Uzbekistan is accelerating its efforts to complete its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), targeting 2026 for membership. During the ninth meeting of the Working Group on Accession, held on December 5-6, a delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to this ambitious timeline.
WTO members expressed strong support for Uzbekistan’s political determination and encouraged the country to continue aligning its trade regime with international standards. Emphasizing the importance of this goal, Khodjayev remarked that WTO accession is not just a technical process but a significant driver of internal reforms.
“This goal demonstrates the inevitability of Uzbekistan’s integration into the global trading system. In 2025, efforts will focus on completing negotiations and harmonizing legislation with WTO norms,” Khodjayev said.
The delegation included Azizbek Urunov, the president’s special representative on WTO issues, Deputy Economy Minister Ahadbek Khaidarov, and representatives from various government agencies. Some members participated virtually from Tashkent.
Chief Negotiator Azizbek Urunov shared that Uzbekistan has successfully concluded bilateral negotiations with nine additional WTO members, raising the total to 22. This milestone highlights the substantial progress made in the accession process.
WTO Deputy Director General Xiangchen Zhang commended Uzbekistan’s extensive reforms, including Presidential Decree DP-85, which focuses on aligning national laws with WTO requirements. These reforms are closely linked to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s strategy to modernize the economy and accelerate global integration.
The chairman of the Working Group, Ambassador Yoon Seong-Dok of South Korea, praised Uzbekistan for its achievements at both bilateral and multilateral levels. He noted the country’s effective collaboration with key international organizations like the IMF, World Bank, and WTO.
The Working Group examined Uzbekistan’s draft report detailing its commitments as a prospective WTO member, alongside recent legislative updates. Since May 2024, Uzbekistan has enacted 192 new legal acts to meet WTO standards.
Ambassador Yoon underscored the critical nature of the upcoming year, stating, “The coming seven to eight months will be crucial to achieve the goal of completing the process by 2026.”
As previously reported on Uzbekistan’s significant achievement in securing China’s support for its WTO membership. Joining the organization represents a cornerstone of Uzbekistan’s broader economic reforms, marking a decisive step toward integrating into the global trade network.
