Today, as global climate changes are observed, the population is growing, and industrial sectors are rapidly developing, the value of water resources is increasing not only in the Central Asian region but also worldwide.

According to the data, over the past 30 years, the air temperature in our region has increased by one and a half degrees, as a result of which about a third of the centuries-old glaciers in the highlands have melted, and the volume of water in rivers and streams has decreased slightly.

If current climate trends continue, in the next twenty years, the flow of the two large rivers, Amu Darya and Syr Darya, may decrease by 15%. This would result in a 25 percent reduction in per capita water availability and agricultural crop yields.

These are not just numbers, but indicators related to the fate and well-being of the people living in the region.

According to scientists, by 2040 in some areas of Central Asia, the need for water resources will triple. Over time, economic damage could reach 11% of the region's gross domestic product. The United Nations (UN) warns that countries in the region are currently losing up to US$2 billion a year due to water scarcity and inefficient use. Therefore, if appropriate measures are not taken now, it is inevitable that the countries in our region will face dire consequences of water shortages.

Under the leadership of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, special attention is being paid to the comprehensive development of the water management sector in our republic, the rational use of existing water resources, including the widespread introduction of digital and water-saving irrigation technologies, and remarkable results are being achieved in this regard.

In his speech at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly on September 19, 2023, the leader of Uzbekistan emphasized the issue of water resource shortages in Central Asia, supported the establishment of the position of the UN Secretary General's Special Representative on Water Resources, and proposed creating a platform for water-saving technologies in Central Asia. In the process of using the "United Nations-Water Resources" mechanism, he emphasized his support for attracting and implementing the most advanced technologies.

This means that Uzbekistan will take the initiative in creating a platform for water-saving technologies in Central Asia, while also seeking to involve the international community in the process.

For more than 30 years since its establishment, the International Fund for Saving the Aral has become the most important platform for regional cooperation in the fields of water management and ecology. In the face of new risks and threats arising because of global climate change, the role and importance of the fund are increasing.

On September 15, 2023, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev put forward the initiative to develop and implement new, agreed-upon decisions for the long-term perspective within the framework of this structure at the meeting of the Council of Heads of the Founding States of the International Fund for Saving the Aral held in Dushanbe. Reflecting the spirit of today, he emphasized the need to further improve the fund's legal framework and modernize its institutional mechanisms.

It should be noted that in the country’s domestic policy over the past seven years, at the initiative of the President, large-scale reforms in the water sector have been implemented. To manage state policy in the field of water management, a separate Ministry of Water Resources was created and the Concept for the development of the industry for the period until 2030 was approved.

As a logical continuation of these reforms and to solve systemic problems at the middle and upper levels of the water management system, on May 7, 2024, the President of Uzbekistan signed the decree "On Setting Priorities for the Introduction and Development of a Modern Management System in Water Resources." According to this document, the activity of the Ministry of Water Resources was divided into three parts, setting up a vertical management system. At the upper level is the management of the state water policy, the regulator; the middle level is engaged in the operation and construction of water management facilities and the introduction of business processes into the sector; and the lower-level handles supplying water directly to consumers.

In the middle stage, an agency for the exploitation of water resource facilities is being set up that operates as an independent legal entity. The agency includes the Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of Karakalpakhstan and regional irrigation systems basin departments, main canals, water reservoirs, and pumping station utilization departments, as well as land-improvement expeditions.

The department for the implementation of water management projects participates as a customer in projects funded by the budget and foreign investments. The decree envisages a 22% increase in the salary of middle- and high-level employees working in the ministry system, starting on July 1, 2024, and a 60% increase starting in 2025. It should be mentioned that starting in January 2024, the salary of lower-level employees has been doubled, and several incentive mechanisms are being used.

As a result of the accurate calculation of available water resources, special attention is paid to the introduction of water-saving technologies, resulting in abundant and high-quality harvests from agricultural crops. Nevertheless, the prevention of water scarcity remains one of the most important directions for Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan is a country with a large water infrastructure in the Central Asian region; the total irrigated cropland exceeds 4.3 million hectares.

As one of the five priority directions of the "Uzbekistan-2030" strategy, which defines the goals of sustainable development of the country, the task of saving water resources and environmental protection is emphasized, placing great responsibility on water management employees.

To reduce water losses in irrigation networks, the year 2024 was announced as a "breakthrough year for concreting canals" in the water industry at the initiative of the President. For this purpose, 5,000 kilometers of irrigation networks, of which 1,500 kilometers are main and inter-farm and 3,500 kilometers are internal, have been concreted this year. To date, 525 kilometers of canals have been reconstructed, of which 355 kilometers have been concreted. The length of canals concreted by clusters and farms has exceeded 13,500 kilometers.

In recent years, the areas covered by water-saving technologies in the country have reached 1.3 million hectares. Of this, drip irrigation accounts for 478,000 hectares, sprinkler irrigation for 55,000 hectares, and discrete method irrigation for 29,000 hectares. Over 700,000 hectares have been leveled using laser leveling equipment.

Work on the introduction of water-saving technologies, which started in previous years, is being continued consistently. This year alone, it is planned to introduce cost-effective technologies on 500,000 hectares of land and to fully cover all irrigated farming areas in the country with such technologies by 2030.

All possibilities and resources are being used for this. Today, the number of local enterprises producing equipment and components for water-saving technologies in Uzbekistan has reached 55, with plans to increase this number in the future.

In recent years, 11,446 "Smart Water" devices, online water level monitoring meters in 1,704 pumping units, and online monitoring of seepage water levels have been installed in 6,746 reclamation monitoring wells. To manage water resources from one point without human intervention, the management processes of 65 large water management facilities were automated.

It is planned to save 8 billion cubic meters of water in 2024 through the concreting of channels, the introduction of water-saving technologies, the digitization of the industry, the implementation of "smart" devices, and effective water management.

It should be noted that 60 percent of the irrigated cropland in the country is supplied with water through pumps. There are more than 1,600 pumping stations in the Ministry's system, and due to their modernization, installation of modern energy-saving devices, and the introduction of public-private partnerships, electricity consumption has been reduced by 1.5 billion kWh in the last seven years.

In the coming years, the total cost of the water industry will be $6.0 trillion. Agreements for 463 public-private partnership projects worth significant amounts in soums were signed. In 2023, all water management facilities in five districts and 300 pumping stations across the republic will be transferred to the private sector.

This transfer increases work efficiency, saves up to 30% on electricity at pumping stations, and reduces salary deductions by 13%.

The "Irrigators' School" was launched in cooperation with the Ministry of Water Resources, the "Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers," the National Research University, and "Agrobank." Highly qualified specialists from abroad are organizing one-week-long free training courses for designers, contractors, managers of farms, and cluster enterprises from all districts of the republic.

In short, life itself proves that the only solution to mitigate the water shortage in our region is to save water and use it wisely.

Press service of the Ministry of Water Resources
of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The Fifth Tashkent International Investment Forum will take place on June 16–19, 2026. This year’s theme – “Investment Resilience: New Frontiers, New Partnerships” – frames the agenda around a set of pressing questions: how to protect capital amid global uncertainty, what institutional mechanisms enhance investment resilience in frontier markets, and where the new partnership routes lie.

The forum’s context is set by macroeconomic results. According to the National Statistics Committee, Uzbekistan’s GDP grew by 7.7% in 2025 and exceeded $147 billion – the fastest pace since 2021 and among the highest in the Europe and Central Asia region. Fitch Ratings and S&P Global upgraded the country’s sovereign rating from BB– to BB for the first time, while Moody’s revised its outlook to “positive.” International reserves, per the Central Bank, surpass $77 billion. Exports rose 24% to $33.8 billion. Foreign direct investment increased by 46.9%, with FDI accounting for 40.5% of total capital investment. For an economy that attracted only $4 billion in annual foreign investment in 2017, the surge to $42 billion by 2025 represents a fundamentally different scale of growth. This tenfold increase over eight years underscores a profound transformation in the nation's investment landscape.

The forum is scaling alongside the economy. Last year’s TIIF drew over 8,000 participants, including some 3,000 international delegates from 97 countries. Guests included Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, heads of government from all Central Asian states, EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso, and New Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff. The aggregate value of signed investment contracts and trade agreements reached $30.5 billion. Yet what best speaks to the platform’s maturity is not the number of signings but the conversion rate – the share of agreements that translate into operating assets is increasingly the metric that matters to returning investors.

The centrepiece of this year’s forum will be the Tashkent International Financial Centre (TIFC), established by presidential decree in March 2026. Behind the headline sits a specific institutional architecture: a special legal regime based on common-law principles, a dedicated financial services regulator, an arbitration centre (TIAC), and tax exemptions through 2076. TIFC is part of a global trend toward specialised financial hubs that offer international market participants a familiar legal environment and regulatory predictability. Its defining feature is integration within the country’s legal framework: the centre operates under a special legal regime rather than creating a separate jurisdiction, reducing regulatory fragmentation and simplifying engagement with the domestic economy. A panel session featuring leaders of major global financial centres and international investors operating in Uzbekistan will address the central question: what are the practical conditions under which TIFC can attract international market participants.

The TIIF 2026 programme is structured around four thematic pillars: investment resilience and capital protection mechanisms, financial infrastructure and capital market development, trade connectivity and logistics corridors, and energy transition and climate finance. Key sessions include a discussion of the regulatory framework for alternative investment funds (a legal basis for private equity and venture capital being adopted for the first time), a panel on the Middle Corridor and trans-Caspian logistics, a session on sovereign ratings across Central Asia, and a practitioner-led workshop on blended finance instruments in frontier markets. A dedicated arbitration and dispute resolution track features two panel sessions co-organised with the Tashkent International Arbitration Centre (TIAC), the British-Uzbek Legal Association (BrULA), and the British Embassy. Topics range from the institutional design of Uzbekistan’s arbitration ecosystem – including the innovative Dispute Avoidance Protocol (DAP) – to the country’s positioning within the global investment protection architecture: ISDS frameworks, bilateral investment treaty reform, and New York Convention enforcement.

The energy agenda warrants particular attention. Uzbekistan has set an ambitious target of raising the share of renewables in electricity generation to 54% by 2030. Currently, the country operates solar and wind facilities with a combined installed capacity exceeding 4 GW, with a project pipeline envisaging an additional 19 GW of green capacity. Alongside this, the public-private partnership mechanism continues to develop: as of early 2025, PPP agreements worth approximately $28 billion had been signed in the country. For investors, this represents a large, structured market with standardised PPA contracts and a clear entry mechanism – a subject that will be examined in detail during the forum’s energy panel.

TIIF 2026 retains its bilateral business forum format, reflecting the expanding geography of Uzbekistan’s economic partnerships. Confirmed platforms include business forums with the Republic of Korea, the United States, Croatia, Hungary, Turkey, and Albania, as well as a China–SCO countries investment dialogue; the lineup continues to grow as the event approaches. The plenary session featuring heads of state and government will set the tone for the business programme. Running in parallel is an exhibition of industrial and investment potential spanning approximately 6,000 sq m – in 2025, a comparable facility facilitated over 500 B2B and B2G meetings for 100 participating companies.

At the same time, the forum agenda implicitly flags unresolved challenges. The corporate governance session raises the question of transitioning from concentrated to dispersed ownership – a process without which the stock market will remain illiquid. The discussion of privatisation and state asset IPOs calls for a candid conversation about pacing and institutional quality. The responsible business conduct panel, anchored in OECD standards, recognises that tax incentives alone are insufficient for accessing institutional capital – what is needed is verifiable supply chain transparency and functioning National Contact Point mechanisms.

The business programme is complemented by networking formats: an FIC and EY business breakfast on digitalisation and AI, the annual SQB Investor Day, an ESG Award ceremony, and the European Business Evening. The informal component – an invitational tennis tournament, TIIF Open, and an evening run – is designed for delegates who prefer to build relationships beyond the conference hall. The anniversary evening concludes with a collaboration with the Stihia electronic music festival – a detail that captures the tone in which Uzbekistan presents itself to an international audience.

For Uzbekistan, TIIF has long ceased to be a showcase. It is a working instrument of investment policy, whose effectiveness is measured not by the number of signing ceremonies but by the volume of capital that actually enters the economy between forums. The fifth, anniversary edition takes place at a moment when the country is simultaneously launching an international financial centre, adopting an alternative investment funds law, and receiving a sovereign rating upgrade – a convergence that creates a window of opportunity for investors prepared to operate in frontier markets with a growing institutional base.

The Business Activity Index (BAI), estimated by the Center for Economic Research and Reforms, reached 1124 points in February 2026, increasing by 12.4% compared with the previous month (and by 24.2% compared with the same period last year, Chart No.1).

In February of the current year, the following changes were observed across the BAI components:

• the component reflecting the number of transactions on business entities’ bank accounts increased by 22%;
• the intensity of raw material purchases on the commodity exchange rose by 10.6%;
• the component reflecting active business entities increased by 0.9%;
• the trademark component grew by 9.4%.

In February 2026, the BAI also increased in 13 regions compared with the previous month (Chart No.2).

In particular, notable growth was observed in Andijan region (44.8%), Syrdarya region (41.7%), Tashkent region (33.3%), and Kashkadarya region (28.2%).

At the same time, in the Republic of Karakalpakstan the indicator slightly declined by 0.5%, remaining at a moderate level.

Banking operations

During the reporting period, the number of interbank payment transactions reached 6,760.3 thousand, increasing by 1,220.5 thousand transactions (22%) compared with January 2026.

An increase in interbank payment operations was recorded in 12 regions. In particular, a significant rise in banking operations between legal entities compared with the previous month was observed in Tashkent city (24.1%), Surkhandarya region (23.3%), Samarkand region (21.4%), and Navoi region (17.7%).

At the same time, this indicator declined in Syrdarya region (8.1%) and the Republic of Karakalpakstan (1.6%).

Exchange component

In February of the current year, the exchange component of the BAI reached 1.1058 points, increasing by 10.6% compared with the previous month.

This reflected a 36.2% increase in the number of transactions concluded, while the average volume of goods purchased per transaction declined by 15.1%.

The total turnover of goods traded on the UzEx amounted to 6,296 billion soums in February 2026, which is 6.5% higher than in the previous month.

Component of active business entities

During the reporting period, this component amounted to 1.0088 points, increasing by 0.9% compared with the previous month.

At the same time, the total number of operating business entities increased by 4,079 units, reaching 508.5 thousand.

The number of large enterprises increased by 51 units, reaching 4,161.
The number of small enterprises rose by 3.9 thousand, reaching 415.1 thousand.
The number of farms increased by 36, reaching 89.2 thousand.

Trademark component

In February 2026, the trademark component reached 1.0641 points, increasing by 9.4% compared with the previous month.

During this period, 430 trademarks and product names were registered by legal entities.

Islombek Saparmatov, CERR

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev familiarized himself with the proposals on improving the quality of pre-school and school education and the system of professional development of teachers.

Students' interest in subjects and their academic performance largely depend on the knowledge and skill of teachers. Therefore, necessary conditions are being created for teachers' professional development and the system of knowledge assessment is being improved.

The responsible persons reported on the developed proposals in this sphere.

It was noted that a new certification system based on advanced technologies has been introduced. More than 190 thousand teachers took part in it, 51 thousand teachers were promoted to the new category based on the results.

It was emphasized that it is necessary to constantly stimulate the increase in the number of professional and self-educated teachers in schools.

It was proposed to increase the salaries of teachers with the highest and first qualification category from September 2025.

It was instructed to develop and implement a separate professional development program for teachers who have not been certified and do not have sufficient experience.

In this process, it is necessary to make full use of the possibilities of professional development centers and teacher training colleges. To this end, based on the experience of the Presidential Schools, a system of professional development for the heads and teachers of kindergartens and schools will be organized at the Abdullah Avloni National Research Institute with a frequency of every 5 years.

A task has been set to transfer 11 pedagogical colleges in the regions under the authority of the Centers of Professional Development and attract trainers from abroad.

It was informed that kindergartens and schools, technical schools and "Barkamol Avlod" school will be established on the basis of teacher training colleges with low workload.

In order to disseminate best practices, the evaluation system of Presidential Schools was introduced in 500 schools last year. As a result, student achievement in these schools increased from 53 percent to 59 percent. A bonus of up to 40 percent has been set for school leaders and teachers of high-performing schools.

In this regard, starting from the new school year, this evaluation system will be applied in another 1,000 schools. They will be assigned to 182 specialized schools and 500 schools that have tested the system.

Also 270 schools will be equipped with interactive whiteboards, 365 schools will be provided with computer classes.

The presentation also considered a proposal to establish the National Institute of Pedagogy of Education on the basis of the Research Institute of Pedagogical Sciences of Uzbekistan named after Kary-Niyazi. The new institute will be entrusted with the tasks of strengthening makhalla-parents-school cooperation, creating educational literature for parents and children, and scientific research of didactic views of the Jadids. Activity of the Academic Council on 5 specialties will be organized, as well as training of personnel in master's and doctoral studies.

In addition, the issues of introducing international methods in the schools of sportsmanship of Bakhodir Jalolov and Oksana Chusovitina, improving the quality of education and training were touched upon.

The head of state gave instructions on improving the quality of teachers' training, organizing a fair system of evaluation and incentives.

In the current geopolitical climate, Uzbekistan's participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is acquiring particular strategic importance. The SCO serves as a crucial platform that allows member states to combine their efforts, both in times of stability and during periods of crisis and external shocks, as well as to develop coordinated approaches and joint solutions to issues of common regional interest.

In the transport sector, this is especially vital for maintaining the stability and continuity of international supply chains, diversifying routes, developing new transport corridors, and strengthening the interconnectedness of member states.

Over the past five years, Uzbekistan's international freight traffic with SCO member countries has increased by approximately 9 million tons, or 40%, reaching 33.5 million tons in 2025 and accounting for 80% of the country's total freight volume. Within this volume, the largest shares belong to Russia (33%), Kazakhstan (32%), China (16%), and Kyrgyzstan (10%).

According to the author's calculations, international freight traffic between Uzbekistan and SCO member states could reach up to 47 million tons by 2030.

Established in 2001 primarily as a mechanism for ensuring regional security, the SCO has significantly expanded its agenda over its 25-year history. Today, its framework addresses issues of trade, investment, energy, transport, logistics, digitalization, ecology, culture, and other areas.

With the expansion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to 10 member states, transport cooperation has acquired key importance in the organization's activities. The SCO's geographical area covers a vast territory, stretching from Belarus to India in the south—through Afghanistan, which has observer status—and latitudinally from China to Iran and Türkiye, a dialogue partner. Furthermore, an opportunity is emerging for the first time to connect the land transport systems of the Indian subcontinent and Eurasia, including China. This geographic configuration creates the foundation for linking key trade regions across Eurasia and establishing new international transport routes.

In recent years, the organization's member states have adopted a set of strategic documents that have formed the institutional framework for developing transport connectivity. These include:

The Concept for Cooperation of the SCO Member States on Developing Connectivity and Creating Efficient Transport Corridors – Samarkand, September 16, 2022;

The Concept for Cooperation between SCO Member States on Transport Decarbonization, Promoting Digital Transformation, and Innovative Technologies to Achieve Greater Efficiency and Sustainability – New Delhi, July 4, 2023;

The Concept for Cooperation of SCO Member States in the Development of Ports and Logistics Centers – Astana, July 4, 2024.

Concurrently, the SCO regularly holds meetings of the Joint Commission on Creating Favorable Conditions for International Road Transport, meetings of the heads of railway administrations, and meetings of transport ministers.

One of the key responses to contemporary challenges is the development of alternative land-based communications and the creation of a sustainable, interconnected digital transport ecosystem. This principle is shaping a new paradigm in the SCO's approach to logistics development.

The Tianjin Declaration of the SCO Council of Heads of State, adopted on

September 1, 2025, directly reflects this trend.

The document notes that, "The Member States, sharing the international community's aspiration to strengthen interconnectedness, advocate for the further development of cooperation in the transport sector on a fair and balanced basis in accordance with international law and the goals and principles of the UN Charter and the SCO Charter. They emphasize the importance of creating new and modernizing existing international transport routes, including promoting the activities of the North-South and East-West corridors, and harnessing the transit potential of the SCO Member States. They also note the SCO countries' initiatives on transport infrastructure and on ensuring the stable and uninterrupted functioning of supply chains through the digitalization of logistics procedures, including the organization of electronic data exchange on goods transported between SCO countries and the introduction of technological innovations".

At the same time, to achieve an integrated transport and logistics system for the SCO, it is necessary to eliminate the existing infrastructure gaps between the Organization's individual subregions.  One of the key challenges to transport interconnectivity among the SCO states remains the insufficient level of railway connectivity between the member countries. This hinders the formation of a unified, integrated railway network not only for the SCO but for all of Eurasia.

In this regard, the implementation of new transregional railway projects aimed at bridging existing infrastructure gaps and creating additional routes between Central, South, and East Asia is of particular importance.

In this respect, the projects initiated and supported by Uzbekistan to build new railway lines are of a significance that extends far beyond national infrastructure, acquiring a regional character.

One of the most significant infrastructure projects is the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway^[1].

The Tianjin Declaration specifically noted the launch of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway's construction. In this project, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan can serve as a key link in a new transport logistics network. Furthermore, the development of land routes will allow the region's states not only to compensate for their lack of direct sea access but also to form a regional transport bridge between the largest markets of Eurasia.

On December 27, 2024, an official ceremony marking the start of the railway's construction was held in the Jalal-Abad region of Kyrgyzstan. The total length of the project is approximately 532.5 km. It involves the construction of railway stations, bridges, and tunnels, making it one of the most complex infrastructure projects in the region^[2].

According to preliminary estimates, after commissioning, the freight volume on the new railway could reach 8 million tons by 2030, 10 million tons by 2040, and 13.5 million tons by 2050.

The project's importance lies not only in shortening the distance between China and Central Asia. Its strategic impact is the creation of a new component of the transportation network, which can later be integrated with routes to South Asia and onward to the ports of the Indian Ocean.

To link the countries of East Asia (China) with those of South Asia (India and Pakistan), the swift implementation of another project vital to the region is necessary: the construction of the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan railway line. The implementation of this project will create a new international multimodal transport corridor capable of connecting the European Union, the CIS countries, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, with subsequent access to the markets of Southeast Asia.

The project's fundamental importance lies in establishing a new, shorter overland route and providing a direct transport link between the SCO countries via a unified railway network.

As part of the project preparation, field studies have already been conducted, orthophoto maps and a digital terrain model have been prepared, and the technical part of the preliminary feasibility study for the route has been developed by the Boshtransloyiha design institute.

In July 2025, during the first meeting of the foreign ministers of the three countries in Kabul, a framework intergovernmental agreement was signed on the development of a feasibility study.

Preliminary estimates by the consulting firm EY (one of the Big Four) project a significant cargo potential for the project: up to 22 million tons per year by 2030 and up to 34 million tons by 2040^[3]. A significant portion of this cargo base, up to 80%, is expected to come from transit flows.

The economic significance of the corridor extends beyond the transport sector. Its implementation could help bring Afghanistan's natural resources into economic circulation, create new professions and jobs, develop infrastructure, and establish new production and logistics chains.

The most significant strategic effect will be achieved not by implementing individual railway construction projects, but through their synchronized development and mutual integration. This will allow for the formation of an interconnected system of transport routes, expand the transit and export potential of the SCO countries, including Uzbekistan, and create the conditions for redistributing freight flows between East, Central, and South Asia.

In the long term, this will lay the groundwork for forming international multimodal transport corridors along the "China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India," "China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan–Iran–Turkey–EU," and "CIS countries–Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan" routes, providing access to Indian Ocean ports.

In this regard, the initiative by Uzbekistan's railway authorities to establish a Council for the Integration of SCO Railway Spaces, proposed in 2024^[4], is of particular importance. The draft Concept for the Council was supported on March 27, 2026, at the sixth meeting of the heads of SCO railway administrations and was approved by the organization's transport ministers in April 2026.

The creation of the Council will make it possible to coordinate joint efforts to eliminate existing barriers, including differences in railway gauge, technical and technological standards, and rolling stock parameters, as well as to improve border procedures and unify transport documents.

Thus, the development of transport connectivity within the SCO creates opportunities not only for the member states as a whole, but also for individual regions, promoting their integration into international transport and logistics chains, expanding their transit potential, and attracting new cargo flows.

1. T. Ibragimova

[1] Железная дорога «Китай – Кыргызстан – Узбекистан»: новая транспортная артерия Евразии// https://t.me/projekt_office_smsc/339

[2]  О ходе строительства ж/д «Китай – Кыргызстан – Узбекистан» – новой транспортной артерии Евразии// https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9MTktgScAk

[3] О проекте строительства железной дороги "Узбекистан-Афганистан-Пакистан", 2025// https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbx2vVH2xHs

[4] Россия поддержит: перспективы двух крупных транспортных проектов в ЦА// https://uz.sputniknews.ru/20240219/russia-uzbekistan-perspektivy-transportnye-proekti-v-tsa-42568893.html

The current stage of global economic development is characterized by a large-scale transformation of international supply chains and growing geopolitical uncertainty. In this context, transport connectivity is becoming a key factor in ensuring economic security and sustainable development.

These processes are particularly relevant for the countries of Eurasia. Comprehensive transport and logistics cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Uzbekistan, which serve as key links in the new transit corridor architecture, is of strategic importance here.

Russian-Uzbek cooperation is demonstrating stable positive dynamics. By the end of 2025, the total volume of freight traffic between the countries reached 18.2 million tons, an increase of 13.6 percent compared to the previous year. Exports accounted for 3.6 million tons, imports for 9.2 million tons, and transit for 5.4 million tons.

Rail transport traditionally forms the bulk of freight turnover. In 2025, volumes reached 12.9 million tonnes, representing a 12.3 percent increase compared to the previous year, while transit traffic increased by almost 15 percent to 4.8 million tonnes.

The development of strategic industrial cooperation has become an important stage of cooperation. Specifically, a large-scale project to transfer the Tashkent Passenger Carriage Construction and Repair Plant to the trust management of Transmashholding JSC is being implemented. The signed agreements provide for the complete modernization of the plant by the end of 2026, with the prospect of its phased privatization.

In terms of passenger rail transportation, service has been fully restored on the Tashkent-Moscow and Tashkent-Kazan routes. The launch of train service from Andijan to Moscow and the establishment of direct rail service between the two countries' tourist centers are currently on the agenda.

The development of road transportation also remains an important area of ​​cooperation. By the end of 2025, the volume of road freight transport exceeded 5.2 million tons, representing a 16.5% increase. At the same time, passenger bus service continues to develop. Regular bus services have been established from Tashkent to Novosibirsk, Kazan, Perm, Krasnodar, Ufa, Moscow, and St. Petersburg.

Routes to Nizhny Novgorod, Tyumen, and Yekaterinburg are planned for 2026–2028. To improve service quality, unified service standards, monitoring systems, and digital services, including electronic ticket booking, are being implemented.

Significant results have also been achieved in aviation services. In 2025, more than 34,000 bilateral flights were operated, representing a 4.8% increase, carrying over 4.2 million passengers. Currently, flights operate at a frequency of 340 per week, involving over 45 Russian airlines and leading Uzbek carriers (Uzbekistan Airways, Qanot Sharq, Panorama Airways, and My Freighter).

A breakthrough was reached in June 2025 in Moscow by aviation authorities. The parties agreed to increase the frequency to 1,000 scheduled flights per week. If these quotas are fully utilized, the annual passenger capacity will exceed 16 million passengers. The most significant area of ​​cooperation is the joint development of new international transport corridors, the key one being the multimodal corridor "Belarus – Russia – Kazakhstan – Uzbekistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan." The project was initiated by the signing of a memorandum on the development of this corridor in 2023 at the first SCO Transport Forum.

In April 2024, the first meeting of the working group was held in Termez, where the parties signed a roadmap providing for the analysis of cargo flows, the implementation of electronic digital documents, and the optimization of customs procedures. After Pakistan joined the memorandum, a number of additional meetings of the working group were held throughout 2025, during which tariff conditions, logistics solutions, and the organization of test container shipments along the route were agreed upon.

This transport corridor has the potential to become one of the most important routes in the Eurasian space, providing direct transport and logistics links between the Union State of Belarus and Russia, the countries of Central Asia, and the markets of South Asia.

Russian-Uzbek cooperation in transport and logistics has become a full-scale strategic partnership. The synchronized development of all modes of transport, deep industrial cooperation, and the joint development of new transit routes form a reliable framework for Eurasian connectivity, capable of ensuring economic growth throughout Greater Eurasia.

Leading specialists of the Center for the Study of Transport and Logistics Development Problems under the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Sh. Akhmedov and M. Tohirov

The forthcoming state visit of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Kyrgyzstan on 30–31 July will mark a new milestone in the development of Uzbek–Kyrgyz relations, which have undergone a profound transformation in recent years—from overcoming accumulated disagreements to building a comprehensive model of strategic cooperation.

Today, relations between the two countries are experiencing one of the most substantive periods in their history. Only a few years ago, a significant part of the bilateral agenda concerned issues relating to the state border, the operation of border checkpoints, and the restoration of mutual trust. However, consistent political dialogue has made it possible to resolve the outstanding issues and create space for a new level of cooperation in industry, investment, energy, transport, cross-border development, and the humanitarian sphere.

At the heart of these changes lies the political will of the leaders of the two states. Reciprocal visits and a shared readiness to seek mutually acceptable solutions have created a new atmosphere of trust that now defines the nature of bilateral cooperation. The regular and trust-based dialogue between President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov has brought bilateral relations to a fundamentally new level. The signing of the Declaration on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023 was a logical continuation of this course. The document became both a political symbol of rapprochement and an institutional foundation for long-term cooperation, formalizing the transition of relations to a qualitatively new stage.

The main achievement of recent years is that the border between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan is no longer perceived solely as a dividing line. It is gradually becoming a space for economic growth, people-to-people contacts, and shared opportunities. This transformation has been one of the most significant accomplishments of the new era of Uzbek–Kyrgyz relations. The final settlement of state border issues was of particular historical importance.

The signing in Khujand on 31 March 2025 of the Treaty on the Junction Point of the State Borders of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan demonstrated the ability of the region’s states to resolve the most complex issues independently, on the basis of mutual respect and due consideration of one another’s interests.

It is symbolic that the successful completion of the process of resolving border issues in Central Asia has also received international recognition. Adopted on 20 May 2026 at the initiative of the Kyrgyz Republic, the United Nations General Assembly resolution entitled “Peaceful Settlement of Border Disputes” established at the global level the principles of resolving territorial issues peacefully through dialogue, mutual trust, and consideration of the interests of all parties. For Central Asia, where historic progress has been achieved in recent years in the delimitation of state borders, the document represented important confirmation of the relevance of the region’s accumulated experience and recognition of the contribution made by Central Asian countries to international security.

The political and legal foundation that has been established is now undergoing further institutional development. The leaders’ declarations and agreements are supported by a comprehensive set of mechanisms, including the Supreme Interstate Council, the Intergovernmental Commission, the Interparliamentary Commission, the Business Council, and formats for interregional cooperation. Significantly, the twelfth meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission was held in Cholpon-Ata in June this year, during which the parties agreed on further measures to expand trade, industrial cooperation, and transport and energy interaction.

The intensive political dialogue is naturally reflected in the economy, which today serves as one of the clearest indicators of the changes that have taken place. Over the past ten years, bilateral trade has increased more than sevenfold, from USD 167.5 million to USD 1.2 billion. Last year alone, growth of 40 percent was recorded.

At the same time, Uzbekistan has become one of Kyrgyzstan’s largest trading partners, accounting for approximately 7 percent of its foreign trade turnover. It is noteworthy that mutual trade has become considerably more diversified in recent years.

Whereas bilateral trade was previously based mainly on the exchange of agricultural products, it is now increasingly dominated by higher value-added goods and products from processing industries. In particular, more than 90 percent of Uzbek exports consist of processed products (40 percent), finished goods (45 percent), and services (6 percent).

A clear example of this progress is the growing number of enterprises involving capital from the two countries. More than 300 enterprises with Kyrgyz investment currently operate in Uzbekistan, while around 70 enterprises involving Uzbek businesses operate in Kyrgyzstan. This indicates that the business communities of the two countries increasingly regard each other not only as markets for their products, but also as partners in joint production and the development of long-term industrial ties.

The Uzbekistan–Kyrgyzstan Development Fund has become an important instrument in supporting this trend. The decision to increase its authorized capital to USD 200 million significantly expands opportunities to finance projects in industry, agriculture, logistics, energy, construction, tourism, and services. This is helping to create a more sustainable economic foundation for bilateral cooperation. In the future, joint ventures could become the core of cross-border production chains targeting third-country markets by combining Uzbekistan’s industrial capacity, Kyrgyzstan’s natural resource and energy potential, and the advantageous geographical position of both countries.

The dynamic growth of trade and industrial cooperation has naturally increased the importance of transport connectivity, which is becoming one of the key areas of the new stage of Uzbek–Kyrgyz cooperation. In recent years, cooperation has moved beyond the modernization of roads and border checkpoints toward the implementation of regional-scale infrastructure projects. Chief among them is the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, which opens a new chapter in the transport integration of Central Asia.

After almost three decades of discussion, the project has entered the implementation stage. With a total length of 538 kilometres, the railway will connect China’s western regions with Central Asia and provide the shortest overland route toward the Middle East and Europe.

The new railway is expected to shorten the freight route between China and Europe by approximately 900 kilometres, reduce delivery times by seven to eight days—almost one-third—and carry up to 15 million tonnes of cargo annually.

For Kyrgyzstan, the project means transforming from a landlocked country into an important Eurasian transit link. For Uzbekistan, it means diversifying export routes, strengthening ties with China, and improving the resilience of foreign trade. At the same time, the project’s significance extends far beyond the construction of a railway. Logistics centres, industrial zones, and new production facilities will emerge along the route. Combined with the development of the Trans-Afghan Transport Corridor, this will create the conditions for Central Asia to become one of Eurasia’s key transport and logistics hubs.

Energy cooperation occupies a special place in the Uzbek–Kyrgyz partnership. For many years, water and energy issues remained among the most sensitive aspects of relations between the countries of the region. Today, however, a fundamental shift is taking place: rather than focusing on differences, the parties are increasingly concentrating on joint solutions.

The most ambitious example of this approach is the construction of the Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant, which Kyrgyzstan is implementing jointly with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The project, valued at approximately USD 4 billion, envisages the construction of a hydropower facility with a capacity of 1,860 MW and annual electricity generation of 5.6 billion kWh, making it one of the largest energy facilities in Central Asia.

The project’s importance goes far beyond the energy sector. For the first time in the region’s history, three states are jointly implementing an infrastructure project of this scale, sharing investment, risks, and future benefits. Its implementation will strengthen regional energy security, enhance the sustainability of the water and energy balance, and expand opportunities for mutual electricity supplies.

At the same time, the sustainability of the strategic partnership is determined not only by large-scale infrastructure projects. The humanitarian dimension of cooperation, rooted in the historical closeness of the two peoples and intensive interpersonal contacts, plays an equally important role.

More than 300,000 ethnic Kyrgyz currently live in Uzbekistan, where six Kyrgyz cultural centres and more than 50 schools offering instruction in the Kyrgyz language operate. Kyrgyzstan, in turn, is home to a large Uzbek community that forms an integral part of the country’s social and cultural fabric. These humanitarian ties have become one of the most important sources of trust between the two states.

The most vivid practical manifestation of the level of trust achieved can be seen in the Fergana Valley, a region where the most complex issues of cross-border interaction had been concentrated for decades. In many ways, the valley serves as a reflection of the processes taking place across Central Asia. Today, it is gradually being transformed from an area of potential disagreement into a territory of cooperation, dialogue, and joint development.

An important symbol of this transformation was the first Fergana Peace Forum, held in the city of Fergana in October 2025 under the slogan “Fergana Valley: Joining Efforts for Peace and Progress.” For the first time, the Fergana Valley became a platform for developing joint solutions. Discussions focused on strengthening trust, advancing cross-border cooperation, unlocking the region’s economic potential, promoting cultural engagement, and enhancing the role of young people in ensuring sustainable peace.

A notable feature of the Fergana Forum was the holding of Yntymak Day, or “Day of Unity,” under its auspices. Since 2023, the event has been held in Kyrgyzstan as a platform for strengthening dialogue among government bodies, civil society institutions, and international organizations in support of peace and harmony in the region. In 2025, it was held in Uzbekistan for the first time.

The emerging atmosphere of cooperation is reflected not only in political initiatives but also in the growth of humanitarian contacts between the citizens of the two countries. Cooperation in tourism expanded considerably in 2025. Kyrgyzstan is among the largest sources of tourists visiting Uzbekistan. While approximately 652,000 Kyrgyz citizens visited the country in 2021, the figure reached 3.3 million in 2025. The growth in mutual travel demonstrates that open borders and improved transport links are already having a direct impact on everyday contacts between the people of the two countries.

Cultural exchange is also expanding. Days of Culture, joint festivals, educational programmes, and events dedicated to the legacy of prominent figures from both nations are strengthening Central Asia’s shared humanitarian space. The legacy of Chinghiz Aitmatov, whose works form part of the region’s common cultural heritage, carries particular symbolic importance.

Joint events marking anniversaries associated with his life and work demonstrate that culture is becoming an important means of strengthening mutual understanding between the two peoples.

Kyrgyzstan’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2027–2028 adds an international dimension to the Uzbek–Kyrgyz partnership. This historic achievement not only reflects the high degree of confidence that the international community places in Kyrgyzstan’s foreign policy, but also opens new opportunities to promote Central Asian interests on the global stage.

For Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan’s membership of the Security Council offers an additional opportunity for closer coordination on regional security, sustainable development, the water and climate agenda, transport connectivity, and the strengthening of multilateral cooperation. It will enable the countries to advance Central Asia’s shared interests more consistently, building on the high level of trust and strategic partnership established between the two states.

Kyrgyzstan’s election can also be regarded as a shared achievement for the region, reflecting Central Asia’s growing international standing and recognition of the policy of good-neighbourliness and constructive cooperation pursued by the region’s states.

Against this background, the issue of further deepening the Uzbek–Kyrgyz strategic partnership is taking on particular significance. Whereas the previous stage of bilateral relations focused on restoring trust, resolving accumulated disagreements, and creating a solid political and legal foundation for cooperation, the success of the current stage will largely depend on the ability of the two states to make joint use of emerging opportunities and translate the level of political trust achieved into sustainable institutional mechanisms for long-term development.

This is especially relevant in the context of implementing major projects designed for decades to come, including the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, the Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant, the expansion of industrial cooperation, and the formation of new transport, logistics, and production chains. Their effectiveness will depend not only on the volume of investment but also on the parties’ ability to ensure predictable conditions for cooperation, coordinated decision-making, and the long-term stability of the mechanisms they establish.

The development of cross-border cooperation remains one of the most promising areas. The final settlement of state border issues has created opportunities to transform border regions into spaces of shared economic growth. Further improvement of cooperation mechanisms between border regions, the implementation of joint infrastructure projects, and stronger interregional ties could make these areas one of the key drivers of bilateral cooperation.

At the same time, construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway is creating the conditions for the establishment of joint logistics and industrial zones along the route, the development of modern multimodal terminals, and the digitalization of customs and border procedures. This will make it possible to transform the new railway from merely a transport route into a fully fledged economic corridor that stimulates industrial development and attracts international investment.

The development of industrial cooperation offers equally important prospects. The next stage could involve the establishment of sustainable cross-border production chains, expanded cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises, joint access to third-country markets, and the further removal of remaining administrative barriers to mutual trade and investment.

The strong complementarity of the two economies creates opportunities for deeper sectoral specialization, particularly in the agro-industrial sector. The establishment of joint clusters for the advanced processing of agricultural products would significantly increase added value, improve the competitiveness of producers, and expand export potential.

At the same time, climate change and the growing risks posed by transboundary natural hazards are objectively broadening the strategic partnership agenda. In these circumstances, strengthening mechanisms for the joint prevention of and response to emergencies, developing information-sharing and early-warning systems, and coordinating efforts to ensure the environmental security of border areas are becoming increasingly important.

The further development of water and energy cooperation remains another major priority. The Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant project already demonstrates a transition toward a new model of regional cooperation based on joint investment, shared infrastructure management, and the distribution of benefits. In the future, the principles of mutual consideration of interests, equitable benefit-sharing, and collective responsibility for the rational use of water resources could form the basis of a modern system of regional water and energy partnership.

Thus, the further development of the Uzbek–Kyrgyz strategic partnership will be determined not only by maintaining a high level of political dialogue but also by consistently strengthening the institutional foundations of cooperation. This approach will ensure the sustainability of the progress achieved and create a solid basis for implementing joint projects in the interests of both states and Central Asia as a whole.

In conclusion, Uzbek–Kyrgyz relations are currently experiencing perhaps the most dynamic stage in the independent history of the two countries. The strategic partnership between Tashkent and Bishkek extends far beyond bilateral cooperation and is becoming an important factor in shaping a new architecture of interaction in Central Asia.

The joint settlement of border issues, implementation of major infrastructure projects, advancement of regional initiatives at the United Nations, and expansion of opportunities for coordinating international efforts demonstrate that Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are moving from resolving accumulated problems to jointly shaping the future. This model of partnership is becoming one of the key sources of stability, connectivity, and international agency for Central Asia as a whole.

Azamat Sulimanov
Head of Department, Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISRS)

Shakhlo Khamrakhodjaeva
Leading Research Fellow, Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISRS)

In the modern world, freedom of speech and information is a key element of a democratic society.

Uzbekistan is actively moving towards strengthening the constitutional rights of citizens in this important area, striving to create favorable conditions for the free exchange of information and development of the information society.

The country remains firmly committed to further improving the system of ensuring human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests. The efforts made by the country's leadership in this direction are holistic, sustainable and irreversible.

The following key aspects of state policy in areas of obtaining and disseminating information:

Firstly, creating conditions for free expression of opinions, independent and safe work of the media. Freedom of speech and press are fundamental principles of a democratic society. Uzbekistan strives to ensure pluralism of opinions and prevent any form of censorship, which contributes to the development of an open and informed society.

For this purpose, the necessary legal frameworks have been formed and are being improved in accordance with international standards and recommendations. To date, the country has adopted more than 10 relevant laws, among them - “On guarantees and freedom of access to information”, “On the openness of the activities of public authorities and management”, “On the media”, “On the principles and guarantees of freedom of information” , “On the protection of the professional activities of a journalist”, “On informatization”, etc.

Under Uzbek legislation, journalists are guaranteed personal inviolability in the performance of their professional duties and may not be prosecuted for publishing critical material.

In addition, to further liberalise media activities and ensure the rights of journalists, in 2018, the legislation clarified the legal status of journalists and guarantees of freedom of journalistic activity, as well as the procedure for accreditation of foreign media representatives in the country in accordance with modern requirements.

Mechanisms have also been established for government support of the mass media (provision of privileges on taxes, other compulsory payments and tariffs, preferences, provision of government subsidies, grants and social orders, as well as social support for editorial staff).

The consistent expansion of conditions and opportunities for media outlets is also reflected in their quantitative characteristics. From 2016 to date, their total number has increased by 49 per cent, reaching 2,200. At the same time, the total share of non-state media in the country is over 60%. Alongside traditional media, online publications are also developing rapidly, the number of which has reached 716, and their audience is steadily growing.

It is important to note that in 2023, a number of issues of ensuring freedom of information were enshrined at the level of the country’s Basic Law. Thus, the new version of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, adopted at a national referendum, outlines guarantees for the state to ensure free activity of the media, as well as responsibility for interference in the work of the media.

Another main difference of the new version of the Constitution in terms of freedom of information is the specification of the legal conditions under which restrictions on the search, receipt, use and dissemination of information can be introduced.

Similar provisions were identified in the Basic Law earlier, but were not detailed, which could lead to ambiguous interpretation and be used to unjustifiably restrict the rights of citizens.

The 2023 amendments establish that restrictions can only be imposed on certain grounds and only to the extent necessary. This represents a significant step forward in ensuring that restrictions on the right to seek, receive and disseminate information are transparent, legal and proportionate. These measures help strengthen the rule of law, protect the rights and freedoms of citizens and increase public confidence in government institutions.

A new provision has also been introduced into the country's Constitution guaranteeing free access to the Internet. Thus, the state at the constitutional level confirms its obligations to create all the necessary conditions for this, including in the context of supporting the processes of active digital transformation of the country and expanding the range of online services provided to the population.

Secondly, ensuring unhindered and equal access to information, including strengthening the accountability of government bodies to society. This includes expanding access to data on the work of government agencies and socially significant information in general. Availability of information allows citizens to be better informed, make informed decisions and actively participate in public life.

Openness and transparency in the activities of government agencies remain one of the key indicators of the effectiveness of the system of public control, ensuring continuous dialogue between the state and citizens, minimizing bureaucracy and combating corruption. It is the full implementation of this aspect that will reflect the principle laid down by the Head of State: “It is not the people who serve the state bodies, but the state bodies should serve the people”.

The work carried out by the Republic of Uzbekistan in this regard is becoming increasingly systematic. Thus, in addition to the current Law on Openness in the Activities of State Authorities and Government Bodies, a number of normative acts have been adopted since 2018 and up to the present time aimed at radically improving the work of the press services of State bodies and raising the status of press secretaries to the level of deputy head of department.

Increased requirements were set for the heads and employees of information services of state bodies, including timely and comprehensive coverage of key events and decisions within the work of their departments, as well as prompt response to requests from journalists and the public.

At present, the combined staff of the press services of ministries and departments includes 778 press secretaries and more than 500 employees.

In addition, the Agency of Information and Mass Communications, together with the press secretaries of government agencies, has created a mechanism for promptly responding to citizens' appeals, as well as critical and widely discussed news items in the media. As part of this work, more than 10,000 responses and expert opinions on the identified materials were published in the media, social networks and messengers.

The new version of the Constitution also obliges public bodies to act in a transparent and open manner. This means that all significant decisions and actions of public institutions must be publicly justified and documented. Authorities are obliged to publish regular reports on their activities and inform the public about important initiatives and programmes.

In 2021, in accordance with the Presidential decree, the possibilities of public control over the activities of government agencies were expanded. A list of socially significant information to be published as open data was approved, government bodies and organizations developing data, as well as the procedure for their publication were clearly defined.

The practice of determining indicators of openness and assessing it based on advanced international standards has been successfully introduced. The corresponding national Openness Indexes were published for 2022 and 2023.

At the same time, in 2022, liability was established for violating the legislation on the openness of the activities of public authorities and management, including for non-disclosure of socially significant information, failure to comply with the deadline and procedure for publication, or falsification of information.

Thirdly, protecting the rights of citizens to privacy and personal data. In the era of digital technology and big data, government policy is aimed at ensuring the security of citizens' personal information and preventing its misuse. This includes the development and implementation of legal regulations and technical solutions to protect personal data.

These issues are regulated by the relevant Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Personal Data” dated July 2, 2019. In particular, it regulates the need to ensure the collection, systematization and storage of personal data of citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the country in order to suppress the risks and threats of their leakage and misuse.

At the same time, it should be noted that the new version of the Constitution also enshrines the right to protection of personal data as a personal right of the individual. Consequently, their processing is allowed only with the consent of the individual. From now on, the Basic Law creates a direct possibility for citizens to demand correction of inaccurate data and destruction of data collected illegally or no longer having legal grounds, i.e. to realise the established international practice of the so-called ‘right to be forgotten’.

Such amendments are designed to promote the protection of privacy, increase trust in data processing systems, reduce risks and abuse, develop the digital economy and comply with international standards. Together, these measures create the conditions for a more transparent, secure and sustainable society in the digital age.

At the same time, the development of the population's information literacy remains an important factor in the formation of an effective and self-regulated national media environment against the background of various global challenges. The need to meet the needs of citizens for quality content and improve critical thinking skills has been repeatedly emphasised by the President of Uzbekistan.

The relevance of this task is confirmed by the fact that disinformation is recognised as one of the main short-term global threats, according to an expert report by the World Economic Forum. In addition, a long-term study of media consumption in Central Asia, conducted by the United States Agency for International Development and the non-governmental organisation Internews, shows an increase in the share of citizens in Uzbekistan who lack basic skills in working with information on the Internet (from 3% in 2021 to 25% in 2023).

Uzbekistan continue the country's course of strengthening openness and to develop fruitful and constructive international co-operation in the area of freedom of speech and the press with a view to turning the media into a real ‘fourth estate’. This will certainly create the necessary conditions for the creation of an informed, safe and progressive society ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.

           Aziz Yengalychev,

  Chief Researcher at the Institute for Strategic and Regional studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Expanding Uzbekistan’s exports and developing industrial cooperation require reliable logistics, access to capital, and stable and predictable conditions in foreign markets. These objectives occupy an important place on the economic agenda of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), which brings together 28 member states. The Seventh CICA Summit was held on October 15, 2026, in Baku under the chairmanship of Azerbaijan, whose priorities have been defined as connectivity, digitalization, and sustainable growth.

CICA members include some of Uzbekistan’s key trading partners. In the first half of 2026, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, and Afghanistan together accounted for approximately 53 percent of the country’s total foreign trade turnover. The multilateral platform complements established bilateral relations in areas where the organization of transportation or implementation of investment initiatives requires coordinated participation by several countries.

Cooperation with CIS countries occupies an important place in Uzbekistan’s foreign economic relations. Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with the Commonwealth countries increased from USD 11.8 billion in 2020 to USD 28.1 billion in 2025. In January–July of this year, trade turnover reached USD 18.3 billion, representing a growth rate of 122.7 percent. As of the beginning of August, approximately 5,800 enterprises with capital participation from Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan were operating in Uzbekistan.

Access to different markets requires a network of complementary transport corridors that makes it possible to select delivery routes based on their cost and transit time. At the CICA Summit in Astana in 2022, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev identified the development of production and logistics links between Central Asia and South and East Asia, as well as the Middle East, among the key economic priorities. The knowledge economy and modern technologies were also highlighted as priority areas.

Practical aspects of this agenda were discussed in June 2026 at the Second Termez Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia. Held with the participation of the CICA Secretariat, the event brought together representatives of 17 CICA member states. Discussions on multimodal routes and digital logistics were accompanied by a visit to the infrastructure of the Termez Cargo Terminal and the Ayritom International Trade Center, which facilitate freight transportation and trade between the regions.

Links with ports in the Caspian region complement the overland transport network by providing access to maritime routes. The conference of heads of ports of CICA member states, held in Baku in September, focused on coordinating maritime, rail, and road transportation, cargo handling, and cooperation among operators.

The transport agenda is closely linked to ongoing work within the CIS aimed at harmonizing technical requirements, ensuring mutual recognition of conformity assessment results, and eliminating non-tariff barriers. Electronic document management helps reduce the time required for cargo clearance and control procedures.

Direct ties between regions and businesses facilitate the identification of partners and platforms for joint projects involving technology transfer, industrial automation, and the development of new materials. Strengthening such ties was a key focus of the First CIS Forum of Regions held in Tashkent in 2025. The CICA Business Council provides additional opportunities for business engagement by promoting cooperation among business associations of CICA member states.

At the CIS Innovative Industry Forum held in Tashkent in April 2026, participants discussed the application of artificial intelligence and cooperation between science and industry.

For small and medium-sized enterprises, participation in such value chains creates opportunities to manufacture components and provide specialized services to large industrial enterprises.

The preparation of joint projects also requires coordination of financing sources. The CICA Financial Summit serves as an additional platform for engagement with relevant national institutions. Its first meeting was held in Astana on 8 September 2026. Its consultative agenda covers development finance, investment cooperation, and digital solutions. For Uzbekistan, this provides an opportunity to present initiatives in logistics, energy, and industry to potential investors and discuss the terms and conditions for their implementation.

Participation in multilateral formats enables Uzbekistan to build on established partnerships when entering new markets and preparing joint projects. The economic impact of such cooperation is reflected in the establishment of new production facilities, long-term export contracts, and an increase in the value added generated in Uzbekistan.

In the modern system of international relations, stable and long-term cooperation between states is based, above all, on political will and trust at the highest level. Relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Turkey have consistently developed based on an open, sincere, and trusting dialogue established between the heads of state. This political trust creates a solid foundation for public diplomacy, including deepening fraternal ties between the cities.

In recent years, high-level meetings, regular political dialogue, and strategic agreements between the presidents of Uzbekistan and Turkey have elevated relations between the two countries to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership. Mutual trust and political support from the heads of state have resulted in concrete and practical results in trade, economic, investment, cultural, humanitarian, and educational spheres.

From this perspective, public diplomacy is becoming an important component of Uzbek-Turkish relations. It strengthens official interstate agreements at the public level and deepens trust and mutual understanding between peoples. Particularly between two fraternal nations with shared historical roots, a common language, and spiritual values, public diplomacy is a natural and indispensable process.

In this context, the Uzbekistan-Turkey Friendship Society functions as an important institutional platform for the development of public diplomacy. Cultural events, scientific and educational conferences, youth and women’s initiatives organized by the society contribute to strengthening mutual trust and friendship between the two peoples. This activity promotes public support for priority areas established at the level of heads of state.

At the same time, fraternal relations between cities are one of the most effective and practical forms of public diplomacy. Fraternal relations established between the cities of Uzbekistan and Turkey strengthen political trust at the local level and create a favorable environment for economic and cultural cooperation. The Brother Cities Alliance and the Union of Municipalities of the Turkic World participate in this process as important international structures coordinating and systematically developing relations between cities. 

Brother cities cooperation, which has historical significance in Uzbek-Turkish relations, includes ties between the cities as Bukhara – Izmir, Bukhara – Malatya, Samarkand – Sakarya, Tashkent – Ankara, and Khiva – Bolu. Cultural and humanitarian projects, educational and tourism programs, as well as investment initiatives implemented within the framework of this cooperation serve to achieve the strategic goals set by the leaders of the two countries at the local level.

It should be noted that cooperation between cities has not only cultural or economic significance but also an important political content. Trust and cooperation established at the local level ensure the stability and continuity of interstate relations. This demonstrates the significant role of public diplomacy in strengthening the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Turkey.

In conclusion, public diplomacy in Uzbek-Turkish relations is an important factor that builds on, complements, and strengthens the trusting political dialogue between the heads of state. Within the framework of the priority areas identified by the heads of state, work carried out at the city level in cooperation with the Brother Cities Alliance and the Union of Municipalities of the Turkic World will contribute to the further strengthening of friendship, trust, and cooperation between the two fraternal peoples.

Zokir Abidov,

Chairman of the Brother Cities Alliance 

The Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) has prepared an infographic presenting key indicators of trade, economic and investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan over a nine-year period.

In recent years, economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan has been steadily expanding, now encompassing not only trade but also industrial cooperation across various sectors, particularly energy and agriculture.

A solid legal framework has been established to support bilateral cooperation across multiple areas. In 2018, the countries signed a Treaty on Strategic Partnership, followed by a Treaty on Allied Relations in 2024.

Tajikistan is among Uzbekistan’s key trade and economic partners, ranking 9th among importers of Uzbek goods and accounting for 2% of Uzbekistan’s total exports.

Bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan is conducted under a free trade regime, with total trade turnover approaching $1 bn.

Bilateral Trade Indicators

Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan increased 3.8 times over 2017–2025, from $237.9 mln to $912.4 mln. Exports grew 3.7 times, from $186.1 mln to $683.1 mln, while imports rose 4.4 times, from $51.8 mln to $229.3 mln. Uzbekistan’s positive trade balance expanded 3.4 times, from $134.3 mln to $453.8 mln.

In 2025, compared to 2024, trade turnover increased by 29.9%, exports by 24.1%, and imports by 13.8%.

The structure of Uzbekistan’s exports to Tajikistan in 2025 totaled $683.1 mln and included: industrial goods (various knitted and felt products, plastic products, rolled metal, etc.) – $222.7 mln (32.6%); machinery and transport equipment (including electrical goods) – $58.7 mln (8.6%); petroleum products (gasoline, gas oil, bitumen) – $53.1 mln (7.8%); chemical products (polymers, sulfates, silicates, fertilizers, paints) – $53 mln (7.8%); food products (animal feed, eggs, confectionery, processed meat products, etc.) – $48.2 mln (7.1%); miscellaneous manufactured goods (construction materials, ready-made garments, silk fabrics) – $21 mln (3.1%); non-food raw materials– $8.1 mln (1.2%); other goods (including goods traded by individuals) – $70.1 mln (10.3%); as well as services (mainly railway transport) – $147.4 mln (21.6%).

The structure of imports from Tajikistan in 2025 totaled $229.3 mln and included: metal ores and concentrates (zinc, copper and precious metals) – $108.9 mln (47.5%); coal – $22.3 mln (9.7%); aluminum – $25.4 mln (11%); electricity – $17.9 mln (7.8%); cotton fiber – $17.6 mln (7.8%); fruits – $7.4 mln (3.2%); ferrous metals – $5.1 mln (2.2%); poultry — $2.4 mln (1.1%); plastic waste – $1.8 mln (0.8%); sulfur, feldspar and others; as well as services (mainly railway transport) – $6.6 mln (2.9%).

Investment Cooperation

As of March 1, 2026, there are 420 enterprises in Uzbekistan with Tajik investment (2.2% of the total number of enterprises with foreign investment), including 110 joint ventures and 310 enterprises with 100% Tajik capital.

In 2025, compared to 2024, the volume of foreign direct investment (FDI) and loans attracted from Tajikistan tripled, increasing from $64 mln to $196 mln. Over 2017–2025, the total volume of attracted FDI and loans from Tajikistan amounted to $373 mln.

The main areas of activity of enterprises with Tajik capital include trade, construction materials production, food industry, transport and other services.

Enterprises with Uzbek investment are also successfully operating in Tajikistan. In particular, major joint projects are being implemented in the energy sector, including the construction of hydropower plants on the Zarafshan River. With the participation of private capital from Uzbekistan, the joint venture “Artel Avesto Electronics” was established in Tajikistan in 2019, producing more than 10 types of household appliances.

Prospects for Trade Expansion

Uzbekistan and Tajikistan share a common border and have well-developed transport infrastructure. Given the short delivery distances, transportation costs can be relatively low, which creates favorable conditions for expanding exports.

In this context, Tajikistan represents a promising market for increasing exports of finished products from Uzbekistan that are not produced domestically in Tajikistan and are imported. These include automobiles, household appliances—especially large-sized goods such as refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners—as well as certain food products, textiles, chemical and other goods.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Antonella Bassani on September 30.

The sides discussed topical issues of further expansion of strategic cooperation with the World Bank Group and support of this leading international financial institution to the ongoing reform program in New Uzbekistan.

At the beginning of the meeting, Vice President Antonella Bassani conveyed to the head of our state sincere greetings and best wishes of World Bank President Ajay Bangui.

During the conversation, the current high level and fruitful nature of bilateral cooperation were noted with deep satisfaction.

In recent years, our country has become one of the largest partners of the Bank - the portfolio of projects has increased several times and now exceeds 12 billion dollars.

The World Bank is supporting the implementation of important reforms aimed at ensuring the sustainability of economic and social sectors. The Bank's regional office in Tashkent has been operating since July this year.

Such areas as poverty reduction, transformation of state-owned enterprises and banks, decarbonization, support for WTO accession and others have been identified as priorities for further expansion of the partnership.

Special attention was paid to the programs of urbanization and integrated development of regions, modernization of energy and irrigation infrastructure, support to the private sector.

There was also an exchange of views on the promotion of regional projects.