In his speech at the Economic Cooperation Organization Summit held in Khankendi, the President of Uzbekistan urged to define the medium and long-term development priorities of the organization and put forward a proposal to adopt the concept of 'Strategic Goals of Economic Cooperation – 2035.
"The foundation of any peace and development is based, first and foremost, on economic cooperation. Therefore, our partnership within the Organization is not only natural, but also of great strategic importance," - the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said in the statement published by his press office.
He emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation in innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies, alongside traditional sectors such as trade, investment, transport, energy, industry, agriculture, ecology, tourism, and education.
Uzbekistan leader stressed that the current volume of mutual trade among ECO member states remains relatively low, according to 2024 data. The trade volume acmounted $95 billion that is only10% of total trade of all ECO member-countries.
"We propose holding a meeting of our trade ministers in Tashkent this year to address strategic issues in this field and to finalize an Agreement on Trade Facilitation,” President Mirziyoyev stated.
“We are also putting forward an initiative to adopt a long-term Eco-Invest Program aimed at elevating our investment cooperation and enhancing the transparency and attractiveness of the investment climate. The primary objective of this program is to attract private investors, banks, and international financial institutions to high-potential projects across our region.”
He drew attention to the impact of recent geopolitical escalations on supply chain stability and underlined the strategic necessity of creating alternative transport routes.
In particular, Mirziyoyev highlighted the launch of the China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan railway link last year, which would be connected with the Trans-Afghan corridor, effectively integrating transit networks across the region.
Uzbekistan has urged to create a Digital Transport and Customs Office to ensure the digitalization of the transport and logistics sector.
"Among our key priorities are the launch of new regional air routes, the implementation of innovative partnerships between airlines, and the development of integrated marketing strategies linking the tourism and aviation sectors. To address these issues, we propose holding a National Airlines Forum in Samarkand," - President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated.
"We have the potential to double the number of tourist arrivals. To support this objective, the development of a Roadmap for the Expansion of Tourism Services within the Organization will be essential," - he added.
Uzbekistan leader welcomed the participation of the delegation from the Interim Government of Afghanistan after a prolonged absence and called Afghanistan 'as an integral part of our Organization’s space and as an important partner in broader economic cooperation and regional transport connectivity efforts.'
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including thr...
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Up to 30 tonnes of food will be delivered to Iran amidst ongoing hostilities with U.S. and Israel, following a phone converstation between the ...
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Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientif...
Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientific data, national hydrometeorological services in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan say, adding there is no threat to the region.
Uzbekistan is planning new measures to encourage marriages after the age of 21 and promote the use of prenuptial agreements as part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening protections for women and children.
Escalating tensions between Iran and the U.S. are raising economic concerns across Central Asia. Although the region lies far from the conflict, its economies remain closely tied to global energy markets and trade routes linked to the Persian Gulf.
Uzbekistan has expressed deep concern over the rapid escalation of tensions in the Middle East, urging restraint and diplomatic resolution as the conflict begins to affect civilian aviation and regional security.
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
Iran and the U.S. exchanged threats on Tuesday, as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Tehran to expect the “most intense day" of attacks so far. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said “anyone who entertains the illusion of destroying Iran knows nothing of history."
The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of global concern as tensions rise following the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Tehran has threatened to block the strategic waterway, raising fears of disruption to global oil shipments and energy markets.
Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientific data, national hydrometeorological services in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan say, adding there is no threat to the region.
A senior delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has been holding meetings with Georgian government officials, opposition leaders and security authorities this week, as international observers attempt to gauge the country’s political climate following last year’s contentious elections.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has told Masoud Pezeshkian, his Iranian counterpart, that violations of Turkish airspace by Iran could not be justified “for any reason whatsoever.”
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