The first meeting of the Council of Regional Leaders of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan took place in the city of Aktau. The event was attended by the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdullah Aripov, and the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Olzhas Bektenov.
Creation of a Cooperation Mechanism
This new mechanism for interregional interaction was established by the decision of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, as reported by the press service of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan. Bektenov noted that the creation of the Council is a natural continuation of the active political dialogue between the heads of the two states and opens up new opportunities for regional partnership.
Goals and Strategic Significance
He emphasized that strengthening direct ties between the regions will help expand trade and investment cooperation, thereby supporting the presidents' goal of increasing bilateral trade to 10 billion US dollars. Aripov called the choice of Aktau for the first meeting symbolic, noting that the city is an important transport and logistics hub. He also stated that Kazakhstan is a reliable strategic partner and ally of Uzbekistan, and the Council of Regional Leaders will give a new impetus to bilateral relations by expanding direct contact between the regions of both countries.
Areas of Discussion and Infrastructure
During the meeting, participants noted that the regions of Mangystau, Aktobe, Kyzylorda, and Turkestan of Kazakhstan border the regions of Karakalpakstan, Jizzakh, Navoi, Syrdarya, and Tashkent of Uzbekistan. The total state border stretches for approximately 2300 kilometers. Participants discussed plans to create an International Center for Industrial Cooperation in Central Asia, which should serve as a platform for implementing mutually beneficial joint projects.
Special attention was paid to transport and logistics infrastructure. The parties highlighted the importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, connected with the North-South route and the Trans-Afghan corridor. In 2025, cargo transshipment through Kazakh ports in Aktau and Kuryk reached 8 million tons. In the first half of 2026, container traffic through Kazakh ports increased by 5%, exceeding 50,000 TEUs.
Culture and Economic Agreements
Participants also noted the potential for tourism development, emphasizing the growing interest of citizens from both countries in the historical and cultural sites of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The regional leaders addressed the plenary session, which was attended by over 300 business representatives. After the meeting concluded, the parties signed memorandums on cooperation between the regions of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, as well as commercial agreements worth over 80 billion tenge. The parties stated that the achieved agreements will strengthen cross-border and interregional interaction, contribute to joint projects, and support sustainable economic development in Central Asia.
