By Russian President
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 2. On July 3-4, the 17th
Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) will unfold
in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, and this event will be a feather in the
cap of regional partnership development. Among the member states,
Uzbekistan stands out as one of the most active and key
participants in the organization in recent years.
Uzbekistan hopped on the ECO bandwagon in 1992, but for quite a
stretch, it played the wallflower, staying on the sidelines. The
situation changed after 2016, when large-scale reforms were
launched under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The
new policy of openness, expansion of foreign economic ties, and
regional integration enabled Tashkent to take a more active role on
the international stage.
A shining example of this burgeoning activity was Uzbekistan
taking the reins of ECO in 2022. During that year, the country
organized more than 25 events at various levels – from sectoral
forums to strategic sessions. The highlight was the 16th ECO
Summit, held in November 2023 in Tashkent. The agenda included
trade, investment, transport, energy, and environmental issues.
Uzbekistan introduced a number of initiatives aimed at deepening
cooperation within the organization – from creating new transport
corridors to digitalizing logistics and supporting green
Today, Uzbekistan’s economic role in ECO is really on the rise,
making waves and turning heads. It is one of the fastest-growing
economies in Central Asia, with a population exceeding 37 million
and a GDP of over $115 billion. By the end of 2024, trade volume
with ECO countries reached around $12 billion. Key partners include
Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan, with growing
ties to Iran, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
In excess of 5,000 corporate entities with financial backing
from ECO nations are duly registered within the jurisdiction of
Uzbekistan. In the preceding triennium, capital influx from these
nations surpassed the $5 billion threshold. Uzbekistan presents
collaborative opportunities for stakeholders in synergistic
ventures within designated free economic zones and technoparks,
alongside sectors such as agro-processing, textiles, construction,
and the food industry.
A pivotal focus continues to be the advancement of digital
commerce. In the year 2021, the Chief Executive of Uzbekistan put
forth a proposition for the establishment of a revitalized trade
accord within the Economic Cooperation Organization, emphasizing
the elimination of impediments, the digitization of customs
protocols, and the integration of electronic commerce. A proposal
was put forth to initiate an ECO Trade, Investment, and Innovation
Center in Tashkent, leveraging synergies with UNIDO and the SPECA
program. These initiatives are presently in deliberation among the
constituent member states.
Alongside economic growth, Uzbekistan emphasizes transport
connectivity as a foundation for regional development. The country
occupies a key geographic position—at the crossroads of Central and
South Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East – making it a natural
transit hub and logistic bridge between major markets.
Government ministries stress that transport costs in Central
Asia can reach up to 50% of the final product price – nearly five
times the global average. This situation requires urgent solutions,
as efficient transport corridors are not just desirable but
Tashkent actively develops routes with access to the Indian
Ocean via Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and Turkmenistan. Special
attention is given to corridors such as “Central Asia – Afghanistan
– Pakistan,” “Central Asia – Afghanistan – Iran,” and “Uzbekistan –
Turkmenistan – Iran”. These routes significantly expand export
opportunities, reduce logistics costs, and diversify supplies. For
most ECO countries without sea access, establishing modern
transport links is critical.
Understanding the importance of efficient logistics, Uzbekistan
initiated the creation of a Digital Transport and Customs Office
within ECO. The project has already received support from member
states and aims to implement electronic platforms, simplify
procedures, and accelerate deliveries. In line with this, there was
a proposal to grant Samarkand International Airport the status of
an ECO aviation hub, to unify air routes across the region.
Infrastructure enhancement is intricately linked to the
sustainability framework. The desiccation of the Aral Sea, coupled
with the ramifications of climate change and the escalating crisis
of water scarcity, necessitates synergistic collaboration across
regional stakeholders. Uzbekistan engages proactively in ECO
environmental initiatives aimed at optimizing hydric resource
management and addressing the challenges of desertification.
In 2021, Tashkent put forth a proposition to establish an ECO
Regional Center for Green Technologies, thereby reaffirming its
dedication to propelling the ecological agenda forward and pursuing
contemporary solutions for sustainable regional development.
Among promising projects is the initiative to produce and export
green hydrogen along the Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan–Azerbaijan route.
This direction could transform the region into a future supplier of
clean energy to Europe and the Middle East. Uzbekistan also
actively participates in forming the ECO regional energy market
(ECO-REM) and has proposed creating a Green Technology Center.
A key initiative was the proposal to establish a Council of ECO
Energy Ministers – a coordination platform able to align national
interests in energy and water resources. Moreover, projects to
build solar and wind power plants with investors from Turkey, Iran,
and other ECO countries show that the green energy course has not
only declarative but practical significance.
Expectations for the 17th ECO Summit in Khankendi are high.
Uzbekistan has already outlined its priorities: developing green
energy, enhancing transport connectivity, supporting small
businesses, digitalizing trade, and developing sustainable
agriculture. The long-term strategic document “ECO-2035,” proposed
by Tashkent, will also be discussed. All this not only strengthens
Uzbekistan’s involvement in ECO activities but effectively
positions it as one of the organization’s key drivers.
Thus, Uzbekistan’s role in ECO today is not just a drop in the
bucket; it goes far beyond merely going through the motions. It is
a country that not only proposes practical solutions but also
shapes the agenda, uniting regional states around pressing
challenges. Uzbekistan is hitting the ground running as a hub for
fresh ideas, transport routes, and political-economic strategies –
all while the spotlight shines brighter on Central Asia as a
goldmine for investment, logistics ventures, and sustainable
growth. The upcoming summit in Khankendi is expected to confirm
this status and set long-term guidelines for the further evolution