A delegation from Uzbekistan, led by Timur Butungbaev, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, held a series of bilateral meetings with representatives of international organizations as part of a High-Level Special Event on achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
During negotiations with Saroy Kumar Jha, Global Director of Water Resources Practice at the World Bank Group, the parties discussed the results of reforms in the water sector and prospects for further cooperation. The World Bank representative noted the transformations taking place in Uzbekistan under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and presented the country's achievements at the forum as a positive example.
According to Saroy Kumar Jha, while most countries allocate an average of about 0.05 percent of their budget funds to implementing SDG 6, this figure in Uzbekistan is 3.2 percent, with plans to increase it to 4.2 percent by the end of the current year. Following this meeting, the parties reviewed issues of conducting joint industry research and implementing new projects in water resource management.
Separate talks were held with Paola Deda, Director of the Forestry, Land and Housing Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNEP). The discussion covered the development of cooperation in environmental protection, desertification prevention, expansion of green zones, and water resource management.
Paola Deda proposed holding a ministerial conference on environmental issues under the auspices of UNEP in Uzbekistan in 2028. She emphasized Uzbekistan's active participation in the environmental agenda and stated that the country is a worthy candidate to host such an international event. At the conclusion of the talks, the parties confirmed their intention to continue cooperation and support regular information exchange on the initiatives put forward.
The High-Level Special Event on achieving SDG 6 took place at the UN Headquarters, where Uzbekistan presented the results of its work on implementing clean water and sanitation goals, as well as promoting the global water agenda.
The Prime Minister of Belarus, Alexander Turchin, held a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Jamshid Khodjayev, ahead of the official visit of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Belarus.
During the negotiations, the parties focused on key areas for the further development of Belarusian-Uzbek interaction. Special attention was paid to industrial cooperation, interaction in the agro-industrial complex, and the launch of new joint investment projects.
Alexander Turchin emphasized that the upcoming visit of the head of Uzbekistan would be one of the most important events in bilateral relations. He noted that the III Forum of Regions of Belarus and Uzbekistan would take place during this visit, serving as a platform for signing new commercial agreements, interregional documents, and establishing partnerships between the regions of the two countries.
Additionally, the official start of Uzbekistan Culture Days in Belarus is planned. The Prime Minister of Belarus stated his readiness for the beginning of the visit, noting that 'the entire package of documents is ready for signing' and that they have set very serious goals. He expressed confidence that the visit of the President of Uzbekistan would give a new impetus to bilateral cooperation.
Alexander Turchin also announced that the goal of increasing mutual trade turnover to 2 billion US dollars by 2030 will be realized. Furthermore, it is expected that by the end of the current year, the volume of mutual trade will exceed 1 billion US dollars.
Jamshid Khodjayev thanked the Belarusian side for preparing for the visit of the head of Uzbekistan and noted the scale of the delegation from Uzbekistan. According to him, over 200 business representatives, three regional hokims, and deputies of hokims from all 14 regions of Uzbekistan arrived in Belarus. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that a significant part of the preparatory work was aimed at developing interregional cooperation.
Representatives from the Uzbek regions visited enterprises and production facilities in various regions of Belarus, where promising areas for interaction were identified. According to Khodjayev, the parties are also beginning to implement new joint initiatives in the agro-industrial complex, including projects in animal husbandry and crop production.
The issue of attracting labor resources was also discussed during the negotiations. As the Deputy Prime Minister noted, citizens of Uzbekistan are ready to participate in the implementation of joint projects and work in enterprises in Belarus if there is a corresponding need.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov, met on July 6 with Salim bin Mohammed Al-Malik, Director General of the Islamic Organization for Education, Science and Culture (ISESCO), who arrived in the country to participate in the opening ceremony of the First International Forum of Islamic Civilization.
During the negotiations, the parties reviewed practical issues concerning the further development of constructive dialogue and increasing cooperation between Uzbekistan and ISESCO in the fields of science, education, culture, and tourism.
Particular attention was paid to the implementation of the Action Plan, which establishes priority areas of interaction and provides for joint projects in the near future. The parties also expressed satisfaction with the current level of cooperation and confirmed their interest in further strengthening partnership relations in key areas of interaction.
The First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Bahromjon Aloev, held talks in Muscat on July 1, 2026, with Salim Ali Sayabi, Chairman of the Omani company Alsiyabi International Group LLC.
The parties discussed specific proposals to strengthen cooperation in the fields of construction, tourism, infrastructure, and the establishment of medical facilities.
During the meeting, the issue of the Omani company's participation in the implementation of major urban development projects in Uzbekistan was also considered. The introduction of modern engineering and construction solutions, the development of tourist infrastructure, and the formation of partnerships in real estate development were discussed.
