Uzbekistan steps up WTO accession process

Uzbekistan is significantly accelerating its steps towards joining the World Trade Organization WTO. On behalf of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, by the end of 2025, the government should complete bilateral negotiations with nine WTO member countries and prepare a draft final report of the Working Group on Accession. This document will be the most important stage on the way to full membership of the republic in the global trading system.

According to the Head of state, joining the WTO is a strategically important goal for the country, ensuring closer integration into the world economy. Since 2023, this process has been under his personal control, which has made it possible to significantly step up work on agreeing on the terms of membership, as well as to make significant progress in multilateral and bilateral negotiations.

Over the past two years, Uzbekistan has taken concrete steps to harmonize its national legislation with WTO norms and standards. This includes reform of trade policy, simplification of customs procedures, improvement of intellectual property regulation, and support for export-oriented industries.

It is expected that full membership in the organization will provide Uzbekistan with new opportunities: access to international sales markets, increase in export volumes, attract foreign direct investment, and increase the competitiveness of national products. In addition, participation in the WTO will be an additional incentive for further modernization of the economy and strengthening the country's position in the international trade system.

Joining the World Trade Organization is considered as one of the key elements of Uzbekistan's sustainable development. The authorities emphasize that openness, transparency and compliance with international rules will form the basis of the republic's foreign economic policy in the coming years.