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Tashkent as Central Asia’s Investment Capital: What to Expect from the Fifth International Investment Forum
📅 11.04.2026
The Fifth Tashkent International Investment Forum will take place on June 16–19, 2026. This year’s theme – “Investment Resilience: New Frontiers, New Partnerships” – frames the agenda around a set of pressing questions: how to protect capital amid global uncertainty, what institutional mechanisms enhance investment resilience in frontier markets, and where the new partnership routes lie.
The forum’s context is set by macroeconomic results. According to the National Statistics Committee, Uzbekistan’s GDP grew by 7.7% in 2025 and exceeded $147 billion – the fastest pace since 2021 and among the highest in the Europe and Central Asia region. Fitch Ratings and S&P Global upgraded the country’s sovereign rating from BB– to BB for the first time, while Moody’s revised its outlook to “positive.” International reserves, per the Central Bank, surpass $77 billion. Exports rose 24% to $33.8 billion. Foreign direct investment increased by 46.9%, with FDI accounting for 40.5% of total capital investment. For an economy that attracted only $4 billion in annual foreign investment in 2017, the surge to $42 billion by 2025 represents a fundamentally different scale of growth. This tenfold increase over eight years underscores a profound transformation in the nation's investment landscape.
The forum is scaling alongside the economy. Last year’s TIIF drew over 8,000 participants, including some 3,000 international delegates from 97 countries. Guests included Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, heads of government from all Central Asian states, EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso, and New Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff. The aggregate value of signed investment contracts and trade agreements reached $30.5 billion. Yet what best speaks to the platform’s maturity is not the number of signings but the conversion rate – the share of agreements that translate into operating assets is increasingly the metric that matters to returning investors.
The centrepiece of this year’s forum will be the Tashkent International Financial Centre (TIFC), established by presidential decree in March 2026. Behind the headline sits a specific institutional architecture: a special legal regime based on common-law principles, a dedicated financial services regulator, an arbitration centre (TIAC), and tax exemptions through 2076. TIFC is part of a global trend toward specialised financial hubs that offer international market participants a familiar legal environment and regulatory predictability. Its defining feature is integration within the country’s legal framework: the centre operates under a special legal regime rather than creating a separate jurisdiction, reducing regulatory fragmentation and simplifying engagement with the domestic economy. A panel session featuring leaders of major global financial centres and international investors operating in Uzbekistan will address the central question: what are the practical conditions under which TIFC can attract international market participants.
The TIIF 2026 programme is structured around four thematic pillars: investment resilience and capital protection mechanisms, financial infrastructure and capital market development, trade connectivity and logistics corridors, and energy transition and climate finance. Key sessions include a discussion of the regulatory framework for alternative investment funds (a legal basis for private equity and venture capital being adopted for the first time), a panel on the Middle Corridor and trans-Caspian logistics, a session on sovereign ratings across Central Asia, and a practitioner-led workshop on blended finance instruments in frontier markets. A dedicated arbitration and dispute resolution track features two panel sessions co-organised with the Tashkent International Arbitration Centre (TIAC), the British-Uzbek Legal Association (BrULA), and the British Embassy. Topics range from the institutional design of Uzbekistan’s arbitration ecosystem – including the innovative Dispute Avoidance Protocol (DAP) – to the country’s positioning within the global investment protection architecture: ISDS frameworks, bilateral investment treaty reform, and New York Convention enforcement.
The energy agenda warrants particular attention. Uzbekistan has set an ambitious target of raising the share of renewables in electricity generation to 54% by 2030. Currently, the country operates solar and wind facilities with a combined installed capacity exceeding 4 GW, with a project pipeline envisaging an additional 19 GW of green capacity. Alongside this, the public-private partnership mechanism continues to develop: as of early 2025, PPP agreements worth approximately $28 billion had been signed in the country. For investors, this represents a large, structured market with standardised PPA contracts and a clear entry mechanism – a subject that will be examined in detail during the forum’s energy panel.
TIIF 2026 retains its bilateral business forum format, reflecting the expanding geography of Uzbekistan’s economic partnerships. Confirmed platforms include business forums with the Republic of Korea, the United States, Croatia, Hungary, Turkey, and Albania, as well as a China–SCO countries investment dialogue; the lineup continues to grow as the event approaches. The plenary session featuring heads of state and government will set the tone for the business programme. Running in parallel is an exhibition of industrial and investment potential spanning approximately 6,000 sq m – in 2025, a comparable facility facilitated over 500 B2B and B2G meetings for 100 participating companies.
At the same time, the forum agenda implicitly flags unresolved challenges. The corporate governance session raises the question of transitioning from concentrated to dispersed ownership – a process without which the stock market will remain illiquid. The discussion of privatisation and state asset IPOs calls for a candid conversation about pacing and institutional quality. The responsible business conduct panel, anchored in OECD standards, recognises that tax incentives alone are insufficient for accessing institutional capital – what is needed is verifiable supply chain transparency and functioning National Contact Point mechanisms.
The business programme is complemented by networking formats: an FIC and EY business breakfast on digitalisation and AI, the annual SQB Investor Day, an ESG Award ceremony, and the European Business Evening. The informal component – an invitational tennis tournament, TIIF Open, and an evening run – is designed for delegates who prefer to build relationships beyond the conference hall. The anniversary evening concludes with a collaboration with the Stihia electronic music festival – a detail that captures the tone in which Uzbekistan presents itself to an international audience.
For Uzbekistan, TIIF has long ceased to be a showcase. It is a working instrument of investment policy, whose effectiveness is measured not by the number of signing ceremonies but by the volume of capital that actually enters the economy between forums. The fifth, anniversary edition takes place at a moment when the country is simultaneously launching an international financial centre, adopting an alternative investment funds law, and receiving a sovereign rating upgrade – a convergence that creates a window of opportunity for investors prepared to operate in frontier markets with a growing institutional base.
Improving Efficiency and the Rational Use of Energy Resources
📅 22.01.2026
A study conducted by the Center for Economic Research and Reforms has revealed a large-scale transition of Uzbekistani households to energy-saving technologies. The widespread adoption of energy-efficient solutions has enabled nearly 90% of households to implement at least one measure to reduce energy costs.
One of the key changes has been the widespread adoption of energy-efficient solutions at the household level.
The most common practice has been the installation of LED lighting. Overall, 87% of households have switched to LED lighting. In some regions, such as the Republic of Karakalpakstan and Khorezm, Navoi, and Tashkent regions, this figure exceeded 90%.
A total of 44% of households improved the thermal insulation of windows and doors through the installation of plastic structures, with particularly high activity in Kashkadarya (84%), Bukhara (69%), and Khorezm (54%) regions.
Additionally, 31% of households purchased energy-efficient household appliances, with the highest shares observed in Jizzakh (60%), Navoi (59%), and the Republic of Karakalpakstan (54%).
There is also growing interest in the use of renewable energy sources. More than half of owner households expressed satisfaction with the results and interest in expanding generation capacity.
The analysis indicates that potential demand for solar panels among the population amounts to approximately 1.9 million households, opening prospects for the formation of a domestic market valued at over $2.3 bn.
At the same time, a share of consumption through less efficient heating sources remains, including outdated gas boilers and solid-fuel stoves.
Potential for Improving Building Energy Efficiency
According to estimates, insulating the exterior walls of apartment buildings, modernizing heating systems, and replacing doors and windows could yield savings of more than $60 mln per year.
According to the World Bank, similar potential exists in social facilities, healthcare institutions, preschools, and public schools. Targeted investments to improve the energy efficiency of these facilities could reduce energy consumption by 20–50%, equivalent to a reduction of up to 7.1 bn kWh per year.
Thus, the measures being implemented in Uzbekistan to enhance energy efficiency serve as an important driver of economic growth.
CERR Public Relations Sector
Tel.: (78) 150 02 02 (417)
Uzbekistan embraces the language of international law and becomes part of the global financial system
📅 17.07.2026
The President of Uzbekistan signed the Constitutional Law “On the Tashkent International Financial Center”.
In the legal hierarchy of the state, a Constitutional Law ranks immediately after the Constitution. This means that no agency, no instruction and no by-law may contradict its provisions. For an investor, especially an international one, this is the highest form of legal guarantee: capital flows to where it cannot be taken away tomorrow.
The signing of the Constitutional Law was accompanied by amendments to the Basic Law and dozens of legislative acts — the Criminal, Civil, Tax and Customs Codes, as well as laws on banks, securities, investment, auditing and many others.
Article 15 of the Constitution has been supplemented with a provision stating that a special legal regime may be established in special zones within the country's unified legal space. This legitimizes the existence of the TIFC as a jurisdiction with different rules within Uzbekistan, without contradicting the Basic Law.
Article 131 of the Constitution has been supplemented with a provision allowing for the establishment of specialized courts in zones with a special legal regime, which forms the constitutional basis for the Tashkent International Commercial Court.
The Tashkent International Financial Center is being established as an independent entity with clearly defined boundaries that cannot be arbitrarily reduced once it becomes operational.
The legal system of the TIFC is based on English law and the principles of equity of England and Wales. This is the very system under which the world’s largest financial centers operate. It is familiar and well understood by global banks, investment funds and multinational corporations. In other words, it is the language of international capital.
All decisions taken by the center's bodies are published in the official register in English, which is an important signal for foreign participants. The translation barrier, which often becomes a source of dispute, is eliminated here from the outset.
Particular attention should be paid to the establishment, within the TIFC, of the Tashkent International Commercial Court, which will become an institution of trust. The court enjoys full independence, and no agency or state body has the right to instruct it or interfere in its activities. Judges may be citizens of any state — specialists in international trade law, finance, technology and arbitration — which opens the way to attracting judges of international standing and reputation.
It is also important that the rulings of the Tashkent International Commercial Court are binding throughout the territory of Uzbekistan and cannot be reviewed by the country’s ordinary state courts, except in strictly defined cases. The court consists of a court of first instance and a court of appeal.
The law establishes a clear and exhaustive list of protective mechanisms for TIFC participants. First and foremost is the prohibition on confiscation, nationalization, expropriation and the freezing of assets other than by court order and strictly in accordance with the law.
Participants of the Tashkent International Financial Center are guaranteed freedom of capital movement and the right to conduct transactions in foreign currency and digital assets within the limits established by the Financial Services Authority together with the Central Bank of Uzbekistan. The right to freely repatriate capital is also provided for — that is, the ability to transfer profits abroad without administrative obstacles.
A separate set of provisions sets out the tax and customs regime. The TIFC's bodies and the structures under their control are exempt from corporate income tax and the social tax. This benefit is fixed until 1 January 2076 — that is, for 50 years. This is not a tactical incentive but a strategic guarantee designed to span a change of generations.
The list of services that participants may provide within the center covers the entire spectrum of the modern financial industry. These include banking and insurance activities, management of investment and pension funds, trust structures, leasing, crowdfunding, Islamic finance, work with digital assets, market-making, and transactions with securities of all classes — shares, bonds, sukuk and derivatives.
In addition to the financial sector, activity is permitted in auditing, consulting, legal and accounting services, corporate governance, and financial-technology (fintech) startups. Provision is also made for the establishment of holding companies, special-purpose vehicles and treasury companies.
The law also establishes a special visa regime for foreign nationals working at the Tashkent International Financial Center. An entry visa valid for up to five years can be obtained directly at Tashkent International Airport. Foreign specialists may be hired without obtaining work permits in Uzbekistan, which significantly simplifies the recruitment of global talent.
The Tashkent International Financial Center is governed through four bodies: the TIFC Council, the Administration, the Financial Services Authority, and the Tashkent International Commercial Court. Each operates within strictly defined powers and has no right to interfere in the sphere of competence of another.
The composition of the Council is approved by the President of Uzbekistan. At least one-third of the Council's members must be independent specialists in international finance and law who have never held positions within the government system of Uzbekistan. This serves as a safeguard against the governing body turning into just another administrative structure.
Council members (other than the chairperson) are appointed for a term of five years and may be removed early only on grounds provided for by law. The stability of the governing body's composition is another form of predictability for market participants.
Thus, the creation of the Tashkent International Financial Center is not merely another economic development project. It is a declaration of intent, enshrined at the highest legal level. Uzbekistan wants — and is ready — to become part of the global financial system as a fully-fledged platform operating under clear, internationally recognized standards.
Half a century of tax incentives, English law, an independent international court, constitutional guarantees for the protection of capital, and simplified visa procedures — each of these elements is, on its own, a competitive advantage. Together, they form a system capable of attracting long-term, institutional, smart capital.
Dildora Kamalova
Member of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan
(Dunyo IA)
Digital Cooperation among the Turkic States Towards a Unified Technological Ecosystem
📅 29.09.2026
FROM A DIGITAL AGENDA TO PRACTICAL COOPERATION
Organization of Turkic States currently counts Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye and Uzbekistan among its full members, while Turkmenistan participates in observer status. The organization holds annual summits of heads of state, establishing a mechanism for reviewing results achieved and defining directions for future cooperation.
The informal OTS summit held in Turkistan on May 15th, 2026 likewise underscored the growing importance of digital technologies within this process. At a meeting devoted to “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development”, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan put forward initiatives on building a strategic cooperation network in artificial intelligence, advancing cloud and quantum computing technologies, and creating a unified digital space.
The head of state also proposed developing a “Digital Turkic Corridor Concept” aimed at connecting the region's data centers through high-speed communication channels, and holding a Technology Forum in Tashkent with the participation of OTS member states. These initiatives placed on the agenda the task of elevating digital infrastructure from projects pursued by individual states to the level of regional cooperation.
Seen in this light, the existing bilateral ties within the OTS space form the practical foundation of the digital agenda ahead of the Ankara summit. A distinctive feature of today's cooperation is that it is no longer limited to agreements and meetings alone, but is also taking shape at the level of companies, exports, investment, technological infrastructure and specialists.
IT EXPORTS AND CAPITAL FLOWS: THE ECONOMIC DIMENSION OF COOPERATION
Uzbekistan's digital economy ties with OTS states can also be traced through the activities of IT Park Uzbekistan.
Cooperation with Kazakhstan stands out for its particularly broad scope of indicators. As of the first half of 2026, 79 enterprises with Kazakh capital were operating as residents of IT Park Uzbekistan. Over the six-month period, these companies provided export services worth $3.1 million and created 1,409 jobs. During the same period, the number of companies exporting IT services from Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan reached 114, with export volume totaling $8.2 million and employing 2,299 people.
This cooperation is not confined to bilateral export figures alone. Since 2024, mechanisms for bringing Central Asian startups to international markets have begun taking shape within the Central Asian Innovation Hubs partnership. Through ties between Kazakhstan's Astana Hub and Uzbekistan's IT Park Uzbekistan, startups are participating in international acceleration programs, investment events and projects aimed at entering foreign markets.
Digital economy cooperation with Azerbaijan is likewise expanding steadily. According to preliminary data for the first half of 2026, the number of IT Park residents with Azerbaijani capital reached 16. These companies provided export services worth $2.6 million over six months and created 137 jobs. In turn, the number of resident companies exporting services to the Azerbaijani market reached 19, with export volume totaling $1,282,700.
Ties with Kyrgyzstan in IT and digital services are also developing at a notable pace. By the end of the first half of 2026, 28 enterprises with Kyrgyz capital were operating as IT Park residents. These companies provided export services worth $974,000 and created 255 jobs. During the same period, the number of companies exporting IT services from Uzbekistan to the Kyrgyz Republic reached 39, with export volume totaling $3.3 million and employing 1,939 people.
These figures point to a steadily strengthening economic substance within digital cooperation among the Turkic states. IT services exports, engagement with local markets, companies with foreign capital participation and new job creation are emerging as mutually reinforcing processes.
STARTUPS AND VENTURE CAPITAL: NEW MECHANISMS FOR A SHARED TECHNOLOGICAL SPACE
Another important direction of digital cooperation involves linking startup ecosystems and expanding shared opportunities for venture capital.
In 2023, representatives of the technology ecosystems of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan held a dialogue titled “Central Asia's Emerging Digital Market”. The discussion advanced the idea of developing Central Asia not as a collection of separate national markets but as a unified technological space for global investors. In subsequent years, this approach has been reinforced by the emergence of regional acceleration and export mechanisms for startups.
Expanding activity of Kazakh venture funds in Uzbekistan represents one of the practical manifestations of this process. In 2025, the Big Sky Capital fund began operating in Uzbekistan, while White Hill Capital was selected among international venture funds by the IT Park Ventures fund. The parties are working to establish a co-investment structure based on equal participation.
At the informal OTS summit held in Turkistan in May 2026, the President of Uzbekistan invited OTS member states to join a joint venture fund being established by Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to finance promising youth startups, innovative developments and AI-based solutions. This initiative reflects an approach focused on linking national startup ecosystems through shared capital, expertise and markets, rather than developing them in isolation from one another.
The first Technology Forum of the Organization of Turkic States was held in Tashkent as part of ICT Week Uzbekistan 2026, at the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The proposal to hold a Technology Forum in Tashkent with the participation of OTS member states had been advanced by the head of state at the informal OTS summit in Turkistan in May 2026. The forum brought together representatives of leading technology parks and innovation agencies from Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkiye.
Within the forum, a memorandum was signed between IT Park Uzbekistan, the Azerbaijan Innovation and Digital Development Agency, Astana Hub, the High Technology Park of the Kyrgyz Republic and Bilişim Vadisi. The document is aimed at the systematic development of cooperation among the technological and innovation ecosystems of the Turkic states.
Under the memorandum, the OTS Technology Forum will be held annually on a rotating basis in one of the member states, with the heads of technoparks and innovation organizations to meet regularly to discuss cooperation outcomes and new joint initiatives.
In addition, IT Park Ventures and Bilişim Vadisi signed a cooperation memorandum within the forum aimed at strengthening ties between the startup and investment ecosystems of Uzbekistan and Turkiye. Key areas of this cooperation include the exchange of promising startups and investment opportunities, along with the joint review of potential deals, attracting investors, and developing mechanisms to support technology companies' entry into and expansion within international markets.
DIGITAL GOVERNMENT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS: THE INFRASTRUCTURE LAYER OF COOPERATION
Digital cooperation with the Turkic states is not confined to IT business alone. E-government, telecommunications, data exchange and state information systems are likewise becoming increasingly significant areas of engagement.
In the field of e-government, cooperation with Azerbaijan has been established between the Digital Government Projects Management Center and the “ASAN” agency. Practical assistance has also been provided to Azerbaijan's “DOST” agency in introducing an online queuing service for socially vulnerable population groups.
Ties with Kazakhstan in cross-border data exchange and digital government services are likewise advancing. Within a pilot project on data exchange in tourism launched in 2025, the legal and technical foundations for cross-border data exchange among Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Korea have been developed. Subsequent stages envisage extending this mechanism to other priority areas and establishing a unified platform for interstate data exchange.
Bilateral mechanisms have likewise taken shape in telecommunications. Traffic exchange through international communication channels has been established with Kazakhstan, while services related to international internet connectivity, channel leasing and international traffic exchange are being carried out with Kyrgyzstan.
In his address at the Turkistan summit, the President of Uzbekistan noted that the “E-Permit” electronic permit system had been fully launched between Uzbekistan and OTS member states, and advanced practical objectives concerning the digitalization of customs and transit procedures, the expansion of data exchange, and improved efficiency of logistics chains.
Digital transformation within the OTS framework is thus emerging not as a collection of separate technological projects, but as an infrastructural layer connecting trade, logistics, customs, government services and telecommunications processes.
TIES WITH TURKIYE AND TURKMENISTAN: OTHER AREAS OF COOPERATION
Within digital cooperation with Turkiye, professional development and workforce training occupy a distinct place. Through TIKA, various professional development programs and short-term training courses are being carried out in Uzbekistan. Proposals exist for further deepening cooperation in digital technologies, state information systems, digital healthcare and cybersecurity.
This approach places particular emphasis on human capital, a factor of central importance to the digital economy. The sustainable development of a technological ecosystem depends not only on infrastructure and investment, but equally on training qualified specialists, exchanging international experience and building new competencies.
Turkmenistan participates in the OTS in observer status. Cooperation with Uzbekistan also exists in the digital economy and telecommunications sectors. As of the end of the first quarter of 2026, three IT Park residents with Turkmen capital were operating. A contract for international telecommunications services also remains in effect between “Uztelecom” and “Turkmentexnokurilishyk” of Turkmenistan.
A PRACTICAL FOUNDATION TAKING SHAPE AHEAD OF THE ANKARA AGENDA
The current picture indicates that digital cooperation among the Turkic states is gradually evolving from a collection of individual projects into a systematic ecosystem. Within this process, ties among IT services exports, foreign capital and startups are strengthening on one hand, while infrastructural areas such as data exchange, e-government, logistics, telecommunications and cybersecurity are advancing on the other.
The initiatives put forward by Uzbekistan at the informal summit in May 2026 have likewise defined the next stage of this process. Proposals concerning a strategic cooperation network in artificial intelligence, the “Digital Turkic Corridor Concept”, holding a Technology Forum in Tashkent, expanding joint venture financing mechanisms, and cooperation in cross-border data exchange and cybersecurity are giving the digital agenda a broader, regional character.
From this standpoint, the existing bilateral experience serves as an important practical foundation for the 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States to be held in Ankara. Uzbekistan's digital ties with OTS states today span a wide range, from companies and export geography to startup investment, government services, data exchange and digital infrastructure.
The principal task ahead lies in developing these ties not as separate, isolated directions, but as an interconnected technological and economic space. Such a model could give rise to new markets for IT companies, capital and acceleration opportunities for startups, international experience for specialists, and new mechanisms for digital infrastructure and data exchange among states.
This is precisely what matters most ahead of the Ankara summit: digital cooperation within the OTS framework is no longer about technology alone. It is shaping the digital dimension of processes ranging from trade and investment to human capital, logistics, public administration and regional connectivity. Uzbekistan's bilateral experience accumulated in recent years remains one of the key factors defining the practical substance of this agenda.
Uzbekistan’s Priorities in the Organization of Turkic States: A Factor Ensuring Sustainable Development of Turkic Countries
📅 08.10.2025
The evolution of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) has attracted particular attention from the international expert community, especially in the context of sustainable development, where Uzbekistan’s accession in 2019 became a catalyst for creating new opportunities for joint progress among Turkic countries.
Originally established on October 3, 2009, as the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States, the organization has undergone significant institutional evolution and was officially renamed the Organization of Turkic States at the 8th Summit in Istanbul on November 12, 2021. This decision reflected not only the deepening interaction among member states but also their shared aspiration to develop a collective approach to contemporary risks and challenges related to the sustainable development of the Turkic world—a role in which Uzbekistan soon assumed a prominent position.
Uzbekistan’s policy within the OTS has been primarily manifested in the economic sphere, where deeper integration has become not only a sign of growing mutual trust but also a practical foundation for jointly ensuring stability and sustainable development.
By 2024, mutual trade among OTS member states exceeded $45 billion, and the combined GDP of the five member states reached $1.9 trillion, demonstrating increasing economic interdependence. According to data from the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR), Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with OTS countries grew from $3.34 billion in 2016 to $9.4 billion in 2023, reaching $10 billion by 2024—nearly triple the figure from seven years earlier.
This dynamic growth in economic ties has not only strengthened mutual interest among OTS countries in regional stability but also laid a solid foundation for a new approach to security—one actively promoted by Uzbekistan in its foreign policy.
An analysis of initiatives put forward by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at OTS summits confirms Tashkent’s consistent and systematic approach to strengthening regional security. In place of the traditional military-political dimension, Uzbekistan advocates a model in which security is understood as the outcome of sustainable development, interconnectedness, and long-term, structured cooperation.
This approach is embodied in the following strategic directions, covering key aspects of contemporary security:
First, Uzbekistan was among the first in the region to propose cooperation in responding to systemic threats. During the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020), Tashkent proposed establishing a permanent mechanism for epidemiological surveillance, a coordination group under the OTS Secretariat, and partnership arrangements with the World Health Organization (WHO).
Following the earthquake in Türkiye (March 2023), Tashkent initiated the creation of an OTS platform for practical cooperation on disaster prevention and response, as well as the development of a multilateral agreement on risk reduction and the establishment of a Natural Disaster Monitoring Center in Tashkent.
All these measures aim at early warning, reducing vulnerability, and enhancing collective resilience—key elements of preventive security.
Second, Uzbekistan advances sustainable development through deeper economic interconnectivity.
In transport, Uzbekistan proposed joint use of the multimodal corridor “Tashkent–Karakalpakstan–Aktau–Baku–Tbilisi–Kars–Istanbul,” implementation of a “single window” system and “green corridors” along the Trans-Caspian route, and full digitalization of road transport through the eTIR system. In 2022, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan became the first countries to successfully carry out a transport operation using electronic eTIR carnets.
In food security, Uzbekistan proposed developing a multilateral agreement on supply systems and cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
In the environmental sphere, Tashkent proposed establishing a Turkic environmental protection body headquartered in the Aral Sea region, forming an Environmental Council, and adopting a “Turkic Green Energy Transition” concept.
All these initiatives create an infrastructure-economic foundation for security, reducing dependence on external shocks and strengthening regional autonomy.
Third, Tashkent’s key contribution lies in promoting the institutionalization of the OTS. At the Samarkand Summit (November 2022), Uzbekistan proposed creating dedicated ministerial-level committees on energy, IT, healthcare, and other sectors.
Later, Uzbekistan initiated hosting the headquarters of strategically important OTS bodies in Tashkent, including the Emergency Response Center, the Council of Railway Administrations, the Turkic Investment Bank, the Research Center for Human Capital Development, and the Academy of Space Research.
During Uzbekistan’s OTS Chairmanship (2022–2023), over 100 events were held, and new cooperation platforms were established, including the Organization of Trade Unions of Turkic States and the Institute for Drought Prevention.
These measures enhance joint preparedness and rapid response capabilities to contemporary challenges, strengthen trust among member states, and support sustainable development.
Fourth, alongside deepening cooperation in humanitarian, economic, and legal spheres, Uzbekistan consistently develops avenues of interaction related to coordinating responses to threats to regional stability.
For example, at the Shusha Summit in July 2024, Uzbekistan proposed formulating unified OTS approaches to the Afghan issue in light of the new regional realities. Such initiatives reflect Tashkent’s commitment to consolidating foreign policy positions and developing a coordinated strategy on the most sensitive issues of regional stability.
Thus, Uzbekistan’s initiatives within the OTS form a comprehensive, prevention-oriented model of sustainable development, in which humanitarian, economic, environmental, and political components are viewed as interdependent. Tashkent’s approach not only aligns with current trends in international relations but also creates conditions for strengthening the strategic autonomy of the Turkic world amid global fragmentation.
However, it should be noted that this model is not developed in isolation. On the contrary, it is organically complemented by the OTS’s external openness and its aspiration to integrate into the international architecture of relations through cooperation with key global and regional institutions. This helps avoid duplication, enhances the legitimacy of OTS initiatives, and aligns them with international standards.
In this process, Uzbekistan plays a significant role by consistently promoting synergy between the OTS and multilateral platforms, particularly in epidemiological, environmental, and humanitarian areas.
The OTS maintains especially close cooperation with the United Nations and its specialized agencies. Uzbekistan’s 2021 initiative to establish a Turkic environmental body under UN auspices, headquartered in the Aral Sea region, directly integrates regional efforts into the global environmental agenda.
Proposals for cooperation with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (2022) and collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) (2020) further demonstrate the desire to leverage the UN’s expertise and institutional capacity to implement homegrown security mechanisms.
Additionally, Tashkent initiated partnerships with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) in the context of establishing the Natural Disaster Monitoring Center (2023), underscoring the OTS’s commitment to the principles of sustainable development and preventive security enshrined in the UN 2030 Agenda.
Simultaneously, the OTS is expanding its international presence: in 2024, the organization obtained observer status in the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), submitted similar applications to the UN and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and strengthened ties with the EU and OSCE through its European office in Budapest. At the Budapest Informal Summit (May 2025)—the first ever organized by an observer country—the Budapest Declaration was adopted, reaffirming the OTS’s commitment to combating terrorism, cyber threats, and organized crime.
This foreign policy orientation is also confirmed by assessments from international analytical circles.
According to an analytical report by the Global Security Research Center at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), the OTS demonstrates a unique model of regional cooperation that combines cultural identity with pragmatic measures to reduce vulnerability to transboundary threats. Experts from the “AIR Center” (Azerbaijan) note that for Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan, the OTS has become a strategic shield against external threats and a platform for asserting independence.
Thus, the OTS not only strengthens the collective resilience of its member states to external challenges but also creates a space for developing joint approaches to implementing projects aimed at the sustainable development of Turkic countries.
In this regard, Uzbekistan consistently promotes a comprehensive, prevention-oriented model for addressing risks and factors undermining sustainable development, in which traditional threats are complemented by non-traditional challenges—from pandemics and natural disasters to destructive ideologies. Particular emphasis is placed on building trust through humanitarian diplomacy, youth initiatives, cultural rapprochement, and institutional cooperation.
In the context of regional stability, Uzbekistan advocates for unified approaches to the Afghan issue, supports counter-terrorism and anti-organized crime efforts, and initiates mechanisms for collective crisis response.
The adoption of the Charter of Turkic Peace at the 11th OTS Summit in Bishkek, along with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s proposal at the same forum to sign a Treaty on Strategic Partnership, Eternal Friendship, and Brotherhood among Turkic States, became pivotal factors in shaping a long-term architecture of trust and shared responsibility.
Overall, Uzbekistan’s initiatives within the OTS represent a comprehensive strategy aimed at creating an alternative model for ensuring sustainable regional development, grounded in the cultural-historical commonality and economic interconnectedness of Turkic countries.
Alisher Kadyrov,
the head of the Department of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Ecological cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United States elevated to the level of a strategic partnership
📅 26.06.2026
Today, environmental challenges such as climate change, desertification, biodiversity loss and air pollution are driving countries around the world toward closer cooperation. Uzbekistan has likewise identified environmental protection and climate change adaptation as key priorities of its state policy. In this context, the development of international partnerships, particularly with the United States, is of special importance.
At present, experts and representatives from both countries actively engage on various international platforms. In particular, the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan regularly participates in meetings of the Environment and Energy Working Groups within the C5+1 framework. This dialogue platform enables the countries of Central Asia and the United States to exchange expertise on environmental issues and advance new initiatives.
In recent years, bilateral cooperation has gained significant momentum. Uzbek delegations have taken part in international forums, educational programs, and professional development initiatives hosted in the United States. Participation in sessions of the United Nations Forum on Forests, visits organized through cooperation with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and educational exchanges on environmental topics under the U.S. Congress’s Open World Program have all contributed to strengthening professional expertise and promoting the exchange of knowledge and best practices.
In 2024, a meeting between Uzbekistan’s Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, Aziz Abdukhakimov, and U.S. Presidential Advisor Sara Minkara underscored the importance of integrating social considerations into the environmental agenda. The parties discussed the impact of climate change on persons with disabilities and reached an agreement to foster cooperation between higher education institutions in the two countries.
Significant progress is also being made in scientific collaboration.
A memorandum signed in 2025 between Green University in Tashkent and the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University is expected to elevate research in the fields of ecology and climate change to a new level. A practical outcome of this partnership was the visit to Uzbekistan by world-renowned economist and sustainable development expert Jeffrey Sachs.
Looking ahead, there are broad opportunities to further expand environmental cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United States. One particularly promising area is the study of U.S. experience in forest management. Approximately one-third of the United States is covered by forests and the country has developed advanced forest management and monitoring systems that may offer valuable insights for Uzbekistan.
Considerable potential also exists in the fields of biodiversity conservation and protected area management. In the United States, millions of hectares of land are managed for conservation purposes and this experience could contribute to the further development of Uzbekistan’s protected area system.
Particular attention should also be given to cooperation in education and science. Establishing partnerships between Green University and leading global institutions such as the University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University, Harvard University and Yale University would not only enhance the quality of scientific research but also help prepare a new generation of specialists in ecology and climate science.
In addition, the United States’ advanced experience in sustainable urban development and «green» infrastructure is of considerable interest for Uzbekistan’s cities. Cities such as Portland and Seattle have successfully implemented projects involving «green» streets, cycling infrastructure, modern waste management systems and air quality monitoring technologies. Studying these practices could support the advancement of green city initiatives across Uzbekistan.
The hosting of the Eighth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in Samarkand in 2026 further strengthened Uzbekistan’s international standing in the field of environmental cooperation. The participation of U.S. representatives in Eco Expo Central Asia 2026, organized as part of this landmark event, has the potential to elevate environmental partnership between the two countries to a qualitatively new level.
Today, environmental cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United States extends beyond individual projects and events, increasingly taking on the character of a long-term strategic partnership. At a time when climate change and environmental security are becoming ever more pressing global concerns, such cooperation will contribute to sustainable development not only in both countries, but across the wider region as well.
President of Uzbekistan discusses with the head of the European Council the issues of further expansion of multifaceted cooperation
📅 27.01.2025
During a telephone conversation between President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of the European Council António Costa on January 23, topical issues on the bilateral and regional agenda were discussed.
The President of Uzbekistan sincerely congratulated António Costa on his election as the head of the European Council and wished him great success.
It was noted with deep satisfaction that the Uzbek-European multifaceted cooperation has reached the highest level in recent years and continues to develop dynamically in all priority dimensions.
Active contacts and exchanges at different levels have been carried out. In 2024, Uzbekistan's trade turnover with the EU countries exceeded 6 billion euros, the portfolio of projects with European companies reached 30 billion euros.
Last year, an agreement on strategic partnership in the field of critical mineral resources was signed. There is fruitful cooperation in transportation and digital interconnectivity, green economy, culture and other areas.
Confidence was expressed in the early signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the European Union, which will give a serious impetus to the development of the entire range of relations.
The Uzbek leader and the head of the European Council also exchanged views on the international agenda and regional cooperation. Joint plans to prepare and hold the first “Central Asia-EU” summit in the city of Samarkand in April this year were discussed.
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan: A New Stage in the Development of Their Strategic Partnership
📅 05.10.2026
The eighth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, scheduled for 8 October 2026 in Awaza, lends particular significance to the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The agenda proposed by Turkmenistan covers security, the economy, energy, transport, water resources and humanitarian ties. In each of these areas, cooperation between Tashkent and Ashgabat can deliver benefits for the region as a whole.
Against a backdrop of global instability and the restructuring of Eurasian logistics networks, this partnership is becoming a pillar of regional stability. Its broader significance rests on a combination of political trust, complementary economies and responsibility for shared resources. Coordination between the two neighbours creates a more predictable environment for trade, investment and long-term planning across Central Asia.
From Strategic Partnership to Regional Trust
The 1996 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance laid the foundations for bilateral relations. A new stage began in March 2017, when President Shavkat Mirziyoyev made his first foreign visit as head of state to Turkmenistan. The visit culminated in the signing of the Treaty on Strategic Partnership. The Declaration of 21 October 2022 reaffirmed the commitment to deepening this partnership, expanding economic ties and strengthening cooperation on the international stage.
The settlement of border issues through negotiated agreements is equally significant. On 10 November 2017, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan signed a treaty concerning the area where their state borders meet. Such agreements strengthen regional trust and provide legal certainty for the development of cross-border cooperation.
Regular dialogue between Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, ensures continuity in this approach. The state visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Uzbekistan in November 2025 gave fresh impetus to cooperation. Agreements were signed on border trade, agriculture, healthcare and ties between the regions of the two countries. Political trust is steadily being translated into practical mechanisms for joint action.
Ashgabat’s diplomatic engagement plays a particular role. On Turkmenistan’s initiative, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution “Zone of Peace, Trust and Cooperation of Central Asia” on 28 July 2022, with Uzbekistan among its co-sponsors. The resolution secured international political support for regional dialogue and the peaceful settlement of disputes. By advancing this agenda, Turkmenistan assumes an important responsibility for strengthening trust in Central Asia. This approach is consistent with Uzbekistan’s policy of good-neighbourly relations: joint efforts to prevent risks create the conditions needed for national development programmes and regional projects.
Economic Cooperation as a Foundation for Integration
Trade growth demonstrates the economic foundations of closer ties. According to Uzbekistan’s National Statistics Committee, bilateral trade rose from $177.9 million in 2017 to $1.2 billion in 2025, an increase of approximately 6.8 times. In January–August 2026, it reached $807.4 million, up 5.7 per cent on the same period of the previous year.
A free trade regime has been in effect since 25 February 2025, eliminating customs duties on goods originating in the two countries, subject to certain exceptions. In November 2025, the Shavat–Dashoguz border trade zone opened, bringing together trading, warehousing and service facilities. It enables businesses to store and sell products, complete shipment formalities and access essential services in one location. The two sides agreed to extend this model to the Alat–Farap area. Establishing a similar zone between Bukhara Region and Lebap Province would bring more local producers into direct trading relationships.
These arrangements are turning border areas into centres of economic cooperation. Simpler trade and border procedures reduce business costs and create more opportunities for small enterprises and employment. Bilateral cooperation provides a practical setting for developing solutions that can subsequently be discussed at Consultative Meetings and applied across the wider region. This approach builds integration around measurable benefits for producers and local communities.
The leaders’ target of increasing bilateral trade to $2 billion calls for closer industrial cooperation, including in the production of construction materials, pharmaceuticals and food products.
Joint processing activities and the manufacture of finished goods could diversify both countries’ exports and strengthen regional production links. Cooperation in the purchase, supply and transit of gas and electricity complements these efforts. It offers Uzbekistan opportunities to secure reliable energy supplies for its growing economy, while enabling Turkmenistan to expand its export markets. Predictable supplies provide a more stable basis for industrial cooperation in Central Asia.
From Landlocked Geography to Eurasian Connectivity
Turkmenistan provides Uzbekistan with access to the Caspian Sea and, through the South Caucasus, to Europe. Uzbekistan’s infrastructure, in turn, connects Turkmen businesses with markets elsewhere in Central Asia. The Turkmenabat–Farap bridges, opened in 2017, strengthened this connection. Its further development marks a shift from the constraints of being landlocked towards becoming active, land-linked hubs in international transport networks.
The Awaza Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade 2024–2034 provides a global framework for this transformation. Adopted by the UN General Assembly on 24 December 2024, it was endorsed at the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in Awaza in August 2025. Hosting the conference and advancing its outcomes highlight Turkmenistan’s role in mobilising international support for transport connectivity, trade and climate resilience. For Tashkent and Ashgabat, this is a shared agenda for overcoming geographical constraints on development.
Practical steps include the trilateral dialogue between Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, launched at the highest level in Awaza in August 2025, and the November agreement on the joint development of the Port of Turkmenbashi. Azerbaijan’s full participation in the Consultative Meetings creates further opportunities to coordinate Caspian transport operations. Priorities include through tariffs, electronic documentation and coordinated border-crossing operations, which are essential to turning infrastructure into a competitive transport route.
Combining Caspian and southern transport links with existing routes gives exporters across Central Asia more options and expands transport opportunities along the East–West and North–South axes. This reduces exposure to disruptions on individual routes, strengthens the region’s economic autonomy and improves its position in Eurasian trade. In this area, the value of the partnership is measured by the reliability of deliveries and access to external markets.
The Amu Darya: Water Security and Preventive Diplomacy
Cooperation on the Amu Darya, Central Asia’s largest river by discharge, directly links the resilience of both countries to the security of the entire basin. For countries along its middle and lower reaches, coordinated water use is essential to irrigation, energy supply, food security and the preservation of ecosystems in the Aral Sea region.
The intergovernmental Agreement on the Management, Protection and Rational Use of the Water Resources of the Amu Darya River, signed on 14 July 2022, strengthened the legal framework for cooperation. The fifth meeting of the Joint Water Management Commission, held in Khiva on 30 January 2026, addressed improvements in water accounting and monitoring, modern technologies and adaptation to climate change. Regular data exchange and coordinated action help the two countries anticipate water shortages and reduce the risk of disagreements.
The reliable operation of the Tuyamuyun hydraulic complex, which combines flow regulation, irrigation and electricity generation, is particularly important. Joint expert work has examined sedimentation in its channel reservoir. Sediment accumulation reduces water storage and flow-regulation capacity. Modernisation of the complex, water conservation and the reduction of losses in irrigation networks should therefore be treated as interconnected tasks in ensuring water and energy security.
Tashkent and Ashgabat share the task of establishing lasting water cooperation with all countries in the basin, including Afghanistan. In 2023, Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed jointly studying the impact of the Qosh Tepa Canal on the flow regime of the Amu Darya and considering the involvement of Afghan representatives in regional water dialogue. Both countries attach fundamental importance to balancing Afghanistan’s economic development with the need to maintain reliable water supplies downstream. Achieving this balance requires joint assessments of the impact of new projects, the exchange of reliable data, agreement on water withdrawal parameters and consideration of each other’s interests. This gives the dialogue on the Qosh Tepa Canal significance for the entire region.
This illustrates the preventive role of water diplomacy: reaching agreement in advance reduces vulnerability to drought and the associated food security and humanitarian risks. The experience of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan can strengthen basin-wide cooperation and engagement between upstream and downstream countries. Its effectiveness matters to the entire region because the consequences of a water crisis extend beyond national borders.
Awaza and Central Asia’s Long-Term Prospects
The “Central Asia 2040” Concept for the Development of Regional Cooperation, adopted in Astana in 2024, provides a long-term framework for joint action. The forthcoming meeting in Awaza offers an opportunity to translate that framework into practical decisions. The Uzbek–Turkmen partnership contributes concrete elements to this agenda: production links, reliable energy supplies, access to Caspian and southern transport routes, and responsible water use. Together, these areas strengthen the ability of the region’s states to shape their own development paths.
Lasting cooperation requires support from society and professional communities. Expanding cultural and people-to-people ties is particularly important in this regard. A shared cultural heritage and appreciation of the works of Alisher Navoi and Magtymguly Pyragy sustain mutual interest between the two peoples. The Days of Turkmen Culture and screenings of Turkmen films held in Urgench and Tashkent in 2025 were followed by agreements on regular exchanges. The Cultural Cooperation Programme for 2026–2027 provides a basis for bringing the two countries closer together. Joint educational programmes and the training of specialists in water management, logistics and industry could make a valuable further contribution.
Expert dialogue is also intended to support these processes. In November 2025, the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan signed a memorandum establishing an Uzbek–Turkmen Expert Council. This mechanism creates opportunities to assess regional risks jointly and develop proposals on trade, transport and water use. Its practical value lies in providing research-based input into interstate decisions while taking account of the interests of businesses and the public.
The new stage in the partnership between Tashkent and Ashgabat is thus defined by its contribution to the broader framework of security and sustainable development. By translating political trust into accessible markets, reliable transport and infrastructure links, and coordinated resource management, the two countries strengthen the foundations of regional cooperation. This is their strategic contribution to the future of Central Asia as a region of good-neighbourly relations, economic interconnectedness and open engagement with the Caspian basin and other parts of Eurasia.
Vladislav Tyan
Leading Research Fellow
Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies
under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan’s Green Economy Transition: Institutional Reform, Carbon Markets, and a New Growth Model
📅 20.04.2026
In recent years, the Republic of Uzbekistan has embarked on a structured and institutionally grounded transition toward a green economy, positioning sustainability as a core driver of long-term economic resilience, competitiveness, and global integration.
This transformation reflects a comprehensive approach that combines policy reform, market-based instruments, and active international cooperation, enabling the country to move from strategic commitments to measurable outcomes.
The foundation of Uzbekistan’s green transition was laid through the adoption of a comprehensive policy framework in 2022, which established strategic priorities for green growth through 2030. This framework includes sectoral energy efficiency concepts, a national green growth program, and a detailed action plan.
Importantly, the government has set clear quantitative targets, including reducing the energy intensity of GDP by 20 percent by 2026 compared to 2022 levels. Institutional capacity has also been strengthened through the establishment of interagency coordination mechanisms and donor engagement platforms, ensuring coherent implementation across sectors.
A major milestone in the reform process has been the introduction of a green energy certificate system, which enables verification that electricity is generated from renewable sources. This system has facilitated the development of a transparent renewable energy market and strengthened the ability of domestic producers to access environmentally regulated export markets.
To date, more than 446,000 green energy certificates have been issued and traded, reflecting growing demand for clean energy solutions and increasing private sector engagement.
Uzbekistan has taken a pioneering role in Central Asia in developing carbon market mechanisms. In cooperation with the World Bank, the country is implementing innovative approaches to carbon trading in line with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Through initiatives such as the iCRAFT project, supported by the Transformative Carbon Asset Facility (TCAF), Uzbekistan is mobilizing up to $46.2 million in climate finance between 2024 and 2028. Initial results include the reduction of approximately 10 million tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions and the attraction of around $15 million in funding.
At the same time, regulatory frameworks for international carbon trading and emissions accounting are being developed, positioning Uzbekistan for full participation in global carbon markets.
A key achievement has been the adoption of the Law on Limiting Greenhouse Gas Emissions in 2025, which establishes the legal foundation for emissions regulation, national registries, and climate policy instruments.
Complementing this, Uzbekistan has introduced a national transparency system to monitor progress toward its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This system enhances data reliability, strengthens accountability, and builds trust among international investors and development partners.
Uzbekistan is actively developing a national green finance ecosystem aimed at mobilizing public, private, and international capital. Policy efforts include the development of green financing frameworks, institutional mechanisms, and project pipelines.
International partners play a critical role in this process. Cooperation with institutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has enabled the implementation of green financing programs, including the Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF), channeling substantial resources into energy efficiency and sustainable technologies.
Furthermore, Uzbekistan’s participation in the Climate Investment Funds Industrial Decarbonization Program provides access to up to $250 million in concessional financing, significantly expanding the scale of green investments.
The transition to a green economy is closely linked to industrial modernization.
Uzbekistan is implementing targeted programs to support enterprises in adopting low-carbon technologies, improving resource efficiency, and enhancing competitiveness.
Partnerships with international organizations, including German development institutions, are facilitating policy development, capacity building, and practical support for small and medium-sized enterprises in reducing emissions and transitioning to sustainable production models.
Uzbekistan continues to strengthen its role in global climate governance through active international engagement. The country has joined the Global Methane Pledge, committing to reduce methane emissions by at least 30 percent by 2030.
Bilateral cooperation is expanding through mechanisms such as the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) with Japan, as well as climate partnerships with the Republic of Korea, Germany, and Hungary under the Paris Agreement framework.
In addition, the Ministry of Economy and Finance has joined the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action, reflecting the integration of climate considerations into macroeconomic and fiscal policy.
Digital transformation plays an increasingly important role in supporting green reforms. Uzbekistan has launched a national online platform that consolidates data on green projects, regulatory frameworks, and international practices.
This digital infrastructure enhances transparency, supports evidence-based policymaking, and improves coordination across institutions.
Uzbekistan’s transition to a green economy represents a comprehensive and forward-looking reform agenda that integrates institutional development, market mechanisms, and international cooperation.
The progress achieved to date demonstrates a clear shift from policy design to effective implementation. By strengthening governance frameworks, mobilizing green finance, and fostering global partnerships, Uzbekistan is building a resilient and sustainable economic model.
In the long term, the green transition is expected to serve not only as an environmental imperative but also as a key driver of economic growth, investment attractiveness, and deeper integration into the global economy.
Ministry of Economy and Finance
of the Republic of Uzbekistan
The Termez Dialogue: From Connectivity to Shared Climate Resilience Dinara Ravilevna Ziganshina, SIC ICWC
📅 27.05.2026
Central and South Asia are increasingly facing the same reality: climate risks are no longer a distant forecast. Droughts, water scarcity, heatwaves, land degradation, dust storms, floods, and pressure on water, food and energy security are already affecting economies, public health, infrastructure, and the resilience of entire regions.
This is why the second meeting of the Termez Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia is of particular significance. The second meeting is organized by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in partnership with the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia. This format reflects Uzbekistan’s consistent foreign policy direction aimed at strengthening trust, open dialogue, and sustainable connectivity between the regions.
While the first meeting introduced the Termez Dialogue as a platform for bringing the two regions closer together, the new agenda takes the next step: moving from a discussion of connectivity to practical mechanisms for joint climate adaptation and stronger environmental resilience. Its task is to move from conceptual discussions to concrete priorities and practical mechanisms, with joint adaptation to climate change identified among the key areas of cooperation.
Climate as a New Test of Connectivity
Climate change shows how closely water, food, energy, transport, health, and ecosystems are linked. When water availability declines, the impact is not limited to agriculture. It also affects hydropower, food prices, migration, employment, soil conditions, and even regional stability. As extreme heat becomes more frequent, cities, transport systems, healthcare systems, and labour productivity all come under pressure.
The Synthesis Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), prepared as part of the Sixth Assessment Cycle, emphasizes that adaptation is already taking place in all regions of the world, but the gap between what is needed and what is being done remains and will continue to grow at the current pace of action. The IPCC also underlines that the most effective responses are not isolated measures, but integrated solutions that connect water management, agriculture, infrastructure, social protection, ecosystems, and population needs.
This is particularly important for Central and South Asia. Both regions depend on mountain watersheds, irrigated agriculture, the resilience of rural areas, as well as stable and secure energy supply and the cross-border movement of goods and people. Climate adaptation, therefore, cannot remain solely a matter of national policy. It must become part of interregional cooperation.
Uzbekistan: The Data Confirm the Urgency of Action
Uzbekistan’s Fourth National Communication under the UNFCCC identifies the country as among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change in Central Asia and Eurasia. This vulnerability is linked to accelerated temperature rise, growing water scarcity, glacier retreat, and the increasing frequency of extreme hydrometeorological events.
Water remains an especially sensitive factor. Uzbekistan’s water resources belong to the Aral Sea basin, while the main surface runoff of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers is formed outside the country. This means that Uzbekistan’s climate resilience is directly linked to the quality of regional and interregional cooperation. Water, data, forecasts, infrastructure, and trust become part of one security system.
Cities as a New Frontline of Climate Adaptation
The climate agenda is also becoming increasingly connected with the future of cities. Speaking at the Leaders’ Summit of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum in Baku, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that, over the next 15 years, the country’s population is expected to grow from 38 to 50 million people, while the urbanization rate is projected to rise from 51% to 65%.
For Uzbekistan, this is not only a demographic trend but also a climate challenge. Urban growth increases pressure on water, energy, transport, housing, air quality, and green spaces. Therefore, plans for sustainable urbanization — including the development of “green”, “smart”, “safe”, and “15-minute” cities, the expansion of urban greenery, and the introduction of green city principles — are directly linked to climate adaptation.
In this context, the Termez Dialogue can become a platform for exchanging experience not only on water and agriculture, but also on climate-resilient urban development: from reducing the urban heat island effect and saving water to clean transport, digital air quality monitoring, and designing new districts with climate risks in mind.
A New Emphasis: Adaptation as a Practical Development Agenda
The Termez Dialogue can offer an important new approach: to view adaptation not as a response to crises, but as an investment in sustainable development. This changes the very language of climate policy.
Adaptation is not only about building protective infrastructure or responding to emergencies. It is about more accurate forecasting of droughts and floods and data exchange between countries. It is about water-saving agriculture, the modernization of canals, pumping stations, and urban infrastructure. It is about restoring degraded lands and ecosystems. It is about preparing farmers, engineers, hydrologists, energy specialists, and local authorities to operate under new climate conditions.
This is why the Concept of the second meeting of the Termez Dialogue emphasizes the consolidation of efforts by states and partners to develop coordinated and mutually reinforcing approaches to climate adaptation and to reducing the socio-economic consequences of climate and environmental risks.
Why Central and South Asia Must Adapt Together
Climate risks do not recognize borders. Drought in one part of the region can affect food markets in another. Glacier retreat changes river regimes far beyond mountain areas. Dust storms, heatwaves, and extreme rainfall can affect several countries at once. Joint adaptation is therefore a practical necessity.
The IPCC stresses that around 3.3 to 3.6 billion people worldwide live in conditions of high vulnerability to climate change. It also emphasizes that the vulnerability of people and ecosystems is interconnected: the degradation of ecosystems increases risks for people, while social vulnerability reduces societies’ ability to adapt.
For Central and South Asia, this means that resilience must be built across several dimensions at once: water, food, energy, environment, and society. Food and environmental security cannot be strengthened without water. Infrastructure cannot be modernized without climate forecasts. Risks cannot be reduced without trust and information exchange.
Termez as a Place for Climate Partnership
The choice of Termez has both historical and practical significance. Termez is Uzbekistan’s southern gateway and a natural bridge between Central and South Asia. In today’s conditions, this role acquires new meaning: the city is becoming a symbol not only of transport and trade connectivity, but also of climate partnership.
Afghanistan has a particularly important role. The idea of the Termez Dialogue implies the need for the gradual integration of Afghanistan into regional economic, transport, humanitarian, and climate processes with the support of the international community. In the climate agenda, this is especially meaningful: without Afghanistan’s participation, it is impossible to build genuinely sustainable connectivity between Central and South Asia.
What the Termez Dialogue Can Deliver
The Termez Dialogue can become a platform for launching several practical areas of cooperation.
First, the exchange of climate and hydrological data, including forecasts of droughts, floods, glacier changes, and dust storms.
Second, the joint promotion of early warning systems, so that countries can prepare in advance for extreme weather events.
Third, the development of climate-resilient agriculture: water-saving technologies, drought-resistant crops, digital services for farmers, and the restoration of pastures and soils.
Fourth, ecosystem-based adaptation — the restoration of forests, wetlands, mountain and desert ecosystems that themselves serve as natural protection against climate risks.
Fifth, climate-resilient infrastructure — from transport corridors and logistics centres to energy facilities and rapidly growing cities.
From a Common Challenge to Shared Resilience
The main value of the Termez Dialogue is that it allows the climate agenda to be discussed not in the language of alarm, but in the language of joint solutions. Central and South Asia can not only exchange risk assessments, but also create common adaptation mechanisms: from scientific networks and pilot projects to investment programmes and regional standards for resilient infrastructure.
The new climate agenda of the Termez Dialogue is part of the larger idea of connectivity. Genuine connectivity is not only about roads, trade, and energy corridors. It is also about the capacity of countries to jointly protect ecosystems, human health, and the future of coming generations. The Termez Dialogue can become the space where Central and South Asia move from recognizing their shared vulnerability to building shared resilience.
Nearly 1 million foreign tourists from more than 50 countries are expected to visit the 65th International Flower Festival
📅 10.05.2026
Namangan is one of Uzbekistan’s regions with a rich centuries-old history. The area has been continuously inhabited for more than two thousand years. The Namangan region was established as an administrative unit in 1941. Today, its population exceeds three million people. The area covers 7,900 km², and its administrative centre is the city of Namangan. The city is located at an altitude of about 450 metres above sea level.
Namangan is one of the most densely populated regions of Uzbekistan. As a result, public life is highly active, and economic, cultural, and educational processes are developing dynamically. The annual International Flower Festival is especially well known.
The Flower Festival was first held in Namangan in August 1961 as a flower exhibition. In 2018, it received international status, and since then it has attracted participants and guests from various countries. Today, it has become one of Uzbekistan’s largest international cultural celebrations.
This year marks the 65th anniversary edition of the festival. Over the years, the event has gained recognition not only in the country but also internationally.
The festival attracts significant interest not only from residents of Uzbekistan but also from neighbouring countries, as well as international experts and specialists. Preparations for the event are currently in full swing.
According to organisers, around 1 million foreign tourists from more than 50 countries and over 7 million local visitors are expected this year. The 50-day festival will include more than 150 cultural, educational, and entertainment events.
A key feature of this year’s festival may be its inclusion in the Guinness World Records. A process is currently underway to set a record for the largest-scale flower planting within a month. The process is being monitored for transparency by a representative of the organization in the UAE, Kanzy Defrawy, in accordance with international standards.
The festival will run from 24 May to 12 July. Its programme includes gala concerts, drone shows, car parades, open-air symphony concerts, fashion weeks, exhibitions, and international forums on tourism, investment, and business.
As part of the preparations, around 5 million seasonal flowers have been planted across the city and districts, giving the region a bright and festive appearance.
The opening ceremony will take place on 24 May at Babur Park in Namangan. On this day, a flower-decorated car parade will be held through the city streets, and in the evening a concert featuring local and international artists will take place at the amphitheatre of the “New Uzbekistan” Park.
Throughout the festival, daily programmes will include theatre performances, puppet shows for children, handicraft fairs, workshops, and regular concerts in parks.
In late May and early June, several major events are planned, including a symphony concert, a retro music evening, “Fashion Days” shows, a lavender festival, and a concert by Yulduz Usmonova. A drone show is also scheduled for 1 June.
Sports enthusiasts will be able to enjoy wrestling competitions, motocross events, international tournaments, and ethnosport games.
The festival will also host international conferences on biodiversity, artificial intelligence, tourism, and economics, highlighting its scientific significance.
In addition, gastronomic festivals, youth environmental campaigns, competitions, and special programmes for children are planned.
The festival will conclude on 12 July with a closing and award ceremony at the “New Uzbekistan” Park.
In summary, the International Flower Festival in Namangan is not only a celebration of flowers but also a large-scale international event that combines culture, art, sport, and science.
Dunyo IA
Investments’ implementation, poverty and unemployment reduction set as priority tasks in Bukhara
📅 02.12.2024
On November 29, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev convened a meeting dedicated to identifying additional opportunities, increasing investments and jobs in Bukhara region.
Previously, the economy of this region was mainly linked to agriculture. However, over the past seven years, the region has attracted more than $4 billion investments, enabling development of such industries as energy, electrical engineering, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles and leather. In the past period of the current year, 1.5 million foreign tourists visited Bukhara.
The visit of the Head of State to the region on May 31-June 1 gave a new impetus to its development. All the tasks outlined during the visit will be fully accomplished by the end of the year.
At the same time, it is important to ensure further growth of economic indicators in 2025, increase employment and well-being of the population. To this end, the working group studied additional opportunities of the region and factors hindering entrepreneurship development.
The critical meeting emphasized that the region's economic performance does not correspond to its potential. Work on investment absorption, poverty and unemployment reduction was recognized as unsatisfactory.
In this regard, the hokims, their deputies and sector heads will be put on emergency duty for a period of six months. The entire focus will be on improving these three areas. Special attention will be paid to implementing 70 driver projects based on the experience of Saikhunobad, Uychi, Zarbdar and Gijduvan. They will provide income to 150 thousand people and lift 40 thousand people out of poverty.
As it was mentioned, each district of the region can be specialized for a certain industry. For example, Peshku and Shafirkan - for production of construction materials and textiles, Kagan city, Alat and Jondor districts - for food industry, Gijduvan and Romitan - for chemical industry. This will make it possible to implement projects of entrepreneurs worth $150 million, create 411 small enterprises and provide 12 thousand jobs.
Four textile factories are planned to be built in Vabkent, Karakul, Jondor and Alat at a total cost of $320 million. This will double the volume of finished knitwear and textile products and create 5,000 jobs.
Next year, the number of foreign tourists is expected to reach 2.2 million and tourism exports are expected to reach $600 million. This will be supported by opening 69 new hotels and 2 thousand handicraft stores.
It is planned to develop additional 20 thousand hectares of land, which will allow to grow additional 100 thousand tons of agricultural products and provide employment for 2 thousand people. Trees and food crops will be planted on vacant homestead land, along canals and field edges.
Another opportunity is pastures. In Bukhara region their area exceeds 2 million hectares. As part of the decisions made at a recent meeting on horticultural development, it is planned to grow pistachios on unused pastures.
Hokim of Bukhara region presented plans to utilize these opportunities. In general, next year 106 projects will be implemented, 105 thousand permanent jobs will be created, exports will be increased by $350 million due to foreign investments worth $2 billion.
The Head of State pointed out the insufficiency of these plans and instructed to intensify efforts and improve results. He tasked to revise the proposals again and draft a relevant resolution.
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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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