Today, climate change stands as one of the most urgent and complex global challenges, with its negative effects being particularly acute in ecologically fragile regions under high anthropogenic pressure. One such area is the Aral Sea region, where the consequences of climate change are having a far-reaching impact on the state of natural resources, the living standards of the population, and economic activities.

The desiccation of the Aral Sea has led to a sharp change in the region's microclimate, an increase in air temperature, a decrease in precipitation, intensified wind activity, and a greater frequency of dust and sand storms. These processes are causing land degradation, water scarcity, and a decline in biodiversity. Consequently, agricultural productivity is diminishing, the pressure on drinking water supplies is mounting, and a serious threat to public health is emerging.

Climate change adaptation measures in the Aral Sea region primarily encompass a comprehensive set of actions aimed at sustainable water resource management, strengthening hydro-technical infrastructure, establishing protective forest plantations on the dried seabed, reducing land degradation, conserving biodiversity, and enhancing the climate resilience of the population.

In the New Uzbekistan, the issue of adapting to climate change is one of the priority directions of state policy.

Under the leadership of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, numerous initiatives are being advanced at the international level to ensure environmental sustainability, protect natural resources, and adapt to climate change.

Notably, on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, a special resolution "On declaring the Aral Sea region a zone of environmental innovations and technologies" was adopted at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly on May 18, 2021.

Today, programs aimed at transforming the Aral Sea region into a zone of environmental innovations and technologies, developing green infrastructure, and increasing the population's resilience to climate change are being consistently implemented. This is crucial for combating the negative environmental and public health consequences of the Aral Sea's desiccation, addressing the resulting problems, and improving the living conditions of the local population by ensuring their employment.

In his speech at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2025, the leader of Uzbekistan will emphasize that the negative consequences of the Aral Sea's desiccation must remain a constant focus of the global community. It will be noted that in recent years, 2 million hectares of salt-tolerant desert plants have been planted on the dried seabed, and by 2030, green cover will be established across 80 percent of this area.

The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) is a key institutional center that develops practical solutions for climate change adaptation.

The Agency of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), operating within the IFAS system, plays a crucial role in implementing climate change adaptation measures in the Aral Sea region.

Specifically, within the framework of the "Creation of Small Water Bodies in the Amu Darya Delta (Phase II) " project, mechanisms for a stable water supply to the lake system have been improved. This is enabling the redistribution of water resources, regulation of the hydrological regime, and strengthening of the region's ecological balance.

In parallel, the reconstruction of the Muynak Canal has significantly increased its water conveyance capacity. Water distribution efficiency has improved, the water supply to the lakes has stabilized, and water losses have been considerably reduced.

Furthermore, as part of the reconstruction of the "Ribache" reservoir dam, hydraulic structures were reinforced, water discharge systems were modernized, and the risk of erosion was significantly diminished. This contributes to strengthening water security and ensuring the effective and rational use of water resources.

In the area of ecological restoration, protective forests are being established in the Akhantay and Akkum areas. Forest reclamation measures carried out on the dried seabed are helping to reduce wind erosion and salt migration processes. Through these efforts, the microclimate in the region is stabilizing, and landscape degradation is being prevented.

At the same time, the social dimension is also vital for ensuring environmental sustainability. To this end, competitions, educational campaigns, and promotional events aimed at raising ecological awareness among youth are regularly organized.

Additionally, modern models for the sustainable use of water and land resources are being introduced for the local population and farms. In this process, special attention is focused on the widespread adoption of water-saving technologies, effective management of land resources, rational land administration, and the implementation of agricultural practices adapted to climate change.

As a result of these measures, it is possible not only to mitigate environmental problems but also to raise the population's standard of living, ensure economic stability, and strengthen the region's resilience to climate change.

A Digital and Scientific Approach: A New Stage in Climate Adaptation

At the current stage, climate change adaptation processes are not limited to traditional methods but are being integrated with modern digital technologies and scientific approaches. Specifically, these include:

- real-time monitoring of hydrological and meteorological data;

- analyzing the condition of territories based on satellite imagery;

- planning and optimal allocation of water resources;

- and collecting and managing data through digital platforms.

These approaches enable the early detection of climate change impacts, the reduction of risks, and the efficient use of resources.

At the same time, international cooperation is crucial for the effective implementation of climate change adaptation measures in the Aral Sea region. In particular, through collaboration with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), efforts are underway to enhance the region's climate resilience through sustainable water resource management and the introduction of integrated approaches.

Additionally, in partnership with the Global Water Partnership (GWP), mechanisms for ensuring water security and the rational use of resources are being developed. Meanwhile, projects implemented with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) involve monitoring the ecosystems of the Aral Sea's wetlands to assess the impacts of climate change and develop adaptation measures.

Adapting to climate change in the Aral Sea region is not merely about addressing environmental problems; it is a fundamental condition for achieving sustainable development.

The ongoing systemic reforms show that through a scientific approach, modern technologies, and institutional cooperation, sustainable solutions can be achieved even amid the most complex environmental crises.

The primary task now is to prioritize climate change adaptation in every sector and integrate it into our way of life.

This is because adapting to climate change is not just a present-day task, but a strategic responsibility to future generations.

Birodarjon Burkhonjonov,

Head of the Agency of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

Ahead of the second meeting of the Termez Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia, a landmark event for interregional integration scheduled for June 4–6, Akramjon Ne’matov, First Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan, answered questions from Dunyo IA.

— Akramjon Ilhomovich, the second meeting within the framework of the Termez Dialogue will begin in the coming days. What is on the agenda of this forum, and what are its key priorities? Most observers primarily associate this process with economic issues — railways, energy infrastructure, and transit trade. Is this the core essence of connectivity?

— Undoubtedly, the economy is one of the key components. Economic cooperation creates tangible shared interests that bind states together, generates mutual benefits, and serves as the foundation for the prosperity and growth of our peoples. Naturally, when we speak about transregional connectivity, logistics, trade, transport corridors, energy, and infrastructure constitute the essential and tangible foundation of this process.

However, connectivity cannot be measured solely in economic terms. Our agenda is far broader, and our objectives are far more ambitious. We are speaking about the creation of a common space of trust, sustainable development, and indivisible security across the vast Eurasian continent.

That is precisely why the agenda of the Termez Dialogue is so comprehensive and why its composition of participants is highly inclusive. This year’s meeting is being organized in partnership with the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). This is no coincidence, as CICA’s core mission has always been to strengthen confidence-building measures across Asia. The dialogue is also being actively supported by the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

Although Central and South Asia remain at the geographic core of the discussions, countries from across the Eurasian space and beyond are full-fledged participants and stakeholders in this dialogue, as clearly evidenced by the delegations arriving from Azerbaijan, China, Germany, Qatar, Russia, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States, and many other countries.

It is important to emphasize that the Termez Dialogue itself represents a practical embodiment of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s global initiative aimed at strengthening connectivity between Central and South Asia. This strategic vision received unanimous international support and was formally enshrined in a special United Nations General Assembly resolution adopted in 2022. The significance of this resolution can hardly be overstated: it established a long-term international legal framework for transregional rapprochement and recognized it as a key factor for sustainable development. More broadly, this step clearly reflects our President’s far-sighted strategic approach, which is based on the consistent development of interstate relations grounded in mutual benefit, genuine good-neighborliness, and preventive peacebuilding.

The dialogue is also co-organized by respected peacebuilding organizations, political foundations, and leading academic institutions. Among them are the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Berghof Foundation (Germany), PeaceNexus (Switzerland), Search for Common Ground (United States), as well as the renowned Georgetown University. Our shared objective is to establish a genuinely inclusive multilateral platform for comprehensive and open dialogue.

— What does the programme of the upcoming dialogue include? Will it be limited solely to official plenary sessions?

— Our dialogue is a large-scale three-day forum, and its programme extends far beyond traditional plenary sessions. We seek to combine profound theoretical discussion with practical outcomes.

In addition to the main sessions, the programme includes a wide range of important side events.

In particular, the forum will host a series of expert and academic discussions devoted to cooperation between the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan, the development of dialogue within the Afghanistan–Uzbekistan–Pakistan dialogue format, issues of regional identity in Central Asia, as well as the promotion of youth dialogue on peacebuilding and sustainable development.

The primary purpose of these discussions is to mobilize intellectual and analytical expertise in support of a constructive cooperation agenda, deeper mutual understanding, and the establishment of long-term mechanisms for regional interaction.

Moreover, the programme includes on-site sessions. Participants of the dialogue will travel to Termez to familiarize themselves firsthand with the modern infrastructure facilitating trade, economic, and logistics cooperation with South Asian countries, including the activities of the Ayrtom International Trade Center and the Termez Cargo Center international logistics hub, while also experiencing the rich cultural and historical heritage of this ancient city.

The third day of the dialogue will take place in Samarkand, where delegates will explore the unique civilizational legacy of the Renaissance of Samarkand, which historically served as a bridge between East and West, North and South.

— How exactly is economic growth connected with stability and security? Is this purely a matter of business calculation, or do economic projects represent something greater?

— Absolutely, it represents something far greater. We are speaking about the formation of long-term strategic common interests. Large-scale cross-border projects are designed to firmly connect regions and deepen their interdependence. When countries become economically invested in joint creation and development, conflict ceases to serve the interests of any participant.

Moreover, sustainable economic growth removes the social foundations of destructive phenomena such as poverty, unemployment, and social marginalization, which have traditionally served as the principal fuel for radicalism and instability. Economic development addresses the root causes of challenges rather than merely dealing with their consequences.

Take, for example, the Trans-Afghan Railway Corridor project — “Termez–Mazar-i-Sharif–Kabul–Naibabad–Kharlachi”. For the countries of Central Asia, it provides the shortest route to the ports of the Indian Ocean, reducing logistics costs by 30–40 percent. For Pakistan and South Asia, it creates direct access to the resources and markets of our region.

This project will serve as a powerful driver for the development of adjacent sectors of the economy, creating new jobs, generating budget revenues, and opening the path toward accelerated technological advancement. Most importantly, however, this corridor integrates Afghanistan into the processes of peaceful and constructive development.

Thus, the Trans-Afghan railway is not merely a commercial or engineering project — it is a highly effective peacebuilding instrument that creates long-term economic incentives for peace on Afghan soil. The same principle applies to other major cross-border initiatives such as CASA-1000 and the TAPI gas pipeline. Their greatest value lies in the fact that they create a shared and indivisible interest among all parties in maintaining long-term peace and stability across the region.

— What role do the shared ecosystem and climate change issues play on the agenda? Central and South Asia are facing enormous pressure from environmental challenges.

— This is one of the most important and sensitive issues. Nature and our shared ecosystem most clearly demonstrate the inseparable link between our regions and the vital necessity of collective responses to common challenges.

Climate change illustrates how closely interconnected water security, food security, energy security, transport systems, and human livelihoods truly are. When the glaciers of the Pamirs and Tien Shan melt, this directly affects water supply and agriculture in both Central and South Asia.

Droughts and extreme weather events are our common challenges, requiring exclusively joint responses, because they directly affect the existential foundations of life for hundreds of millions of people and shape the trajectory of our sustainable development.

That is why the agenda of the dialogue includes issues related to joint adaptation and environmental sustainability. We are convinced that effective solutions cannot consist of isolated national measures; they must have a transboundary character.

We are actively engaged in this area. In particular, our Afghan partners are permanent participants in the water dialogue organized by Uzbekistan and Central Asia as a whole. Afghan delegations have actively participated in Tashkent Water Week, conferences on water diplomacy, and other regional environmental forums.

There is an ongoing joint search for mutually acceptable and equitable solutions in the sphere of shared water resource management, because nature does not recognize political borders. Today, we increasingly see that issues which could potentially become sources of tension, when approached properly, can instead provide the foundation for mutually beneficial cooperation.

The growing awareness of our shared environmental threats is becoming a powerful driver of our collective constructive efforts.

— What place do culture and the humanitarian dimension occupy within this large-scale transregional framework? How important are they?

— I would answer this way: they constitute our principal and foundational direction. Although we began our conversation with economics, infrastructure, and climate issues, I am convinced that cultural and humanitarian connectivity must come first. Economy and logistics form the skeleton, but culture and shared historical memory are the soul and heart of our integration.

It is important to understand that our countries share a common space of cultural, historical, and civilizational development. We are not building bridges of trust from scratch — this foundation was formed over centuries.

The Termez Dialogue itself is named after the ancient city of Termez, which for millennia served as a gateway for civilizational exchange between Central and South Asia.

On this land, the destinies and traditions of great empires became intertwined — beginning with Sogdiana, ancient Bactria, and the Achaemenid state, and continuing through the era of the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, where a unique synthesis of Eastern and Hellenistic cultures emerged.

This was followed by the Kushan Empire, which presented the world with one of the earliest examples of comprehensive interregional integration and transformed Termez into a key hub of the Great Silk Road.

During the Middle Ages, the Turkic Khaganates acted as reliable guarantors of the security of trans-Eurasian trade routes, while the Ghaznavid dynasty created a powerful bridge of statehood linking the high culture of Mawarannahr with the plains of Hindustan.

Finally, the Timurid era and the Mughal Empire founded by Babur became the ultimate culmination of this synthesis. The architectural masterpieces of Samarkand and Bukhara found direct reflection in the majestic ensembles of Delhi, Agra, and Lahore, while a unified cultural layer emerged at the intersection of Old Uzbek, Persian, and Sanskrit languages. Its musical and poetic traditions continue to live within the cultural memory of our peoples to this day.

For centuries, this macro-region developed as a sacred crossroads of world religions. Bactria was one of the cradles of Zoroastrianism. From here, Buddhism spread through Afghanistan to the north and east — the Buddhist monasteries of Fayaztepa and Karatepa in Termez still preserve the memory of this spiritual bridge.

Nestorian Christianity, Tengrianism with its profound ecological philosophy of harmony between humanity and nature, and, of course, Islam — which absorbed the great heritage of religious tolerance and gave rise to the phenomenon of the Eastern Renaissance — all coexisted peacefully in this region.

All of this shaped a unique and resilient culture that has not disappeared but continues to live within our daily practices, thoughts, and traditions.

However, this heritage cannot survive in collective memory on its own — it must constantly be revived and recreated. History is an ongoing act of retelling, and our key task is to restore this great historical truth to active public consciousness.

I am deeply convinced that awareness of this shared heritage will significantly strengthen our collective responsibility for preserving peace and stability.

— But why does this heritage seem forgotten today?

— Unfortunately, over the past century and a half, this historical memory was systematically and deliberately erased from our consciousness.

We were artificially subjected to the destructive colonial stereotype of the “Great Game,” along with the false notion that our regions are doomed to perpetual fragmentation, geopolitical rivalry among external powers, and endless conflict.

To a considerable extent, we still remain under the influence of this harmful stereotype, perceiving Afghanistan exclusively through the prism of threats, while viewing South Asia as something distant, alien, and insecure.

But we are not standing on barren ruins. Our shared history remains alive.

Reviving this historical memory, developing profound expert discourse, and restoring awareness of our shared civilizational greatness represent an enormous historical responsibility borne by today’s generations and political elites. This is precisely one of the principal existential objectives of the Termez Dialogue.

When citizens, intellectuals, and leaders in Tashkent, Delhi, Islamabad, and Kabul begin to see one another not merely as business counterparts, but as heirs to a common cultural code, an entirely new level of trust will emerge.

This sense of belonging to a shared heritage will become the most reliable internal safeguard against any attempts by external actors to destabilize the region or exploit regional contradictions.

The awareness of the indivisibility of our shared destiny will compel nations to choose a constructive agenda without alternative and to reject war once and for all.

Ahead of the Tashkent round of the Termez Dialogue, it is becoming increasingly evident that Uzbekistan is offering the international community a fundamentally different and deeply thought-out philosophy of integration.

This is not merely a technocratic approach to building railways or laying power transmission lines. It is a doctrine in which physical infrastructure serves only as the material embodiment of strong invisible ties rooted in a shared history.

Once this fundamental sense of responsibility and belonging is established, trade routes, investment flows, and climate initiatives will function naturally and sustainably, because the economy will become a logical continuation of mutual civilizational affinity.

The Termez Dialogue is returning to the peoples of Asia their own history, reminding them of what must be cherished and for the sake of what great future peace and stability must be preserved on this sacred land.

Dunyo IA

Президент Шавкат Мирзиёев начал свою поездку в Республику Каракалпакстан с ознакомления с промышленным потенциалом региона.

Совместное предприятие “Nukus Eleсtroapparat” было введено в строй в 2017 году, оно производит силовое оборудование для электросетей. В июне текущего года здесь был запущен проект по изготовлению солнечных панелей стоимостью более 10 миллионов долларов. Оборудование было доставлено и установлено из Республики Корея. Производственный процесс полностью автоматизирован. Годовая мощность проекта составляет 273 тысячи единиц.

Это будет способствовать дальнейшему внедрению альтернативной энергетики в нашей стране. На сегодняшний день в различных сооружениях и домах установлены солнечные панели общей мощностью 600 мегаватт. Этот процесс продолжается.

Наряду с локализацией востребованной на внутреннем рынке продукции совместное предприятие получило возможность экспортировать продукцию на 4 миллиона долларов. Обеспечено работой 70 человек.

Глава нашего государства ознакомился с технологическим процессом, побеседовал с работниками. Ответственным лицам даны указания по увеличению количества таких предприятий и производству ими продукции с высоким спросом на рынке.

Здесь же была представлена продукция, производимая предприятиями отрасли.

На самом заводе установлены солнечные панели мощностью 125 киловатт. Полученная электроэнергия используется для внутренних нужд, а излишки реализуются в региональную электросеть.

За последние годы в нашей стране за счет инвестиций в размере 2 миллиардов долларов введены в эксплуатацию 10 солнечных и ветряных станций общей мощностью 2,6 гигаватта. Также ведется работа по 32 "зеленым" проектам мощностью 18,6 гигаватта общей стоимостью 19 миллиардов долларов. В целом к 2030 году намечено довести долю возобновляемых источников энергии в энергетическом балансе до 40 процентов.

The global economy has entered a stage in which sustainable development is no longer merely a declarative agenda but has become one of the key criteria for assessing trust in governments, companies, and financial institutions. As a result, ESG standards are now viewed not as an image-building tool, but as a means of evaluating reliability, governance quality, technological maturity, and long-term competitiveness.

For reference: ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) refers to business principles under which a company considers its impact on the environment, society, and the quality of governance while seeking to achieve sustainable development and minimize risks.

Today, this trend is naturally shifting from voluntary commitments toward stricter requirements, including non-financial disclosure, climate reporting, independent verification, carbon regulation, supply-chain oversight, and measures to combat greenwashing—that is, the unjustified presentation of activities as environmentally sustainable.

Notably, according to available estimates, global ESG assets exceeded USD 30 trillion in 2022 and may reach USD 40 trillion by 2030. At the same time, sustainable bond issuance amounted to approximately USD 1.1 trillion in 2025. This demonstrates that sustainable development has become part of the global financial infrastructure rather than a narrow area of corporate policy.

Against this backdrop, Uzbekistan is shaping its own model of sustainable development based on national priorities. Water and energy security, employment, social stability, improved performance of state-owned enterprises, greater transparency in governance, and stronger investment appeal are of particular importance to the country.

A key feature of Uzbekistan’s approach is that the ESG agenda is not being developed in a fragmented manner, but as part of broad reforms implemented under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Uzbekistan–2030 Strategy, the transition toward a green economy, national sustainable development goals, the green taxonomy, the MRV system, ESG reporting by state-owned enterprises, social protection, the development of mahallas, and anti-corruption measures together form a unified framework for public policy.

A new stage in the institutional development of ESG was formalized by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 221 dated May 4, 2026. The document approved rules for introducing environmental, social, and corporate governance principles, preparing ESG reports, and disclosing information on sustainable development. As a result, ESG in Uzbekistan is moving from a broad strategic framework toward a specific system of implementation, monitoring, and reporting.

This is therefore not a collection of isolated initiatives, but a new logic of governance. The economy must not only grow, but also remain sustainable; state-owned enterprises must not only be large, but also transparent; social policy must not only compensate for hardship, but also support development; and the environmental agenda must not only protect nature, but also carry economic significance.

The environmental pillar remains the most developed area. Given Uzbekistan’s water scarcity, high climate vulnerability, the consequences of the Aral Sea crisis, and the need to modernize the energy sector, the green economy is an objective necessity.

Key documents signed by the Head of State define the main areas of environmental transformation: the development of renewable energy, improved energy efficiency, the introduction of water-saving technologies, emissions reduction, waste recycling, the expansion of green spaces, the restoration of natural ecosystems, and the creation of an emissions-monitoring system.

As a result, environmental policy is gradually moving beyond traditional nature conservation and becoming part of the country’s economic strategy. At a time when the carbon footprint is becoming a factor in export competitiveness, energy modernization, reduced water losses, and improved industrial efficiency are gaining not only environmental but also macroeconomic importance.

Alongside the environmental agenda, Uzbekistan’s sustainable development model includes a strong social dimension. This includes reducing poverty, expanding employment, supporting women, protecting vulnerable groups, developing mahallas, improving infrastructure, and raising living standards.

It is the social pillar that gives the reforms a human dimension. The green transition must not be limited to reporting and technical indicators. It must remain people-centered, since changes in energy, water management, and industry may affect employment, tariffs, access to resources, and household income structures.

At the same time, the aforementioned government resolution establishes ESG as an integrated system in which environmental indicators are not considered separately from social and governance factors. The focus extends beyond emissions, energy, and water to include governance quality, labor practices, risks affecting stakeholders, data transparency, and management accountability.

The quality of governance is becoming a key condition for the effectiveness of the ESG agenda. In today’s environment, investor confidence depends not only on macroeconomic indicators, but also on institutional transparency, corporate governance, information disclosure, and the predictability of public policy.

Uzbekistan has made notable progress in this area. Digital monitoring, the KPI system for government bodies, anti-corruption policy, ESG reporting by state-owned enterprises, and a national system for measuring, reporting, and verifying climate and ESG indicators for emissions accounting are all being developed.

Changes in the public sector are particularly significant. In recent years, substantial progress has been achieved in improving the investment appeal of state-owned enterprises. By the end of 2025, 17 state-owned enterprises had received international credit ratings, while seven had obtained publicly available ESG ratings. This indicates a transition from a closed administrative model toward the standards of international financial discipline.

In practice, the public sector is becoming subject to external assessment, public reporting, and corporate accountability. Ratings require the disclosure of risks, financial discipline, a clear strategy, and stronger governance. Through this mechanism, ESG is moving from the conceptual level into the practical sphere of corporate management.

Within this framework, the government resolution is of fundamental importance. It stipulates that state-owned enterprises undergoing transformation must introduce ESG reporting rules from July 1, 2026, and prepare ESG reports in accordance with disclosure standards by November 1, 2026.

Based on the above, the following conclusions may be drawn:

First, ESG is becoming a strategic instrument for modernizing Uzbekistan’s public sector and economy. Its significance extends beyond environmental policy and encompasses investment, social sustainability, and competitiveness.

Second, reforms implemented under the leadership of the Head of State are transforming sustainable development from a set of declarations into a system of practical governance. Reporting, the green economy, social policy, transparency, and ESG standards are becoming elements of a unified reform architecture.

Third, in the new global economy, the advantage belongs to countries that grow sustainably, transparently, and predictably from an investor’s perspective. This is precisely where Uzbekistan’s competitive opportunity lies: in turning sustainability into a source of trust, capital, and long-term development.

Thus, ESG is not an external slogan for Uzbekistan, but an internal logic of development. It is a mechanism for connecting economic growth with responsibility, investment with trust, reforms with quality of life, and national interests with the requirements of the new global economy.

1. Nizamov

Head of Department

Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies

under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

1. Sattorov

Leading Research Fellow

Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies

under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Libraries play a key role in education, culture, and community development, providing an invaluable resource for accessing knowledge, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting intellectual growth. In the modern information society, they remain an important institution that promotes the education and self-development of people of all ages.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasised during the opening ceremony of the People's Library under the President of the Republic of Turkey in Ankara: “Intellectual potential, high morale is what makes a nation strong. The source of this invincible power is books and libraries – the great invention of mankind”.  

At the present stage, education has become one of the most important areas of state policy. The government of the Republic of Uzbekistan pays special attention to the development of this sphere, recognizing its key role in the prosperity of the country. In recent years, the republic has achieved significant success in the educational domain. These achievements are aimed at modernizing the system, improving the quality of education and training, and expanding access to education for all citizens of the country.

At the same time, special attention is paid to the promotion of reading and the fostering of the reading culture of the population. And in the Presidential Decree adopted on September 13, 2017, “On the program of comprehensive measures to develop the system of publishing and distributing book products, improving the culture of reading”, clear goals are outlined for the creation of an effective system of information and library services to the population, which served to move this area to a new stage of development and contributed to raising the level of social and information culture and the role of libraries, made it possible to develop and implement modern innovative and educational technologies that increase the competitiveness of Uzbekistan in the world market.

In addition, the Presidential Decree “On further improvement of information and library services for the population of the Republic of Uzbekistan” was adopted on June 7, 2019. The main goals of the decree are:

• improving the regulatory framework in order to ensure high-quality social guarantees to the population for information and library services;
• development of information and library institutions taking into account modern requirements;
• promoting the sustainable development of information and library services the for population in the regions;
• strengthening the material and technical base of information and library institutions;
• development of public-private partnerships in the library sector, a network of private and electronic libraries;
• expanding cooperation with Internet resources that specialize in distributing electronic books to improve the efficiency of libraries and the efficiency of servicing (including paid) users;
• ensuring the safety of information and library institutions and the safety of information and library collections as part of the national and world cultural heritage;
• formation and enhancement of the information culture of society, sustainable interest in national history and culture, enhancement and promotion of a reading culture;
• staffing information and library institutions with qualified specialists.

The adoption of this decree expands the range of services in the country, including access to electronic resources and holding cultural and educational events, as well as improving staff qualifications and introducing modern methods of user service. In addition, these changes not only contribute to the development of the information society and economic growth by attracting investment in education and culture, but also promote the formation of a literate and informed society, which is an important step in the development of the country.

The Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers dated December 14, 2020 approved the National Program for the Development and Support of a Reading Culture for 2020-2025, which includes the publication of quality books that meet the spiritual, educational, artistic and aesthetic needs of the population; supporting the activities of publishers and artists, publishing children's literature; translation of the best examples of national and world literature; simplification of the organization of book sales; improving the delivery system for newly published books and distribution of information sources; expansion of international cooperation in the field of online ordering of foreign work, their delivery and distribution.

In turn, it should be noted that within the framework of the “Uzbekistan - 2030” Strategy, special attention is paid to the popularization of masterpieces of Uzbek and world literature. The country's leadership strives to instil in citizens a love of reading and ensure access to libraries and information services for everyone.

The Strategy “Uzbekistan - 2030” puts forward such main goals as increasing the number of young book lovers to five million, the annual creation of 100 works of art and 50 books for children and adolescents, the publication of the multi-volume book “Uzbek adabiyoti khazinasidan” (“From the Treasury of Uzbek Literature”), the 100-volume book “Jakhon Bolalar Adabiyoti Durdonalari” (“Pearls of World Children’s Literature”) in Uzbek, as well as the digitalization of a book fund of almost 40 million books.

On November 28, 2023, there was signed the Presidential Decree “On measures to implement the project “A Thousand Books for Youth”, aimed at creating a system for translating books popular in the world into Uzbek, that contribute to increasing the intellectual and scientific potential of the younger generation.

At the same time, within the framework of the “Olympiad of Five Initiatives”, the following 5 projects in the field of reading and intellectual games are annually implemented: “Young Reading Family”, “Poetry Competition”, “Young Reader”, the intellectual game “Zakovat” and the project “Example of Foreign Languages”. These projects increase the interest of young people in reading books and help expand logical thinking and knowledge through intellectual games.

The “Young Reader” and “Young Reading Family” competitions are important events held to promote reading, the spiritual enrichment of youth, and increase their intellectual potential. This competition serves to increase interest in books among young people and expand their knowledge and horizons.

Also, within the framework of the project “A Thousand Books for Youth”, the Agency for Youth Affairs will have to work on acquiring rights to use works from authors, translating them into Uzbek, and preparing for printing and publishing books on the basis of a state order and at the expense of the State budget (with the exception of books, published for state higher educational institutions).

Two stages have been established for translation into Uzbek and the publication of popular books in the world. First: a preliminary list of books is formed annually by the Expert Council. Second: the preliminary list is posted in the information systems of the Agency for Youth Affairs for selection by the population by voting, and thus the final list is formed.

The list of books published annually must include at least 20 percent of popular science works. The rights to the works prepared for publication will belong to the Agency for Youth Affairs, which will provide them free of charge to publishing houses.

It is also planned to create and ensure the continuous operation of a special mobile application that accumulates literature in the Uzbek language and provides the population with free access to a wide range of information. On the recommendation of the Expert Council, the works will be distributed to information and library institutions (including libraries of public and administration authorities), and electronic versions will be donated free of charge to the Alisher Navoi National Library of Uzbekistan and the relevant institutions of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan for wide use by readers.

The necessary spiritual, legal, material, and technical basis has been created in the Republic to develop children's literature and improve the quality of textbooks and teaching aids. The country's publishing houses have increased the publication of works by authors of world and Uzbek children's literature. In accordance with a number of documents adopted to promote book reading, systematic measures are being taken in all regions to popularise literature among children and adolescents. Over the past four years, a number of presidential decrees and government resolutions have been adopted to guide the country's publishing, printing, and bibliographical information institutions.

Thus, bibliographical information services play a critical role in ensuring public well-being by providing citizens with easy access to information, knowledge, and culture. In addition, the development of digital services, collaboration with communities, and the use of new technologies strengthen the role of libraries as centres of learning, information, and communication. This helps to enhance the capabilities of people and stimulates their desire for education. The development of the potential of information and library services contributes to lifelong learning, self-improvement, cultural and spiritual enrichment of the population. This is of crucial importance for modern society.

Ramzidin Nuridinov

Expert of the Development Strategy Center.

In recent years, cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT) has expanded steadily, acquiring strategic significance. This partnership not only strengthens economic ties between the two nations but also serves as a foundation for the formation of a unified digital space across Central Asia.

A Robust Legal Framework

The legal foundations of bilateral cooperation were established in the early years of independence and have been progressively refined since. Agreements and memoranda concluded in the areas of electrical and postal communications, cross-border telecommunications services, radio frequency coordination, and space research have created a solid basis for bilateral relations. Notably, a new agreement on radio frequency usage signed in 2025 is contributing to the harmonised development of shared digital infrastructure.

Digital Economy: Growth and Investment

Cooperation in the digital economy has intensified considerably in recent years. The number of IT Park residents with Kazakhstani capital has reached 67, with export services valued at USD 2.8 million rendered in 2025 and 755 new jobs created. The number of companies exporting services to the Kazakhstani market has reached 155, with total export volume amounting to USD 17.6 million and a combined workforce of 4,600 employees — a clear indicator of growing mutual trust and an increasingly favourable business environment.

The Central Asian Innovation Hubs platform, established through the cooperation of the region's leading technology parks, has elevated the regional startup ecosystem to a new level, enabling hundreds of startups to access international markets.

Startups and Global Integration

Special attention is being devoted to startup support within the framework of bilateral cooperation. Both countries' startups are actively participating in such prestigious events as ICT Week Uzbekistan and GITEX Global. Kazakhstani and Uzbekistani startups have attracted new investment through participation in international acceleration programmes held in the United States, the UAE, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Forty startups participated in the Draper University, AlchemistX, and Silicon Valley Residency programmes.

One hundred startups under the Central Asian Innovation Hubs umbrella participated in major international conferences, including the AI Forum in Kazakhstan, Eurasia Technology Week in Turkey, Machines Can See Summit in the UAE, GITEX in Germany, and London Tech Week in the United Kingdom.

More than 20 companies with Uzbek capital are currently operating among Astana Hub residents, including Oson, Billz, Sales Doctor, IT Academy for Engineers, Verifix, Smartup, Iman, Uysot, Smartcast, Tezbor, Platma, and BITO.

The opening of the Khan Tengri Innovation Hub in Shanghai has broadened market entry opportunities for regional startups in China.

On 3 October 2025, the Kazakhstan Market Entry global acceleration programme was launched during the Digital Bridge 2025 international conference, with 10 startups from the Republic of Uzbekistan presenting their projects on stage. The programme is being conducted in partnership with Astana Hub as an exchange initiative, under which 10 Kazakhstani startups are actively developing their products in the Uzbekistani market through the Digital Startup Awards acceleration programme.

The Digital Startup Awards — one of the region's most prominent initiatives with a total prize fund of USD 1 million — brought together startups from Central Eurasia, including Kazakhstan and other regional markets, through its incubation, acceleration, and Best Startup Project competition components. Upon completion of the programme, 14 startups successfully completed the acceleration track and 15 completed incubations. Based on results achieved and expansion potential, IT Park Ventures invested up to USD 50,000 per startup in SAFE format for acceleration participants, and up to USD 10,000 for incubation participants on the same terms.

Telecommunications: Strengthening Interconnectivity

In the field of telecommunications, direct communication channels have been established between major operators of both countries, enabling the efficient exchange of international telephone and internet traffic. Operators including Uzbektelecom JSC, Kazakhtelecom JSC, Jusan Mobile JSC, TransTeleKom JSC, and TNS-Plus LLC are facilitating the exchange of international direct and transit telephone and telegraph traffic. Additionally, a system for sharing data on the IMEI codes of mobile devices is being introduced between the two states — a significant measure in ensuring information security and combating the circulation of unauthorised devices.

Artificial Intelligence: Forward-Looking Cooperation

Cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence is progressing consistently. Scientific and research ties have been established with the Institute of Artificial Intelligence at Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan. Specialists from both countries are engaged in joint work on personnel training, the development of research laboratories, and the creation of innovative solutions.

Digital Government: Cross-Border Collaboration

On 17 December 2025, agreements were reached to launch a pilot project on tourism data exchange, building on Memoranda of Understanding signed between the UN ESCAP and both the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan.

On 13 March 2026, a meeting held at the Digital Government Project Management Centre between UN ESCAP, Korea's National Information Society Agency (NIA), and Kazakhstan's NITEC JSC announced the successful completion of the first phase of the project. During this phase, the legal and technical frameworks for cross-border data exchange among Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Korea were developed, and data-driven analyses were prepared demonstrating their value in decision-making processes. Results pertaining to the activities and consumer behaviour patterns of Korean tourists in Uzbekistan proved particularly significant.

Upon the successful completion of subsequent phases, the project envisions expanding data exchange to other priority sectors and establishing a unified intergovernmental data-sharing platform among Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and the Republic of Korea — an initiative that will drive the development of cross-border digital cooperation and enhance the efficiency of both public and commercial services.

Information Security and Infrastructure

Efforts are under way within the framework of cooperation memoranda to develop e-government systems, digital platforms, and public data management systems. The transition of digital television broadcasting to enable the rollout of 4G and 5G networks in the 700 MHz band is being implemented in a coordinated manner across Central Asia.

ICT cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan today carries strategic importance not only for both nations, but for the entire Central Asian region. Joint initiatives in digital economy, the startup ecosystem, artificial intelligence, and telecommunications are accelerating innovation-driven development across the region. This partnership will undoubtedly serve as a key driver in the formation of a unified digital space and the enhancement of global competitiveness.

The development of trade and economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Belarus, expansion of bilateral trade, enhancement of export potential, and strengthening of investment ties remain among the key priorities of economic relations between the two countries. Consistent efforts undertaken in this direction are contributing to the diversification of export markets, improvement of logistics chains, and expansion of cooperation between the business communities of both nations.

Against this backdrop, the Belagro–2026 International Agricultural Exhibition and Fair, one of the largest international events in the agricultural sector, was held in Minsk, Republic of Belarus, from 1 to 6 June 2026. An official delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan participated in the exhibition, holding a series of meetings and negotiations focused on expanding trade and economic cooperation, increasing exports, strengthening investment partnerships, and implementing joint projects in the agricultural sector.

Within the framework of the exhibition, the National Pavilion of Uzbekistan, organized by UZAGROSTAR HOLDING, showcased a wide range of agricultural and food products produced in Uzbekistan. The pavilion was visited by Rahmatulla Nazarov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Belarus; Yuriy Shuleyko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus; and Aleksandr Yakovchis, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Belarus. During the visit, the parties discussed the quality and export potential of Uzbek agricultural products, as well as their prospects in the Belarusian market.

The exhibition also served as a platform for meetings with leading Belarusian retail chains, importing companies, and wholesale market operators. Discussions focused on establishing systematic supplies of Uzbek agricultural products to Belarus, expanding the range of exported goods, increasing bilateral trade volumes, and strengthening direct cooperation between Uzbek exporters and Belarusian importers.

In particular, meetings with the management of the Noviy Lebyajiy wholesale market in the Minsk district explored opportunities for exporting fresh fruits, vegetables, and processed agricultural products under long-term contracts, establishing sustainable B2B partnerships, and creating dedicated trading areas for Uzbek producers.

Special attention was also devoted to cooperation in the livestock sector. Following negotiations with the Belarusian organization Belplemjivobyedineniye, a cooperation agreement was signed to supply high-yield pedigree cattle to entrepreneurs in the Samarkand region of Uzbekistan. The agreement represents a practical continuation of ongoing efforts aimed at improving breeding programs and increasing livestock productivity.

Furthermore, the delegation visited the Ozerco-Logistik trade and logistics center in the Minsk district to study Belarus's experience in developing logistics and customs infrastructure. The visit provided valuable insights into international cargo storage and redistribution, digital logistics systems, and customs clearance procedures, creating new opportunities for exchanging best practices in export logistics.

In the area of investment cooperation, a meeting with the leadership of the Mogilev Regional Executive Committee resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between MARAQAND MEAT LLC of Uzbekistan and the Mogilev Regional Executive Committee on establishing a modern livestock production complex in Belarus. The memorandum establishes a legal framework for expanding bilateral investment cooperation and implementing joint projects in the agro-industrial sector.

The Uzbek delegation also visited advanced agricultural enterprises in the Vitebsk region, where they exchanged experience on the development of intensive livestock farming, efficient farm management, strengthening the feed base, introducing digital agricultural technologies, and implementing joint investment projects.

Exactly one year ago, on January 29, 2025, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, visited the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. During his visit, he provided a series of recommendations and directives regarding the incorporation of scientific and innovative projects developed by more than two thousand domestic and international researchers into the exhibitions of the Center.

It was truly a historic visit. Over the past year, the construction of the Center has been fully completed. Specialists and designers from more than 40 countries were involved in enhancing the Center’s activities and enriching its exhibitions. All of them were united around a megaproject initiated and guided by the vision of the President.

In September 2025, the Head of our State, from the high podium of the United Nations, announced the completion of the construction of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan and its imminent opening. Since then, the internal content of the exhibitions has become even more comprehensive. The Center has evolved into a unique space that captures the attention of the global community. Today, visitors from around the world, as well as leaders of states and international organizations, engage with the Center’s work, its scientific projects dedicated to civilizations, prominent figures and discoveries, openly acknowledging its significance.

The world is experiencing a period of profound civilizational transformation. Technological advancement often outpaces moral reflection, while global crises – ranging from geopolitical conflicts to the erosion of cultural identity – increasingly raise questions about humanity’s capacity for dialogue. In circumstances where religion is sometimes used as a tool for conflict, and culture becomes a dividing line, the need for new platforms that can restore the constructive essence of inter-civilizational dialogue is especially urgent.

It is in precisely this historical moment, in the heart of Eurasia – on land where great civilizations and empires arose, where trade routes, religions, scientific schools, and cultures have intersected for millennia – that the unique Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan has been established. Its creation is no coincidence and is not motivated by transient considerations; it is a direct reflection of the strategic vision of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

As early as 2017, speaking from the podium of the United Nations, the President addressed the global community with a call to restore the true place of Islamic civilization in world history, emphasizing that the foundations of sacred Islam lie in enlightenment, science, and humanistic values and that extremism and ignorance can be countered through knowledge and culture.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, during his visit to the under-construction Center of Islamic Civilization, expressed high international appreciation for this initiative, noting:

“Your President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, is a great and respected leader who consistently promotes the ideas of dialogue, enlightenment and mutual respect from the high podium of the United Nations”.

These words reflect the understanding that has already taken hold within the international community: under the leadership of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has become an active participant in shaping contemporary history.

The address of the President of Uzbekistan from the United Nations podium laid the intellectual and scholarly foundation for the Center, both as a monumental architectural complex and as a fundamentally new humanitarian model of global significance. Within this model, Islam is presented through the history of great civilizations where scientific revolutions occurred, universities and academies were established, libraries and laboratories were created and the foundations of medicine, philosophy, art and scientific thought were formed.

Thanks to the President’s personal political will, strategic vision and consistent leadership, the idea of creating the Center of Islamic Civilization has been realized on an unprecedented scale, in terms of scope, content and international significance. A unique civilizational complex has been established, uniting a next-generation museum, advanced research infrastructure, a modern library, national and international archives on the history of Central Asian civilizations, digital humanities technologies and a broad network of global scientific and cultural cooperation.

The project also received high praise from the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev:

“This is a large-scale and unique facility. It is a scientific, tourist and ethnocultural project. I agree with the President of Uzbekistan: Center of Islamic Civilization can become a shared platform for research in this important field”.

According to global experts, Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan is not merely an infrastructure project or a symbol of cultural policy. It represents a deliberate civilizational response by the leader of Uzbekistan to contemporary global challenges. For the first time in the history of the Islamic world, such a large-scale permanent platform for genuine inter-civilizational dialogue has been created.

Uzbekistan has assumed a historic and spiritual mission - not by issuing declarations, but by establishing a real, world-class intellectual space to counter distorted interpretations of Islam and Islamic civilization.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, emphasized:

“Visiting the Center of Islamic Civilization, established at the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan, we were once again convinced of the country’s leadership’s deep commitment to preserving and promoting the rich cultural and spiritual values of the Uzbek people. In the context of rising Islamophobia, the opening of the Center carries special significance. It vividly demonstrates that Islam is a religion of creation, humanism, tolerance, friendship and brotherhood”.

Experts and policymakers unanimously note that this project has become a humanitarian shield against radicalism and distorted perceptions of Islam - a shield built on knowledge.

A particularly important aspect of the Center’s activities is the repatriation of cultural heritage. By the directive of the President, special state and diplomatic mechanisms were established to ensure systematic cooperation with the world’s leading auction houses - Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Bonhams - as well as with major museums and private collectors. As a result, around two thousand rare artifacts have been returned to the country, including manuscripts of Ibn Sina, works of Al-Biruni, Timurid-era miniatures and masterpieces of Islamic art.

This achievement represents a tangible restoration of Central Asia’s civilizational memory and the historical justice of the region.

President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, upon visiting the exhibitions, noted:

“Visiting the Center of Islamic Civilization left a profound impression on me. Many of humanity’s scientific and cultural achievements originated here. Unfortunately, the world does not always recognize that fundamental works in algebra and medicine emerged on this land. This visit inspired me and strengthened my confidence in Uzbekistan’s tremendous potential”.

Experts emphasize that the President of Uzbekistan shapes the future with the same consistency with which he restores the past. For this reason, the Center was conceived from the outset as a dynamically evolving system - an international scientific platform, a media space and a publishing and educational hub.

President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, after his visit, stated:

“I was struck by an impression I have never experienced anywhere else. Three thousand years of history are presented in a modern and compelling way. Here, one truly feels history - it is impossible to remain indifferent”.

Today, Center of Islamic Civilization is becoming an intellectual hub of the modern world, much like Bayt al-Hikma in Baghdad, Academy of Al-Ma’mun in Khwarazm and Ulugh Bek madrasa in Samarkand once shaped the development of science.

Center represents a new type of civilizational institution for the 21st century. Historical knowledge is combined with digital technologies, manuscripts become global digital resources, the museum acquires the characteristics of a scientific laboratory and national heritage becomes a foundation for international dialogue and mutual understanding.

In conclusion, it is appropriate to cite the words of the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić:

“I have never seen a center like this anywhere. It is built in a modern and very expressive architectural style. I have learned a great deal here and will certainly return. I would tell my fellow citizens: dear friends, I made a big mistake by not coming here earlier. Please visit Uzbekistan as soon as possible”.

Firdavs Abdukhalikov

Director of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan

The text of the article is in Uzbek!

Today, elections to the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis and kengashes of people's deputies are being held in our country.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev together with his family members visited polling station No. 59 in Mirzo-Ulugbek district of the capital and took part in the voting.

Article 128 of the Constitution of our country states that citizens have the right to elect and be elected to the representative bodies of state power. The right to vote, equality and freedom of expression are guaranteed by law.

Five parties are running in the elections: the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Business People - Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, the Milliy Tiklanish Democratic Party, the Ecological Party, the People's Democratic Party and the Adolat Social Democratic Party.
This important event is taking place in the context of increased social and political activity in our country, under the slogan “My Choice - Prosperous Motherland”.
For the first time in the history of Uzbekistan, elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis are held on the basis of a majoritarian-proportional, that is, mixed electoral system. 75 deputies are elected directly under the majoritarian system, i.e. by voting for their preferred candidates, and the remaining 75 - under the proportional system, when votes are cast for political parties.

Over the past period, the electoral legislation has been radically improved in line with advanced democratic standards. In particular, a new system of electoral bodies headed by the Central Electoral Commission had been introduced, and, in order to enhance the role of women in society, it had been established that the proportion of women among political party candidates should be at least 40 per cent.
Another notable aspect of the current elections was that the interaction between the participants in the process had been fully digitalized through the E-Saylov information system.
This information system has raised the openness of the elections to a higher level.

All polling stations have created conditions for voters in accordance with the law. There are 5,770 district and 11,028 precinct election commissions organized in the field, including 57 polling stations in 40 foreign countries.
More than 850 foreign and international observers from the CIS, SCO, Organization of Turkic States, as well as a full-scale mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights are taking part in monitoring the election process.
The head of state talked to citizens who came to the polling station. He thanked them for their active participation in the elections with a sense of involvement in the fate of their native country and their district.

Today, a new and ambitious strategic direction is emerging on the global energy map. The strategic partnership established between Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan is a historic step that serves not only to strengthen regional energy security but also to elevate the global "green" transformation to a new level. At the heart of this ambitious initiative lies, first and foremost, the mutual trust, strong friendship, and high responsibility of the leaders of the three brotherly states toward future generations.

Uzbekistan's Green Development Strategy

In recent years, large-scale and intensive reforms on the use of renewable energy sources have been implemented in Uzbekistan. To date, 15 solar and 5 wind power plants with a total capacity of 5,582 MW have been commissioned in various regions of the country, producing "green" energy for the country's population and economy. Notably, the capacity of solar photovoltaic plants is 3,930 MW, and wind power plants are 1,652 MW. To ensure the stability of the energy supply, 12 additional energy storage systems with a total capacity of 1,545 MW were also commissioned.

Looking at the figures, in 2025 alone, solar and wind power plants managed to generate 10.5 billion kWh of electricity. From the beginning of 2026 to April 15, this figure exceeded 2.5 billion kWh, and the goal is to increase it to 15 billion kWh by the end of the year. By 2030, Uzbekistan will become a true "green" energy hub: the total capacity of solar and wind power plants will reach 21 GW, and 54% of the total electricity generated in the country will come from renewable sources. As a result, 18 billion cubic meters of natural gas will be saved annually, and the emission of 25 million tons of harmful gases into the atmosphere will be prevented.

Regional Solidarity: The Brothers' Strategic Choice

Relations with the countries of the region, especially with our close neighbor and strategic partner Kazakhstan, are of decisive importance in achieving such high milestones. During the recent visit of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Uzbekistan, the leaders of the two countries outlined future priorities for the development of sectors, in particular, energy. These friendly relations guarantee the energy stability not only of the two countries but of the entire region.

Thanks to the far-sighted policy and friendship of the heads of state of the three countries—Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan—the "Green Corridor" project is being implemented. This path, which began with a Memorandum of Understanding in May 2024, was further strengthened by the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by the Presidents of the three countries at the COP-29 international summit in Baku in November of the same year. This historic document marked the beginning of a new era not only in energy production but also in the field of energy transmission.

"Green Corridor" - practical steps towards the future

The practical stages of the project are proceeding consistently. Within the framework of the founding agreement signed on December 27, 2024, the national operators of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan - JSC "National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan," JSC "KEGOC," and JSC "Azerenerji" - united for a common goal. Negotiations held in early 2025 in Tashkent with the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Energy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia once again proved the project's international prestige.

The establishment of the Green Corridor Alliance Limited Liability Company in Baku on July 1, 2025, laid the institutional foundation for the project. The world-renowned Italian company CESI has been involved in developing the project's feasibility study, which, according to the agreement signed with the Asian Development Bank, will be submitted by the beginning of 2027. Currently, specialists from the three countries, together with CESI, are working on a complete model (technical and economic basis) of the project.

In conclusion, this strategic partnership is not only an important pillar for exporting "green" energy to Europe but also for the transition of Central Asia and the Caspian region to a unified, environmentally friendly, and digital energy system. There is no doubt that the friendly will of the heads of state and the spirit of regional solidarity will make Uzbekistan one of the most reliable and major players in the global energy market in the future.

Ministry of Energy

of the Republic of Uzbekistan