As one of the world’s only two double-landlocked countries, Uzbekistan faces unique challenges in establishing itself as a major player in regional and global connectivity. Surrounded by landlocked neighbors, Uzbekistan’s access to global markets depends on developing efficient road and rail infrastructure to link the country with key international trade routes. At the recent AIIB Annual Meeting in Samarkand, Runze Yu, Investment Operations and Transport Specialist at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), discussed Uzbekistan’s connectivity ambitions and how infrastructure investments are reshaping Central Asia’s role in global trade.
Transforming Uzbekistan from Landlocked to Land-Linked
With significant investments in roads, railways, and logistical networks, Uzbekistan is working to shift from a landlocked to a "land-linked" nation, positioning itself as a vital transport hub for goods moving between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Yu emphasized this strategic transformation, noting the increasing recognition of Uzbekistan’s potential. “I really like how people are phrasing it as ‘land-linked’ rather than landlocked,” Yu remarked. He explained that Uzbekistan's geographic location, when supported by robust infrastructure, could enable the country to become a key transit point for regional and global trade.
Freight traffic in the region has already seen a significant increase, driven by disruptions in global supply chains and the emergence of new trade routes. “There have been very interesting dynamics in freight traffic, particularly over the last few years. Central Asia is becoming more important as a connectivity hub, and Uzbekistan’s role in this is critical,” Yu added.
The Role of MDBs in Regional Cooperation
Achieving Uzbekistan’s connectivity goals will require coordinated efforts between governments, multilateral development banks (MDBs), and the private sector. Yu described AIIB’s role as a facilitator for this collaboration. “We are the convening power,” he explained, highlighting the bank’s efforts to bring policymakers, contractors, and experts together to ensure that infrastructure projects are effective and inclusive.
A key aspect of AIIB’s work in Uzbekistan is ensuring that infrastructure development is both climate-resilient and socially inclusive. Yu shared his recent experience visiting Nukus, where he met with local women who were eager to see the projects come to fruition. “I spoke to local Mahalla people, especially the women, and they were very outspoken. They want these projects to happen, and they want them completed as soon as possible,” he said. “Their eagerness to contribute and see real results is motivating. For me, that’s what development is about—not just building hard infrastructure, but leaving a lasting impact on people’s lives.”
Yu underscored the importance of incorporating social resilience into infrastructure projects. “When I design a project, I always include components for gender and youth because I believe real development changes how people think and improves their lives,” he explained. Social inclusivity and gender equality, he noted, are key elements in ensuring that no one is left behind as Uzbekistan advances its connectivity goals.
Challenges and Bottlenecks in Regional Connectivity
One of the major challenges to enhancing connectivity in Central Asia is the presence of infrastructure bottlenecks, particularly in rail transport. Yu highlighted the issue of differing railway gauges between countries, which complicates the smooth movement of goods. “For example, when connecting China and Uzbekistan by rail, containers have to be unloaded and reloaded due to different gauges. These technical bottlenecks are significant challenges we need to solve,” Yu said.
Despite these obstacles, Yu believes international cooperation is key to overcoming logistical issues. “We cannot ignore the need for close cooperation between countries when building international corridors,” he emphasized. AIIB, along with other MDBs, plays a pivotal role in addressing these infrastructure gaps by partnering with governments and providing financial and technical expertise to streamline cross-border transport systems.
Central Asia’s Growing Role in Global Trade
Yu expressed confidence in Central Asia’s expanding role as a crucial transport corridor, with Uzbekistan at the center of this transformation. The volume of containerized freight trains between China and Central Asia has surged in recent years, reflecting the region’s growing importance in global trade routes. “Central Asia is naturally a very important international corridor, and I’m confident that its role will continue to grow, especially given the current global situation,” Yu stated.
However, Yu also pointed out that infrastructure development is only part of the solution. “Beyond building roads and railways, we need to focus on institutional policies—customs control, logistics efficiency, and capacity building,” he explained. AIIB addresses these challenges by incorporating capacity-building components into its projects, ensuring that countries develop the institutional frameworks needed to maximize the benefits of infrastructure investments.
A Vision for the Future of Central Asia
Looking ahead, Yu emphasized that AIIB’s work in Uzbekistan and the broader Central Asian region will continue to focus on both infrastructure development and policy reform. “In every project, we include capacity building because that’s essential for long-term development,” Yu noted. This holistic approach ensures that the region’s connectivity ambitions are supported by strong institutions and efficient systems.
For Uzbekistan, improving connectivity is about more than just constructing infrastructure; it’s about transforming the country into a key player in global trade. As AIIB and other MDBs continue to support Uzbekistan’s development, the country is on track to become a central “land-linked” hub, positioned at the crossroads of international trade routes.
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