By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo
The following article was contributed by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul to Diplomacy Journal for publication. --Ed.
At the invitation of the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the UAE.
On January 15, at the Qasr Al Watan residence in Abu Dhabi, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks in a contracted format and with the participation of official delegations.
The President of Uzbekistan expressed sincere gratitude to the UAE President for the invitation and warm hospitality, as well as congratulated him on the successful hosting of the international Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
The two countries’ leaders discussed key issues related to further deepening friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Uzbekistan and UAE, including political, trade-economic, investment, innovation, cultural-humanitarian, and other priority areas.
It was noted that the peoples of Uzbekistan and the UAE share profound historical ties, common values and traditions, and the sacred religion of Islam.
It was emphasized that the visit of Uzbekistan’s leader to the UAE opens a new chapter in the history of bilateral relations, elevating them to the level of strategic partnership.
The significant growth in trade turnover, investments, and the number of joint ventures in recent years was noted with satisfaction. Additionally, the frequency of direct flights has increased, and a visa-free regime has been introduced.
As part of the visit, a substantial portfolio of new projects has been developed with leading UAE companies, primarily in high-tech industries.
The importance of continuing dialogue between the two countries’ foreign ministries was underscored to strengthen political ties.
The two countries’ leaders identified six priority areas for a new economic cooperation model: artificial intelligence, digitalization, green energy, urban development and infrastructure, tourism, and private enterprise. An agreement was reached to establish dedicated working groups for each priority area of interaction.
The parties endorsed the proposal to declare 2025-2027 the New Era of Economic Partnership between Uzbekistan and the UAE.
In this context, a key task was set to implement measures to increase mutual trade volumes tenfold by 2030 and expand the investment portfolio to $50 billion.
Both sides expressed interest in further strengthening connections between the two countries’ business communities and expanding the investment activities of UAE companies in Uzbekistan.
Particular attention was paid to enhancing cultural and humanitarian exchanges. The President of Uzbekistan proposed launching a joint program to train highly qualified specialists and conduct scientific research in artificial intelligence in partnership with Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.
The talks also covered preparations for upcoming high-level events, including the second summit of the “Central Asia - Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf” dialogue, scheduled for this year in Samarkand.
2. Following the negotiations between the Presidents of Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi, the following documents were signed:
– Declaration on Establishing a Strategic Partnership;
– Intergovernmental Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investments;
– Intergovernmental Agreement on Financial and Technical Cooperation;
– Agreement on Cooperation in Standardization, Metrology, and Conformity Assessment;
– Interagency Agreements on investment cooperation, collaboration in industry and advanced technologies, justice, agriculture, food security, and mineral resources;
– Protocol on Cooperation in Culture and Agreement on Cooperation between Diplomatic Academies and others.
3. During his stay in Abu Dhabi, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The parties discussed current issues of further enhancing multifaceted cooperation and practical interaction in priority areas.
The results of the historic high-level talks held today, which brought relations between Uzbekistan and UAE to the level of strategic partnership, were noted with satisfaction.
Support was expressed for the full-scale practical implementation of the agreements reached the day before with the heads of leading UAE companies and holdings.
At the meeting, special attention was paid to increasing the volume of mutual trade and investment. The importance of promoting cooperation projects for developing housing and transport infrastructure, energy, mining, urban development, and digitalization was noted.
Implementing joint projects and programs in artificial intelligence, including training specialized specialists, has been identified as a promising area.
4. On January 15, as part of an official visit to the United Arab Emirates, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks in Dubai with the Vice President, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
At the meeting, a high assessment was given to the fruitful results of the high-level talks held today, which brought the relations between Uzbekistan and UAE to the level of strategic partnership.
Active contacts and fruitful interaction in such areas as improving the efficiency of public administration and training management personnel were noted with satisfaction.
An agreement was reached on developing and implementing new projects in high technology, digitalization, infrastructure development, and other promising areas.
Interest was expressed in close cooperation with UAE partners in artificial intelligence in Uzbekistan.
Particular attention was paid to implementing Dubai’s advanced solutions in urban development, including within the framework of creating modern infrastructure in New Tashkent.
The parties agreed to continue an active dialogue and increase full-scale cooperation in all areas of practical interaction.
5. During the visit to Abu Dhabi, on January 14, the President of Uzbekistan participated in the opening ceremonies of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit and the Sheikh Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony.
By the agenda of the forum day, issues of ensuring sustainable development, promoting innovation, green economy and regional connectivity were discussed.
In his address, the President of Uzbekistan noted that today, energy diversification and the drastic reduction of hydrocarbons’ share in the energy mix are the key factors in mitigating the consequences of climate change, ensuring sustainable development and global security.
It was emphasized that the strategic goal of New Uzbekistan is to ensure environmental stability and transition to a resource-efficient green economic development model.
“It is, therefore, that we have declared the year 2025 as the Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy in Uzbekistan”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
The President of Uzbekistan noted that the country has developed a long-term Low-Carbon Development Strategy and a National Green Finance Program. The share of green components in investment projects will be increased by up to 50 percent in the next five years.
Work is underway to introduce national systems for monitoring emissions of greenhouse gases and quotas trade in emissions. By 2030, it is planned to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent, followed by a phased increase in this indicator.
As part of the Green Space Program, at least 30 percent of urban areas will be transformed into green spaces. Systemic measures are being taken to increase the introduction of water-saving technologies in agriculture to 100 percent.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid attention to rapidly increasing the green capacity to fully satisfy the energy needs of our fast-growing economy.
“Over the past 5 years, we have attracted almost $20 billion of foreign investment into the energy sector and built 9,6 gigawatts of new energy capacity. For instance, 14 solar and wind power plants with 3,5 gigawatts capacity and 2 energy storage systems with 300 megawatts capacity have been commissioned”, the Head of state noted.
More than 50 major projects with 24 gigawatts of energy capacity worth over $26 billion are underway with foreign partners. By 2030, it is planned to increase the share of renewable energy in the country to 54 percent.
“Today, green development has reached the level of a nationwide movement in Uzbekistan”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
The Head of state emphasized the importance of building regional cooperation to turn Central Asia into one of the centers of development of the green economy and clean energy.
The first steps were taken to revive the Great Silk Road through energy connectivity. A multilateral agreement recently signed with Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan within the framework of COP-29 will make it possible to export green energy to Europe.
“I would like to underline that the United Arab Emirates is our reliable and strategic partner in green energy”, the Leader of Uzbekistan said.
In recent years, the investment portfolio with the Emirates has exceeded $26 billion. Among them, renewable energy projects are the main driver.
Together with Masdar, 5 facilities for electricity production with a total capacity of 1.5 gigawatts were commissioned. 3 projects will be implemented to create generating capacities of 1.6 gigawatts, and energy storage systems with a capacity of about 520 megawatts per hour will be built.
Similar projects are also carried out with other leading UAE companies and partners from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Türkiye, and China.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated that Uzbekistan is interested in the joint realization of Central Asia’s enormous potential in solar, water, and wind energy and the production of green hydrogen.
According to preliminary estimates, Uzbekistan alone has the potential to generate 500 gigawatts of solar, 100 gigawatts of wind, and 10 gigawatts of hydropower.
Our region is also rich in uranium and other key strategic raw materials. “In this direction, we are ready to provide all favorable conditions for our foreign partners”, the Leader of Uzbekistan emphasized.
He invited prestigious research centers, experts and scientists participating in this forum to actively cooperate in implementing research and innovation programs with the Green University established in Tashkent.
Based on this University, it was proposed to establish an International Research Network for Combating Land Degradation and Desertification.
It was noted that Uzbekistan put forward initiatives to mitigate the consequences of global climate change at the COP28 and COP29 summits in Dubai and Baku, as well as other international forums.
Among them is establishing an International Center for Climate Loss and Damage Assessment, to ensure the safety of river ecosystems, setting up a Regional Hub for Water-Saving Technologies and a Plant Genetic Resources Bank.
“We are ready to start practical work with all of our partners”, the President of Uzbekistan noted. He also invited representatives of the countries participating in the summit to the Global Youth Digital Green Initiatives Festival that will take place in the Aral Sea region on International Climate Day – May 15.
Following his speech, the Leader of Uzbekistan again emphasized the openness of New Uzbekistan for broad practical cooperation on the path of sustainable and green development.
As part of the forum, an award ceremony is held to recognize achievements in the field of sustainable development with an award named after the late Emirati founding father Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan. This year, the Presidential School in the city of Tashkent was announced the winner in the Global High Schools category of the award.
The award was presented by the President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with the school representatives and warmly congratulated them on the victory.
