Uzbekistan is planning to deepen its strategic partnership with the United States under a draft state program for 2025, currently open for public discussion. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will lead efforts to advance bilateral relations, with key initiatives planned through the end of 2025.
Key Initiatives in Uzbekistan-US Collaboration
Planned measures include organizing a high-level visit and hosting the inaugural round of the expanded strategic partnership dialogue in Tashkent. Uzbekistan also aims to deepen ties within the “C5+1” framework, with a ministerial meeting, working group sessions, and a celebratory summit in Samarkand to mark the 10th anniversary of this cooperative format.
To bolster interparliamentary ties, leading US congressional members are expected to visit Uzbekistan. Trade and investment cooperation will also expand, supported by business forums, exhibitions, and trade events to attract American investors. Security collaboration is set to grow, while maintaining Uzbekistan’s strong standing in US government human rights reports remains a priority. Further partnerships in education, science, healthcare, and environmental initiatives will include university cooperation, English language teaching, joint scientific research, and ecological projects.
U.S. and Uzbekistan Critical Minerals Cooperation
On September 16 2024, The United States and Uzbekistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration in the critical minerals sector. The agreement, signed in Tashkent by U.S. Ambassador Jonathan Henick and Uzbekistan’s First Deputy Minister of Geology Omonullo Nasritdinxodjaev, established a framework for government and industry partnerships.
Ambassador Henick emphasized the growing importance of critical minerals in the green economy, driven by the rise of electric vehicles, solar and wind energy, and other technologies. He highlighted Uzbekistan’s significant reserves of critical minerals and the potential for collaboration with U.S. expertise in the field.
A Strong Foundation in Uzbekistan-US Relations
The United States recognized Uzbekistan’s independence on December 25, 1991, and established an embassy in Tashkent in 1992. The two nations signed a Declaration on Strategic Partnership in 2002, laying the groundwork for their bilateral ties.
In May 2018, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s first official visit to the US ushered in a new era of cooperation, highlighted by a joint statement on strategic partnership. Additional milestones include the adoption of the “US-Uzbekistan Joint Statement on Women, Peace, and Security” in October 2020, which emphasized collaboration on Uzbekistan’s National Action Plan for Women, Peace, and Security.
The United States is one of Uzbekistan’s top 10 trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching $773.3 mn in 2024. The number of US-capital enterprises in Uzbekistan has doubled in recent years.
“C5+1” Cooperation Milestones
The first summit of Central Asian leaders and the US in the “C5+1” format was held on September 19, 2023. As Uzbekistan prepares to host the 10th-anniversary summit in 2025, this initiative remains a cornerstone of regional and US cooperation.
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USA - Uzbekistan Trade Relations
From 2017 to 2024, trade relations between the United States and Uzbekistan showcased consistent growth, reflecting their strengthening economic ties. Trade turnover began at $215 mn in 2017, nearly doubling to $415 mn by 2018 and climbing further to $596.2 mn in 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and global lockdowns caused a sharp decline in 2020, with turnover dropping to $277 mn.
A steady recovery followed, with trade volumes reaching $426.3 mn in 2021 and $493.2 mn in 2022. The upward trend continued, surging to $657.3 mn in 2023. By November 2024, bilateral trade had already hit $773.3 mn, marking a record high without even reaching the year's end.
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