Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson congratulated Uzbekistan on the official opening of its Consulate General in Seattle, describing the mission as an opportunity to expand cooperation in business, investment, technology, innovation, education, research, culture and tourism.
In congratulatory remarks on the opening, Ferguson welcomed the establishment of the consular mission on behalf of the people of Washington State and noted that it is Uzbekistan’s first consular institution not only in Washington State but also on the U.S. West Coast.
Ferguson also congratulated Ahror Burkhanov, the first Consul General of Uzbekistan in Washington State, along with his staff, and welcomed them to Washington. The governor highlighted the potential for the new diplomatic mission to strengthen existing cooperation between Uzbekistan, the United States and Washington State.
“I know that the diplomatic mission represents an opportunity to grow our cooperation in business and investment, technology, innovation, education, research, culture, tourism, and so much more,” Ferguson stated.
He also said he looked forward to continuing the partnership between Washington State and Uzbekistan, noting that cooperation between the two sides had already been developing for some time. The Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Seattle formally opened on September 4, becoming the country’s first consular institution in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. The mission had begun operating in Seattle in March 2026.
Burkhanov, a career diplomat who previously served as press secretary of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, heads the mission. The establishment of consulates general in Seattle, Philadelphia, Chicago and Orlando was provided for under a 2025 presidential decree on the establishment of the American-Uzbek Business and Investment Council.
