Expanding regional transport capabilities in Central Asia is a key factor in integrating countries into the global economy

The foreign policy of modern Uzbekistan is focused on taking concrete measures to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and long-term multilateral partnerships with all countries worldwide.

In particular, our country's relations with the countries of Central Asia, which have ancient and common historical roots, have reached a new level.

In this regard, the heads of state of Central Asia are focusing on deepening cooperation and strengthening constructive and mutually beneficial relations. A particular priority is the development of the region's transport potential.

In particular, fostering a sense of community and trust within the region, along with enhancing transport connectivity and integration, presents opportunities for the joint implementation of strategic infrastructure projects in the transport sector.

Following the initiative of the head of our state, new mechanisms for regional cooperation have been established. For instance, the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia.

It is evident that this institution has evolved into a pivotal platform for collaborative regional dialogue. This significant platform has evidently demonstrated its relevance as an effective mechanism for expanding practical cooperation in the field of transport and logistics.

In recent years, Uzbekistan has been implementing a number of measures to develop transport cooperation with neighbouring countries to a new level. Since 2016, Tashkent has been engaged in the restoration and development of transport and communication links with neighbouring republics.

Between 2016 and 2024, the number of flights between Uzbekistan and Central Asian countries increased almost twofold, and the number of passengers increased by 2.1 times. Furthermore, new passenger bus routes between our countries have been established, and previous routes have been reinstated. This has resulted in a significant increase in the number of such flights between Uzbekistan and neighbouring countries over the past eight years.

A significant development was the inauguration in 2017 of the Turkmenabad-Farab railway and road bridges across the Amu Darya between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The opening of the Galaba-Amuzang railway line in 2018, which connects the Surkhandarya and Khatlon regions of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, was a significant event in the region's history.

42.5 per cent of the republic's export and import cargo transportation (9.3 million tonnes) is destined for neighbouring countries (Kazakhstan - 6.8 million tonnes, Kyrgyzstan - 1.5 million tonnes, Tajikistan - 0.6 million tonnes, Afghanistan - 1.3 million tonnes, and Turkmenistan - 0.4 million tonnes). The remaining 57.5 per cent (12.6 million tonnes) is carried out via international transport corridors with other countries.

The “Uzbekistan–2030” strategy, approved by the President of Uzbekistan, outlines specific objectives to enhance practical cooperation in Central Asia, particularly through the strengthening of regional collaboration in the transport and communications sector.

At present, neighbouring countries are playing an active role in supporting Uzbekistan's transport and transit projects. The implementation of these projects will contribute to increasing the attractiveness of Central Asia as a transit centre for East-West and North-South international corridors.

These include the development of multimodal transport corridors “China – Central Asia – Caucasus – Europe”, “Belarus – Russia – Kazakhstan – Uzbekistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan”, “Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan – Iran – Turkey”, as well as the construction of the “China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan” and “Uzbekistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan” railway lines.

These projects will provide Central Asian countries with the shortest access to Indian Ocean ports and establish a connection between South Asia and the markets of Central Asia, Russia, China and Europe. The implementation of these measures will have a substantial impact on the transit potential of Central Asian countries.

It is important to note that cooperation in the transport sector is of strategic importance for all Central Asian states. From this perspective, Uzbekistan, with the support of Central Asian countries and its closest partners, continues to pursue active transport diplomacy.

This will harmonise national projects in the region with the North-South and West-East international transport corridors and establish Central Asia as a significant link in interregional connectivity.

Alongside the creation of infrastructure, it is important to combine efforts to harmonise and digitise customs clearance procedures and border crossings. It is clear that this will have a positive impact on transport connectivity.

In this regard, it should be noted that Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have completely switched to electronic exchange of permit forms based on the E-PERMIT digital platform.

In addition, Uzbekistan has successfully tested the 'digital TIR' system, which allows freight vehicles to cross borders directly with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan without hindrance, and plans to introduce this system with Turkmenistan in the near future.

The Central Asian region has long served as a unique bridge connecting Europe, the Middle East, South and East Asia. Today, we see great opportunities and untapped reserves for the further development of transport links between our countries and the states of Central Asia with other regions.

Cooperation in the formation of an extensive transport and communications system will allow the transport and transit potential of Central Asia to be fully realised for the following reasons.

Firstly, according to UN estimates, global demand for freight transport will increase threefold by 2050. This trend poses a serious problem for the landlocked countries of Central Asia.

Secondly, according to data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the products of landlocked countries are virtually absent from international trade markets, and these states account for less than 1% of global exports.

In Central Asian countries, the share of freight transport costs accounts for 50% of the final cost of goods, which is almost five times higher than the global average.

In this regard, Uzbekistan is proposing the following measures with a view to further enhancing the transport potential of Central Asian countries:

- Develop specific mechanisms for promoting efficient transport corridors with the application of uniform tariffs that are convenient for businesses entering the markets of China, South Asia, the Middle East and the European Union.

- Develop a coordinated transportation strategy for the countries of our region.

The creation of an integrated digital platform for international transport is required.

Undoubtedly, the implementation of these initiatives will be an important aid in solving the pressing problems facing every state in Central Asia. We are committed to enhancing and harmonising customs and other procedures along international transport routes that cross our countries' borders. A consensus will be reached on the most common approaches to establishing a reliable transport and communications system, with the aim of facilitating access to key international markets and seaports.

According to estimates by UN experts, resolving all issues related to ensuring the access of goods to world seaports could increase the GDP of Central Asian countries by at least twofold within 10 years.

At the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, emphasised that the Central Asian states currently face a significant strategic challenge in ensuring the deep integration of the regional market into global economic, transport and transit corridors. In this regard, a proposal was made to establish a Regional Centre for Transport and Communications Development under the auspices of the UN.

Within the framework of the Regional Centre's activities, it is possible to fully achieve the planned results in terms of activating existing and forming new transport corridors. This will ensure the region's deep integration into the international transport system.

The Regional Centre will facilitate the expansion of mutually beneficial and effective cooperation in the transport sector, which will ensure growth in trade turnover and undoubtedly serve the interests of the countries of Central Asia.

Transport and logistics cooperation between Uzbekistan and the countries of Central Asia has today become an important factor in sustainable economic growth, expansion of trade volumes and geo-economic integration in the region.

Large-scale projects are being implemented in the region to modernise road, rail, air and multimodal transport networks and diversify international transit flows along corridors such as the Trans-Caspian, Trans-Afghan, China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan, and North-South.

In these processes, Uzbekistan, as a central geostrategic territory, plays a pivotal role by proposing key initiatives to harmonise transport infrastructure with neighbouring countries, namely Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. These initiatives include the digitalisation of customs and border processes, with the aim of reducing freight costs.

This creates opportunities for the establishment of a unified logistics hub in the region, thereby enhancing export and import capabilities and reinforcing the region's competitiveness in global trade networks.