Uzbekistan and Chinese Company Discuss Cooperation in Water Infrastructure

The Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, Sherzod Shermatov, met with a delegation from China's Ant Group in Shanghai. The delegation was headed by Harry Qian, the company's Director of Innovation and International Business Solutions.

Discussion of Cooperation Prospects

The parties discussed potential interaction in areas such as artificial intelligence, data centers, digital infrastructure, financial technologies, and the implementation of advanced digital solutions. These negotiations took place on the sidelines of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), which was attended by the Uzbek delegation.

Presentation of Company Strategies

Representatives of Ant Group presented their strategy in the field of artificial intelligence, designating AI as one of the most important long-term priorities. The company stated its use of the most cost-effective AI models to solve a wide range of tasks. Furthermore, Ant Group demonstrated its developments in healthcare, e-commerce, and financial services, as well as deepfake detection technologies, digital identification systems, cloud services, and AI agents. Company representatives emphasized that they view artificial intelligence as a tool that enhances human capabilities, rather than replacing them.

Uzbekistan's Position and Invitation to Partnership

For his part, Shermatov provided an overview of the development of the artificial intelligence ecosystem in Uzbekistan, as well as plans to increase computing power and create modern data center infrastructure. He highlighted the country's competitive electricity tariffs, the opportunities for using renewable energy sources, and the favorable conditions for hosting modern data centers. The Minister invited Ant Group to consider participating in the development of Uzbekistan's AI infrastructure and to use Tashkent as a platform for the company's regional office. Representatives of the Chinese firm expressed readiness to study the possibilities of phased expansion of their activities in the region.

Next Steps

At the end of the meeting, Shermatov invited Harry Qian to attend the ICT Week Uzbekistan event, scheduled for September of this year.

The Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing and Communal Services of Uzbekistan, Tokhir Alimatov, held a meeting with a delegation from China. The goal of the negotiations was to discuss the integration of modern construction technologies aimed at increasing the seismic resistance and energy efficiency of buildings.

Presentation of Innovative Solutions

The Chinese side presented a number of advanced engineering solutions and innovative building materials. Among the demonstrated developments were lightweight, non-combustible thermal insulation panels for exterior walls, as well as insulation coatings and inter-floor soundproofing systems. Additionally, energy-saving materials for industrial pipelines were presented.

Focus on Seismic Resistance

Participants in the meeting paid special attention to technologies for protecting structures from earthquakes. The Chinese delegation showed BRB (buckling-restrained brace) type seismic connections, which reduce the load on supporting structures during seismic events. Viscous fluid dampers (FV) and viscous fluid wall dampers (FVW), designed to absorb seismic energy, were also presented.

Experience Exchange and Cooperation Prospects

During the meeting, the parties exchanged experience in applying these technologies in China. Issues such as design, practical implementation, testing procedures, current regulatory requirements, and the functioning of earthquake monitoring systems were discussed. Following the negotiations, participants reviewed the possibilities of using energy-efficient materials and modern seismic protection technologies in Uzbekistan's construction industry, as well as their compliance with national technical standards and the potential for expanding bilateral cooperation in this area.

The first meeting of experts from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan on the issues of sustainable use and protection of the Tashkent transboundary aquifer took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on July 1, 2026.

Participation and Support for the Event

The event was held with the support of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe's Convention on Water Resources (UNECE). Representatives from relevant ministries and agencies of both countries, hydrogeology specialists, and staff from international organizations participated in the meeting.

Discussed Cooperation Issues

Participants discussed the current progress of the joint project aimed at the rational use and protection of transboundary groundwater, as well as reviewed prospects for further interaction between the parties. During the discussion, the sides examined the preparation of a memorandum of understanding and the application of evaluation indicators for transboundary water cooperation to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.