Uzbekistan has taken substantial steps towards its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), highlighting the nation's commitment to international trade and economic standards. In the September issue of WTO Accession Newsletter the strides taken by various countries in their accession to the organization were highlighted.
On 1 June, in a move to expedite the accession process, a Presidential decree was issued. Key actions from the decree included the appointment of Azizbek Urunov as Special Representative of the President on WTO issues and Chief Negotiator for WTO accession. Urunov, reflecting the urgency of his mandate, visited Geneva in July and met with WTO's Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. This visit cemented Uzbekistan's renewed approach to the accession negotiations.
Further in line with the decree, as of 1 July, the development of any laws and regulations inconsistent with WTO standards was halted. Additionally, the Ministry of Justice was tasked to ensure that national legislation aligns with WTO rules.
Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan held a significant meeting on 19 September on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly Session. President Mirziyoyev underscored the strategic importance of WTO membership in the context of Uzbekistan's medium to long-term developmental goals. The dialogue also centered around augmenting technical assistance and capacity building for Uzbekistan's negotiation team.
As part of its proactive approach, between June and September, Uzbekistan disseminated several essential documents related to its accession. These encompassed a range of topics from a revised legislative action plan to applied customs duty rates. Following this, the Secretariat released the updated Factual Summary of Points Raised on 1 August.
While the 7th meeting of the Working Party is highly anticipated, consultations on its exact date are still pending and will be overseen by the Chair of the Working Party.
Demonstrating their dedication to a comprehensive understanding of WTO standards, Uzbekistan invited the Secretariat to conduct two national seminars in its capital, Tashkent. These seminars, held in September, focused on critical sectors: agriculture and services.
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