Ahead of the forthcoming state visit by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Republic of Belarus, UzA correspondent spoke with Alexander Ogorodnikov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Uzbekistan. The interview focused on the current state of relations between Belarus and Uzbekistan, key achievements in bilateral cooperation in recent years, and prospects for development of the partnership between the two countries.

– Mr. Ambassador, how would you evaluate the current state of relations between Belarus and Uzbekistan? Which recent achievements in bilateral cooperation stand out as the most significant to you, and what future opportunities do you foresee for expanding this partnership?

– First of all, I would like to thank you for this interesting question. Today, it is easy to speak about relations between Belarus and Uzbekistan, as cooperation between our countries is developing successfully across virtually all areas, from the economy, industry, and agriculture to culture and humanitarian cooperation. One of the key objectives set by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko is to increase mutual trade turnover to one billion US dollars. By the end of last year, we had already come very close to this figure, and the results of the first five months of this year, along with forecasts for the coming months, allow us to say with confidence that the target will be achieved. For our countries, this is a landmark indicator reflecting the high level of economic partnership. An important stage in the development of cooperation was the implementation of the 2024-2025 Roadmap, signed during the President of the Republic of Belarus’s visit to Uzbekistan in 2024. This document defined the main areas of bilateral cooperation. Ahead of the next high-level visit, a new Roadmap for 2026-2030 has been jointly prepared and will serve as the basis for developing cooperation in the years ahead. First and foremost, the record volume of mutual trade should be highlighted. Equally important is that the economies of our countries do not compete but complement one another. Belarusian products are successfully represented on the Uzbek market, while Uzbek goods are present on the Belarusian market, expanding partnership opportunities rather than creating mutual competition.

Significant focus is placed on industrial collaboration. The Heads of State have prioritized strengthening technological sovereignty, an area in which Belarus and Uzbekistan share many common interests. Successful joint projects are already underway, such as the production of agricultural machinery. Uzbekistan has organized the assembly of Belarusian tractors and plans to localize this production starting this year. Development is also ongoing in manufacturing trailers, attachments, mining equipment, cable and wiring products, and poultry-farming equipment, as well as in the light industry sector. Overall, this cooperation encompasses nearly all sectors vital to the economies of both nations. The new Roadmap also provides for several promising areas of cooperation. One of these is the woodworking industry. Uzbekistan is demonstrating rapid growth in the construction sector and annual population growth, creating significant demand for furniture products. Belarus possesses modern technologies and extensive production experience and therefore sees strong prospects for establishing joint manufacturing facilities in this field.

Agriculture continues to be a key sector. Collaboration is increasingly moving from basic trade to the development of joint projects. Belarus is prepared to share technology for meat and dairy production, cattle breeding expertise, and innovative agro-industrial solutions. Several of these projects are already in the practical implementation phase.

A notable opportunity is developing in the energy sector. Belarus has established and operates its own nuclear power plant, gaining valuable expertise. As a result, Uzbekistan’s decision to build its own nuclear facility is both timely and strategically significant. Belarusian experts and companies are prepared to share their knowledge and practical experience in carrying out such projects.

Special attention should be given to cooperation in information technology. While IT increasingly operates across international borders, the primary goal remains the development of digital solutions tailored to local enterprises. Modern technologies enable significant cost savings, improve management efficiency, and increase transparency in business activities. As a result, digitalization is set to become a major focus of collaboration between Belarus and Uzbekistan in the coming years. Overall, relations between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Uzbekistan are strong and continue to develop steadily. They are distinguished by mutual trust, strategic partnership, and a shared commitment to implementing joint projects that contribute to sustainable economic growth and the well-being of the peoples of both countries.

– In light of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s upcoming visit to Belarus, what are Belarus’s expectations for this meeting? What practical outcomes and agreements do you foresee?

– Every high-level visit, whether a meeting of presidents, prime ministers or members of government, provides an important impetus for the development of bilateral cooperation. Such negotiations make it possible to identify new growth points, launch joint projects, and create additional business opportunities. Ultimately, this contributes to increased mutual trade, the creation of new jobs, and the strengthening of both countries’ economies. Meetings between the Heads of State play a particularly important role. At this level, strategic decisions are made, priorities for further cooperation are set, and long-term guidelines for the partnership between Belarus and Uzbekistan are established. The forthcoming talks will cover a broad range of issues related to deepening bilateral relations. In addition to the economic agenda, the leaders will pay particular attention to developing humanitarian cooperation, including collaboration in healthcare, science, education, culture, sports, and the arts. These areas are especially important because they help strengthen the bonds of friendship between the peoples of Belarus and Uzbekistan and create a solid foundation for long-term mutual trust. One of the main expected outcomes of the forthcoming visit will be the signing of the Treaty on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Uzbekistan. In essence, relations between the two countries have long been at the level of a strategic partnership, and the new document will formalize this status in legal terms and lay the foundations for further long-term cooperation.

– What strategies do you see for Belarus and Uzbekistan to enhance their cooperation within the CIS, SCO, and other international organizations given the evolving geopolitical landscape?

– Belarus and Uzbekistan not only have the potential to strengthen cooperation within the CIS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and other international associations. These mechanisms are already important instruments for expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Participation in such organizations creates additional opportunities for economic development, joint project implementation, and the expansion of trade and investment ties. The CIS and the SCO include countries with substantial economic potential, and cooperation with them creates favorable conditions for attracting investment, exchanging technologies, and implementing large-scale infrastructure initiatives. Amid the rapidly changing geopolitical situation, developing transport and logistics cooperation is becoming particularly relevant. Neither Belarus nor Uzbekistan has direct access to the sea, making the efficient use of international transport corridors a key factor in ensuring sustainable economic growth. CIS and SCO countries possess extensive capabilities in transport infrastructure and freight transit. By deepening their partnership, Belarus and Uzbekistan can make more effective use of their transit potential, ensuring faster, more reliable, and more cost-efficient routes for delivering goods to foreign markets. This not only enhances the competitiveness of national products but also helps strengthen both countries’ positions in international supply chains. Cooperation in technology, innovation and transportation remains equally important. Interaction with countries possessing significant scientific, technological, and industrial potential creates new opportunities to modernize the economy, introduce advanced solutions, and improve production efficiency. Thus, the participation of Belarus and Uzbekistan in the CIS, the SCO, and other international organizations is not only of foreign policy significance but also of considerable practical importance. These platforms help strengthen bilateral partnerships, expand economic ties, and create new opportunities for the sustainable development of both countries amid the current geopolitical environment.

– How is the investment cooperation and joint ventures between Belarus and Uzbekistan progressing? Is there growth in the number of joint ventures and Belarusian investments?

– By the end of 2025, investment cooperation between Belarus and Uzbekistan had shown notable positive momentum. One of the clearest results was a twofold increase in Belarusian companies operating in the Uzbek market. At the beginning of the year, 116 joint ventures and foreign enterprises with Belarusian capital were registered in Uzbekistan, and by year-end that number had risen to 242. Although the volume of investment has not yet reached billions of dollars, the nature of these investments is important. The arrival of each new company brings not only an inflow of capital but also the introduction of modern technologies, the creation of new jobs and the development of production capacity. Belarusian businesses are entering Uzbekistan with long-term plans, bringing their expertise, experience and technological solutions to the local market. It is also noteworthy that cooperation spans virtually all sectors of the economy. Belarusian companies are represented not only in specific areas such as mechanical engineering or agriculture, but across a wide range of fields, from industry and manufacturing to services and high-technology projects. This diversification demonstrates the balanced development of Uzbekistan’s economy, its attractiveness to foreign investors, and the growing confidence of Belarusian businesses in the Uzbek market.

– Cultural and humanitarian collaboration is crucial for fostering mutual understanding among peoples. What specific joint events, festivals, educational initiatives, and youth exchange programs are scheduled in Belarus and Uzbekistan for 2026?

– Belarus and Uzbekistan are consistently expanding cultural and humanitarian cooperation, viewing it as a vital foundation for strengthening bilateral relations. Particular attention is being paid to cooperation in healthcare. The Belarusian side already has successful experience working jointly with Uzbek colleagues, including in maternal and child healthcare. Medical forums, joint surgical procedures, educational programs, and the exchange of best practices between specialists from the two countries will be further developed. Tourism also remains a promising area of cooperation. Growing interest among international travelers in Uzbekistan’s rich historical and cultural heritage is accompanied by an increase in the number of Belarusian tourists, while Belarus, in turn, is seeking to introduce people from Uzbekistan to its tourism opportunities. This will be the focus of the Second Belarus – Uzbekistan Tourism Forum, to be held in Uzbekistan and serving as a platform for developing partnerships among tour operators and opening new areas of cooperation.

Cooperation in sports, culture, and education is actively developing. Belarus welcomes Uzbekistan’s sporting success on the international stage, while cultural ties are being strengthened through Days of Culture, film festivals, tours by creative groups, and cooperation between leading theaters. Vocational education also remains an important area: Belarusian expertise in training qualified technical specialists is in demand amid economic modernization and the growing need for a skilled workforce.

Entrepreneurship development also plays an important role in the bilateral agenda. This year, Khiva will host the Fourth Belarus – Uzbekistan Women’s Business Forum, bringing together women entrepreneurs from the two countries to exchange experiences and identify new projects. At the same time, interregional cooperation is intensifying. The focus is shifting from interaction exclusively at the level of the capitals toward establishing direct ties between regions, where local businesses can become a new driver of expanding trade and economic partnership between Belarus and Uzbekistan.

– Since February 2025, you have been representing the Republic of Belarus in Uzbekistan. What has impressed you most during this period – the people, culture, traditions, or the extensive changes underway in the country?

– Speaking of my impressions of Uzbekistan, I would first highlight the people. Their openness, sincerity, and willingness to help are evident in virtually everything they do. Whether in the capital or in one of the regions, people in Uzbekistan are always ready to offer assistance. They not only give directions but also personally accompany someone to the required place, help find the necessary item at a market, or do everything possible to make a guest feel welcome. Such an attitude makes a truly powerful impression. Another distinctive feature that inspires genuine admiration is the love people in Uzbekistan have for their country. Almost everyone speaks with pride about being born here and talks about their homeland with great respect and warmth. This sense of national pride is impossible to miss. The Uzbek sunshine has also been particularly memorable. For Belarusians, who sometimes do not see the sun for weeks or even months in winter, such a large number of sunny days is a real revelation. It seems that the sun here affects not only nature but also people’s moods. The day begins quite differently when bright sunshine is present from early morning onward. The natural landscape has also left a strong impression. Belarus is a country of forests and lakes, so the mountains, which we do not have, inspire particular admiration. Uzbekistan’s majestic mountain scenery and vast expanses reveal an entirely different geography and offer a new perspective on nature’s beauty.

Of course, Uzbek cuisine is worth mentioning. Learning about a country isn’t just about its landmarks. It also involves sharing meals and conversations. Although I had been to Uzbekistan before, it was only after a longer visit that I truly understood why dishes like plov, samsa, and other national foods vary by region. I also realized how deeply gastronomic traditions are intertwined with culture, traditional clothing, music, and dance. When welcoming guests, I first highlight the country’s architectural heritage, then invite them to an authentic Uzbek teahouse. This gives them a chance to enjoy the richness of the national cuisine and experience traditional hospitality.

Interviewed by Aziza Alimova, UzA