Uzbekistan and the UAE expand horizons of mutually beneficial cooperation
On January 13, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on an official visit. The Head of our state will also participate in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
The theme of the Sustainability Week, which is scheduled for January 12-18, will be “Supporting Innovations with Sustainable Impact”. Its events will be attended by heads of state and government from more than 10 countries implementing projects with the Emirati company “Masdar”, as well as representatives of major international companies.
“Masdar” has been working in Uzbekistan since 2019, implementing the project “Nur Navoi. Solar” with a capacity of 100 MW, which is the first successfully financed independent solar power project in the country. Masdar's growing portfolio of projects in Uzbekistan includes the largest wind farm in Central Asia, the 500 MW Zarafshan power plants. In 2023, “Masdar” achieved financial close on three solar projects in Jizzak, Samarkand and Sherabad, which have a combined capacity of about 900 megawatts, making it the largest solar development program in Central Asia.
This cooperation demonstrates the mutual interest of the two countries, as well as their commitment to achieving the set goals of decarburization. It is one of the key components of relations between Uzbekistan and the UAE, established on October 25, 1992.
In general, bilateral cooperation between the countries today has significantly expanded in all directions.
The summit meetings have contributed to the strengthening of political ties between Uzbekistan and the UAE. In March 2019, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid an official visit to the UAE, during which agreements worth over $10 billion were signed covering various spheres of cooperation.
On October 2, 2023, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as part of his participation in the opening ceremony of Doha Expo-2023 international horticulture exhibition.
On November 30 - December 2, 2023, our Head of State made a working visit to Dubai, where he participated in the UN Climate Change Conference.
High-level exchanges have been intensified.
On June 10, 2022, UAE Minister of Government Affairs Muhammad Al-Gergawi was received by the President and Prime Minister of Uzbekistan. During this visit to our country, a Memorandum was also signed between the two governments on expanding cooperation in improving the efficiency of public administration.
On April 4, 2023, UAE Minister of Government Affairs Muhammad Al-Gergawi was received by the President of Uzbekistan and awarded the Order of “Dustlik” for “contribution to deepening Uzbek-Emirati multifaceted relations and full support to the reform program in New Uzbekistan”.
In April 2023, the 3rd round of political consultations between Uzbekistan and the UAE was successfully held in Tashkent.
Representative UAE delegations headed by members of the government have become traditional participants of the annual Tashkent International Investment Forum.
A fruitful and constructive dialog has been established between the foreign ministries of the two countries. In June 2023, Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov paid an official visit to Abu Dhabi.
On September 27, 2024, UAE Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, Crown Prince of the Emirate of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum paid a visit to Uzbekistan. During the visit, the Emirati delegation was received by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and participated in a forum on exchange of mutual experience between the governments. A number of bilateral documents were signed as a result of the visit.
Consistently developing trade and economic relations between Uzbekistan and the UAE are gaining new dynamics.
The portfolio of ongoing and prospective projects with the participation of leading Emirati companies in Uzbekistan reaches 20 billion dollars.
As of December 2024, 337 enterprises with UAE capital operate in Uzbekistan.
The 5th session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation was held in Tashkent on May 3, 2024.
The two countries seek to further strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation in new areas such as digital economy, innovation and education. Joint projects aimed at sustainable development and prosperity of both countries is planned.
Established regular air service between the two countries, including 55 flights per week, contributes to the expansion of business cooperation and increase in the mutual flow of tourists.
Uzbekistan actively interacts with the UAE within the framework of international and regional associations. In particular, the partnership with the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) has gained new dynamics. In April 2024, the second meeting of foreign ministers of the Central Asia-GCC format was held in Tashkent to discuss issues of expanding cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.
The UAE is one of the leading countries in such organizations as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States, and a dialogue partner in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, within the framework of which our countries actively cooperate.
Both countries attach great importance to the development of cultural ties and humanitarian exchange. Cultural events, exhibitions and festivals are regularly organized to promote mutual understanding and strengthen friendship between the peoples of Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Emirati folklore groups take part in the "Sharq Taronalari" International Music Festival held in Samarkand, the Makom International Arts Festival in Shakhrisabz and the Bakhshi in Termez.
In 2019-2023, the Uzbek delegation participated with the national pavilion in the “Festival dedicated to the cultural heritage of Sheikh Zayed, the founder of the United Arab Emirates” held in Abu Dhabi.
The dance art of Uzbekistan was enthusiastically received by the Emirati audience in March 2023, when the international premiere of the program of the "Bakhor" dance ensemble was held at the “Dubai Opera” Theatre.
Today, the two countries are developing cultural dialog through joint exhibitions in museums in Uzbekistan and Abu Dhabi, mutually beneficial joint research in the field of cultural heritage, sharing skills and experience in cultural heritage preservation, museum management, restoration and other fields, as well as implementing projects in the field of education.
Thus, the relations between Uzbekistan and the UAE continue to develop on an upward trajectory, covering more and more areas of cooperation and contributing to the strengthening of ties between the Central Asian regions and the Gulf Arab states.
In this context, the visit of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the UAE, which began on January 13, will undoubtedly become a milestone in the development of bilateral relations and reaffirm both countries' aspiration to strengthen partnership in key areas, including economy, energy, investment and culture. This event will also serve to strengthen interaction within regional and international organizations, contributing to stable growth and prosperity of the states.
Dunyo IA
