Tashkent, December 29,2025: The year 2025 marked a phase of qualitative renewal and consolidation of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy, as the country pursued an open, pragmatic and proactive diplomatic course amid a complex global environment marked by geopolitical tensions and institutional transformation.
Under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan not only preserved the stability of its external relations but also infused them with new substance aligned with national development priorities. Addressing the Oliy Majlis and the people on December 26, President Mirziyoyev noted that Uzbekistan has increasingly become “an international platform for dialogue where global issues are discussed.”
As part of wide-ranging socio-economic reforms, Uzbekistan’s diplomatic strategy focused on creating favorable external conditions for economic modernization, attracting foreign investment and tourists, expanding exports, and strengthening humanitarian and cultural ties. The country’s foreign policy continued to rest on the principles of openness, equal partnership, mutual respect, non-interference, and adherence to international law.
Political dialogue at the highest level intensified significantly during the year. In 2025, Uzbekistan held more than 55 bilateral meetings at the level of heads of state and government, reaching new agreements with leaders of the United States, China, Russia, France, Italy, Turkey, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, and several Arab states. High-level Uzbek delegations conducted 172 visits to 93 countries, while ministries, agencies, and regional administrations carried out around 300 official visits to more than 50 countries, reflecting a more results-oriented diplomatic approach.
Uzbekistan also emerged as an active hub of international diplomacy by hosting major global and regional events, including forums of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the United Nations Civil Service, the UNESCO General Conference, the International Climate Conference, and a Central Asian regional summit. Over 120 high-level foreign delegations and nearly 300 delegations from foreign regional authorities visited the country, strengthening interregional cooperation and business-to-business ties.
Central Asia remained a top foreign policy priority. In 2025, Uzbekistan chaired the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia for the first time under a comprehensive standalone program. More than 20 major regional events were organized, culminating in a landmark summit of Central Asian leaders in Tashkent, chaired by President Mirziyoyev, underscoring the region’s growing unity and international relevance. The expansion of “Central Asia Plus” formats with the EU, China, Russia, the United States, and Japan further highlighted Central Asia’s rising role as a zone of stability and cooperation.
Uzbekistan also broadened the geographical scope of its diplomacy. Alongside traditional partners in the CIS, Europe, and Asia, engagement with Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America intensified. First-ever high-level bilateral contacts with countries such as Slovakia, Serbia, Jordan, and Paraguay brought the total number of Uzbekistan’s diplomatic partners to 165.
Several landmark developments shaped Uzbekistan’s foreign policy standing in 2025. The signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the European Union and President Mirziyoyev’s visit to Brussels elevated relations with the EU to a new level, strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, green growth, digitalization, and sustainable development. Relations with the United States also advanced, notably through the successful “C5+1” summit in Washington, where Uzbekistan’s role as a key driver of regional cooperation was widely recognized.
At the multilateral level, President Mirziyoyev’s address to the United Nations General Assembly reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to multilateralism and peaceful dialogue. During the year, four Uzbekistan-initiated resolutions were adopted by the UN General Assembly, and the country was elected to several influential UN bodies, reflecting growing international trust.
A historic milestone was the hosting of the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand—the first time in 40 years that the forum was held outside Paris. The event elevated Uzbekistan’s cultural and civilizational profile and reinforced its role as a center of intercultural dialogue.
Economic diplomacy remained a cornerstone of foreign policy. Through coordinated efforts involving diplomatic missions, ministries, and regions, Uzbekistan attracted USD 34.4 billion in foreign investment during the first ten months of 2025. International confidence in the economy was reflected in sovereign credit rating upgrades by Fitch and S&P to “BB,” while Moody’s revised its outlook to “positive.” Foreign trade turnover reached USD 72.7 billion in the first eleven months, with exports rising to USD 30.8 billion, significantly reducing the trade deficit.
Tourism also played a key “soft power” role, with 10.7 million foreign tourists visiting Uzbekistan over eleven months. International exhibitions, promotional campaigns, and the hosting of the first “Central Asia–EU Tourism Forum” in Tashkent further boosted the country’s global image.
Protecting the rights of Uzbek citizens abroad remained a priority. From January to September 2025, more than 385,000 consular services were provided, including assistance with documentation, wage recovery, and repatriation, alongside expanded digital services and strengthened diaspora engagement.
Overall, the outcomes of 2025 demonstrate that Uzbekistan’s foreign policy has reached a new level of maturity and effectiveness. By combining active diplomacy with economic and humanitarian engagement, the country strengthened its international standing while directly supporting domestic development and improving citizens’ well-being, concluding the year with confidence and an expanded global partnership network.
