InnoWeek.Uz-2024 to highlight Uzbekistan’s vision for sustainable innovation and global collaboration

The international week of innovative ideas, InnoWeek.Uz-2024, will run from November 14 to 16. Organized by the Agency for Innovative Development under the theme “Innovation for Sustainable Development,” this annual event brings together over 150 international representatives and experts from more than 30 countries, including high-ranking delegates from China, Turkey, and Russia. Aimed at fostering cross-border collaboration, showcasing cutting-edge technologies, and discussing Uzbekistan’s ambitious future, InnoWeek provides a significant platform to advance the country’s standing in the global innovation landscape.

Sharof Rajabbayev, Director of the Agency for Innovative Development, highlighted InnoWeek.Uz’s importance at a recent press conference. “InnoWeek.Uz has become the largest and most unique platform in Central Asia to showcase advanced innovations and develop global cooperation. This year, we will hold more than 120 B2B meetings, allowing representatives from over 10 countries to sign investment and grant agreements,” Rajabbayev shared. He underscored that since its establishment in 2018, InnoWeek.Uz has played a key role in connecting Uzbekistan to the global innovation network.

Uzbekistan’s Goal: Top 50 in the Global Innovation Index by 2030

One of Uzbekistan’s primary objectives discussed during InnoWeek is the nation’s commitment to securing a spot in the top 50 of the Global Innovation Index by 2030. This ambitious goal aligns with the country’s “Uzbekistan-2030” strategy, a comprehensive plan aimed at building a knowledge-based economy and fostering sustainable growth.

The Global Innovation Index forum will directly address steps necessary to achieve this target, including enhancing areas where Uzbekistan currently ranks low. Rajabbayev emphasized that Uzbekistan’s innovation framework still needs to address key areas such as patent acquisition and intellectual property protection, both essential components for climbing the innovation rankings.

“InnoWeek is not just about showcasing our achievements but addressing challenges that can help us improve our global standing,” he said. Rajabbayev added that robust intellectual property laws and a strong patent system would incentivize domestic innovators and attract foreign investment. “Protecting local innovations through enhanced patent and IP laws is essential for building investor confidence and supporting the growth of our knowledge economy,” he noted.

International Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange

InnoWeek.Uz-2024 will host a variety of forums, exhibitions, and workshops to encourage knowledge exchange and strengthen partnerships. The international exhibition will feature 512 Uzbek and 34 foreign organizations presenting products developed under commercialization, startup, and scientific research projects. The program includes 22 international forums and workshops, addressing topics from digital transformation to regional innovation ecosystems.

Among these, a workshop on Uzbekistan’s access to international scientific databases will focus on enhancing the country’s scientific capacity. “More than 230 Uzbek research institutions now have access to global scientific platforms, including ‘Web of Science’ and ‘Pivot-RP’. This year alone, Uzbek scientists have published 2,027 articles on Web of Science,” Rajabbayev explained. He emphasized that access to these resources is crucial for developing Uzbekistan’s global scientific partnerships.

In a session on the “Global Innovation Index,” experts will discuss Uzbekistan’s current position and identify the indicators that need improvement. Rajabbayev highlighted that focusing on patents and strengthening intellectual property rights will be critical steps toward reaching the top 50. “We’re working closely with international organizations to identify gaps and establish a robust IP system that can protect and reward our innovators,” he said.

Fostering Innovation Among Youth

InnoWeek.Uz-2024 will place particular emphasis on youth engagement, launching new initiatives to inspire the next generation of innovators. An online roundtable will connect Uzbek scientists and innovators working abroad with young researchers at home, providing mentorship and collaboration opportunities.

Akbarkhon Sobirkhonov, Head of the Department for Coordination of the Youth Academy of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, discussed the importance of connecting young scientists with global peers. “We are organizing the first Uzbekistan-China Youth Innovation Forum to enable young scientists from both countries to collaborate on practical projects,” he explained. Projects in fields like electric vehicle development will allow Uzbek and Chinese scientists to work together, he added. “This forum helps integrate project work across sectors and provides our young scientists with real-world experience,” Sobirkhonov noted.

The Youth Academy also aims to boost female representation in innovation, especially through initiatives like the “First Step for Women” competition, exclusively for young women. “Out of more than 5,200 members of the Youth Academy, over 2,000 are women actively engaged in engineering, medicine, and agriculture,” Sobirkhonov explained. The “Future Scientist” competition provides funding for young women-led startups, and the government further supports these initiatives by covering essential costs like salaries, encouraging young women to stay active in the workforce post-graduation.

Supporting Talent from Remote Regions

Recognizing the potential of young people in remote areas, InnoWeek.Uz includes initiatives to engage and support talent from all over Uzbekistan. Regional Youth Academy leaders work to identify promising youth in remote areas and bring them into the Academy’s fold. “We hold the ‘Mirzo Ulugbek’s Heirs’ competition across all 211 districts to identify and support talented youth,” Sobirkhonov shared. Winners from district-level competitions advance to national competitions, where they are awarded cash prizes and scholarships from programs like “El-yurt umidi.”

“Our focus on nurturing young talent from every region has yielded tangible results. For instance, 12 of our youth recently reached the finals in Turkey’s ‘Teknofest’ competition. This is part of our commitment to giving young people from remote areas a chance to shine on international stages,” Sobirkhonov said.

International Scientific and Technological Cooperation

The forum “Partnership of the SCO Member States: Innovations for Regional Prosperity” will bring together representatives from the scientific and business communities of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states to discuss potential avenues for scientific and technological cooperation. Participants will explore innovative solutions for economic stability and development, which could further support Uzbekistan’s innovation sector.

On November 15, the Uzbek-Iranian Forum on Innovative Technologies will focus on industries such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. Events like this forum are viewed as vital for expanding business and research collaborations as trade and cooperation between Uzbekistan and Iran continue to grow.

The Science and Innovations international conference for young scientists, held in collaboration with the forum “Science and Innovation for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future,” will host over 200 scientists from around the world. “The conference is a unique platform for exchanging knowledge and experience, especially in fields like medicine, biology, and advanced technologies,” Rajabbayev said. Leading scientists from countries like the UK, Austria, Germany, China, and Russia will discuss topics from biotechnology to environmental preservation.

Recognizing Leaders in Innovation

At the end of InnoWeek, top young scientists and innovators will be honored with the “Leader of Innovative Ideas” badge, a prestigious award for those who have made substantial contributions to advancing technology and innovation in Uzbekistan. “This year, we received about 100 applications from across the country, and 14 individuals who demonstrated outstanding achievements will receive the badge,” Rajabbayev announced. Winners will also receive monetary rewards to support their ongoing efforts in innovation.

Inspiring Future Generations through Competitions

InnoWeek.Uz-2024 will also include a special pavilion for youth, featuring robotics, drone racing, VR/AR, 3D modeling, and programming competitions. Over 1,200 young engineers and tech enthusiasts will participate, with 70 winners awarded at the end. The Urban.Tech Uzbekistan 24 hackathon will engage professionals aged 18 to 30 in developing innovative solutions to socio-economic challenges.

With initiatives spanning international partnerships, youth engagement, and robust intellectual property protection, InnoWeek.Uz-2024 is a pivotal event in Uzbekistan’s journey to becoming a global leader in innovation. By addressing essential gaps in intellectual property and patent laws and fostering a culture of invention and collaboration, Uzbekistan is steadily advancing toward its goal of ranking among the world’s most innovative countries by 2030.