Uzbekistan has completed bilateral negotiations with Switzerland on its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), according to Azizbek Urunov, the presidential representative for WTO affairs.
On July 21, a protocol was signed in Geneva, formalizing the conclusion of negotiations between the two countries. Azizbek Urunov, Uzbekistan’s presidential representative for WTO affairs, confirmed the development on LinkedIn, writing,
"The long list faded away, countdown started,” as he thanked both delegations for their hard and constructive work.
Switzerland becomes the 25th country with which Uzbekistan has finalized bilateral negotiations. The United Kingdom was the 24th, concluding its talks in late May.
Since 2023, WTO accession has been under the special supervision of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Of the 33 countries Uzbekistan has engaged in bilateral market access talks with, 25 have now reached final agreements.
At a May 2025 meeting, President Mirziyoyev instructed officials to speed up the WTO accession process, aiming to conclude negotiations with the remaining eight countries by the end of 2025. Uzbekistan intends to become a full WTO member by 2026—a move the president has described as a “well-thought-out and far-sighted choice.”
To align with WTO requirements, Uzbekistan has introduced sweeping reforms to customs procedures, export-import regulations, and intellectual property protections. Exclusive rights have been abolished in six state-involved enterprises to ensure compliance with global trade standards.
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