Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan: a new stage of strategic partnership

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan: a new stage of strategic partnership

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan demonstrate steady dynamics in the development of comprehensive cooperation, covering trade, investment, industrial cooperation, transport and energy, as well as the humanitarian and educational spheres. The Program of Strategic Partnership and Alliance for 2024-2034, adopted during the recent visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Kazakhstan, has become a solid foundation for further strengthening allied relations between the two fraternal states. In 2024, the foreign trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan exceeded $4.27 billion, which is almost twice as high as in 2017 (exports of $1.5 billion, imports of $2.8 billion). Active work is underway to implement the leaders' agreement to bring this figure to $10 billion by 2030. Uzbekistan exports textiles, machine-building products, building materials and food to Kazakhstan, and imports metallurgical products, wheat, petroleum products and electricity. The expansion of the range of supplies and the growth of trade volumes indicate the complementarity of economies and the growing integration of markets. Kazakhstan is one of the five largest investors in the economy of Uzbekistan. Today, more than 1,144 enterprises with the participation of Kazakh capital are registered in the republic. An important decision was the creation of the Uzbek-Kazakh Investment Fund in 2024, which will finance joint projects in the fields of industry, agriculture, transport and renewable energy. Industrial cooperation demonstrates significant results. The industrial zones "Center of Industrial Cooperation" in the border territories are actively developing, the construction of which is entering the final stage in 2025. Cooperation is underway between enterprises of mechanical engineering, agricultural machinery, chemical and light industries. There are joint projects for the production of automotive components, electrical equipment, fertilizers, and building materials. The countries have agreed to develop joint technology parks and industrial clusters, including the smart industry initiative. In the agricultural sector, the parties are developing cooperation in the production and processing of agricultural products: agreements have been signed on joint agro-industrial clusters, the exchange of seed material and agricultural technologies, pilot projects are being implemented for the joint cultivation and supply of agricultural products (grains, vegetables, fruits) in the territories of the two countries, which will contribute to the formation of sustainable agro-food chains and increase the export potential of the region. Kazakhstan remains Uzbekistan's key transit partner, playing an important role in ensuring the country's access to global markets. The parties are actively developing transport and logistics corridors and multimodal routes. The promising direction is Turkmenistan - Uzbekistan - Kazakhstan – Russia. In 2025, a new railway route Xi'an – Khorgos – Almaty – Saryagash – Tashkent was launched, which significantly reduces the time of cargo transportation from China. The parties agreed to develop transport and logistics hubs and increase transit volumes within the framework of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). Agreements have been reached to accelerate the construction and modernization of roads and railways, as well as the creation of a single logistics space. Kazakhstan actively supports Uzbekistan in ensuring energy stability by supplying electricity during peak periods. Work is underway to integrate energy systems and develop projects in the field of green energy. Cooperation in the field of renewable energy, including the joint construction of solar and wind power plants, is being discussed. Cooperation is developing in the field of water use and environmental protection, including issues of joint and rational use of transboundary water resources. The leaders of the two countries stressed the importance of early practical implementation of strategic projects of regional importance, in particular the construction of the Kambaratinskaya HPP-1. This project is considered as a multidimensional initiative aimed at joint development of energy and water resources of Central Asia for the benefit of sustainable development of all countries of the region. Kazakhstan is one of the top 5 countries in terms of the number of tourists to Uzbekistan. The visa regime has been simplified, joint travel packages are being developed within the framework of the Silk Road Without Borders initiative, plans for the creation of unified tourist routes and joint infrastructure development projects in the border territories have been agreed. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are actively developing cultural and humanitarian ties. Special attention is paid to strengthening ties in the fields of culture, youth policy, science, education, tourism and sports. There are branches of leading Kazakhstani universities in Uzbekistan, academic exchange and research internship programs, sports and cultural events. Among the significant decisions are the opening of a branch of the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers in Almaty and the launch of the Mukhtar Auezov South Kazakhstan University in Chirchik. These initiatives are aimed at expanding academic mobility, sharing experiences and training highly qualified personnel in the fields of engineering, water management and agricultural technologies. Cooperation is developing between the research institutes of the two countries. A memorandum was signed on the establishment of the Uzbek-Kazakh Expert Council under the auspices of the strategic institutions of the two countries. The Council will become a new platform for expert dialogue, analysis of key trends, and development of joint proposals to strengthen regional stability and economic integration. The opening of the monument to the great poet and thinker Alisher Navoi in Astana in 2025 became a symbol of the spiritual unity of the peoples. Cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan covers all key sectors of cooperation and forms of regional integration in Central Asia. The parties support initiatives within the framework of the TG, SCO, CIS, CICA, and the C5+1 format. The implementation of the agreements reached at the highest level opens up new horizons for deepening integration and forming a sustainable cooperation space in Central Asia. The establishment of the Council of Foreign Ministers and the Council of Heads of Regions, the launch of a Joint Strategic Partnership Program for 2024-2034, and Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia attest to the progressive strengthening of allied ties and a focus on a shared future. There is potential and opportunities for mutual cooperation in a number of priority areas. These include the expansion of industrial cooperation, the development of cooperation in the field of energy and food security, combating climate change, tourism exchanges, digital technologies and artificial intelligence, personnel training, etc.