Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 14 May, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed the current status of Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the measures being taken to accelerate the process.

Since 2023, the accession process has been placed under the personal oversight of the head of state. During this period, Uzbekistan has made significant progress in both multilateral and bilateral negotiations.

Notably, four meetings of the WTO Working Party have been held, during which more than 500 issues were discussed. To expedite accession, comprehensive reforms are being implemented across various sectors.

In the context of bilateral negotiations with 33 countries, market access issues have already been successfully resolved with 24 of them.

WTO members have positively assessed Uzbekistan’s new approach and the results of its reforms, viewing them as a clear demonstration of the country’s commitment to openness, transparency, and fair trade.

Given the need to align national legislation with WTO requirements, Uzbekistan is undertaking large-scale legal and institutional reforms. So far, 13 new laws have been adopted, along with 10 presidential decrees and resolutions, 19 Cabinet of Ministers resolutions, and 10 interagency regulatory acts.

At the same time, the country is gradually harmonizing its customs procedures, export-import regulations, and intellectual property protection systems. Exclusive rights previously held by six state-owned enterprises have also been abolished.

During the meeting, the President issued specific instructions aimed at accelerating Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO and ensuring the systematic organization of all related activities.

In particular, by the end of this year, Uzbekistan is expected to conclude bilateral negotiations with the remaining nine countries, hold two more meetings of the Working Party, and prepare a draft final report, which will formalize the country’s international commitments within the WTO framework.

The President also emphasized the urgent need to draft approximately 15 new legal and regulatory acts, including amendments to the laws “On the Quality and Safety of Food Products” and “On Safeguard Measures, Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties.” Close and effective cooperation with the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis is considered essential in this regard.

Special attention was given to reforms in the areas of technical regulation, sanitary, phytosanitary, and veterinary standards, as well as to improving human resource development in these critical fields.