In a meeting held at the Qasr Al Watan Palace in Abu Dhabi, the Presidents of Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced a bold initiative to declare 2025–2027 as “A New Era of Economic Partnership.” This declaration was made during high-level talks between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, signaling a new phase of strategic cooperation.
Central to this initiative are ambitious goals to increase mutual trade volumes tenfold by 2030 and elevate the investment portfolio to an impressive $50 bn. The leaders underscored the importance of this partnership in fostering economic growth and strengthening bilateral ties.
“The visit of the leader of Uzbekistan to the UAE opens a new page in the history of bilateral relations – they are reaching the level of strategic partnership,” the statement noted.
The negotiations also identified six priority areas for economic collaboration: artificial intelligence, digitalization, green energy, urban development, tourism, and private sector growth. To ensure progress in these sectors, the leaders agreed to establish dedicated working groups.
Following the talks held between the Presidents of Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi, the following documents were signed:
- Declaration on the establishment of strategic partnership;
- Intergovernmental Agreement on mutual promotion and protection of investments;
- Intergovernmental Agreement on financial and technical cooperation;
- Agreement on cooperation in the field of standardization, metrology and conformity assessment;
- Interdepartmental agreements on investment cooperation, interaction in the field of industry and advanced technologies, justice, agriculture and food security, in the field of minerals;
- Protocol on cooperation in the field of culture, Agreement on cooperation between diplomatic academies and others.
Trade and investment between the two countries have already seen significant growth in recent years, with an increase in joint ventures, expanded air connectivity, and a visa-free regime. Building on this momentum, the leaders emphasized measures to further deepen economic and business ties.
A key highlight of the talks was the formation of a robust portfolio of projects with leading Emirati companies, focusing on high-tech industries. Discussions also included enhancing cultural exchanges and initiating a joint program for training highly skilled professionals in artificial intelligence in collaboration with the Mohamed bin Zayed University.
UAE-based projects in Uzbekistan
Several UAE-based companies have established operations in Uzbekistan, contributing significantly to the country’s economic development through substantial investments across various sectors. Notable among these are:
- AMEA Power: A prominent player in the energy sector, AMEA Power has been actively involved in Uzbekistan’s renewable energy projects. In January 2025, during a series of agreements signed between Uzbekistan and the UAE, AMEA Power was among the companies that entered into new contracts to enhance cooperation in energy and other key industries.
- Masdar: Another key contributor to Uzbekistan’s renewable energy initiatives, Masdar has engaged in various projects aimed at bolstering the country’s clean energy capacity. The January 2025 agreements further solidified Masdar’s role in Uzbekistan’s energy sector.
- Tadweer Group: Specializing in waste management solutions, Tadweer Group has been instrumental in developing waste-to-energy projects in Uzbekistan. In October 2024, Uzbekistan announced plans to implement projects worth about $1.3 bn focused on the construction of waste-to-energy plants, with Tadweer Group being one of the key collaborators.
- AD Ports Group: Involved in enhancing Uzbekistan’s transport and logistics infrastructure, AD Ports Group has been part of strategic cooperation agreements aimed at expanding collaboration in these sectors. In January 2025, Uzbekistan and Emirati companies, including AD Ports Group, agreed to sign a roadmap to expand collaboration and realize the potential for impactful and sustainable cooperation.
- Jetex: A global leader in executive aviation services, Jetex has plans to provide VIP and CIP services at the under-construction Tashkent-East airport. In January 2025, a memorandum was signed under which Jetex plans to offer business aviation services, including air taxi and VIP taxi services, in Uzbekistan.
- Burjeel Holdings: As a private healthcare provider, Burjeel Holdings has shown interest in Uzbekistan’s healthcare sector. In January 2025, agreements were signed involving Burjeel Holdings to enhance cooperation in healthcare and other key industries.
- IFFCO Group: A manufacturer and exporter of consumer goods, IFFCO Group has been part of the recent agreements to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Uzbekistan and the UAE. In January 2025, IFFCO was among the companies that signed agreements covering sectors such as energy, agriculture, water supply, infrastructure, and transport and logistics.
In addition to economic cooperation, the leaders exchanged views on regional and international issues and confirmed Uzbekistan’s readiness to host the second Central Asia-GCC Dialogue Summit in Samarkand later this year.
Key Areas of Focus
- Economic Growth and Investment
- The leaders celebrated recent progress in economic collaboration, noting that “the volume of trade and investments, as well as the number of joint enterprises, has grown significantly in recent years.” They agreed on ambitious goals to increase mutual trade tenfold and attract $50 bn in investments by 2030. A portfolio of new projects, primarily in high-tech industries, was finalized, highlighting the UAE’s growing involvement in Uzbekistan’s economic modernization.
- Technological and Economic Cooperation
- Six priority areas for a new economic cooperation model were identified: “artificial intelligence, digital transformation, green energy, urban development and infrastructure, tourism, and private business.” To ensure progress, they agreed to establish dedicated working groups for each sector.
- Cultural and Educational Collaboration
- President Mirziyoyev proposed launching a joint program with the Mohamed bin Zayed University to train specialists and conduct research in artificial intelligence. He emphasized the importance of fostering “scientific and educational exchange” and expanding cultural ties between the two nations.
- Regional and Global Dialogue
- The leaders discussed preparations for upcoming events, including the second summit of the “Central Asia–GCC Dialogue” in Samarkand. They also exchanged views on “pressing aspects of international politics,” demonstrating their shared interest in promoting regional stability and global cooperation.
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