Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met in the historic city of Bukhara over the weekend, as the two Central Asian nations continue to strengthen economic and strategic cooperation.
Bilateral trade between the two countries reached nearly $5 billion (€4.3 billion) last year, with both sides now aiming to double that figure in the coming years.
Joint projects are already under way across a wide range of sectors, including automotive manufacturing, infrastructure, logistics, electrical engineering and construction materials.
The leaders outlined new areas for cooperation, focusing on digital technologies, water management and environmental protection. A joint Clean Air initiative was also highlighted by Mirziyoyev, aimed at addressing air pollution challenges in major regional border cities like Tashkent, Almaty, Turkistan and Shymkent.
Speaking during the talks, Mirziyoyev stressed the importance of expanding the International Cooperation Centre and enhancing regional connectivity.
He pointed to the need to modernise border checkpoints, remove logistical bottlenecks, and accelerate major energy projects, including the construction of the Kambarata hydropower plant and the export of green energy to Europe.
In turn, Tokayev expressed strong support for deepening cooperation in innovation and digitalisation, as well as backing Uzbekistan’s environmental initiatives.
From agreements to implementation
Both governments are now focusing on translating agreements into concrete outcomes. Cooperation is expected to expand further in energy, industrial supply chains and the processing of raw materials, including rare metals.
Improving transport links and border infrastructure remains central to these plans. More efficient corridors are expected to reduce delays, lower costs and improve access to external markets.
A key milestone will be the launch of the Jibek Joli border checkpoint between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in September, with a daily capacity of up to 70,000 people and more than 2,000 vehicles.
Additional infrastructure projects, including the Darboza–Makhtaaral railway, are also set to boost cargo capacity by up to 20 million tonnes annually.
Both sides also agreed to intensify cultural and humanitarian exchanges, including through Days of Culture, youth forums and expanded cooperation in tourism and the creative economy.
Focus on digitalisation and regional development
Alongside formal talks, the two leaders took part in a series of joint visits focusing on Uzbekistan’s reform agenda and industrial development.
They were briefed on the work of the Bukhara regional Situation Centre, which operates under a new public administration model designed to improve coordination among government agencies and speed up decision-making.
The two presidents also visited a national artificial intelligence event, the National AI Hackathon, where they reviewed progress in digital transformation.
Officials presented solutions spanning e-government systems, transport, customs, taxation, healthcare and energy, reflecting broader efforts to integrate advanced technologies across the economy.
As part of the programme, the leaders toured a major textile enterprise in Bukhara, where they reviewed modern manufacturing processes and export-oriented production.
The facility, launched in 2024 with an investment of $35 million (€30 million), employs more than 800 people and produces finished fabrics and garments for international markets. Equipped with advanced production lines from Europe and Japan, the company exports to countries including Italy, Austria, the United Kingdom and Germany.
The heads of state welcomed the company’s expansion plans and its role in strengthening industrial cooperation and export potential.
The meeting also included a cultural programme, reflecting the growing role of informal regional dialogue. The leaders visited some of Bukhara’s most iconic landmarks, including the Ark Fortress, the Poi Kalyan and Lyabi-Hauz ensembles, as well as the Bahauddin Naqshband Mausoleum.
Both sides noted that such meetings have become an important platform for open and constructive dialogue, helping to reinforce trust and advance cooperation across Central Asia.