UK backs Uzbekistan’s WTO accession

The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its full support for Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), according to Dunyo news agency.

With the assistance of Uzbekistan’s Embassy, Azizbek Urunov, the President's Special Representative for WTO Affairs, visited London for negotiations. Urunov met with British Deputy Minister for Business and Trade Gareth Thomas, officials from the Foreign Ministry, and trade experts.

The UK emphasized its view of Uzbekistan as a key partner in Central Asia and expressed interest in strengthening bilateral ties. Discussions also covered global trade trends and Uzbekistan’s progress toward WTO membership.

Both sides agreed to enhance technical assistance for Uzbekistan’s accession process  within the framework of the World Bank's economic growth and development program. 

The initiative aims to strengthen Uzbekistan’s institutional capacity and improve specialists’ expertise in international trade.

Uzbekistan’s WTO Accession: Progress, Challenges, and Economic Prospects

Uzbekistan has been working toward joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) for decades. The country’s accession process began in 1998 with the establishment of a dedicated Working Group. However, after just three meetings, discussions stalled in 2005. The process was officially revived in July 2020 with the fourth Working Group meeting, followed by three more sessions in June 2022, March 2023, and November 2023.

In September 2023, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on the sidelines of the 78th UN General Assembly. Okonjo-Iweala commended Uzbekistan’s commitment to accession and assured full support from the WTO Secretariat, expressing confidence in the country’s near-term membership.

As part of its WTO alignment efforts, Uzbekistan harmonized five national laws with WTO agreements in February 2024, marking a key step toward membership.

Why WTO Membership Matters for Uzbekistan

Earlier, Urunov outlined four major advantages:

• A Level Playing Field for Businesses – WTO membership will create equal conditions for enterprises, fostering competition and economic growth.
• Stronger Competitive Environment – A more open market will drive business efficiency, aligning Uzbekistan with the growth models of rapidly developing economies.
• Attracting Quality Investments – WTO membership will enhance investor confidence, bringing in sustainable and high-value investments.
• Integration into Global Trade – The country will gain access to international markets and production chains, expanding trade opportunities for entrepreneurs.

On the other hand, Saida Mirziyoyeva emphasized that WTO accession aligns with Uzbekistan’s broader economic reforms, aiming to create jobs, improve livelihoods, and enhance governance. 

In light of recent progress, WTO leadership has recently recognized Uzbekistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ethiopia as key candidates for accession at the upcoming 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), scheduled for March 26–29, 2026, in Cameroon. During discussions on Uzbekistan’s accession, representatives from 26 WTO member states participated, with 16 countries expressing firm and explicit support for its membership.

Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.