Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 5–6 August 2025, during the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries held in Awaza (Turkmenistan), Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, held a number of bilateral meetings with Turkmen government officials and representatives of international organizations.

Talks were conducted with Nazar Agakhanov, Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan; Toyguly Nurov, Minister of Industry and Construction Production of Turkmenistan; Fatou Haidara, Deputy Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); and Dmitry Mariyasin, Deputy Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

The discussions focused on strengthening trade and economic relations, improving transport and logistics connectivity, expanding industrial cooperation, and launching joint projects in priority sectors.

A key outcome of the meetings with the Turkmen side was the agreement to soon sign and launch an Agreement on the Operation of a Border Trade Zone between Shavat (Khorezm Region) and Dashoguz (Dashoguz Velayat). This initiative is expected to significantly boost mutual trade and business activity. Additionally, the two sides agreed to adopt a Joint Action Plan aimed at increasing bilateral trade turnover to US$2 billion. In 2024, trade between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan amounted to US$1.15 billion, while the figure for the first half of 2025 stood at approximately US$500 million.

In talks with UNIDO, the sides agreed to finalize a mid-term Partnership Programme encompassing projects in industrial development, infrastructure modernization, implementation of energy-efficient technologies, and enhancement of human capital with international expert involvement.

Discussions with UNECE centered on expanding cooperation within the SPECA framework and exploring joint initiatives in green economy, innovation, logistics, smart agriculture, and other areas.