From September 20–24 of this year, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid a working visit to New York to take part in the events of the 80th Anniversary Session of the UN General Assembly.

During his visit to the United States, the Head of State addressed the General Political Debate of the UN General Assembly. In his speech, he emphasized the role of the UN as the main platform for addressing pressing global issues and highlighted the irreversible reforms underway in New Uzbekistan. The President of Uzbekistan put forward a number of proposals and initiatives aimed at resolving critical international and regional issues and ensuring peace and sustainable development.

It should be noted that official delegations from 93 countries participated in the 80th Anniversary Session of the UN General Assembly. On the sidelines of the summit, President Mirziyoyev held more than 20 strategic negotiations and meetings with foreign heads of state and government, leaders of influential international and financial institutions, and representatives of major business corporations.

1.Meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump

The central event of the visit was President Mirziyoyev’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. In recent years, multifaceted cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United States has reached a new level: bilateral trade turnover has quadrupled, and more than 300 American companies have invested in Uzbekistan.

During the talks, the two leaders agreed to further strengthen the Uzbekistan–U.S. strategic partnership and expand practical cooperation. President Trump, in turn, praised the agreements reached and stated: “It is a great honor for me to meet with the President of Uzbekistan; he is a man worthy of deep respect.” He also highly appreciated the achievements of our country, reflecting the steady development of friendly relations and cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United States.

The meeting drew wide attention from global media outlets, including Eurasia Review, Caspian Post, Euronews, Anadolu Agency and more than 20 other leading publications. They positively assessed the talks as evidence of Uzbekistan’s productive and pragmatic foreign policy.

This meeting elevated bilateral relations to a new stage, laying the foundation for stronger strategic partnership in political, economic, and security spheres.

Inter-parliamentary dialogue also plays an important role in the dynamics of Uzbekistan–U.S. cooperation. President Mirziyoyev met with Congressman Trent Kelly, Chair of the Uzbekistan Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. The sides discussed expanding strategic partnership and strengthening parliamentary cooperation.

It is noteworthy that parliamentary exchanges have intensified significantly in recent years. Between 2017–2024, U.S. congressional delegations visited Uzbekistan nine times, compared to just two visits in 2010–2016. The Uzbekistan Caucus, created in 2018 with four members, now includes 17 U.S. lawmakers.

2. Expanding Cooperation with the UN

During the UN anniversary session, President Mirziyoyev paid special attention to expanding international cooperation. In his meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the sides discussed further strengthening collaboration to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Currently, over 160 programs and projects are being successfully implemented in partnership between Uzbekistan and the UN. In October, a new five-year Cooperation Program is expected to be signed.

António Guterres highly praised President Mirziyoyev’s speech at the UN General Assembly, particularly his initiatives on achieving the SDGs, shaping a New Central Asia, advancing digital technologies and artificial intelligence, supporting youth, promoting an enlightened Islam, and strengthening global cooperation in other key areas.

President Mirziyoyev also held meetings with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, King Abdullah II of Jordan, President Petr Pavel of the Czech Republic, and Albanian President Bajram Begaj. These talks focused on strengthening strategic partnerships, implementing previously reached agreements, and expanding trade and economic cooperation.

Notably, Albania represents a new direction in Uzbekistan’s foreign policy. Experts emphasize that this meeting demonstrates Uzbekistan’s intention to diversify its international cooperation, not only with major powers but also with developing countries. This approach confirms Uzbekistan’s commitment to an open and pragmatic foreign policy, fostering mutually beneficial relations with different regions.

Given Albania’s close ties with the European Union, the country could serve as an important bridge for Uzbekistan’s exports to European markets, contributing to expanded trade opportunities and technological cooperation.

3. Engagement with Leading International Financial Institutions

President Mirziyoyev also met with the heads of the World Trade Organization (WTO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Bank Group. Cooperation with these institutions opens vast opportunities for diversifying the economy and energy sector, attracting foreign investment, liberalizing currency policies, and expanding foreign trade.

Uzbekistan is currently harmonizing its national legislation with WTO rules and standards, particularly in technical regulation and food safety. In his meeting with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, President Mirziyoyev discussed intensifying practical cooperation on Uzbekistan’s accession process, with the goal of completing negotiations by 2026.

At his meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in monetary and fiscal policy, transform the statistical system, and expand training programs for economic officials. The IMF praised Uzbekistan’s roadmap to reduce budget deficits and keep public debt below 50% of GDP by 2027, which includes around 50 specific measures.

With World Bank President Ajay Banga, the focus was on further expanding strategic cooperation, particularly in poverty reduction, job creation for women and youth, regional development under the new “Model Mahalla” concept, rural infrastructure, and private sector projects. Today, Uzbekistan is among the World Bank’s largest partners in Europe and Central Asia, with a joint project portfolio exceeding $14 billion.

4. Strengthening Business and Investment Cooperation

President Mirziyoyev’s business program in the United States was equally substantive. He held negotiations with leaders of major multinational corporations, investment funds, and financial institutions, including Traxys, FLSmidth, McKinsey, Go Green Partners, BlackRock, Boeing Global, Franklin Templeton, Citigroup, Air Products, BNY, Jefferies, NASDAQ, Oppenheimer and many others.

Notable results include:

- With Air Products, agreements were reached to accelerate projects in Bukhara’s gas-chemical complex, coal gasification, and production of eco-friendly aviation fuel, with a practical roadmap adopted. Current investments by Air Products in Uzbekistan exceed $1 billion.

- With Boeing, a new contract was signed for the delivery of 22 Dreamliner aircraft worth $8 billion starting in 2031. Experts note that Uzbekistan has become the only Central Asian country to conclude such a large-scale agreement with Boeing, boosting its potential as a regional transit hub.

- Meetings with leading global investment companies managing trillions of dollars in assets, including Franklin Templeton, Citigroup, BNY, Jefferies, and Oppenheimer Holdings, marked an important step in Uzbekistan’s integration into the global financial system.
- Talks with NASDAQ leadership created new opportunities for linking Uzbekistan’s stock market with international exchange infrastructure.

Conclusion
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s active participation in the UN 80th Anniversary Session marked an important stage in advancing Uzbekistan’s foreign policy priorities.

First, his negotiations with leading international businesses and financial institutions have strengthened Uzbekistan’s image as a reliable and responsible global partner.

Second, these efforts contribute to the country’s integration into the global investment and financial system, ensuring new investment flows and accelerating practical projects in key economic sectors.

Third, this reflects the essence of New Uzbekistan’s open, pragmatic, and reform-oriented foreign policy, confirming the nation’s commitment to the UN and other international organizations through responsible engagement and constructive initiatives.

Narimon Nabiyev,

Leading Research Fellow at the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan