Uzbekistan made strides in its World Trade Organization (WTO) accession negotiations during the 9th meeting of the Working Party on the Accession of Uzbekistan in Geneva. Led by Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev, the Uzbek delegation reaffirmed the country's strong intention to complete the accession process by 2026. This high-level political engagement was welcomed by WTO members, who encouraged Uzbekistan to continue aligning its trade practices with WTO standards.
The Uzbek delegation, which included Special Representative Azizbek Urunov, the Chief Negotiator for WTO accession, and other senior officials from various ministries, emphasized that the WTO process is a crucial catalyst for the country's ongoing domestic reforms.
"For Uzbekistan, WTO accession is not just a technical process but an opportunity to drive broader reforms," Khodjaev stated in his opening remarks.
He reiterated the goal set at the 8th Working Party meeting in May 2024 to complete the WTO accession by 2026, signaling the inevitability of Uzbekistan's integration into the global trading system.
Khodjaev highlighted that the goal of WTO membership is not only to meet international expectations but also to provide domestic stakeholders with sufficient time to adapt to the necessary reforms.
"By 2026, Uzbekistan aims to be not only a full WTO member but also a model of successful integration into the global economy," he added.
Chief Negotiator Urunov reported progress, with Uzbekistan concluding bilateral negotiations with nine more countries, bringing the total to 22. This achievement stresses the dedication and hard work involved in the process, providing a solid foundation for successful WTO membership.
"These agreements are crucial for finalizing the accession process," Urunov emphasized.
Uzbekistan finalizes @wto accession talks with Pakistan
— Daryo | Central Asia & Afghanistan (@DaryoEng) December 9, 2024
Uzbekistan has finalized WTO accession talks with Pakistan, following similar agreements with the United States, China, the Philippines, El Salvador, and other nations.
👉Details — https://t.co/bj9wGQQ51n#Uzbekistan… pic.twitter.com/50ZkvQ8UUa
WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang acknowledged Uzbekistan's ongoing reform efforts, especially highlighting Presidential Decree DP-85, which brings Uzbek laws in line with WTO norms.
"The decree has been a catalyst for faster reform, and its implementation is vital in meeting the goal of WTO membership," Zhang noted. He also praised President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's leadership, which has been key in accelerating the reform process.
The Chair of the Working Party, Ambassador Yun Seong-deok from the Republic of Korea, commended the "faster, continuous, and technically focused" work between Uzbekistan and WTO members. He also highlighted President Mirziyoyev's direct involvement, which has built momentum in the accession process. Ambassador Yun stressed the importance of continued collaboration between the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the WTO in supporting Uzbekistan's reforms.
The Working Party also reviewed Uzbekistan's legislative developments, with the country adopting several legal acts since the May 2024 meeting to bring its trade regime in line with WTO regulations. To date, 192 pieces of legislation have been submitted for review since 2020.
Looking ahead, the Chair encouraged Uzbekistan to intensify efforts in 2025 to ensure the completion of the accession process.
"The next seven to eight months will be crucial in determining if Uzbekistan can meet its 2026 goal," Ambassador Yun concluded, expressing confidence that the country's accession remains supported by a significant portion of the WTO membership.
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