Active Diplomacy of Uzbekistan: 2025 – From Dynamic Dialogue to Concrete Results

According to IA “Dunyo”, 2025 became a year of qualitative renewal and consolidation of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy positions.

In a complex and ambiguous international environment, characterized by rising geopolitical tensions, the transformation of global institutions, and increasing competition for resources and markets, Uzbekistan, under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, consistently pursued an open, pragmatic, active, and initiative-driven foreign policy. This approach not only maintained the stability of Uzbekistan’s external relations but also gave them a new substantive content aligned with the long-term interests of the country and domestic development goals.

As President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized on December 26, 2025, in his Address to the Oliy Majlis and the people, “Recently, the country has become an international dialogue platform where global issues are discussed.”

The diplomatic strategy of the New Uzbekistan, as an integral part of the large-scale socio-economic reforms implemented in the country, aimed to create favorable external conditions for modernizing the economy, attracting investments and foreign tourists, expanding export potential, and strengthening humanitarian and cultural ties. The foreign policy course consistently relied on the principles of openness, equal partnership, mutual respect, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, and strict adherence to international law.

High-level political dialogue with leading world leaders reached a new stage and became regular. New agreements were reached with the leaders of the United States, China, Russia, France, Italy, Turkey, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, and several Arab countries. In 2025, the number of bilateral meetings at the level of heads of states and governments exceeded 55, reflecting growing mutual trust with foreign partners.

A similar trend was observed in the development of intensive high-level political dialogue. During the year, high-level delegations from Uzbekistan made 172 visits to 93 countries worldwide, covering virtually all key regions of the planet. Officials from ministries, agencies, and regional administrations, supported by diplomatic missions, conducted about 300 official trips to more than 50 countries, elevating Uzbekistan’s foreign relations to a practical and results-oriented level.

Acting as an active host, Uzbekistan became one of the centers of global diplomacy. This is clearly evidenced by the organization of forums, assemblies, and conferences of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the UN Civil Service, the UNESCO General Conference, the International Climate Conference, the Tashkent Regional Summit, and several other major events. Over 120 high-level foreign delegations, as well as about 300 delegations of regional authorities from abroad, visited the country. These contacts contributed to interregional cooperation, the establishment of direct links between business circles, and the expansion of the legal and contractual framework for interaction.

Central Asia continues to occupy a special place in Uzbekistan’s foreign policy strategy. In 2025, this priority received further institutional development. Uzbekistan chaired the Consultative Meeting of Central Asian heads of state for the first time based on a comprehensive program covering economic interaction, transport connectivity, ecology, rational use of water resources, and humanitarian exchanges.

The organization of more than twenty major events and the historic regional summit held in Tashkent under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s chairmanship became the culmination of the year’s regional diplomacy, confirming the Central Asian countries’ commitment to deepening trust and joint development.

We can now confidently state that our extensive region, for the first time in a long while, is becoming a unified and fully-fledged actor in global politics. This is evidenced by growing international attention and the changing perception of the region on the global stage. A vivid example is the development of “Central Asia Plus” formats, which in 2025 gained new practical and specific content. Summits with the European Union, China, Russia, the United States, and Japan demonstrated the region’s growing role in global politics and strengthened its position as a space of stability, predictability, and mutually beneficial cooperation.

An important direction of foreign policy in 2025 was the further expansion of its geography. Alongside traditional partners in the CIS, Europe, and Asia, contacts were intensified with countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. The first-ever high-level bilateral events with Slovakia, Serbia, Jordan, Paraguay, and several other countries demonstrated Uzbekistan’s systematic expansion of its international presence. As a result, the total number of countries with which the republic maintains diplomatic relations reached 165.

On this basis, strategic events that influenced the country’s foreign policy positioning became particularly significant in 2025. The signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the European Union and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to Brussels marked a qualitative shift in relations with the EU. The agreement created a solid legal foundation for deepening political dialogue, expanding trade and economic ties, attracting investments, and developing cooperation in sustainable development, the green economy, and digitalization, reflecting the European partners’ high appreciation of reforms in Uzbekistan.

Continuing the course of expanding and deepening relations with key global centers of power, Uzbekistan steadily developed its relations with the United States. A landmark event in this regard was the successful outcome of the “C5+1” summit held in Washington in November, bringing together the US President and the leaders of Central Asian states. International experts and policymakers recognized Uzbekistan’s role in this format as a key initiator of regional cooperation and a responsible US partner in sustainable development, security, economic interaction, and humanitarian ties.

Equally significant was President Mirziyoyev’s participation in the UN General Assembly. His address on this key international platform reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to multilateralism, peaceful dialogue, and collective solutions to pressing global issues.

In 2025, at Uzbekistan’s initiative, the UN General Assembly adopted four resolutions reflecting the country’s priorities in sustainable development, regional security, and humanitarian cooperation. Additionally, Uzbekistan was elected to several authoritative UN bodies, reflecting growing international trust.

A historic event of the year was the holding of the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand. For the first time in forty years, this forum was held outside Paris, representing unprecedented recognition of Uzbekistan’s cultural, historical, and civilizational significance. Samarkand became a global platform for dialogue on education, science, and culture, enhancing the humanitarian dimension of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy and its image as a center of inter-civilizational interaction.

Alongside active political diplomacy, economic diplomacy developed dynamically in 2025 and became a key tool of the country’s foreign policy. Systematic work in the format “Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Diplomatic Missions – Sectoral Ministries – Regions” produced tangible results in attracting foreign investment and expanding international economic relations. In ten months, $34.4 billion of foreign investment was secured with the assistance of diplomatic missions.

The effectiveness of economic policy earned high recognition from international financial institutions and rating agencies. In 2025, Fitch Ratings and S&P raised Uzbekistan’s sovereign rating from “BB-” to “BB,” while Moody’s changed its outlook from “stable” to “positive,” reflecting growing confidence in the economy and the sustainability of reforms.

Active foreign economic activity contributed to the growth of trade indicators. In the first eleven months of 2025, the volume of foreign trade reached $72.7 billion, with exports totaling $30.8 billion, an increase of $6.6 billion compared to the same period in the previous year. The significant reduction in the foreign trade deficit resulted from the targeted work of diplomatic missions in diversifying markets and promoting domestic products abroad.

Tourism development also played an important role in shaping Uzbekistan’s positive international image in 2025, acting as a form of “soft power.” In eleven months, 10.7 million foreign tourists visited the country. Monthly, Uzbekistan welcomes over one million foreign visitors. Active participation in international exhibitions, large-scale promotional events abroad, and the first Tourism Forum “Central Asia – European Union” in Tashkent strengthened Uzbekistan’s position as one of the most promising tourist destinations in the region.

Considerable attention was given to protecting the rights and interests of Uzbek citizens abroad, an important humanitarian dimension of foreign policy. From January to September 2025, over 385,000 consular actions were performed, unlawfully seized documents were returned, wage arrears were recovered, and programs for repatriating compatriots were implemented. Digital consular services were enhanced, visa-free and simplified entry regimes were expanded, and engagement with diaspora communities was strengthened.

Thus, summing up 2025, it can be confidently stated that Uzbekistan’s foreign policy demonstrated a high degree of maturity, consistency, and effectiveness. The country not only strengthened its international position but also leveraged diplomatic tools to support domestic development, enhance investment attractiveness, and improve citizens’ quality of life. Uzbekistan concludes the year with an expanded network of partnerships, a solid legal and contractual framework, and a clear vision of future goals, remaining open to the world and looking to the future with optimism.