Events are taking place in Tashkent as part of the 'Global Business Services Forum (GBSF) - 2026'—the largest international platform focused on the development of global business services, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence in Central Asia. The forum started on July 24–25 of this year.
More than 450 representatives from international companies, investors, government bodies, and industry specialists from over 45 countries are participating in the event.
At the opening ceremony, the Minister of Digital Technologies, Sherzod Shermatov, emphasized that thanks to large-scale reforms implemented in Uzbekistan over recent years, a modern and competitive ecosystem for the development of information technologies has been formed. He noted that the country offers international companies not only favorable conditions for doing business but also access to highly qualified personnel, modern digital infrastructure, and a developing regional market.
Sh. Shermatov added that when IT companies open in Uzbekistan, they receive full support from both the government and IT Park. Tax incentives are provided for companies and their employees operating until 2040. Additionally, the Enterprise Uzbekistan initiative is being launched, which provides the most favorable legal conditions for further business development in the country.
The Minister also highlighted that one of Uzbekistan's main strengths is its young and talented human capital. He mentioned the growing international recognition of the reforms, specifically Uzbekistan receiving the status of 'Country of the Year 2026' as a state with the most developed startup ecosystem.
The forum continued with discussions on current trends in the field of global business services. Sessions covered issues such as expanding service operations, staff training, business process transformation, and the implementation of artificial intelligence in global service centers.
A number of memoranda were signed during the event aimed at developing the global business services ecosystem and expanding international cooperation in Uzbekistan. These include a memorandum between IT Park Uzbekistan and Sonect (Teleperformance) on developing cooperation in IT outsourcing and BPO, as well as joint projects and experience exchange.
Uzbekistan's approach to uniting science and state policy was presented at the first Global Conference within the framework of the UNESCO Decade of International Sciences.
A thematic panel titled 'Translating Evidence into Priorities' was held at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, as part of the first Global Forum of the Decade of International Sciences (2024–2033) for sustainable development. This panel discussed issues related to integrating scientific knowledge into state policy formation processes.
Professor Shahlo Turdiqulova, Vice President of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, participated in the panel. Professor Turdiqulova presented her approach to forming modern scientific policy, based on harmonizing the national development priorities of the Republic of Uzbekistan with the scientific schedule. She emphasized that effective cooperation between science and the state must begin at the stage of defining the country's strategic goals, not after research results are obtained.
This approach allows for the development of scientific programs aimed at solving nationally significant problems and effectively applying scientific knowledge in practice. As an example, the practice of developing a new five-year strategy for the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan was presented. According to this strategy, the scientific schedule is formed based on national development goals, and research is organized not according to traditional sectoral directions, but around complex national tasks such as food security, climate change, rational use of water resources, biotechnology, and environmental sustainability.
In response to the moderator's question about examples of successful implementation of scientific knowledge in state policy, Professor Shahlo Turdiqulova demonstrated Uzbekistan's experience in restoring the Aral Sea region. It was noted that scientific research formed the basis of the state program for land reclamation of the dried bed of the Aral Sea. Under this program, over one million hectares have been planted in recent years.
Uzbekistan's experience in promoting the environmental agenda internationally was also highlighted. Special emphasis was placed on the adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution recognizing the Aral Sea region as a zone of environmental innovation and technology, as well as the launch of the regional initiative 'Green Shield of Central Asia.'
