Regional and Global Initiatives of Uzbekistan: The Diplomacy of Good-Neighborliness and Integration in Central Asia

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The initiatives put forward by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the UN General Assembly hold particular significance for the development of Central Asia and reflect the country’s new foreign policy course aimed at strengthening good-neighborly relations and regional integration.

1.1. Uzbekistan strictly adheres to the goals and principles of the United Nations.

Since 2017, Uzbekistan has intensified its participation in all areas of activity of the United Nations.

It has been putting forward extremely important and timely initiatives covering all spheres of the UN’s activities, in particular issues of the peaceful settlement of international conflicts, the prevention of new global armed confrontations, the establishment of cooperation between countries, the promotion of global and regional dialogue, and the protection of human rights worldwide.

The regional and global initiatives advanced by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the United Nations General Assembly shape a consistent agenda for Central Asia.”**

1.2. “In 2018–2025, at the initiative of our country, 13 United Nations General Assembly resolutions were adopted. They cover a wide range of issues — from peace and security to ecology, human rights, and cultural interaction. Among them are the following resolutions: 1) Strengthening Regional and International Cooperation to Ensure Peace, Stability and Sustainable Development in the Central Asian Region’ (June 2018); 2) Education and Religious Tolerance’ (December 2018); 3) Sustainable Tourism and Sustainable Development in Central Asia’ (December 2019); 4) Declaring the Aral Sea Region a Zone of Environmental Innovations and Technologies’ (May 2021); 5) Strengthening Interconnectedness between Central and South Asia’ (July 2022); 6) Enhancing the Role of Parliaments in Accelerating the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’ (December 2022); 7) Central Asia Facing Environmental Challenges: Strengthening Regional Solidarity for Sustainable Development and Prosperity’ (December 2023); 8) Readiness of Central Asian Countries to Act as a Unified Front and Cooperate for the Effective Resolution and Elimination of Drug-Related Problems’ (June 2024); 9) Promoting Sustainable Forest Management, Including Afforestation and Reforestation on Degraded Lands, Including in Arid Areas, as an Effective Solution to Environmental Problems’ (August 2024).

Uzbekistan’s initiatives have also been reflected in other international structures. The Human Rights Council adopted resolutions on the human rights implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and on the role of youth. The Code of Voluntary Commitments of States during Pandemics, developed by the Uzbek side, received the status of an official UN document and was recognized as Uzbekistan’s contribution to the efforts of the international community in this field. Within UNESCO, the ‘Khiva Process’ (2021) was launched as a continuation of the forum ‘Central Asia at the Crossroads of World Civilizations.’ The ‘Tashkent Declaration’ (2023) on universal access to information was also adopted.

At Uzbekistan’s initiative, in 2019, under the auspices of the United Nations, a Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region was established in our country. It serves as a unified platform for international cooperation and has become a model for mobilizing resources and coordinating donor efforts. The Fund brings together projects aimed at preventing the consequences of the environmental disaster, improving the living conditions and security of the population, and developing human capital.

As part of the implementation of the Head of State’s initiative, the Asian Women’s Forum was held in Samarkand in 2024 jointly with the UN Women structure. In 2025, the International Transport and Logistics Multifunctional Hub in Termez was included in the Global Supply Network of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Parliamentary diplomacy occupies a special place in the successes of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy, having evolved into a leading mechanism for promoting and practically implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. At Uzbekistan’s initiative, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a Resolution on enhancing the role of parliaments in accelerating the achievement of the SDGs. This document became an important step in institutionalizing parliamentary diplomacy, strengthened the country’s reputation as an active promoter of international initiatives, and gave new impetus to the development of interparliamentary cooperation in Central Asia and beyond. It appears that accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals globally can also be achieved through the more active engagement of national parliaments in comprehensive oversight of poverty levels, organized medical care, human rights, and other dimensions of the SDGs, in close cooperation with UN structures.

2.1. All these steps have demonstrated that Uzbekistan not only puts forward ideas but also builds a sustainable system of international interaction. This is not merely about diplomatic success but represents a strategic contribution to the future of Central Asia: strengthening regional solidarity, institutionalizing environmental, economic and humanitarian programs, and opening up new opportunities for investment, technology and human development.

Uzbekistan’s diplomacy thus not only brings the region onto the global stage but also transforms its internal dynamics — from environmental rehabilitation to expanding educational and economic horizons.

This is a new stage in which Central Asia acts as an independent actor in global politics and economics, offering the world an agenda of cooperation, sustainability and shared progress.

Over seven years, Uzbekistan has transformed its initiatives into a full-fledged system of international decisions aimed at the sustainable development of Central Asia. This is not only a diplomatic success but also a long-term strategic contribution to the future of the region, where ecology, economy, the socio-humanitarian sphere and security are perceived as interconnected parts of a single system.

2.2. In recent years, economic cooperation among the Central Asian countries has gained accelerated momentum, with active realization of untapped potential in foreign trade, mutual investments, the expansion of cooperative ties, and the development of transport and energy infrastructure.

The main priority of the renewed foreign policy pursued by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev is a ‘peaceful and economically prosperous Central Asia.

Uzbekistan consistently develops friendly and mutually beneficial relations with all countries both near and far abroad, including its neighboring states in the region. Thanks to the strong political will of all Central Asian leaders, an entirely new favorable atmosphere of mutual understanding has now been created in the region, along with all the necessary conditions for constructive resolution of pressing issues.

The mutual determination of the parties has given a powerful impetus to strengthening political and expanding practical cooperation among the Central Asian countries. All disputed border issues have been resolved, additional border crossing points for cargo and individuals have been opened, and the visa regime has been simplified, which has contributed to enhancing the region’s investment attractiveness.

The region has thus transformed into a zone of stability, sustainable economic development and good-neighborliness.

The economies of the Central Asian countries are growing at a high pace, averaging around 6 percent, while in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan growth has reached 8–9 percent. The combined GDP of the region’s countries has increased 1.7 times over the past eight years, reaching USD 513.3 billion (more than 0.5 percent of global GDP). Trade ties between the countries of the region have intensified, based on the bilateral free trade agreements signed back in 1996–1997.

2.3. All Central Asian countries are among Uzbekistan’s main trading partners. The share of the region’s countries in Uzbekistan’s foreign trade amounts to 10.6 percent overall — 9.8 percent in exports and 11.1 percent in imports.

During the period 2017–2024, Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with Central Asian countries increased 2.6 times to USD 7 billion, exports grew 1.8 times to USD 2.7 billion, and imports rose 3.5 times to USD 4.3 billion.

In Uzbekistan’s trade with Central Asian countries, the largest volume falls on Kazakhstan — USD 4.3 billion (61.3 percent) and Turkmenistan — USD 1.2 billion (16.5 percent), followed by Kyrgyzstan — USD 846.4 million (12.1 percent) and Tajikistan — USD 702.7 million (10.1 percent).

In the first half of 2025, Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with Central Asian countries grew by 6.1 percent to USD 3.5 billion, exports increased by 5.5 percent to USD 1.3 billion, and imports rose by 6.5 percent to USD 2.2 billion.

In 2024, Uzbekistan’s export structure with Central Asian countries was as follows:

Machinery and transport equipment — USD 711.6 million (26.9% of exports, mainly internal combustion engines, vehicle bodies, transport vehicles and their parts, electrical goods, various equipment including for agriculture, etc.);

Industrial goods — USD 527.4 million (19.9%, mainly textiles, copper products (wire, copper tubes) and ferrous metals, rolled metal products, etc.);

Food products — USD 344.8 million (13.0%, vegetables, fruits, nuts, flour products, poultry, eggs, etc.);

Chemical products — USD 246.6 million (10%, mainly fertilizers, polymers, plastic products, pharmaceutical products, insecticides, various chemicals, etc.);

Various manufactured goods — USD 167.3 million (6.3%, in particular plastic products, ready-made clothing, etc.);

Oil products (gasoil, diesel fuel, fuel oil, etc.) and electricity — USD 81.3 million (3.1%);

Other goods — USD 71.9 million (2.7%);

Beverages and tobacco — USD 55.7 million (2.1%);

Non-food raw materials — USD 42.4 million (1.6%);

Animal and vegetable oils — USD 7.1 million (0.3%);

Services — USD 372 million (14.1%, mainly railway, automobile and air transport services, pipeline and telecommunications services, etc.).

The import structure was as follows:

Oil products (mainly gas and oil) and electricity — USD 1,329 million (30.7% of imports);

Food products — USD 1,217.9 million (28.1%, mainly wheat, flour, live animals, meat and dairy products, potatoes, sugar, etc.);

Industrial goods — USD 806.2 million (18.6%, rolled metal products, aluminum, ferrous metal items, plastics, cardboard, glass, etc.);

Non-food raw materials — USD 331 million (7.6%, copper and zinc ores, asbestos, etc.);

Machinery and transport equipment — USD 169.4 million (3.9%, boilers, turbines, equipment, machine tools, internal combustion engines and vehicle parts, electrical goods, various agricultural machines, etc.);

Animal and vegetable oils — USD 166.7 million (3.8%, sunflower oil, animal fats and oils, etc.);

Chemical substances and similar products — USD 114.6 million (2.6%, polymers, various chemicals, fertilizers, insecticides, detergents, pharmaceutical products, etc.);

Beverages and tobacco — USD 82.4 million (1.9%, mineral water, drinks, cigarettes);

Various manufactured goods — USD 27.6 million (0.6%, various tools, measuring instruments, furniture, etc.);

Services — USD 84.4 million (2%, auxiliary transport services, telecommunications, etc.).

2.4. Investment cooperation is actively developing.

Among the enterprises operating in Uzbekistan with foreign investment, companies with investments from Central Asian countries account for 12.5 percent. Over the past eight years, their number has increased 6.7 times to 2,087 units, including 507 joint ventures and 1,580 foreign-owned enterprises.

Among them, the largest number of enterprises have capital from Kazakhstan — 1,157 units (55.4%), followed by Tajikistan — 357 units (17.1%), Kyrgyzstan — 327 units (15.7%), and Turkmenistan — 246 units (11.8%).

The volume of annual foreign direct investment (FDI) and loans attracted from Central Asian countries is also growing. Over the past eight years, their volume has increased 240 times to USD 482.4 million (in 2017 only USD 2 million). The share of FDI and loans from Central Asian countries in the total volume of FDI and loans attracted to Uzbekistan rose from 0.1 percent to 2 percent.

The largest share of FDI and loans from the region comes from Kazakhstan — USD 358.5 million (74.3%), followed by Kyrgyzstan — USD 60.4 million (12.5%), Tajikistan — USD 56.3 million (11.7%), and Turkmenistan — USD 7.3 million (1.5%).

2.5. The Central Asian countries possess significant economic potential due to their rich natural resources, human capital, and advantageous geographic location in the heart of Eurasia. In particular, the countries of the region have large reserves of oil, natural gas, hard and brown coal, iron ore, and such non-ferrous and rare metals as lead, zinc, tungsten, mercury, gold, and uranium.

In addition, the region has great potential for the development of hydropower, transport infrastructure, and tourism.

Industrial cooperation, transport and energy interconnectedness are expanding, a full-fledged common market for goods and services is taking shape, and the region’s investment attractiveness is growing. According to UNCTAD, the region has seen steady growth in accumulated foreign direct investment (FDI), which over the past 30 years has increased from virtually zero to USD 220.5 billion. This growth trend in FDI has been observed in all countries of the region: Kazakhstan attracted USD 151.3 billion (68.6%), Turkmenistan USD 44.6 billion (20.2%), Uzbekistan USD 16.7 billion (7.6%), and Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan USD 4 billion each (1.8%).

In 2024, in terms of net FDI inflow (gross inflow minus outflow), Uzbekistan led with USD 2.8 billion, followed by Turkmenistan with USD 1.6 billion, Kyrgyzstan with USD 705.3 million, and Tajikistan with USD 291.3 million.

In Kazakhstan in 2024, for the first time the net FDI inflow turned negative (–USD 2.6 billion) due to an outflow of investments previously attracted to the oil and gas sector, while investments related to the non-resource sectors of the economy increased.

The investment attractiveness of Central Asian countries continues to grow, with increasing FDI flowing into manufacturing, energy, and agriculture. For example, in Uzbekistan in 2024, only 5 percent of total attracted FDI was directed to the mining industry, while the rest was distributed as follows: manufacturing — 35 percent, energy — 35 percent, agriculture — 7 percent, construction — 4 percent, services — 10 percent, and housing construction — 4 percent.

2.6. The mutual use of production capacities, technologies, as well as raw material and labor resources provides an opportunity to produce goods at lower costs.

Work is underway to establish regional value chains in industry and agriculture. Issues are being considered regarding the attraction of transnational companies from third countries to facilitate the technological development of the Central Asian states and to strengthen their integration into the global economy. For example, in Uzbekistan’s Syrdarya Region, on the border with Kazakhstan, the Special Economic Zone ‘International Center for Industrial Cooperation – Central Asia’ has been established.

2.7.Cooperation in the transport sector is of crucial importance. In conducting trade operations within the region, the Central Asian countries enjoy the shortest delivery distances for goods, which gives them advantages in saving on transportation costs. In addition, the countries of the region occupy a strategically advantageous geographic position in the heart of Eurasia, which enables the development of transport infrastructure and joint participation in the development of international transport corridors to increase the volume of transit shipments through their territories.

According to the United Nations, the countries of the region belong to the group of 32 ‘Landlocked Developing Countries’ (LLDCs) that must cross the territory of at least one other country to reach seaports, while Uzbekistan is a ‘doubly landlocked country’ that must cross the territory of two countries. Such countries pay on average nearly twice as much as their neighbors in transportation costs for sending and receiving goods from overseas markets.

Therefore, the development of cooperation in the transport sector is in the interest of all the countries of the region. Uzbekistan is interested in active participation in transport and transit projects along the ‘East–West’ and ‘North–South’ directions, including within the framework of the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative, as well as in implementing projects for the construction of the ‘Uzbekistan–Kyrgyzstan–China’ and ‘Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan’ railway lines.

2.8. The Central Asian countries are cooperating in the development of renewable energy systems. For example, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, together with Azerbaijan, plan to implement a ‘green’ energy corridor project to export to Europe the surplus electricity generated by renewable energy systems (solar and wind) in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The project is estimated at USD 2 billion.

The implementation of these and other areas of mutually beneficial economic cooperation will accelerate the process of creating a full-fledged free trade zone and forming a single market in the region, which will have a significant impact on the growth of the economies and the welfare of the citizens of the countries of the region.

2.9. A visa-free regime remains in place between Uzbekistan and the countries of Central Asia. At the same time, the rules and conveniences for border crossings are constantly improving for both citizens and foreign tourists. Since 2017, mutual travel between citizens of Uzbekistan and neighboring Central Asian countries has resumed, effectively revitalizing friendly good-neighborly relations. The number of citizens crossing the Uzbek–Kyrgyz and Uzbek–Tajik borders has increased many times over, reaching 30,000 and 20,000 people per day respectively. Uzbekistan has also introduced ID-card-based border crossing procedures with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. In the second half of 2025, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan plan to finalize negotiations on the implementation of a passport-free border crossing mechanism. This innovation would allow citizens of Kazakhstan to enter the neighboring state using only their national ID cards.

By establishing dialogue with the countries of the region, Uzbekistan has restored mutual trust with them, which has opened the way for Central Asia to transform into a cohesive region across the entire Eurasian space.

3. Overall, as foreign analysts emphasize, Shavkat Mirziyoyev plays a key role in the process of Central Asian integration, successfully advancing Uzbekistan’s strategy of partnership and alliance with neighboring countries. The initiatives put forward by the President of Uzbekistan have made it possible to fully unlock the region’s potential and ensure its use for the benefit of its peoples.