Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have reinforced their bilateral ties through the third meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Council held in Bukhara. The session, attended by the speakers of both parliaments—Nurdin Ismailov of Uzbekistan and Yerlan Koshanov of Kazakhstan—highlighted the strategic partnership between the two nations, focusing on economic, infrastructure, and digital collaboration.
Economic cooperation took center stage, with trade and investment growth being key discussion points. Bilateral trade reached $4.8 billion in 2025, marking a 16% increase from the previous year. The sides set an ambitious new target to boost this figure to $10 billion. Currently, 78 joint projects worth $1.8 billion are underway, underscoring the depth of economic engagement.
Tourism emerged as another priority area, with plans to create a shared tourism space by developing cross-border routes and enhancing transport connectivity. These initiatives aim to capitalize on growing foreign interest in the region, potentially boosting visitor numbers and economic benefits.
Digital collaboration is also advancing, with Astana Hub and IT Park Uzbekistan working under the common brand Central Asian Innovation Hubs. This effort is designed to foster a regional technology cluster, promoting innovation and digital economy growth in Central Asia.
The meeting addressed broader issues such as ecology, sustainable development, green economy, energy, and agriculture. Kazakhstan invited Uzbekistan to participate in a regional environmental summit in Astana, signaling a commitment to joint environmental initiatives.
Speakers Nurdin Ismailov and Yerlan Koshanov emphasized that parliamentary efforts align with agreements reached by the presidents of both countries. Legislators will continue to provide legal support for accords in areas like ecology, industrial cooperation, and citizen mobility. Cooperation is also expanding on international parliamentary platforms.
The next council meeting is scheduled to take place in Turkistan. Prior to this, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev in Tashkent, where they discussed strengthening strategic partnership, including cooperation in space-related fields.
Source: podrobno.uz