Progress of Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization reviewed

Last year, significant progress was achieved in the multilateral and bilateral negotiations held as part of Uzbekistan’s accession process.

In particular, two meetings of the Working Party on the Accession of Uzbekistan to the World Trade Organization were held. During these meetings, responses to more than 200 questions and over 30 documents related to foreign trade were presented to WTO members.

In addition, more than 40 rounds of bilateral negotiations were conducted. In 2025, negotiations were completed with 11 countries, bringing the total number of countries with which negotiations have been finalized to 33.

WTO members positively assess the intensive reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan as part of the transition to a market economy. In particular, last year, 68 legal and regulatory acts were brought into compliance with WTO requirements and international standards.

It was noted that, as part of the harmonization with WTO rules, procedures for registering intellectual property have been simplified and liability for violations in this area has been strengthened. Export restrictions have been abolished, export duties based on a transparent mechanism have been introduced, and the practice of setting minimum export prices for certain categories of goods has been eliminated.

Furthermore, as part of large-scale reforms aimed at reducing technical barriers to trade and improving sanitary and phytosanitary measures, a certification system has been introduced in place of the bureaucratic procedure of mandatory state registration for high-risk products. Oversight of food safety has been transferred to the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Well-being and Public Health. In addition, 14 technical regulations on food products have been abolished, while mandatory certification requirements for 747 commodity items have been eliminated, reducing the list by 27 percent.

During the presentation, the adoption of new laws on food safety and trade defense measures was reviewed, along with the progress in implementing procedures related to risk analysis, traceability, and scientific justification in the fields of sanitation, veterinary medicine, and quarantine.

The Head of State gave instructions to ensure the effective implementation of comprehensive measures aimed at formalizing Uzbekistan’s full membership in the World Trade Organization in 2026.

Necessary measures were identified to systematically continue aligning legislation in the field of foreign economic activity with WTO rules and international trade standards, complete bilateral and multilateral accession negotiations, and finalize the country’s accession to the organization.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed progress regarding Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization and measures aimed at accelerating the process. 

He highlighted the importance of ensuring the effective implementation of measures to formalize Uzbekistan’s full membership in the organization in 2026.