, the focus continued to shift toward new forms of economic connectivity. At the informal meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia and Azerbaijan in July 2026, Uzbekistan proposed substantive work on integrated industrial and technological value chains, shared digital services, and investment platforms.
The mechanisms developed in recent years make it possible to connect suppliers across several countries, establish production facilities serving broader markets, attract capital to projects of regional scale, and incorporate logistics considerations from the earliest stages of investment planning. The established channels of cooperation facilitate the transition from strategic priorities to concrete projects while preserving each state’s independence in decision-making. Translating high-level agreements into programs and measurable results is what defines the substance of the next stage.
For Uzbekistan, this represents a qualitatively new scale of regional economic policy. Central Asia is becoming a space where coordinated decisions expand the potential market for national enterprises, connect production capacities, open new routes, and strengthen the foundation for investment. This is precisely where the strategic significance of the platform lies: the countries of the region are themselves shaping the conditions for long-term growth, while Uzbekistan consistently advances initiatives that translate the potential of good-neighborly relations into tangible economic opportunities.
Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic: A Visit That Gave the Relationship New Practical Substance
📅 02.05.2026
On 30 April, the official visit of Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to Uzbekistan came to a close. The visit took place at the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Talks were held at the Kuksaroy residence in both restricted and plenary formats. As a result, the two sides signed a Joint Declaration on the Promotion of Expanded Cooperation along with a package of bilateral agreements covering economic, industrial, and scientific-technological cooperation, as well as the training of diplomatic personnel, collaboration in the fields of geology and metrology, and the supply of electric trains.
It is worth noting that this was already the second visit by a Czech prime minister to Uzbekistan. In April 2023, Petr Fiala visited Tashkent, and in October of the same year Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov made a reciprocal visit to Prague, where he met with Czech President Petr Pavel and signed an Interstate Declaration on Enhanced Cooperation. In September 2025, on the sidelines of the 80th anniversary session of the United Nations General Assembly, Presidents Mirziyoyev and Pavel held a bilateral meeting and discussed specific projects in the areas of investment, innovation, transport, and agriculture. Such intensity of contacts at the highest level is a rare phenomenon in international diplomacy. It testifies to the fact that both sides regard their relationship not as a matter of protocol formality, but as a genuine political priority.
The agenda of the current Uzbek-Czech talks was exceptionally substantive, covering several key areas, each of which merits separate consideration.
First — the expansion of trade, economic, and industrial cooperation. Over recent years, bilateral trade turnover has doubled, which is in itself a significant achievement. Nonetheless, both sides acknowledge that the figures attained merely reflect the existing potential without coming close to exhausting it.
Against this backdrop, the parties set a target of raising the volume of mutual trade to one billion US dollars, including through an expansion of the range of goods supplied. Uzbekistan already hosts 37 joint ventures with Czech capital participation, providing a solid productive foundation for the further development of the partnership.
The principal mechanism governing this process and opening up new avenues for interaction is the The Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Industrial, and Scientific-Technological Cooperation. Over the years of its operation, the Commission has held ten sessions, the most recent of which took place in Prague in March 2025.
To further stimulate trade, the first Uzbek certification branch in the Czech Republic is being established, while work is simultaneously under way on the construction of a Euro 6 vehicle certification laboratory and a quantum measurement standard — infrastructure facilities without which Uzbek products would face significant barriers to full access to European markets.
In parallel, an agreement has been reached with leading Czech companies on the development of a Technology Cooperation Programme encompassing mechanical engineering, green energy, geology and critical raw materials, as well as chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, the Czech Export Credit Insurance Corporation (EGAP) and the Czech Export Bank confirmed their intentions to provide financial support for joint projects. To coordinate the entire economic agenda, it was decided to establish a Business Council, and the next session of the Intergovernmental Commission is scheduled to take place in Tashkent in August of the current year.
The Uzbek-Czech business forum, held on the eve of the visit with the participation of the heads of government of both countries, served as a practical platform for giving the bilateral agenda concrete substance. More than 200 participants discussed prospects for deepening economic cooperation. Particular emphasis was placed on the fact that Uzbekistan's GDP exceeded 145 billion US dollars in 2025 — a figure that is fundamentally transforming international investors' perception of the country.
As a result, Czech companies are increasingly viewing Uzbekistan as a strategic springboard for access to Central Asian markets. The unique combination of dynamic growth, a young population, and a favourable geographical location makes the country one of the most attractive hubs on the Eurasian continent.
Following the forum, a package of cooperation agreements was signed covering mechanical engineering, infrastructure modernisation, and education, while mechanisms for engagement with the Czech Export Bank and EGAP were formalised, providing for preferential lending and risk insurance for high-technology projects.
Second — high-technology cooperation in the transport sector, the symbolic centrepiece of which was the signing of a contract for the supply and maintenance of the first ten Škoda Group electric trains. It should be stressed that the prospects of this project extend well beyond a simple equipment transaction. The plans include the establishment of a joint venture for local assembly and lifetime technical maintenance of rolling stock, as well as the creation of a Škoda Academy for the training of Uzbek specialists.
In this context, Škoda Group CEO Petr Novotný regards Uzbekistan as his company's "number one target" outside Europe, believing that the results achieved there will open the door to markets across Central Asia. For Uzbekistan in turn, this is not merely a technical upgrade, but an opportunity to integrate into European production chains and build domestic technological competences.
Third — cooperation in the fields of education, science, and cultural and humanitarian ties. In this domain, Uzbek-Czech partnership has its deepest roots and the most enduring future. The number of Uzbek students enrolled at Czech universities has grown from approximately 350 in 2020 to between 600 and 700 today, predominantly in technical, economic, agricultural, and IT disciplines. The Czech government's annual award of scholarships for citizens of Uzbekistan provides an additional incentive.
Of particular note is the fact that direct contacts have been established at the inter-university level. The National University of Uzbekistan cooperates with Charles University and the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague; the Tashkent Medical Academy maintains ties with the First Faculty of Medicine at Charles University; and a number of other leading institutions collaborate with Mendel University in Brno. The talks confirmed mutual interest in further expanding academic exchanges, including joint degree programmes, which will open fundamentally new career horizons for students of both countries.
Worthy of mention in this context is also the scientific and archaeological dimension of bilateral ties. Since 2003, Termez State University has been conducting a joint expedition with Charles University of Prague in the Surkhandarya region. Over the past two decades, nine previously unknown Bronze Age sites and fourteen Early Iron Age monuments have been discovered, and maps and inventories of heritage sites across several districts have been compiled. This cooperation has continued regardless of changes in government and shifting political circumstances.
An equally significant aspect is the ongoing exploration of the possibility of resuming direct air services between Tashkent and Prague — a matter that at first glance may appear to be purely logistical, but which in practice opens up new opportunities for tourist, business, and academic contacts alike.
Coming to the fore as well are the prospects for systematic cooperation in the field of labour migration, reflecting the profound qualitative shifts taking place in the labour markets of both Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic.
In sum, assessing the outcomes of the visit, one can state with confidence that Uzbek-Czech relations are entering a qualitatively new phase of development. The intensive high-level dialogue, underpinned by concrete economic initiatives, technological agreements, and institutional mechanisms, lays a solid foundation for a long-term strategic partnership.
The implementation of the agreements reached opens broad prospects for the modernisation of the Uzbek economy, the development of high-technology industries, and the strengthening of human capital. For the Czech Republic, meanwhile, Uzbekistan is becoming not merely a trading partner, but a reliable gateway to one of the most dynamically developing regions of Eurasia.
Bakhtiyor Mustafayev
Deputy Director, Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan–2030: Why the National Development Strategy Is Being Updated
📅 06.01.2026
Uzbekistan’s 2030 Strategy is the country’s principal framework for medium- and long-term development. It provides strategic direction for public policy, institutional reform, and socio-economic transformation, while embedding principles of continuity, predictability, and long-term planning at the core of state governance. Since its adoption, the strategy has served as a foundational reference point for the reform agenda, shaping what is often referred to as “New Uzbekistan.”
Over recent years, Uzbekistan has made tangible progress across a wide range of areas, including economic modernisation, public administration reform, judicial reform, the expansion of civic space, and the protection of human rights. These reforms have produced measurable results and have contributed to greater openness and institutional capacity. At the same time, the pace of change—both domestically and globally—has continued to accelerate.
Societal expectations are evolving, economic conditions are becoming more complex, technological change is reshaping governance models, and global geopolitical and economic dynamics are introducing new risks and opportunities. Against this backdrop, updating the Uzbekistan–2030 Strategy is a logical and necessary step to ensure that policy planning remains relevant, responsive, and effective.
At the heart of the revised strategy lies a fundamental principle articulated by the President of Uzbekistan: the state must serve the people, not the other way around. In its updated form, the strategy seeks to translate this principle into practical governance outcomes by reinforcing a development model that is results-oriented, accountable, and centred on human well-being.
Every policy decision and reform priority is assessed through the lens of its impact on citizens’ quality of life, social inclusion, and long-term prosperity. This marks a shift away from abstract targets toward a more outcome-driven approach to public policy.
A key element of the strategy’s refinement is a comprehensive review of progress achieved to date. This includes an honest assessment of remaining challenges and structural bottlenecks, as well as recalibrating performance indicators to enable more precise measurement and evaluation. Each strategic objective is linked to clearly designated responsible institutions, while required financial resources are explicitly identified. This strengthens institutional accountability and moves the strategy from a broad vision to an operational roadmap.
Another defining feature of the updated Uzbekistan–2030 Strategy is its emphasis on clarity and relevance for ordinary citizens. The strategy is being shaped so that people can readily understand how national reforms affect their daily lives—how they improve access to services, create economic opportunities, and enhance prospects for future generations. In this sense, the strategy is intended not as a set of slogans, but as a framework for tangible, lived improvements.
The revised strategy also reflects the need for adaptability. Performance benchmarks are being updated to align with new economic realities, social priorities, technological innovation, and international developments. This ensures that public policy remains flexible and able to respond to change, rather than being constrained by static assumptions.
Digitalisation plays a central role in this process. The monitoring and evaluation of strategy implementation are being fully digitised, enabling greater transparency, evidence-based decision-making, and enhanced public oversight. This approach strengthens trust in public institutions and supports more informed policy adjustments.
Equally important is policy coherence. All sectoral, regional, and thematic development plans are being aligned with the Uzbekistan–2030 Strategy to ensure consistency across government actions. This integrated approach reduces fragmentation and enhances the overall effectiveness of state policy.
Public participation is another core principle. The updated strategy is being developed through broad public consultation, incorporating input from citizens, civil society organisations, experts, and the wider public. This reflects the understanding that reforms are most sustainable and credible when they are shaped with society, rather than imposed upon it.
In conclusion, the ongoing refinement of the Uzbekistan–2030 Strategy represents a structured, transparent, and responsible effort to deepen reforms and adapt them to contemporary realities. Above all, it reaffirms a clear priority: national development is not an end in itself, but a means to improve people's lives and well-being. In this sense, Uzbekistan–2030 is being shaped as a genuinely people-centred roadmap for inclusive and sustainable progress.
Eldor Tulyakov,
Executive Director, Development Strategy Centre
The text of the appeal of the participants of the first international forum of Islamic civilization to the head of State
📅 13.07.2026
To His Excellency
Мr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
ADDRESS
of the Participants of the First International Forum on Islamic Civilization
Your Excellency, Mr. President,
We, the participants of the First International Forum on Islamic Civilization—including heads of prestigious international organizations and academic and educational institutions from abroad, ministers, muftis, distinguished scholars, and representatives of universities, research institutes, libraries, museums, and cultural institutions from more than fifty countries—wish to express to Your Excellency our sincere appreciation and profound respect.
First and foremost, we would like to emphasize that the First International Forum on Islamic Civilization, convened at your personal initiative and with your steadfast support, has, by virtue of its substance, significance, and far-reaching impact, transcended the scope of a traditional international academic gathering. It has become a landmark event of exceptional importance, earning widespread international recognition.
There is no doubt that the visionary ideas and principles set forth in your Address to the participants shaped the Forum's agenda, defined the objectives of its deliberations, and guided the discussions held over the course of four days under the close attention of the international community. They provided the intellectual and moral foundation for meaningful dialogue and productive international scholarly cooperation.
We are confident that this Forum, which brought together leading representatives of the Muslim world's academic and intellectual community, has inaugurated a new stage of global cooperation aimed at studying, preserving, safeguarding, and promoting the rich legacy of Islamic civilization as an integral part of the shared spiritual, cultural, and intellectual heritage of humanity.
The decision to hold the Forum in the historic cities of Tashkent, Samarkand, and Termez further enhanced its scholarly spirit and historical significance. It was on this blessed land that, over many centuries, great centers of learning flourished and fundamental works were produced, making invaluable contributions to theology, philosophy, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and numerous other fields of knowledge. Many ideas and discoveries that profoundly influenced the progress of human civilization originated from these very cities and spread throughout the world.
We express our deep appreciation for the initiative you put forward during the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2017 to establish the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. We regard this initiative as one of the most significant international humanitarian initiatives of the past decade, marking a turning point in the understanding of the rich history and cultural heritage of this land as a unified civilizational phenomenon.
This historic initiative has created broad opportunities for bringing together the international scholarly community to promote objective research into and wider recognition of the invaluable contribution of Islamic civilization to the development of world science, culture, and spirituality. At the same time, it has become an important milestone in laying the intellectual and spiritual foundations for the New Renaissance—the Third Renaissance.
Today, we recognize more clearly than ever that this initiative has served as a timely and far-sighted response to the challenges and threats of the modern world. At a time when attempts are being made in various parts of the world to distort the humanistic essence of Islam, to set cultures and civilizations against one another, and to diminish the immense contribution of Muslim scholars to the advancement of global science and culture, you proposed a constructive path founded on enlightenment, scientific inquiry, respect for historical truth, and the objective presentation of the authentic legacy of Islamic civilization to the international community.
In doing so, a significant step has been taken toward restoring historical justice, strengthening a culture of open academic dialogue, fostering mutual respect, and expanding international humanitarian cooperation.
Today, these noble aspirations have acquired particular global significance. Indeed, it is through knowledge, historical memory, and the unification of the intellectual potential of nations that mutual trust among states is strengthened, effective resistance to extremism, radicalism, and intolerance is enhanced, understanding among civilizations is deepened, and a solid moral foundation for peace, sustainable development, and shared prosperity is established.
There is no doubt that Your Address, embodying such timely and far-reaching ideas, will remain for all of us a landmark historical and programmatic document, guiding our future joint endeavors.
We are witnessing how the Center for Islamic Civilization, established through Your Excellency's vision, wisdom, and steadfast leadership, as well as your remarkable ability to perceive the past, the present, and the future as parts of one continuous historical process, is evolving not only into a world-class scholarly and educational institution but also into a distinguished international platform that brings together states, international organizations, leading scholars, research institutions, universities, libraries, museums, and centers of spiritual and educational excellence to implement joint initiatives aimed at studying, preserving, safeguarding, and promoting the invaluable heritage of Islamic civilization. We are confident that in the years ahead the Center will rightfully take its place among the world's leading institutions in the humanities and become a major cultural, educational, and academic hub where innovative ideas, collaborative research, and long-term international partnerships will flourish.
We have been particularly impressed by the large-scale reforms being carried out in the Republic of Uzbekistan to preserve and promote its spiritual, scholarly, and cultural heritage. The Center for Islamic Civilization, the renovated Imam al-Bukhari Memorial Complex, the International Research Centers named after Imam al-Bukhari, Imam al-Maturidi, and Imam al-Tirmidhi, the International Academy of Islamic Studies, the Tashkent Islamic Institute named after Imam al-Bukhari, and other unique institutions stand as compelling evidence of the consistent state policy aimed at preserving historical memory, advancing fundamental scholarship, and strengthening international humanitarian cooperation.
In a word, the Republic of Uzbekistan, as one of the oldest cradles of Islamic scholarship, culture, and enlightenment, is today further consolidating its historic role as a leading center for humanitarian cooperation, academic research, and dialogue among civilizations.
Your Excellency, Mr. President,
The fact that the First International Forum on Islamic Civilization was held under the theme "Peace, Tolerance and Enlightenment" deserves particular recognition. These timeless and interconnected values, which embody the humanistic essence of Islamic civilization, are of enduring relevance to the contemporary world. This great legacy constitutes an inseparable part of the cultural, spiritual, and intellectual heritage of all humankind. Accordingly, its preservation, comprehensive study, and transmission to future generations represent a shared responsibility of international organizations, governments, the global academic community, and all those committed to promoting peace, mutual understanding, and cooperation.
We express our full support for the Declaration adopted upon the conclusion of the Forum, as well as for the Roadmap on the Preservation, Study, and Advancement of Islamic Civilization, regarding them as a solid foundation for long-term international cooperation. We sincerely hope that Your Excellency will continue to provide leadership and unwavering support for the implementation of the initiatives set forth in these documents, further strengthening international cooperation, safeguarding our shared spiritual heritage, and advancing Islamic civilization as a source of peace, enlightenment, and mutual understanding.
With a view to translating the Forum's decisions into practical action, we intend, in consultation with Your Excellency, to put forward the initiative to establish the World Alliance for Islamic Civilization. We believe that the Alliance will serve to coordinate joint research programs, promote the training of highly qualified specialists, expand academic exchanges, implement international publishing initiatives, preserve and promote cultural heritage, and further strengthen humanitarian cooperation among nations.
The decisions adopted during the Forum clearly demonstrate that this noble initiative, which originated in Uzbekistan, has gained broad international support and is becoming a shared endeavor of the global scholarly and intellectual community.
Here is a polished and formal English translation suitable for an official international declaration:
We hereby reaffirm our readiness to combine our intellectual, academic, and spiritual capacities to implement these resolutions and to preserve and pass on the great heritage of Islamic civilization to future generations.
We are confident that the resolutions adopted in the ancient land of Uzbekistan will serve as a solid foundation for a new stage of international cooperation in the study, preservation, and wide dissemination of the heritage of Islamic civilization.
By adopting this Appeal, we once again acknowledge the great collective responsibility we undertake in implementing these resolutions and reaffirm our commitment to working alongside you in promoting peace, enlightenment, mutual respect, and the preservation of the great spiritual and intellectual heritage that constitutes an integral part of the common legacy of all humankind.
Your Excellency, Mr. President,
We extend our profound gratitude to You, and through You to all the organizers of the Forum and the entire multinational people of Uzbekistan, for the excellent organization of the First International Forum on Islamic Civilization and for the warm and generous hospitality extended to all participants.
We wish Your Excellency good health, family happiness, and ever greater success in your noble and highly responsible service to the people of Uzbekistan.
We also wish you continued success in implementing the New Uzbekistan Strategy, laying the foundations for the Third Renaissance, and further strengthening the country's distinguished standing, prestige, and reputation as one of the world's leading centers of science, education, Islamic civilization, humanitarian cooperation, and dialogue among civilizations.
May Almighty Allah bless your noble intentions and endeavors with abundant goodness and prosperity.
May the resolutions adopted at the First International Forum on Islamic Civilization contribute to strengthening mutual understanding, justice, and cooperation among the peoples of the world.
May the Lord of the Worlds grant peace, national unity, prosperity, and continued progress to the hardworking, hospitable, and noble people of Uzbekistan—the creators of a great civilization with a history spanning three millennia. May He further enhance their creative potential and enable them to fulfill all their noble aspirations.
With the highest respect,
Participants of the First International Forum on Islamic Civilization
9 July 2026
Uzbekistan and the EAEU: deepening practical cooperation amid global economic changes
📅 29.05.2026
At the end of May, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will take part in the upcoming summit of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in Astana.
In recent years, the participation of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in events of the Eurasian Economic Union has become an important element of the country’s foreign economic strategy, aimed at expanding practical cooperation, strengthening trade and economic ties, and developing sustainable mechanisms of regional interaction. Against the backdrop of global economic transformation, increasingly complex logistics routes, and growing competition for investment resources, the Eurasian direction is gaining particular importance for Uzbekistan.
As noted by the President of Uzbekistan during a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in 2025, “in the context of growing fragmentation of global markets, the increasing complexity of supply chains, and shifts in the allocation of investment resources, the deepening of pragmatic and mutually beneficial cooperation with the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union is of fundamental importance for us”. This position reflects Uzbekistan’s commitment to building sustainable and long-term economic ties across the Eurasian space.
The Eurasian Economic Union is one of the largest integration associations in the post-Soviet region, established on the basis of the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space. The Union began functioning on 1 January 2015, following the entry into force of the Treaty on the EAEU, signed by Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia, later joined by Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.
The modern stage of interaction between Uzbekistan and the Eurasian Economic Union dates back to 2019, when the Republic began a comprehensive review of expanding cooperation with the bloc. On 11 December 2020, Uzbekistan officially obtained observer status in the EAEU, enabling the country to participate in the meetings of the Union’s bodies, establish a structured dialogue with the Eurasian Economic Commission, and study the practical mechanisms of the integration association’s functioning.
Since then, cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EAEU has taken on a stable, systematic, and practice-oriented character. An interagency working group on cooperation with the Union was established, a mechanism of regular consultations with the Eurasian Economic Commission was put in place, and a Memorandum of Cooperation between the government of Uzbekistan and the EEC was signed. Subsequently, the parties moved on to the implementation of joint three-year cooperation plans covering trade, industry, transport, the financial sector, and digital technologies.
Uzbekistan’s participation in EAEU high-level events has also intensified. Since 2021, the President of Uzbekistan has regularly participated in meetings of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, while government representatives have taken part in the work of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council. This demonstrates the progressive development of cooperation and the growing interest of both sides in expanding practical engagement.
In recent years, cooperation between Uzbekistan and the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has demonstrated steady positive dynamics. The Eurasian space remains one of the most important directions of the Republic’s foreign trade. By the end of 2025, Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with EAEU countries exceeded USD 20 billion, while the share of the Union’s member states in the country’s total foreign trade reached almost one quarter of overall external trade turnover.
Uzbekistan is also participating in a number of sectoral initiatives and projects within the EAEU framework. These include the development of e-commerce, the digitalization of rail freight transportation, the implementation of the “Eurasian Agroexpress” project, and cooperation on the climate agenda. These areas contribute to reducing logistics costs, simplifying cross-border trade, and enhancing the connectivity of transport corridors across the Eurasian space.
At the current stage, cooperation between Uzbekistan and the Eurasian Economic Union is gradually moving to a qualitatively new level, encompassing not only trade and economic relations, but also digital transformation, technological cooperation, and the development of joint infrastructure. One of the key priorities is the removal of existing barriers and the creation of more efficient mechanisms for economic interaction.
An important component of the current stage of engagement is the development of digital integration. Uzbekistan is interested in the harmonization of digital platforms, the expansion of electronic commerce, and the introduction of modern data exchange mechanisms. Such an approach corresponds both to the goals of improving the efficiency of foreign trade and to the broader objective of building a modern and interconnected economic infrastructure across the Eurasian space.
Within a relatively short period of interaction in the status of an observer state, the parties have succeeded in establishing stable mechanisms of dialogue, expanding trade and economic ties, and moving toward the implementation of concrete sectoral and infrastructure projects.
For Uzbekistan, the Eurasian direction remains an important element of its strategy for economic modernization, industrial cooperation, and the strengthening of transport and logistics connectivity. At the same time, the Republic continues to adhere to a model of flexible and pragmatic participation in integration processes, guided primarily by national economic interests and the principle of mutual benefit.
In the context of the transformation of the global economy, intensifying competition for markets, and changing global logistics routes, cooperation with the EAEU is viewed by Tashkent as one of the instruments for ensuring sustainable economic growth, expanding export opportunities, and enhancing the competitiveness of the national economy. For this reason, Uzbekistan intends to further strengthen practical cooperation with the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union, develop new areas of collaboration, and maintain a constructive dialogue on key issues of regional development.
Dunyo IA
Uzbekistan: civil society institutions — a bridge between society and state
📅 01.07.2024
Today, civil society institutions, particularly non-governmental non-profit organizations (NGOs), play an active role in Uzbekistan's development and the implementation of the “Uzbekistan – 2030” strategy. It is impossible to build a new Uzbekistan without organizing the activities of NGOs, the most important institution of civil society, according to democratic principles. On this basis, effective work is being done to support NGOs and civil society institutions, strengthen social partnerships with state bodies, implement effective public oversight, and improve the legal framework governing this area.
As a result of the measures implemented, the legal and regulatory framework has been improved to provide legal guarantees for NGOs while also meeting modern democratic requirements and international standards. The laws "On non-governmental non-profit organizations," "On guarantees for the activities of non-governmental non-profit organizations," and "On public oversight," as well as the Presidential Decree "On approval of the civil society development concept for the period 2021-2025" and a number of Governmental decrees, have all been adopted.
The civil society development concept for the period 2021-2025 aims to increase state support for civil society institutions in the form of subsidies, grants, and social orders by 1.8 times, as well as increase the volume of allocated funds to 70 billion soums by 2025.
A number of goals, objectives, and indicators related to the further development of civil society are set out in conceptually significant documents such as the Strategy for Action, the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026, and the "Uzbekistan - 2030" Strategy. Upon that basis, it is worth noting that the State programmes adopted annually include provisions for further strengthening the activities of civil society institutions and NGOs.
The chapter titled "Civil society institutions" and the term itself were included for the first time in the new version of the Constitution adopted through a referendum in 2023.
It should be mentioned that the President of Uzbekistan prioritizes civil society institutions and NGOs in his publications, speeches, and reports. Shavkat Mirziyoyev's book titled "Strategy of New Uzbekistan" includes a separate paragraph titled "Free and Open Civil Society" and it includes comments on priority areas for civil society development as well as proposals for implementing a number of tasks based on a thorough examination of relevant national legislation, law enforcement practice, and best foreign experience.
According to the figures, there were only 95 NGOs operating in the country on January 1, 1991; by January 1, 2000, there were 2,585, by January 1, 2016, there were 8,417, and by January 1, 2024, there were over 9,000. These NGOs are critical in protecting individuals' and legal entities' rights and legitimate interests, as well as democratic values and the achievement of social, cultural, and educational objectives.
It is also important to note the dynamic growth of support and financial sustainability provided by NGOs. In particular, 513.8 billion soums were allocated from the state budget to support 2,074 NGOs and other civil society institutions between 2017 and 2023. If 12.3 billion soums were allocated in 2017, the figure was 226.4 billion in 2023. It is planned to allocate 1.8 trillion soums in 2024.
Furthermore, the scope of state support for civil society institutions has been broadened, and public funds to support civil society institutions have been established through the local Councils (Kengash) of People's Deputies. The legal basis for allocating funds from the local budget to support civil society institutions in the regions has been strengthened, and social projects are funded through these channels.
It should be acknowledged that favourable conditions are one of the most important factors in the effective operation of non-governmental organizations. In 14 regions of our republic, "Houses of non-governmental non-profit organizations" have been established, housing approximately 500 NGOs and providing them with the necessary office equipment, furniture, items, equipment, and other tools. As a result, the NGOs' problems with the building were resolved, and their socially beneficial activities were resumed. In particular, newly established NGOs carrying out their activities in socially significant spheres were accommodated in these buildings under the right of free use.
To regularly improve the knowledge and skills of NGOs' managers based on the best foreign experience, the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan organizes training courses on a special 72-hour training programme. To date, 367 NGO leaders and managers have attended advanced training courses. These advanced training courses are expected to train 134 NGO managers by 2024.
It should be noted that NGOs express proposals and initiatives to improve State programs and legislation in their field, as well as carry out public control measures over the implementation of Regional socioeconomic development programmes and State programmes.
As mentioned above, the 83rd goal of the “Uzbekistan – 2030” strategy prioritizes the expansion of free civil society and media activities, transforming Uzbekistan into a hub for civil society development. It specifically highlights the tasks of increasing the number of projects implemented within the framework of social partnership by at least threefold and increasing the number of NGOs participating in government programs to at least 80.
To summarize, civil society institutions and NGOs are genuine supporters of state bodies and organizations in the process of reforms, sociopolitical and socioeconomic changes, achievement of strategic goals, and serving as a social bridge between society and government.
Anvarjon Mirkomilov,
Head of Department,
Development Strategy Center
Sincere congratulations to foreign partners
📅 16.06.2024
In connection with the advent of Eid al-Adha, the holy holiday of Eid al-Adha, which embodies such noble values as mercy, generosity, humanism and harmony, and promotes an atmosphere of mutual respect and tolerance in society, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has received heartfelt congratulations from the heads of foreign States and governments, respected public and religious figures and heads of leading international and regional organizations.
In their messages, they express to the head of our state and the multinational people of Uzbekistan words of sincere respect, wishes for peace, well-being and prosperity, as well as reaffirm their commitment to the full strengthening of relations of friendship and multifaceted cooperation.
Congratulations, in particular, were sent to:
The Minister, Two Holy Shrines, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia;
Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia;
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of the Republic of Turkey;
Abdelfattah Al-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt;
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev;
President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov;
President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon;
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov;
National leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov;
Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates;
Vice President, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum;
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs of the United Arab Emirates;
Shaikh Seif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior of the United Arab Emirates;
Turki bin Muhammad bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of State and member of the Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia;
Emir of the State of Kuwait Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah;
Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Muborak Al-Sabah;
King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan;
King Muhammad VI of Morocco;
Abdelmajid Tebboun, President of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria;
Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine;
Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States Kubanychbek Omuraliev;
Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization, Khusraw Noziri;
Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Hussein Ibrohim Taha;
Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board.
Congratulations continue to pour in.
A New Chapter in Uzbekistan–EU Relations: Why the EPCA Matters
📅 06.11.2025
On 24 October 2025, Uzbekistan and the European Union signed the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) — a comprehensive framework that culminates negotiations launched in February 2019 and initialled in July 2022. More than a ceremonial milestone, the EPCA codifies a strategic upgrade in our relationship with the EU. It is broad in scope — nine titles, 356 articles, and 14 annexes — and practical in ambition: to align our cooperation with the realities of a rapidly changing world economy while reinforcing the rule-of-law foundations of sustainable development at home.
The agreement’s timing is revealing. Uzbekistan’s recent balanced, multi-vector foreign policy and people-centred reforms — strengthening the rule of law, expanding public administration openness, and advancing market reforms — have laid the necessary groundwork. These steps in human rights and governance have increased international confidence, enabling a rules-based partnership with Europe. The EPCA is both a vote of confidence in Uzbekistan’s reform trajectory and a tangible roadmap to deliver measurable outcomes.
Economically, the EPCA offers a clear pathway for integration and growth. It promotes approximation to EU norms on technical regulations, product safety, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures. The agreement is designed to reduce non-tariff barriers, simplify border procedures, and make our exporters more competitive in the EU market. It encourages joint ventures and industrial clustering, extends agro-processing and manufacturing value chains, and supports energy efficiency and industrial modernisation. In short: more trade, more investment, and more quality jobs at home.
Human capital is an equally central pillar. The EPCA expands cooperation across education, science, skills development, and public health. It encourages joint university programmes, faculty and student exchanges, and research grants — mechanisms that accelerate knowledge transfer and help align our skills base with the demands of a digital and green economy. The spillovers are immediate and tangible: better public services, higher productivity, and new career pathways for our young people.
The rule-of-law dimension is another strategic gain. Deeper cooperation on judicial reform, anti-corruption, data protection, and cybersecurity increases predictability for investors and protections for citizens. The agreement’s chapter on foreign and security policy expands dialogue on conflict prevention, crisis management, non-proliferation, and export controls. This cooperation supports regional stability, which is essential for long-term growth.
Connectivity is the backbone that makes these ambitions feasible. Through synergies with the EU’s Global Gateway initiative and the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, the EPCA supports logistics hubs, border modernisation, and greener infrastructure. Better connectivity means lower trade costs, faster delivery times, and diversified export routes — practical levers for competitiveness. It also enables cooperation on water management, climate adaptation, and resilient energy systems — strategic priorities for a land-linked Central Asian economy.
Critically, the EPCA opens structured avenues for collaboration on critical raw materials needed for the green and digital transitions. This builds on the EU-Uzbekistan memorandum of understanding signed in 2024. It creates opportunities to upgrade domestic standards, attract responsible investment, and join higher segments of global value chains, while maintaining environmental and social safeguards.
Beyond the text, the joint statement issued at the signing underscores a shared commitment to the UN Charter and to the principles of independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity — principles that guide our positions in international fora. It also welcomes the outcomes of the EU–Central Asia Summit, including plans for a Central Asia–EU Economic Forum and a Trans-Caspian Connectivity Investors Forum in Tashkent in 2025. In short, the EPCA is embedded in a wider, forward-looking regional agenda.
In practical terms, success requires implementation of three clear priorities: coordinated institution building, enhanced business support, and transparent, data-driven tracking. These will ensure commitments translate to outcomes.
First, institutional coordination. Translating commitments into outcomes requires a whole-of-government mechanism with clear mandates, timelines, and dashboards. A national EPCA coordination council, supported by technical working groups, should steer approximation to EU standards, monitor progress, and troubleshoot bottlenecks.
Second, business enablement. Firms need guidance to navigate new standards and opportunities. An 'EU Helpdesk' for exporters and investors would offer practical advice on certification, rules of origin, and compliance. This would turn legal text into business practice. Expanding the capacity of testing, inspection, and certification bodies will further reduce transaction costs and speed market entry.
Third, open, data-driven delivery. Customs and trade facilitation should be fully digitised through single-window systems and interoperable data exchange. Regular public reporting on milestones — such as education partnerships, financed projects, and adopted standards — will sustain credibility and invite feedback from business and civil society.
The EPCA also aligns with Uzbekistan’s WTO accession path by encouraging market-based reforms and transparent, rules-based trade. As reforms deepen, our economy will see more diversified exports, stronger investor protections, and a more competitive domestic market. These outcomes raise household incomes and expand opportunity.
This agreement is ambitious by design. Ambition alone is empty; execution alone is stagnant. The EPCA combines both — setting a high bar and supplying the means to reach it. By acting decisively, we turn this framework into a catalyst for inclusive growth, institutional maturity, and global credibility.
Ultimately, the EPCA is more than a diplomatic success; it is the engine for Uzbekistan’s reform agenda. By linking citizen welfare, business competitiveness, and international engagement, the EPCA puts us on a path to fundamental transformation. The critical task ahead is to deliver on this promise and make the Uzbekistan-EU partnership impactful and enduring.
By Eldor Tulyakov,
Executive Director, Development Strategy Centre, Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan: the fight against corruption is a continuous process
📅 24.06.2024
Uzbekistan has been undergoing a transformational journey since it changed political leadership in 2016. The nation is implementing extensive reforms aimed at spanning anti-corruption measures, business climate enhancements, judicial reforms, improving labour conditions, administrative efficiency, protection of human rights, and good governance.
Central to these reforms is a comprehensive anti-corruption agenda bolstered by strong laws and strategic plans. Reforms have targeted diverse sectors, with a focus on improving public administration, ensuring quality public services and information access, and overhauling the judiciary. Over the recent years Uzbekistan has made significant efforts to help its people feel confident that leaders in the national public and private sectors operate in a transparent and ethical way.
As we know, international standards in this area focus on the following elements, which are intended to increase effectiveness of prevention and combating corruption:
- Imposing additional restrictions for civil servants;
- Increasing transparency in the private sector, e.g. identifying beneficial owners;
- Strengthening the role of financial intelligence units in combating corruption;
- Strengthening corporate and individual liability for corruption offences;
- Supporting collective action initiatives.
In line with the abovementioned standards, since the adoption of the law on anti-corruption in 2017, Uzbekistan has doubled its efforts to prevent corruption in the public sector and has widened international cooperation to achieve this end. Since coming to power in 2016, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has taken steps to liberalise the Uzbek economy and denounce corruption.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has begun liberalising the economy, which has started to attract significant investments from China and the EU and contributed to Uzbekistan’s strong economic growth. In particular, Presidential Decree of 2017 took steps to tackle the shadow economy by permitting the free purchase and sale of currency and the use of international mechanisms to set currency conversion rates. This decree eradicated the decades old “black market” where the difference between actual and official conversion rates was around 50%.
In 2020, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev established a new Anti-Corruption Agency via President Decree No.6013 and launched a mandatory online public procurement platform. The Anti-Corruption Agency is tasked with studying researching corruption, engaging with civil society, and enhancing transparency.
The number of arrests and prosecutions of public officials for corruption has increased. According to Prosecutor General’s Office, for example in 2022, there were a total of 3,116 convictions of public officials, of which 110 officials were from the national agencies, 264 from provincial agencies and 2,742 from city and district state bodies. The majority of these cases related to embezzlement (2,103), abuse of position (265), fraud (243) and bribery (169).
The fight against corruption has become a priority area of state policy in Uzbekistan. This can be seen in the conceptual regulatory acts adopted in recent years in this area, on the example of administrative reforms aimed at preventing corruption. The country has established an effective mechanism of countering corruption, including efficient normative-legal base and institutional foundations. More than 70 regulatory acts aimed at combating corruption in all sectors of state and public construction have served as a solid basis for the implementation of these reforms.
The Law on Combating Corruption, adopted in 2017 soon after Mirziyoyev came to power, is the main legal basis for countering corruption in Uzbekistan. The law requires state employees to inform their supervisors about corruption offences they may be directly or indirectly involved in and is meant to ensure protection for whistleblowers. Further, the law grants media outlets the right to request information on corruption offences from state agencies. It also envisages the mandatory examination of regulations being drafted by ministries and other state agencies to ensure they do not create new opportunities for corruption.
Information on state procurement is posted on the website www.d.xarid.uz. The open data portal (data.gov.uz), the registered database of legal entities and commercial entities (my.gov.uz) and other platforms play an important role today in ensuring the principles of openness and transparency and public control, which are the most effective tools for combating and preventing corruption. Licensing and permitting procedures have also been radically improved to completely improve the business and investment climate, remove unnecessary bureaucratic barriers and outdated regulations.
According to the National Database of Legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, other important legislative acts in the area of anti-corruption include:
- the Constitution (last amended in May 2023)
- the Criminal Code
- the Law on public civil service
- the Law on public procurement
- the Law on public-private partnerships
- the Law on distributing legal aid information and ensuring access to it
- the Law on the openness of state authorities and administration
- the Law on e-government
- the Law on public control
- the Law on countering legalisation of income derived from criminal activities, financing of terrorism and financing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (last amended in January 2019), which provides a legal framework for anti-money laundering.
The Civil Service Law, which entered into force in 2022, forbids civil servants from accepting gifts, from engaging in business activities and from opening foreign bank accounts or purchasing real estate abroad. It also introduces a system of mandatory declaration of civil servants' assets and income.
Under Article 7 of the 2017 Law on Combating Corruption, state agencies responsible for implementing the law on combating corruption include the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) established in 2020, General Prosecutor’s Office, the State Security Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, and the Department on Fighting Economic Crime under the General Prosecutor’s Office.
There is also a National Council on Combating Corruption and its territorial bodies that aim to coordinate the efforts of all the relevant institutions and develop state anti-corruption programmes. The ACA serves as the working body of the Council, which is headed by the Chair of the Senate. The ACA has a preventive mandate authorising it to request state agencies to provide documentation on their expenditure of public funds, sales of state assets and public procurement as well as on their investment projects and implementation of state programmes. It can also consider appeals of citizens and legal entities on corruption issues and conduct administrative investigations into corruption offences, the results of which should then be shared with law enforcement bodies.
Uzbekistan is a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) as well as to the Istanbul Anti-Corruption Action Plan, which is the main subregional initiative in the framework of the OECD Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ACN). Uzbekistan has recently become a member of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities.
It should be emphasised that each regulatory legal act in Uzbekistan is being developed based on the principle – “legislation free from corruption”, systemic preventive measures in the practice of combating corruption are being strengthened, and the public oversight is supported by establishing interaction mechanisms with civil society institutions.
The mentioned and other measures have contributed to improving the fight against corruption in the country. This has also been evidenced in better positions of the country in international rankings. According to international governance indices, Uzbekistan has been improving its efforts to curb corruption. In recent years the country improved its ranking Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by 42 positions. In 2023 alone the country improved its ranking there by 5 positions.
To sum up, we can conclude that Uzbekistan’s path towards creating effective financial, legal and institutional mechanisms of countering corruption has given its results. Although, it should also me noted that fighting against corruption is not merely a task for several years. It is an ongoing process and the government of Uzbekistan remains committed to take new steps for ensuring the success of its anti-corruption reforms in line with the international standards in this field.
Nilufar Doniyorkhodjaeva
Head of Department
Development Strategy Center
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan and the United States: The Economics of Mutual Interest
📅 16.10.2026
Ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s planned visit to Samarkand for the C5+1 summit, the Center for Economic Research and Reforms has examined the outlook for the Central Asia–U.S. platform and opportunities to further expand Uzbek-American cooperation.
History of Visits
Visits by U.S. secretaries of state to Uzbekistan date back to February 1992. John Kerry’s visit to Samarkand on November 1, 2015, was particularly significant: it brought together the foreign ministers of the five Central Asian countries and the United States for the first time, launching the C5+1 platform. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s upcoming trip continues the established practice of combining bilateral talks with regional dialogue.
The U.S. secretary of state is expected to arrive in Samarkand in mid-October 2026, leading a delegation representing more than 200 American companies. A C5+1 ministerial meeting has been announced, with the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan set to participate. Its stated priorities are regional economic connectivity, energy security, and joint responses to shared regional challenges. Talks with Uzbekistan’s leadership are also planned.
For Uzbekistan, the visit offers an opportunity to advance projects already agreed upon, attract technology, and improve access to international capital. The scale of the announced business delegation provides additional scope to pursue these objectives.
The Evolution of Central Asia Plus Frameworks
Regional frameworks involving external partners are becoming a regular feature of Central Asian diplomacy. In April 2025, Samarkand hosted the first Central Asia–European Union summit, which elevated relations to a strategic partnership. The second summit with China took place in Astana in June of the same year, followed by the first summit with Japan in Tokyo in December and the first summit with the Republic of Korea in Seoul in September 2026.
These platforms share much of their economic agenda: transportation, energy, critical raw materials, industry, and digital technology.
The C5+1 platform provides a dedicated channel for engagement with American businesses and financial institutions. Established in 2015, it covers the economy, energy and the environment, and security. A regional approach allows participants to address issues that extend beyond any single country, including transit, cross-border infrastructure, and supply chain resilience.
Bringing the five countries and prospective American investors together on one platform helps align national projects with the regional conditions needed to implement them.
Outcomes of the First C5+1 Summit
The first presidential-level C5+1 summit took place in New York on September 19, 2023. The inaugural Critical Minerals Dialogue followed in February 2024, and the first B5+1 business forum was held in Almaty in March. The latter created a channel for businesses to contribute to discussions on the investment climate and regional economic integration. The political platform thus gained both an industry-focused mechanism and a forum for business engagement.
The summit held at the White House on November 6, 2025, strengthened the commercial dimension of cooperation. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, trade and investment agreements worth more than $25 billion across Central Asia were announced at the accompanying business conference. They cover aviation, agricultural machinery, rail infrastructure, digital technology, and critical minerals extraction.
At the summit, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed closer coordination on investment and trade, the development of transport and energy projects linking Central Asia with the South Caucasus and Europe, and cooperation in the exploration, extraction, and value-added processing of critical minerals. His proposals also included holding the next summit in Samarkand.
The practical question for the next stage is whether high-level decisions are backed by adequate project preparation and financing. In aviation, this means aircraft delivery and operation; in industry, the construction and commissioning of production facilities; and in raw materials, the adoption of processing technologies and agreements with buyers.
Bilateral Meetings and New Investment Mechanisms
Regional cooperation rests on direct dialogue between Uzbekistan and the United States. During Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s official visit to the United States in May 2018, he held talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, and the two countries adopted a joint statement marking the start of a “new era of strategic partnership.” The presidents met again in New York in September 2025 and held talks in Washington on November 6. In February 2026, the Uzbek president visited the U.S. capital for the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, with new bilateral agreements signed as part of the visit’s business program.
One outcome of the November talks was the establishment of the U.S.–Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council. It is co-chaired by Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of Uzbekistan’s Presidential Administration, and Sergio Gor on the American side. The Council’s responsibilities include supporting major trade and investment projects, monitoring the implementation of agreements, mobilizing financing, and promoting the services of IT Park resident companies, among other tasks.
The initial public offering (IPO) of the Uzbekistan National Investment Fund, or UzNIF, opened another channel to international capital. Its global depositary receipts were admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange on May 18, 2026. Managed by Franklin Templeton since 2025, the fund holds stakes in 13 state-owned enterprises. For Uzbek-American cooperation, its significance lies in the involvement of an American investment manager in transforming a portfolio of state-owned assets and improving access to global equity markets.
BlackRock represents another area of engagement. In Davos in January 2026, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed the acquisition of stakes in Uzbek enterprises and joint investment projects with BlackRock’s leadership. At a meeting in Tashkent on July 7, the priorities identified included privatization, financial markets, the fuel and energy sector, petrochemicals, and artificial intelligence technologies. These talks broaden opportunities for engagement with institutional investors.
A significant step has also been taken in cooperation with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). In February 2026, the parties agreed on the key terms for establishing a joint investment partnership. On June 16, DFC announced the launch of a U.S.–Uzbekistan investment platform involving the U.S. Export-Import Bank, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, and its Fund for Reconstruction and Development.
The platform’s priorities include energy, critical minerals, infrastructure, transportation and logistics, advanced manufacturing, information and communications technology, and pharmaceuticals. It is designed to attract private capital and participation from other financial institutions. Its significance lies in creating a mechanism to select and finance projects. This gives the October meeting a concrete basis for discussions on individual projects, their readiness, and the terms of partner participation.
Critical Minerals and Processing Opportunities
In September 2024, Uzbekistan and the United States signed a memorandum on a critical minerals partnership linked to initiatives from the 2023 C5+1 summit. In February 2026, the two countries signed an intergovernmental memorandum at the ministerial level on securing supplies through the extraction and processing of critical minerals and rare earth elements.
For Uzbekistan, the greatest returns are likely to come from developing production with higher added value. Where feasible, extraction should be complemented by ore beneficiation and further processing to produce materials that meet industrial customers’ requirements. The extent of processing, access to technology, training for local specialists, and the share of operations carried out domestically are therefore important considerations in evaluating joint projects.
Trade Trends and the Structure of Economic Ties
According to Uzbekistan’s National Statistics Committee, trade between Uzbekistan and the United States increased 4.7-fold between 2017 and 2025, from $215 million to approximately $1 billion. Exports rose from $32.1 million to $291.7 million, while imports increased from $182.9 million to $712.3 million. This trend reflects expanding ties, with purchases of American goods and services continuing to account for the larger share of bilateral trade.
In January–August 2026, bilateral trade reached $810.4 million, up 33.4% from the same period in 2025. Uzbekistan’s exports totaled $304.5 million, an increase of 59.9%, while imports reached $506 million, up 21.3%. The U.S. share of Uzbekistan’s total foreign trade rose from 1.1% to 1.4%.
Services accounted for $224.8 million, or 73.8%, of exports during the first eight months of 2026. Machinery and transport equipment contributed $44.8 million, while mineral fuels and related products accounted for $17.6 million. Machinery and transport equipment were the largest import category at $272.5 million, or 53.9%, followed by services at $84.1 million and chemical products at $73.5 million.
As of September 1, 2026, 377 companies with American investment were operating in Uzbekistan. The American business presence and joint projects span manufacturing and mining, energy and petrochemicals, agriculture, construction, and services, including information technology.
Total foreign direct investment and loans attracted from the United States exceeded $2.9 billion over 2017–2025. The annual figure rose from $8.6 million in 2017 to $383.2 million in 2025.
Conclusion
Given the announced agenda and the mechanisms already established, the most likely focus of the talks is advancing investment projects, energy infrastructure, and regional connectivity.
The partnership’s further development depends primarily on implementing the agreements already reached. Investment and modern technology create opportunities to upgrade production, raise productivity, and expand exports. For Uzbekistan, the long-term value of this cooperation lies in strengthening its industrial capacity, creating skilled jobs, and reaching new markets.
Regional dialogue also complements bilateral engagement by enabling countries to address transportation, energy, and trade issues together. Coordinated work in these areas can improve business conditions and make economic ties more resilient. The upcoming talks offer an opportunity to identify the next priorities and translate the existing partnership into further practical cooperation.
Overall, C5+1 allows Uzbekistan to connect its bilateral relations with regional transport and energy priorities, broaden its investor base, and strengthen its participation in international production networks. The forthcoming meeting in Samarkand could consolidate this shift toward project implementation.
Khurshed Asadov
Deputy Director of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms
On September 8–10th, Tashkent to gather International Textile Industry Professionals
📅 24.08.2026
The capital of Uzbekistan will host the 17th Central Asian International Textile Machinery Exhibition – CAITME 2026. It will inaugurate the traditional Global Textile Days week.
CAITME is a major event for Central Asia's textile and garment industries and, according to an independent audit, the largest specialist exhibition of its kind in the CIS. The exhibition plays an important role in equipping and uprading the region's textile and garment sector, helping manufacturers increase productivity, adopt advanced technologies and strengthen their competitiveness in the international markets.
This year, the exhibition will bring together 250 companies and brands from 17 countries. Germany will be represented by its National Pavilion, while companies from Austria, India, Italy, China, Turkiye, the USA, Switzerland and other leading textile-producing countries will also take part. Registration of participants is in full swing.
As in previous years, the exhibition will feature recognised global leaders in textile machinery manufacturing and suppliers of advanced technologies from Europe and Asia, including Rieter, Uster, Novibra, SSM, Spindelfabrik Sussen, Toyota, Muratec, Truetzschler, Saurer, Picanol, Santoni, Terrot, Habasit, MHMS, Vandewiele NV, Karl Mayer, Staubli, IRO, Biancalani, Ferraro, Epson, Zimmer Austria, Mario Crosta, Itema, Lafer, Motex Di Modiano Guido, Salvade`, Simet, Dettin, Sclavos, Effe, Mahlo, Lonati, Shima Seiki, Andritz Küsters, Brückner, Carl Schmale, Sossna, Texpa, Thies, Groz-Beckert KG, Kaeser Kompressoren, Schott & Meissner, Textima, Tetas, Temsan, Lakshmi Machine Works, Lakshmi Card Clothing, Precitex, Kansai, Brazzoli, Eliar, Guven Celik, West Global, CTMTC, Hengyi, Leadsfon, Rifa, Yingyang, Baoyu, Dyestar, NF Kimya, Eksoy, Deniz Kimya and many more.
Uzbekistan is represented by leading industry players.
A highlight of the exhibition will be the innovative TextileExpo Uzbekistan Sourcing Hub Project, which will take place on September 9th. For the first time in Uzbekistan, textile manufacturers and buyers from retail chains, factories and specialist companies will be able to hold direct business-to-business negotiations in a digital format using Artificial Intelligence.
Dunyo IA
Tashkent
-
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
-
invest.gov.uz -
-
-
-
-
-
-
of Uzbekistan in the Republic
of Latvia
When using the information, a link to www.uzembassy.lv
must be provided.
All rights reserved
Address
Address: Riga c., LV-1010. 11-11 Elizabetes Str., Latvia
Phone: 37167322424
Fax: 37167322306
Email: embassy@uzbekistan.lv
Useful links
HomeIssuance of biometric passport for departure abroad
Certificate to return to Uzbekistan
Withdrawal of citizenship
Loss of citizenship
