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

In recent years, relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic have become one of the key pillars of regional cooperation in Central Asia. These relations are founded on a shared border, historical proximity, regular political dialogue between the heads of state, and growing interdependence in trade, transport and logistics, energy, industry, agriculture, and the development of border regions. Consequently, the bilateral agenda is steadily evolving beyond the framework of traditional good-neighbourly relations toward a comprehensive and long-term economic partnership.

Regular high-level contacts continue to define the strategic direction of bilateral cooperation. The Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation remains the principal institutional mechanism for intergovernmental coordination. In May 2026, the Deputy Prime Ministers of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan held a meeting on the sidelines of the KazanForum. In June, the relevant ministers discussed current issues related to trade, investment, and economic cooperation. On 22–23 June 2026, the 12th session of the Intergovernmental Commission was held in Cholpon-Ata.

An important component of this cooperation architecture is the development of direct interregional ties. The Council of Governors of Uzbekistan's border regions and the Plenipotentiary Representatives of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, established in 2017, was transformed in 2025 into the Council of Heads of Regions of the two countries. As a continuation of this process, the first Uzbekistan–Kyrgyzstan Forum of Regions is planned to be held in Uzbekistan. This format has significant practical importance for promoting trade, logistics, border crossing infrastructure, local markets, and entrepreneurship in border areas.

Business-to-business cooperation is also becoming increasingly dynamic. In July 2024, Tashkent hosted a business forum attended by 350 entrepreneurs. The event resulted in the signing of 20 agreements worth a total of USD 213 million. Preparations for the next business forum in Bishkek confirm the regular nature of this dialogue and its focus not only on trade operations but also on projects aimed at strengthening industrial cooperation.

The growth in bilateral trade reflects the expanding economic interests of both countries. By the end of 2025, mutual trade had reached nearly USD 1.2 billion, representing an increase of 36.4 percent. The positive trend continued during January–May 2026, when bilateral trade amounted to USD 468.8 million, up by 43.9 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. Uzbekistan's exports increased by 60.8 percent, while imports from Kyrgyzstan grew by 12.1 percent. The commodity structure has also become increasingly diversified: Uzbekistan primarily exports textiles, food products, construction materials, and machinery, whereas imports from Kyrgyzstan include ores, electricity, metals, and plastic products.

To consolidate these positive trends, the two countries are implementing the Programme for Increasing Bilateral Trade for 2024–2030. The programme is aimed at moving beyond the expansion of individual commodity groups toward a more sustainable trade model through the diversification of product ranges, the development of new distribution channels, and the removal of trade barriers. Within this framework, the parties are addressing issues related to coal, construction materials, livestock, seedlings, and sheet glass.

The next stage of cooperation focuses on trade, logistics, and industrial instruments. The International Trade Centre "Termez" provides Kyrgyz products with an additional southern export route. Trade houses in Bishkek and Tashkent are expected to become permanent platforms for promoting bilateral trade, while assembly production facilities utilizing Uzbek-made components will add greater industrial value to bilateral economic relations.

The investment dimension is supported by the growing presence of businesses in each other's markets. Currently, 450 enterprises with Kyrgyz capital operate in Uzbekistan, while 85 enterprises with Uzbek capital are active in Kyrgyzstan. This demonstrates a gradual transition from conventional trade transactions to more sustainable forms of business cooperation.

Industrial cooperation is acquiring tangible substance. In the Chui Region, automobile production has been launched with the participation of the Uzbek side, including the assembly of the Onix, Captiva, Damas, Cobalt, Tahoe, and Tracker models.

The opportunities for cooperation, however, extend well beyond the automotive industry. In geology, both countries are interested in jointly exploring a number of mineral deposits, including iron ore and phosphorite reserves, as well as cooperating in the development of critical minerals. In the pharmaceutical sector, the parties are working on projects to manufacture affordable medicines.

The textile and light industry also retains considerable potential. Textile enterprises have already been established in Kara-Balta and Andijan, garment production is expanding in Bishkek and Osh Region, and textile manufacturing is being developed in the Chui Region.

Alongside industrial initiatives, energy cooperation remains of strategic importance. The Kambarata HPP-1 project occupies a central place on the bilateral agenda. It is essential to expedite the conclusion of the intergovernmental agreement on the project while ensuring a balanced approach to the water and energy interests of both countries.

Transport cooperation complements this agenda, as it directly affects the sustainability of economic ties. Creating predictable operating conditions for transport operators requires the establishment of a joint working group and the development of a Joint Transport and Logistics Programme for 2026–2028.

Financial support for a number of bilateral initiatives is provided by the Uzbekistan–Kyrgyzstan Development Fund. Its portfolio already includes projects in transport, finance, light industry, construction materials, and energy. Expanding the Fund's project portfolio and considering Kyrgyzstan's participation in its authorized capital could further strengthen the institution's long-term sustainability.

Border infrastructure also deserves particular attention, as it translates the broader bilateral agenda into practical cooperation at the regional level.

Overall, these developments demonstrate that Uzbekistan–Kyrgyzstan relations are entering a more mature stage of economic partnership. Growing trade, expanding industrial cooperation, energy coordination, transport connectivity, agricultural and industrial initiatives, together with enhanced financial mechanisms, are forming not merely a collection of individual agreements but an integrated system of long-term strategic partnership.

Today, Asia is playing a decisive role in global economic processes, bringing together major production capacities, rapidly growing consumer markets, and technological and financial centres. At the same time, geopolitical developments, changes in global trade and logistics chains, climate risks, and intensifying competition for investment resources are further increasing the importance of dialogue and practical cooperation among Asian countries.

Against this backdrop, economic cooperation within the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) is becoming increasingly important. Today, CICA brings together 28 countries, covering nearly 90 percent of the Asian continent and more than half of the world’s population. CICA member states account for more than 50 percent of global GDP and nearly two-thirds of global economic growth. This demonstrates the significant potential for expanding economic and financial cooperation across the CICA region.

Uzbekistan has consistently viewed cooperation within CICA as an important instrument not only for ensuring peace and stability in Asia, but also for expanding practical partnerships aimed at economic development and prosperity.

New Opportunities for Uzbekistan

The rapid economic growth observed in Uzbekistan and the ongoing modernization of the economy are, in turn, increasing demand for long-term investment, private capital, and modern financial instruments.

As President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted at the ceremonial event dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the country’s independence, Uzbekistan plans to attract $450 billion in foreign investment over the next decade and increase GDP to $300 billion by 2030 while maintaining high economic growth rates.

One of the key tasks in achieving these objectives is not only to increase investment volumes, but also to diversify their sources and make greater use of private and institutional investors, capital markets, public-private partnerships, and other modern financial mechanisms.

This process is also in line with global trends. According to United Nations estimates, the annual financing gap for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in developing countries is estimated at more than $4 trillion. This means that sustaining economic growth solely through traditional sources of financing is becoming increasingly challenging, while the need for new forms of investment and financial cooperation among countries continues to grow.

At the 6th CICA Summit held in Astana on October 13, 2022, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the importance of strengthening connectivity across the Asian continent, primarily through the development of production and logistics chains and transport corridors effectively linking Central Asia with South and East Asia, as well as the Middle East.

This issue is of not only strategic but also tangible economic importance for Uzbekistan. In 2025, the country’s foreign trade turnover reached $81.2 billion, an increase of 20.7 percent compared to 2024.

At the same time, the majority of Uzbekistan’s key trading partners are located within the CICA region. In 2025, China accounted for 21.2 percent of the country’s foreign trade turnover, Russia for 16 percent, Kazakhstan for 6.1 percent, Türkiye for 3.7 percent, and the Republic of Korea for 2.1 percent.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan has also placed particular emphasis on the development of the knowledge economy within CICA, highlighting the need to make fuller use of the potential for technology and innovation transfer, promote digitalization, and coordinate the efforts of Asian countries to develop cloud technologies, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things.

This area is becoming increasingly relevant in the context of CICA’s emerging financial agenda. The development of the digital economy is creating new opportunities for modern payment systems, fintech solutions, digital financial services, and cross-border financial cooperation.

Another important area is the initiative to establish regular expert consultations on the rapid greening of countries and ensuring ecosystem connectivity within the framework of the “Green Asia” conceptual programme. This initiative is directly aligned with efforts to expand green and sustainable finance and attract private capital to climate and energy transition projects.

A New Stage of Financial Cooperation

Financial cooperation is becoming one of the key components of connectivity within CICA.

A major step in this direction was the establishment of the CICA Financial Summit. The Regulation on the new consultative body was adopted in 2025. According to the document, its activities are aimed at developing cooperation among member states in the financial sector in order to ensure financial stability, promote sustainable economic development, and enhance the prosperity of the CICA region.

The new mechanism began its practical activities this year. On September 8, 2026, the first meeting of the CICA Financial Summit was held in Astana. It brought together representatives of government authorities, national financial institutions, the banking sector, businesses, international organizations, and the expert community.

The emergence of a dedicated platform for financial dialogue demonstrates the changing nature of economic cooperation in Asia.

Today, financial connectivity is becoming no less important than connectivity in transport or trade. The implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects requires long-term capital; the development of cross-border trade requires efficient settlement and financial mechanisms; the green transition requires new investment instruments; and the rapid development of technology calls for closer cooperation between financial regulators and market participants.

These areas are shaping the substance and priorities of CICA’s new financial mechanism.

The agenda of the inaugural meeting also demonstrated the broad scope of this cooperation. Key areas of focus included financial connectivity, development finance, sustainable and inclusive finance, digital finance, and financial technologies.

Thus, the initiative is not about establishing yet another financial institution or development bank. Rather, it is creating a platform for cooperation among existing national financial institutions, regulatory authorities, banks, stock exchanges, and development institutions of CICA member states.

In this regard, the emerging financial mechanisms within CICA create additional opportunities to translate the initiatives put forward by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on connectivity, digital development, and green growth into practical investment projects, while also strengthening Uzbekistan’s role as an active participant in the new financial linkages taking shape across Asia.

In October, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, will pay a state visit to the Kingdom of Belgium, during which important decisions are expected to be made that will mark a qualitatively new stage in relations between Uzbekistan and the European Union. In particular, the visit will feature the signing of the Agreement on Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation.

In recent years, Uzbekistan has been actively shaping a new framework of engagement with Europe – a key pillar of stability amid current geopolitical tensions and global economic uncertainty. The ties between Uzbekistan and European countries continue to grow, and the areas of cooperation are diversifying, supported by the ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan.

Building a New Chapter in Relations

After gaining independence, Uzbekistan’s relations with the European Union developed dynamically. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Uzbekistan and the European Commission was signed in 1992, followed by the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1994. The foundation of cooperation was laid by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) signed in June 1996 and entering into force in 1999. However, at a certain stage, cooperation faced difficulties due to the insufficient pace of democratic reforms in Uzbekistan.

With the election of Shavkat Mirziyoyev as President, the situation changed dramatically. As early as 2017, during his visit to Tashkent, Stefano Manservisi, Director-General for International Cooperation and Development of the European Commission, stated that “the EU regards Uzbekistan as a strategic partner.” The sweeping democratic and economic reforms launched in Uzbekistan helped resolve within a short period many issues that had long remained unsolved. Forced labor was completely eradicated, and reforms in the cotton sector enabled the country to abandon raw cotton exports altogether.

As reforms advanced, the legal and institutional framework of relations with Europe expanded rapidly. While previously Uzbekistan and the EU granted each other most-favored-nation treatment under the PCA, in April 2021 the EU granted Uzbekistan GSP+ beneficiary status, and in 2022 the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) was initialed.

Along with internal transformation, Uzbekistan’s foreign policy architecture also changed. Priority was given to closer cooperation with neighboring Central Asian states, as well as the active expansion of ties with European countries – a vector that has strengthened steadily in recent years.

Just in the past year, Uzbekistan established strategic partnership relations with France, Italy, and Slovakia, while discussions on expanding strategic cooperation with Hungary continued. President Mirziyoyev also visited Slovenia, and Italy’s Prime Minister and Bulgaria’s President visited Uzbekistan.

A milestone in strengthening relations between Uzbekistan and Europe, and between Europe and Central Asia as a whole – was the first EU–Central Asia Summit, held in Samarkand in April 2025 under the chairmanship of Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Uzbekistan presented a broad range of initiatives to create a new model of regional cooperation between Central Asia and Europe, including: a multilateral agreement on investment protection and promotion; the launch of a Central Asia–EU Joint Chamber of Commerce; the adoption of a regional support program for SMEs and women’s entrepreneurship; the establishment of an investment platform to promote regional projects in green energy, innovation, transport, infrastructure, and agriculture.

The Samarkand Summit was highly productive. A Joint Declaration was adopted, establishing a strategic partnership between the two regions in trade, transport, energy, digital connectivity, and water management. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU had prepared a €12 billion investment package for Central Asia under the Global Gateway initiative.

The Trajectory of Economic Cooperation

Uzbekistan’s deep democratic transformations have significantly improved relations with European countries. Economic reforms have enhanced the competitiveness of Uzbekistan’s economy, stimulating investor confidence and growing interest from European businesses.

The results are impressive. Over the past 8 years, Uzbekistan’s GDP has doubled, reaching $115 billion in 2024. Since 2017, investment in fixed capital has totaled $240 billion, of which foreign investment exceeded $130 billion. The country’s foreign exchange reserves surpassed $48 billion for the first time in history. Structurally, the share of industry in the economy increased from 20% to 26%, and services from 44% to 47%. Labor productivity (GDP per employed person) rose by 45%.

As a result, opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation between Uzbek and European businesses have expanded. Between 2017 and 2024, Uzbekistan’s trade with the EU increased 2.4 times to $6.4 billion; exports grew 3.6 times to $1.7 billion, and imports 2.2 times to $4.7 billion. In 2024, the EU’s share in Uzbekistan’s total trade turnover was 9.7%, in exports 6.3%, and in imports 12%. The EU ranked third among Uzbekistan’s trade partners, after China and Russia.

The EU’s share in Uzbekistan’s total exports increased from 3.8% to 6.3% over the same period. This growth was driven by Uzbekistan’s accession to the GSP+ preferential trade system, granting duty-free access to the EU market across roughly 6,200 tariff lines. The share of Uzbekistan’s exports benefiting from GSP+ reached 59%, with a preference utilization rate of 84%, indicating efficient use of trade benefits.

In 2024, Uzbekistan’s exports to the EU were dominated by chemical products (52.1%), as well as textiles, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, minerals, and food products. Among EU members, France accounted for 47.2% of exports, Lithuania for 10%, and Latvia for 6.9%.

Uzbekistan’s imports from the EU significantly exceeded exports – a reflection of the ongoing technological modernization of the national economy. Around 16% of Uzbekistan’s total imports of machinery, equipment, and transport vehicles come from EU countries.

Investment cooperation is also expanding rapidly. In 2024, foreign investments and loans from EU countries and their financial institutions increased by 77%, reaching $4.1 billion (compared to $2.3 billion in 2023). The most active investors were Germany ($1.37 billion), the Netherlands ($1.05 billion), Cyprus ($858.9 million), the Czech Republic ($137.8 million), Italy ($99.8 million), and Sweden ($97.5 million). Today, around 1,000 enterprises with EU capital operate in Uzbekistan, with a total project portfolio of €30 billion.

A special role in recent years belongs to the EBRD, of which Uzbekistan has become one of the largest beneficiaries. The Bank’s total investments in Uzbekistan’s economy exceeded €5 billion, including around €1 billion in 2024, primarily directed toward the private sector.

Reforms in Uzbekistan have become the key driver for unlocking the significant potential of trade and economic cooperation with the European Union.

Uzbekistan–Belgium

The upcoming visit will also focus on strengthening relations between Uzbekistan and Belgium. Diplomatic relations were established following the opening of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Brussels in 1993. In 1996, the two countries signed an Agreement on avoidance of double taxation, and in 1998 – an Agreement on mutual protection and promotion of investments, which provide legal guarantees for investors in both states.

Business contacts have intensified in parallel with Uzbekistan’s reform agenda. The visits of 2019 and 2022 set the tone for cooperation in infrastructure, energy, and the digital economy. More important than the current trade volumes has been the recognition and support of Uzbekistan’s reforms by EU partners, laying the foundation for long-term engagement.

In 2024, bilateral trade amounted to $62.3 million, including $7.3 million in Uzbek exports and $55 million in imports. Investment cooperation is gaining momentum: several dozen companies with Belgian capital now operate in Uzbekistan, including wholly owned enterprises. New technologies are being localized, for example, Jaga Climate Designers is participating in a joint venture for heating and ventilation systems, and Picanol Group is localizing the assembly of high-tech textile machinery. Belgian brands Belcolade and Prefamac are exploring opportunities to launch chocolate production with subsequent localization.

Despite modest trade volumes, there is significant potential for expanding cooperation in several areas. Given Belgium’s leading role in pharmaceuticals and biomedical research and Uzbekistan’s growing pharmaceutical market, joint ventures or industrial clusters could be developed in this sector, involving companies such as UCB and Janssen Pharmaceutica.

There is also strong potential for joint fruit and vegetable processing projects in Uzbekistan, targeting exports to the EU via Belgian logistics hubs such as the Port of Antwerp and wholesale markets. Potential partners include Greenyard and Puratos. Direct seasonal exports of fresh fruits (e.g., grapes in autumn and winter), as well as dried vegetables, spices, and organic products, could also be expanded. In light industry, there is room to increase exports of ready-made knitwear and home textiles, provided European quality and safety standards are met. The market potential is evident – Belgium imported about $7.9 billion worth of clothing in 2024.

The main challenges remain logistics and standards. Belgium functions as a major EU maritime hub centered around Antwerp, while direct routes from Uzbekistan are still limited. The near-term priority should be pilot supply chains ensuring quality and traceability, the development of cold logistics, certification under EU technical and sanitary regulations, the use of Benelux consolidation hubs, and trade finance tools for SMEs. With the gradual development of new overland routes along the Middle Corridor, Uzbekistan will gain a stronger foothold in high value-added exports without higher costs or delivery delays.

Conclusion

Uzbekistan is entering a stage of deepened economic cooperation with the European Union. During the ongoing modernization and digital transformation of its economy, European investment, technology, education, and research experience can play a key role. At the same time, Uzbekistan seeks to expand exports of industrial goods as their quality improves.

Uzbekistan is also a rapidly growing market with a young and dynamic population, now reaching 38 million people – an 18% increase since 2017. Every year, around 700,000 economically active individuals enter the labor market, forming a substantial human resource base for the economy, including joint ventures.

As a result of poverty reduction policies, living standards and household incomes have risen significantly. Whereas a third of the population once lived below the poverty line, 7.5 million people have been lifted out of poverty, and the poverty rate declined to 8.9% in 2024, with plans to reduce it further to 6% this year. These policies not only address social challenges but also expand domestic demand, increasing the interest of European businesses in entering Uzbekistan’s market.

The further deepening of Uzbekistan’s economic engagement with the EU and Belgium is an objectively mutually beneficial process – one that will define the success of the upcoming state visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Belgium.

The agreements expected to be signed will help advance joint projects in sustainable energy and infrastructure, strengthen transport and technological connectivity between Central Asia and Europe, and position Europe as a key partner in Uzbekistan’s long-term growth and modernization trajectory.

 Obid Khakimov,  

Director of the Center for
Economic Research and Reforms

Uzbekistan’s total external debt amounted to $75.4 billion as of October 1, 2025.

According to the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan (MIIT), $37.4 billion of this amount accounts for the government’s external debt.

It is important to note that the issue of investment and external financing always attracts interest and raises questions. This is natural, as society wants to understand where resources come from and what results the country achieves.

The key principle here is simple: the purpose of attracting investment and resources is to improve living standards. This is not about “impressive reports” or “eye-catching figures,” but about tangible improvements felt in everyday life-jobs and household incomes, infrastructure, access to clean water, energy and transport, and quality social services.

The economic logic is also clear: for the economy to grow faster, resources are needed- capital, technology, equipment, and new markets. If a country stops attracting resources, growth slows down: fewer jobs are created, it becomes harder to modernize logistical and social infrastructure, expand water supply, and ensure affordable energy.

Therefore, Uzbekistan is consistently working to attract investments - to accelerate economic development, boost GDP, and ultimately improve both the quality and longevity of life. Notably, since 2020, life expectancy has shown steady growth - from 73.4 years to 75.1 years in 2024.

At the same time, what matters to people are not slogans, but measurable results - changes that can be seen and assessed.

By structure, Uzbekistan’s total external debt as of October 1, 2025, amounted to $75.4 billion. Of this, $37.4 billion is government external debt, while the remaining $38 billion consists of borrowings by private and state-owned enterprises without a government guarantee (corporate debt).

Notably, according to international classifications, Uzbekistan’s government debt level is regarded as moderate and manageable. The government’s external debt of $37.6 billion amounts to roughly 26% of GDP (with official GDP around $145 billion), well below the threshold levels that are generally seen as potentially risky for macroeconomic stability worldwide.

What has been achieved through government borrowings in 2017-2025:

• Reconstructed 1,564 km of highways
• Electrified 470 km of railway lines
• Built 6,793 km of drinking water networks and 664 km of sewage networks
• Constructed 59 km of heat pipelines, 1,286 individual heating units, 166 water distribution facilities, and 31 sewage pumping stations
• Created 2,737 MW of additional electricity capacity and laid 1,106 km of high-voltage power lines
• Commissioned additional generation of 2,084 MW, producing 16,423 million kWh of electricity and 551.8 thousand Gcal of thermal energy

Modernization of Transport and Urban Services:

• Purchased 4 Boeing 787-8 aircraft
• Acquired 2 high-speed Talgo-250 passenger trains
• Added 30 electric locomotives
• For the subway system: 70 cars and 29 train sets
• 1,900 buses
• 1,000 ambulances
• 541 units of equipment for household waste collection
• 13 heat boilers

Education and Social Sector:

• Established 119 educational and research laboratories in 60 universities
• Equipped 6,213 state preschool institutions with furniture, learning materials, and office equipment

Agriculture and Water Management:

• Restored 1,593.1 km of canals
• Modernized 3,396 hydraulic structures
• Drilled 423 vertical wells
• Established modern greenhouses on 2.2 thousand hectares and intensive orchards on 12.6 thousand hectares
• Built cold storage facilities with a capacity of 334.9 thousand tons
• Launched processing enterprises with a capacity of 258.2 thousand tons of products
• Created farms for 12.3 million poultry, 5,752 sheep, and 26.3 thousand cattle

These figures reflect already utilized borrowings. A significant portion of infrastructure and social sector modernization projects is still underway and will continue to deliver benefits as the work is completed.

Overall, as a result of the comprehensive measures implemented during 2017-2025, over 2 million jobs were created, exports increased by 270%, and GDP per capita grew by 418%.

What is fundamentally important is that resources can only be mobilized under strict rules, transparency, and oversight. In his Address to the Oliy Majlis and the people of Uzbekistan, the President highlighted that parliamentarians will oversee the entire project cycle - from selection and competitions to implementation and results. Project statuses, stages, and milestones will be published in real time, ensuring full transparency of competitions, tenders, and the fulfilment of obligations.

Uzbekistan’s approach to investment is clear and straightforward: the country needs resources for growth, while simultaneously ensuring full oversight, transparency, and measurable results for the population. This is exactly how the work is organized - openly, in stages, with clear accountability.

Dunyo IA

Official visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Belarus begins on July 8^th

On July 8–9^th, President of Uzbekistan will pay an official visit to Belarus.

Contemporary stage of Uzbek-Belarusian relations is characterized by steady positive dynamics and the sequential expansion of cooperation across a broad spectrum of dimensions.

Diplomatic relations between the two nations were established on January 21st, 1993. Embassy of Belarus in Tashkent has been operational since February 1994, while the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Minsk was established in October 2017 and commenced full-scale operations in March 2018. Over the intervening years, the sides have formulated a substantial legal and regulatory framework and accumulated significant experience of interaction in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres.

Legal and regulatory framework of Uzbek-Belarusian cooperation encompasses virtually all areas of bilateral interaction. Currently, 126 bilateral documents have been signed between Uzbekistan and Belarus, regulating cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, industrial cooperation, transport, education, culture, science, healthcare and interregional interaction.

Foundational document is the Treaty on the Principles of Interstate Relations, signed in Tashkent on November 6, 1991, which serves as the legal basis for the development of the Uzbek-Belarusian partnership and reaffirms the parties' commitment to the principles of sovereign equality, mutual respect and due consideration of mutual interests.

Political dialogue remains the key cornerstone of the Uzbek-Belarusian partnership. Regular contacts at the highest and high levels contribute to strengthening mutual trust and the sequential development of bilateral relations. From 1991 to 2026, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko, visited Uzbekistan six times, including official visits in 1994, 2018 and 2024. A significant milestone in the development of bilateral cooperation was marked by the official visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Belarus on July 31st – August 1st, 2019.

Intergovernmental cooperation constitutes an essential element of bilateral interaction. Between 2022 and 2026, a series of reciprocal visits by the Prime Ministers of Uzbekistan and Belarus took place, during which matters of trade and economic cooperation, industrial partnerships, logistics and the implementation of joint investment projects were discussed.

An important component of Uzbek-Belarusian interaction is inter-parliamentary cooperation, which in recent years has acquired a more systematic and practice-oriented character. A special place in the structure of inter-parliamentary cooperation is occupied by the Uzbek-Belarusian women's business forums, which have become an effective platform for the development of business contacts, support for entrepreneurial initiatives and the expansion of humanitarian ties.

Economic interaction remains one of the key areas of the Uzbek-Belarusian partnership and demonstrates a steady positive dynamic. Despite the complex international economic environment, the sides manage to consistently increase the volume of mutual trade, expand investment cooperation and strengthen industrial cooperation.

In recent years, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Belarus has increased more than fivefold - from 181.7 million dollars in 2017 to a record 965 million dollars at the close of 2025. This positive dynamic persists in the current year. Following the results of January - April 2026, volume of reciprocal trade reached 340.4 million dollars, representing a nearly one-third increase compared to the same period last year.

Structure of mutual trade is characterized by a high degree of diversification. Belarus supplies Uzbekistan with food products, machinery and equipment, vehicles, chemical products, and raw materials, whereas Uzbekistan exports industrial and food commodities, finished products, services and processed goods.

Investment cooperation also makes a substantial contribution to the development of bilateral ties. Currently, 244 enterprises with the participation of Belarusian capital operate in Uzbekistan, while 229 companies with the participation of Uzbek business are functional in Belarus. In 2025, the volume of Belarusian investments attracted into the economy of Uzbekistan amounted to 104.4 million dollars. The coordination of economic interaction is ensured by the Intergovernmental Commission on Bilateral Cooperation, established in 2001.

An important factor in strengthening Uzbek-Belarusian relations is the development of direct ties between the regions of the two countries, which facilitates the translation of agreements reached at the political level into concrete economic, investment and humanitarian projects.

Since 2017, more than forty mutual visits of regional delegations from Uzbekistan and Belarus have taken place. Active exchange of visits facilitates the expansion of contacts between local authorities, business circles and public organizations. A special place in the development of interregional cooperation is occupied by the Forums of Regions, which are traditionally held within the framework of official visits of the heads of state and are accompanied by national exhibitions, presentations of investment potential and the signing of cooperation agreements.

Cultural and humanitarian cooperation remains one of the important areas of the bilateral agenda, contributing to the strengthening of friendship, mutual understanding, and the expansion of educational, scientific and cultural exchanges.

Cultural exchanges represent a significant direction of cooperation. Creative groups from Belarus regularly participate in the “Sharq Taronalari” International Music Festival in Uzbekistan, while representatives of Uzbek culture perform at Belarusian venues, including the “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk” International Festival of Arts. Days of Culture of the two countries are regularly held on a mutual basis.

Monuments dedicated to prominent figures of the two nations hold symbolic value for strengthening cultural ties. In 2018, a bust of the classic of Belarusian literature Yakub Kolas was unveiled in Tashkent, and in 2019, a monument to the great Uzbek poet and thinker Alisher Navoi was installed in Minsk, serving as a clear testament to the mutual respect for the historical and cultural heritage of both states.

Cooperation in the field of education and professional training is developing dynamically. An important step was the establishment of the Belarusian-Uzbek Intersectoral Institute of Applied Technical Qualifications in Tashkent. Double-degree programs are being implemented between the universities of the two countries, while forums of rectors of engineering and technical universities, along with professional and educational forums, facilitate the expansion of academic interaction and the conclusion of cooperation agreements between educational institutions.

Cooperation in the fields of science, cinematography, and tourism is expanding. Days of Uzbek Cinema are regularly held in Belarus, and Days of Belarusian Cinema in Uzbekistan, with representatives from both countries participating in international film festivals. Interaction between tourism organizations is also growing, including within the framework of specialized forums and presentations of the tourism potential of both states.

Cooperation in the field of healthcare is an intensively developing area of bilateral interaction. In 2023, the first medical forum “Healthcare and Medical Education Days Uzbekistan – Belarus” took place, resulting in the signing of more than 120 agreements aimed at expanding partnerships between medical institutions, exchanging experience and implementing modern technologies.

Belarusian diaspora living in Uzbekistan plays a special role in strengthening humanitarian ties. Today, there are approximately 18 thousand ethnic Belarusians in the country. A significant contribution to the preservation of national culture and the development of public diplomacy is made by the “Svitanak” Belarusian Cultural Center in Tashkent and the Belarusian Cultural Center in Angren.

Thus, Uzbek-Belarusian relations are characterized by steady development across key areas of interaction. The high level of political dialogue, expansion of trade and economic cooperation, development of interregional ties, and humanitarian interaction create a solid foundation for the further deepening of a partnership that meets the long-term interests of both countries.

Uzbekistan and Serbia are exploring new avenues for cooperation in environmental protection, sustainable natural resource management, biodiversity conservation and environmental education.

As an important step in advancing environmental dialogue, the participation of a delegation from the Republic of Serbia, led by Minister of Environmental Protection Sara Pavkov, in the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility, held in Samarkand from May 30 to June 5, 2026, as well as in the international exhibition “Eco Expo Central Asia 2026,” held on June 2–4, can be highlighted. In particular, the Serbian side participated in the high-level plenary session on “Green Investments and Innovations” held as part of the exhibition.

One promising area of cooperation is the exchange of experience in forestry and sustainable forest management. Serbia has considerable practical expertise in managing forest resources and developing public–private partnerships. Between 2008 and 2023, the share of forested land in the country increased from 25% to 37%. Of Serbia’s forests, 53% are state-owned, while the remaining 47% are privately owned.

Cooperation in biodiversity conservation and the protection of natural ecosystems is another area of particular importance. Serbia has granted protected status to 460 natural sites, including five national parks, 17 nature parks, 20 protected landscapes, 68 nature reserves, 309 natural monuments and three protected habitats. Studying this experience is of practical interest for the further development and improvement of approaches to the conservation of natural areas and biodiversity in Uzbekistan.

Environmental education and scientific and academic cooperation represent another promising avenue for partnership. In particular, there is potential to expand cooperation between Serbia’s leading universities and the Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies, Green University. Such initiatives could include joint academic programmes, scientific research, student and faculty exchanges, as well as the implementation of collaborative projects in the fields of climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development.

Serbian universities, including the University of Belgrade and the University of Novi Sad, have significant capacity in environmental sciences and are recognised among the world’s leading universities in relevant fields. This creates favourable opportunities for strengthening academic and research partnerships.

Eco Expo Central Asia 2027 could also serve as an important platform for further strengthening the environmental dialogue. The exhibition is scheduled to take place in June 2027 in Tashkent, alongside the Tashkent International Investment Forum, which will focus on “Sustainable Development and Green Investment”.

The Serbian side is invited to take an active part in the exhibition, which has already established itself as one of Central Asia’s leading environmental platforms. The successful organisation of Eco Expo Central Asia in Tashkent in 2025 and in Samarkand in 2026 demonstrated the strong interest of the international community in the region’s environmental initiatives.

The development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Serbia in these areas will help expand the exchange of advanced practices, promote joint environmental and investment projects, strengthen scientific and educational ties and create new opportunities for advancing the principles of sustainable development and “green” economy.

Mahmud Khaydarov,

Chief Specialist of the Department of International Cooperation, Grants and Rankings of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change

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.

The text of the article is in Uzbek!

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 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,

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.