Bakhtiyor Mustafayev, Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISRS), commented for the Dunyo News Agency on the outcomes of the working visit of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Switzerland and his participation in the ceremony marking the signing of the Charter of the Board of Peace in Davos.

-The participation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in events held on the sidelines of the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2026 constituted a landmark development, reflecting the country’s transition to a new stage of international positioning.

Against the backdrop of increasing geopolitical uncertainty, Uzbekistan demonstrated an approach that aligns domestic reforms with evolving global expectations, positioning itself as a reliable and predictable partner for investment and initiatives in the field of security.

A central milestone of the working visit was the participation of the Head of State in the ceremonial signing of the Charter of the Board of Peace on January 22, 2026. The invitation extended to the President of Uzbekistan by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to join this body as a founding member reflects a high level of international confidence.

Uzbekistan’s participation in the Board of Peace is grounded in clear strategic considerations.

First, it represents a logical continuation of the country’s policy of openness and multi-vector dialogue consistently pursued in recent years. Uzbekistan has been strengthening its presence across major global platforms and actively engaging within regional and international frameworks, including the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and BRICS+.

The invitation extended by the President of the United States to participate in the G20 Summit further reflects the growing recognition of Uzbekistan as a responsible stakeholder in global governance processes. Accession to the Board of Peace logically complements this trajectory, reaffirming the country’s capacity to engage constructively with leading global actors and contribute to the development of new mechanisms of international cooperation.

Second, Uzbekistan’s engagement in the Board of Peace underscores its principled approach to the Palestinian issue, combining humanitarian commitment with practical measures. Following President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s public call for a ceasefire in November 2023, Uzbekistan provided USD 1.5 million in humanitarian assistance through UNRWA. In December 2024, the country facilitated the humanitarian evacuation of 100 wounded Palestinian women and children from Rafah.

Building on the experience of the “Mehr” programme, Uzbekistan ensured access to medical treatment and conditions for social rehabilitation, presenting a practical model of humanitarian engagement. This approach, based on tangible action and responsibility for human well-being, contributed to confidence-building in the process of forming the Board of Peace.

Third, the Davos platform served as a catalyst for advancing Uzbekistan’s economic and investment profile toward a higher level of global competitiveness. Over the past decade, the country has demonstrated sustained economic growth: GDP has more than doubled to USD 145 billion, economic growth reached 7.7 percent in 2025, and foreign exchange and gold reserves exceeded USD 60 billion for the first time.

Structural transformation of the economy is reflected in the fact that more than 80 percent of GDP is generated by processing industries, while exports reached a historic high of USD 33.4 billion, representing a 24 percent increase. Equally significant are the social outcomes of the reforms, including a reduction in the poverty rate from 35 percent in 2017 to 5.8 percent in 2025, contributing to more inclusive economic development.

In addition, negotiations between the President of Uzbekistan and the leadership of BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, marked an important step toward attracting long-term and sustainable investment. Discussions on potential equity participation and the establishment of joint investment mechanisms indicate Uzbekistan’s growing integration into global investment processes. This confidence is also reflected in the activities of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), whose total investments in Uzbekistan have reached nearly USD 7 billion, making the country one of the Bank’s key partners in the region.

Fourth, amid the fragmentation of the global order and the escalation of regional tensions, ensuring that the interests of Uzbekistan and Central Asia are adequately reflected in emerging security frameworks remains of critical importance. Participation in the Board of Peace serves as an instrument of preventive diplomacy based on the understanding of the interconnected nature of contemporary challenges and threats.

In conclusion, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to Switzerland marked the establishment of a new strategic trajectory for Uzbekistan’s development. The combination of institutional engagement within the Board of Peace, sustained macroeconomic progress, a consistent humanitarian approach, and active advocacy of regional interests positions Uzbekistan as a state that not only adapts to changes in the international system, but also contributes to shaping the global agenda of the twenty-first century.