Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Forge Stronger Bonds at Historic Summit

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met on Thursday at the inaugural Supreme Interstate Council of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to discuss expanding cooperation between their nations.

The leaders celebrated the adoption of the Strategic Partnership and Alliance Program for 2024–2034, aimed at strengthening friendship and good neighborliness between their countries. Initially signed last year, the treaty marks the beginning of a new chapter in their bilateral relationship.

In his speech, President Tokayev expressed optimism about the future of Kazakh-Uzbek cooperation, highlighting the goal of increasing mutual trade turnover to $5 billion, with the possibility of doubling this figure in the near future.

“It is important to fully unlock the potential for cooperation in sectors of agriculture, mechanical engineering, energy, communications, and digitalization,” the Kazakh president said, according to the Akorda press service. 

One significant project discussed was the Central Asia International Center for Industrial Cooperation. This center, to be constructed on the Kazakh-Uzbek border, will cover 100 hectares in Kazakhstan’s Turkistan Region and Uzbekistan’s Syrdarya Region. It aims to boost trade and economic relations, strengthen business ties, and accelerate trade turnover between the two nations. The technical launch is planned for late 2026, with an official opening expected in the first half of 2027.

Regional cooperation, seen as a key driver of economic partnership, was highlighted as a primary focus of the strategic partnership.

“Today, we have about 70 joint projects worth over $3 billion, which created more than 14,000 jobs. We are ready to further deepen cooperation in this area and create comfortable conditions for business,” Tokayev said. 

President Tokayev also emphasized the need to effectively utilize unique transit and transport advantages, calling for joint efforts to optimize tariffs, simplify administrative procedures, and reduce cargo delivery times.

Water resource management and cultural and humanitarian cooperation were also discussed during the meeting. President Mirziyoyev expressed confidence that the visit would elevate the strategic partnership and alliance to a new level.

“Today, we are holding the first meeting of the High-Level Interstate Council, which is a historic event in the development of strategic partnership and alliance relations between our countries,” stated President Mirziyoyev. 

In preparation for the visit, an Intergovernmental Commission meeting, a business forum, and several cultural events were held. A strategic partnership program through 2034 has been prepared, and a Council led by the Foreign Ministers has been established to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Following President Mirziyoyev’s visit, 15 documents were signed between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, paving the way for a stronger, more integrated partnership.