From September 14 to 16 of this year, Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISRS), paid a working visit to Washington, where he held a series of substantive meetings with representatives of leading U.S. think tanks.

Discussions were held with Brianne Todd, Professor at the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA), Eric Rudenshiold, Senior Fellow and Research Director for Caspian Affairs at the Center for Caspian Policy, and Michael David-Fox, Director of the Center for Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies at Georgetown University.

The discussions placed particular emphasis on prospects for further strengthening Uzbek-American relations. There was also an in-depth exchange of views on U.S. policy in Central Asia, including cooperation within the multilateral “C5+1” format.

Representatives of American think tanks particularly noted the telephone conversation between Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and US President Donald Trump on September 5 of this year. Analysts view this dialogue as an important indicator of the strength of constructive relations between Uzbekistan and the US at the highest level.

The experts emphasized their support for the reforms being implemented within the framework of the "New Uzbekistan" strategy. American interlocutors noted their consistency and irreversibility, as well as their focus on comprehensive economic modernization, institutional renewal, and sustainable improvement in living standards.

The meeting participants noted with satisfaction the positive dynamics of trade, economic, and investment cooperation in recent years. In 2024, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and the United States increased by 15 percent. The portfolio of promising joint projects covers a wide range of sectors, including civil aviation, development of critical mineral resources, the electrical industry, energy, agriculture, digital technologies, the financial sector, innovation, and education.

Furthermore, effective cooperation in security matters was noted, including in areas such as combating terrorism, extremism, and illegal migration. Cultural and humanitarian exchanges are also actively expanding, with branches of leading American universities successfully operating in Tashkent, promoting academic dialogue and intercultural understanding.

A separate topic of discussion was the expansion and deepening of cooperation between ISRS and American analytical and research institutions. The importance of intensifying expert dialogue aimed at developing joint ideas and practical proposals for further strengthening the multifaceted partnership between Uzbekistan and the United States was emphasized.