UZBEKISTAN–JAPAN RELATIONS

Japan recognized the independence of Uzbekistan on December 28, 1991. Diplomatic relations were established on January 26, 1992.

On July 29, 2002, a strategic partnership was established.

There have been four high-level visits to Japan (in 1994, 2002, 2011, and 2019). Prime Ministers of Japan Junichiro Koizumi (August 2006) and Shinzo Abe (October 2015) visited Uzbekistan.

Parliamentary friendship groups have been established in both countries.

Since 2002, 19 rounds of political consultations between the foreign ministries have been held (the latest on July 10, 2024, in Tokyo).

Since 2004, the "Central Asia + Japan" Dialogue has been active.

Trade relations between the two countries are based on most-favored-nation (MFN) treatment.

Seventeen meetings of the Committees on Economic Cooperation have been held (the most recent in October 2024, in Tokyo).

In 2024, the trade turnover amounted to $320.2 million, including exports of $12.0 million and imports of $308.2 million.

In April 2024, the Uzbekistan–Japan Trade House was opened in Nagoya.

There are 82 joint ventures operating in Uzbekistan, including 50 with 100% Japanese capital. Thirteen Japanese companies have accredited representative offices in Uzbekistan.

From 1993 to 2024, a number of socially significant and infrastructure projects in healthcare, education, energy, transport, and telecommunications were implemented through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), totaling $5.6 billion. Over 400 students received scholarships to study at Japanese universities, and 2,500 Uzbek specialists completed internships in Japan.

In 1999, the Uzbekistan–Japan Friendship Society was established.

With the support of renowned artist Ikuo Hirayama, the Uzbekistan–Japan Scientific and Creative Center “Caravanserai of Culture” was opened in Tashkent in 2002.

In 2004, a monument to Alisher Navoi was erected on the campus of Soka University.

In January 2025, the popular singer and performer of traditional instruments Mashu Komazaki was appointed Ambassador of Uzbek Culture in Japan.

In 2001, the Uzbekistan–Japan Center for Human Resource Development was established in Tashkent to organize courses in Japanese language, ICT, business management, and cultural exchange programs.

Since 2010, a representative office of Nagoya University has been operating in Tashkent to support education and academic research.

Four Forums of University Rectors from the two countries have been held: in Nagoya (2011), Tashkent (2015, 2019), and Tokyo (2022).

On December 18, 2019, in recognition of his contribution to the development of education, comprehensive support for science, and academic exchange, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan was conferred an honorary doctorate by Nagoya University.

On December 2, 2020, Digital University was opened in Tashkent in cooperation with the Japanese company Digital Knowledge.

Sister-city relations have been established between Rishtan and Maizuru, Tashkent and Nagoya, the Samarkand Region and Nara Prefecture, and the cities of Samarkand and Nara.

In August 2024, the famous Japanese actor and TV host Keisuke Minami was appointed Uzbekistan’s Tourism Ambassador in Japan.

 

UZBEK-KOREAN RELATIONS

The Republic of Korea recognized the Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan on December 30, 1991. Diplomatic relations were established on January 29, 1992.

Twenty summits have been held between the leaders of the two countries.

In 2006, a strategic partnership was established, and in 2019, the relationship was elevated to the level of a special strategic partnership.

Friendship groups have been established in the parliaments of both countries.

Sixteen rounds of inter-ministerial political consultations have been held (the most recent on March 25, 2024, in Tashkent).
On September 11, 2023, the first Strategic Dialogue at the level of foreign ministers was held.

An annual forum on cooperation between the Republic of Korea and Central Asia has been operating since November 2007.

The Trade Agreement of 1992 established a most-favored-nation regime in mutual trade. 

Since 1994, twelve meetings of the Joint Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation have been held (the most recent on May 31, 2024, in Seoul). 

Since 2018, five meetings of Deputy Prime Ministers for economic affairs have been held (the most recent on September 7, 2023, in Tashkent).

In 2024, the trade turnover amounted to $2.636 billion, including exports of $39.85 million and imports of $1.96 billion.

In March 2024, the first Uzbek-Korean trading house was opened in Seoul. The total volume of direct Korean investments attracted to the economy of Uzbekistan has exceeded $7.5 billion. 

There are 726 enterprises with the participation of Korean capital in Uzbekistan (232 joint ventures and 494 wholly foreign-owned enterprises), of which 32 were established in 2024.

Seventeen projects worth $2.6 billion have been jointly implemented with the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF). 

The total amount of grant aid provided to Uzbekistan through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) from 1995 to 2024 amounted to $210 million.

More than 70 experts and 500 KOICA volunteers have carried out their missions in Uzbekistan. 

Over 2,000 representatives from Uzbek ministries and departments have completed internships in the Republic of Korea.

The Korean Education Center has been operating in Tashkent since 1992.

The study of the Korean language is carried out in 9 universities and 24 schools.

There are branches of 4 universities in Uzbekistan: Inha, Bucheon, Ajou in Tashkent, and the Korean International University in Ferghana.

On March 27, 2023, a forum of rectors from leading universities of the two countries was held in Tashkent. 

There are 4 KOICA Vocational Education Centers in Tashkent, Ferghana, Shakhrisabz, and Samarkand.

In 2014, Seoul Park was opened in Tashkent on the grounds of the Friendship Garden. 

In April 2019, the House of Korean Culture and Art was opened in Tashkent. 

In 2018, one of the streets of Tashkent was renamed "Seoul." On December 16, 2021, a monument to the great poet and thinker Alisher Navoi was unveiled in Seoul.

 

UZBEKISTAN-INDONESIA RELATIONS

POLITICAL COOPERATION

Indonesia recognized the independence of Uzbekistan on December 28, 1991. Diplomatic relations were established on June 23, 1992.

In May 1994 the Indonesian Embassy was opened in Tashkent. The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Jakarta has been operating since December 1996.

During the official visits of the leaders of the two countries, the foundation was laid for friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation (in 1992 and 1995).

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia H. Wirayuda visited Uzbekistan in 2008, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan visited Indonesia in 2009 and 2025.

8 meetings of political consultations were held (the last meeting was held online in 2020). In October 2016, a delegation led by Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi took part in the 43rd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Tashkent.

In November 2020, the Uzbekistan-Indonesia Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group was established in the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan (a similar group was created in the Indonesian Parliament).

In May 2021, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Indonesia Rahmat Gobel visited Uzbekistan.

From September 8 to 11, 2022, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament P. Maharani visited Uzbekistan to participate in the XIV Summit of Women Speakers of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

From November 13 to 16, 2022, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Indonesia R. Gobel visited Uzbekistan to participate in the Second UNESCO World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education.

Vice President of Indonesia Maruf Amin visited Uzbekistan from 13 to 17 June 2023.

On December 2023 a meeting was held in Dubai between the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the President of Indonesia Joko Widodo within the framework of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP-28).

On 27 September 2024, bilateral talks between the Foreign Ministers of Uzbekistan and Indonesia were held in New York within the framework of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

From 11 to 17 September 2024, a delegation led by the head of the Indonesia-Uzbekistan inter-parliamentary friendship group H. Pandjatan visited Uzbekistan.

On 2-4 October 2024, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia S. Uno took part in the 4th World Conference on Creative Economy in Tashkent.

TRADE AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION

In February 2009, the first meeting of the intergovernmental commission on bilateral cooperation was held in Indonesia.

In 2024, the volume of bilateral trade amounted to 79.3 million US dollars, including exports - 10.8 million US dollars, imports - 68.3 million US dollars.

Main export items: non-food raw materials (35.6%), chemical products (28.2%), services (17.9%) and others.

Main import items: animal and vegetable oil (35.7%), food products (22.1%), chemical products (15.0%), equipment and spare parts for it (12.8%), services (5.7%) and others.

As of 2024, there are 17 joint ventures with the participation of Indonesian capital in Uzbekistan.

In 2007, the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan created an organizing committee to expand trade, economic and business cooperation with Indonesia, headed by the Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade.

In August 2017, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources Z. Mirzayeva visited Indonesia.

In 2011, the Mayor of Samarkand visited the city of Banda Aceh and signed a memorandum on the establishment of mutual understanding, partnership and cooperation between Samarkand and Banda Aceh.

On November 16, 2023, a business forum of entrepreneurs of the Samarkand region and West Sulawesi (Indonesia) was held, dedicated to the prospects for investment and trade cooperation.

On December 15, 2023, a business forum of silk industry associations of the Fergana region and the Indonesian province of South Sulawesi was held.

CULTURAL AND HUMANITARIAN COOPERATION

Higher education institutions of the two countries signed 16 agreements on training specialists in the Indonesian language in Uzbekistan, organizing training courses in the field of "halal" tourism and modern hotel services.

Since September 2019, a joint master's program for training specialists in the field of tourism has been operating between Bukhara State University and Gunadarma University.

In April 2021, the first mosque in the Uzbek architectural style was built in Chanjur (West Java Province) according to the drawings of professors and students of the architecture faculty of Gunadarma University, who visited Uzbekistan (Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent) in March 2020.

On August 27-30, 2023, a delegation headed by the rector of the International Islamic Academy M.Kamilov visited Indonesia. Memorandums of understanding have been signed with 3 universities.

For citizens of Indonesia a 30-day visa-free regime has been in effect since February 2018.

In June 2019, a delegation of the Bukhara Regional Department of the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Tourism Development visited Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. Following the visit, 6 agreements were signed.

On October 10, 2024, the Uzbek-Indonesian Tourism Forum was held in Jakarta.

On December 9, 2024, a presentation of the tourism potential of Uzbekistan was held in Medan, the capital of the Indonesian province of North Sumatra.

From December 10 to February 9, 2024, an exhibition entitled “Imam Bukhari: Islamic Art of Uzbekistan” was held at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta.

On December 19, 2024, the “Uzbekistan Day” was held at the Indonesian Pedagogical University, located in Bandung, the capital of the Indonesian province of West Java.

The Asian Islamic Art and Fashion Exhibition, which was held in Jakarta on January 25-26, 2025, featured a presentation of Uzbek national costumes, an exhibition of handicrafts, and a master class on preparing Uzbek cuisine.

 

UZBEKISTAN-MALAYSIA RELATIONS

Malaysia recognized the Independence of Uzbekistan on 1 January 1992, and established diplomatic relations on 21 February 1992.

Presidents of Uzbekistan paid visits to Malaysia in 1992, 2005, and 2025. High-level visits from Malaysia to Uzbekistan were organized by King Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin (2003) and Prime Ministers Tun Mahathir Mohamad (1993), Tun Abdullah Badawi (2008), and Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim (2024).

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan met with the King of Malaysia, Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP-28) on 1 December 2023 in Dubai.

Following the official visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Malaysia on 4-5 February 2025, Leaders of both nations signed a Joint Statement on Deepening Bilateral Cooperation on the Way to Strategic Partnership for Future Generation.

Inter-parliamentary dialogue is consistently developing. “Friendship groups” have been established in the Senate and Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, as well as in the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Malaysia. The Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Malaysia Johari bin Abdul visited Uzbekistan in April 2023, the Deputy President of the Senate of the Parliament of Malaysia, Nur Jazlan Mohammad, visited Uzbekistan in June and October 2024. In July 2024, the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan N.Ismailov visited Malaysia.

Political consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Uzbekistan and Malaysia are an important mechanism for promoting bilateral relations. The 5th round of bilateral consultations was held in 2022 in Putrajaya at the level of deputy ministers.

In July 2023, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Zambri Abd Kadir visited Uzbekistan. In February and July 2024 delegations led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan visited Malaysia.

Bilateral trade turnover reached $102.4 million in 2024, including export - $6 million, import – $96.4 million.

Currently, there are 33 enterprises with Malaysian investors in Uzbekistan. 1 enterprise with the participation of Uzbek citizens operates in Malaysia.

The Intergovernmental Agreement on Trade of 1997 established a most-favored-nation regime between countries.

In 2005, the Joint Trade Committee was established. In 2024, the committee was elevated to the level of the Intergovernmental Commission. On 29 May 2024, the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission was held in Kuala Lumpur.

In December 2024, “Made in Uzbekistan” Trade Fair of Agricultural Food Products, Fresh and Dried Fruits Produced in Uzbekistan was held in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Within the framework of the high-level visit to Malaysia, on 5 February 2025, a Joint Business Forum was held in Kuala Lumpur with the participation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim.

Within the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP), representatives of ministries and agencies of Uzbekistan participate in various short-term courses and seminars in Malaysia. As of 2025, over 800 Uzbek specialists trained under MTCP.

In February 2025, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan K.Sharipov, visited Malaysia. On 4 February 2025, Uzbekistan-Malaysia Higher Education Forum was hosted by the Sultan Idris Pedagogical University in Perak. Ministers of Higher Education of the two countries, as well as Rectors and Vice Chancellors of 25 leading universities of Uzbekistan and Malaysia took part at the Forum. As a result 55 agreements were signed between the universities of the two countries.

More than 500 Uzbek students study at universities in Malaysia. Malaysian students are studying at the Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage in Samarkand.

Since February 2018, a 30-day visa-free regime has been introduced for Malaysian citizens (a similar procedure introduced for Uzbek citizens to enter Malaysia).

The number of Malaysian tourists who visited Uzbekistan in 2024 was 9,464 people (4,686 in 2023).

The sides are actively developing cooperation on research and promotion of the heritage of the Islamic civilization. The Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, Imam Bukhari, Imam Termizi, Imam Moturidi International Scientific Research Centers, and scientific and educational institutions of Malaysia organize annual conferences dedicated to the legacy of great scholars of the East.

In March-April 2023 a photo exhibition “Uzbekistan - Center of Islamic Civilization” was organized at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

On 22 October 2024, an international conference on “Modern Approaches to the Study of the Scientific Heritage of Imam Bukhari” was held in Kuala Lumpur.

 

UZBEKISTAN–SINGAPORE RELATIONS

Singapore recognized Uzbekistan’s independence in April 1992 and established diplomatic relations on April 8, 1997.

Since 2007, the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan has been operating in Singapore (also covering cooperation with Australia).

Since 2011, the Ambassador of Singapore to Uzbekistan (residing in Singapore) has been Zulkifli bin Baharudin.

There have been two state visits to Singapore (in 2007 and 2023).

In May 2023, the President of Singapore, Halimah Yacob, paid a reciprocal visit to Uzbekistan.

In February 2024, the third round of political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs was held in Singapore.

Cooperation in Law Enforcement

As part of cooperation between law enforcement agencies, in November 2018, a delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan led by the Minister of Justice R.Davletov and Deputy Prosecutor General E.Yuldashev visited Singapore.

In 2023, delegations led by the Minister of Internal Affairs P.Bobojonov and the Presidential Adviser R.Davletov visited Singapore to study its experience in ensuring public safety and countering radicalization.

From May 16 to 19, 2023, Singapore’s Minister for Law and Home Affairs, K.Shanmugam, visited Uzbekistan to participate in the III International Legal Forum “Tashkent Law Spring” in Tashkent.

Trade and Economic Cooperation

In 2024, the trade turnover amounted to $209.5 million (-10.7%), including exports of $48.2 million (-50.9%) and imports of $161.3 million (+18.3%).

As of February 1, 2024, there are 250 enterprises operating in Uzbekistan with the participation of Singaporean investors.

The main sectors of activity include electrical engineering, textile and food industries, education, trade, mechanical engineering, and others.

Cultural and Humanitarian Cooperation

On October 26, 2021, the Tashkent Institute of Technology, Management, and Communications (TMC) – a branch of Singapore’s TMC Academy – was officially opened.

In November 2019, a delegation led by the Minister of Preschool Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan, A.Shin, visited Singapore. During the visit, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed with the preschool institution “Modern Montessori International.”

Singaporean creative groups regularly participate in the international music festival “Sharq Taronalari” held in Samarkand.

In 2018, a 30-day visa-free regime was introduced for Singaporean citizens visiting Uzbekistan.

 

UZBEKISTAN–CHINA RELATIONS

The PRC recognised the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan on 27 December 1991. Diplomatic relations were established on 2 January 1992.

Bilateral co-operation covers the whole range of relations and is of a comprehensive, all-weather strategic nature. It is based on the trusting personal relations established between the heads of State of the two countries. Mutually beneficial cooperation between Uzbekistan and China is facilitated by the convergence or proximity of positions on combating terrorism, extremism, separatism, drug trafficking, illegal arms trade and other security challenges.

The leaders of the two countries regularly exchange visits and meet. Twenty-five summits of leaders of the two countries have been held during this period.

Uzbekistan has been visited by Chinese Presidents Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao and Xi Jinthao, Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh.M. Mirziyoyev  and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping have held three telephone conversations with the President of the People's Republic of China (7 May 2020, 29 April, and 27 October 2021). and 27 October 2021).

Within the framework of interaction between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries, 18 rounds of political consultations were held between 2004 and 2025 on bilateral co-operation and within the SCO framework.

On 18 June 2020, the Uzbek Foreign Minister delivered a report at an extraordinary high-level videoconference within the framework of the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative with the participation of foreign ministers of 26 countries, heads of WHO and UNDP.

On 16 July 2020, the first ministerial meeting in the format ‘Central Asia - China’ was held under the chairmanship of China with the participation of foreign ministers of 6 countries.

From 2020 to 2025, a total of 6 meetings of foreign ministers of the Central Asia-China format were held, the last of which was held in Astana on 26 April 2025.

Uzbekistan attaches priority importance to further strengthening of strategic partnership with China, expansion of multifaceted trade-economic, investment and financial cooperation between the two countries based on the principles of mutual benefit, consideration of interests and equality.

In accordance with the Trade and Economic Agreement (1992), the countries enjoy most-favoured-nation treatment. The PRC occupies a leading position among Uzbekistan's trade partners.

In 2024, bilateral trade turnover reached $13.07 billion, including Uzbek exports of $2.64 billion and imports of $10.43 billion. In January-March 2025, this indicator totalled $3.05 billion, including Uzbek exports - $462.5 million, imports - $2.59 billion.

The investment partnership is implemented within the framework of the Programme of Cooperation between the Governments of Uzbekistan and Uzbekistan signed in 2010. The programme of cooperation between the Governments of Uzbekistan and China in non-resource and high-tech spheres was signed in 2010.

A number of Chinese companies are actively involved in projects for exploration and development of hydrocarbon deposits and deep processing of natural gas in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan supports the implementation of projects to build the Uzbekistan-China gas pipeline and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.

The two countries are developing co-operation in the financial sphere, in particular with the State Development Bank of China and Eximbank of China.

As of 1 January 2025, a total of 3,357 enterprises with Chinese investments are operating in Uzbekistan.

Co-operation in the field of education is actively developing, and the exchange of students and interns is supported. on an interdepartmental basis.

Since May 2005, the Confucius Institute of Chinese Language and Culture has been operating in Tashkent with 400 students, traders and researchers.

Since its establishment, more than 3,500 young people have taken courses in it. During the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Uzbekistan in September 2013, an agreement was signed on cooperation in establishing another Confucius Institute in Samarkand.

Since 2012, the Uzbek language has been taught as an optional subject at the Beijing Foreign Studies University.

On 15 May 2013, the first Centre for Uzbek Studies and Educational Exchanges in China was inaugurated in Shanghai on the basis of the SCO Public Diplomacy Research Institute at Shanghai University.

As part of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Uzbekistan, a monument to Alisher Navoi was unveiled on 13 March 2017 on the territory of Shanghai University.

Twinning ties have been established between Tashkent and Shanghai, Navoi and Zhuzhou (Hunan Province), Bukhara and Luoyan (Henan Province), Tashkent Province and Hunan Province, Samarkand and Xi'an (Shaanxi Province), Jizzakh and Yangzhou (Jiangsu Province), Samarkand Province and Shaanxi Province, Syr Darya Province and Zhejiang Province.