Uzbekistan and Georgia agree to strengthen migrant protection

At the COP31 climate summit held in Turkey, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan reached an agreement on joint activities to conserve the saiga antelope—a species that is one of the most vulnerable and rare in Central Asia. A memorandum defining directions for cooperation in the field of protection, study, and restoration of the animal population was signed under this agreement.

The signing took place between the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan. The main focus of future interaction will be joint monitoring of the saiga population and tracking their migration routes.

The countries also plan to exchange scientific data, conduct necessary research, and intensify efforts to combat poaching and illegal wildlife trade. Special emphasis will be placed on preserving the natural habitats of the saiga.

To achieve this goal, the restoration of natural pastures and water bodies, as well as the development of protected areas on the border of the two states, are planned to ensure animals can move freely. Furthermore, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan will study the prospect of reintroducing saiga into their former habitats, which will require fieldwork and the development of special species restoration programs.

This partnership is expected to allow for more effective protection of the saiga and make a significant contribution to the conservation of biodiversity throughout the entire Central Asian region. Previously, Uzbekistan had expressed the idea of using artificial intelligence to fight poachers and create a network of nature reserves in Central Asia.

The National Statistical Committee of Uzbekistan and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) concluded a memorandum of understanding on November 9, 2026.

According to the National Statistical Committee, this document provides for joint work on the use of official statistics and geospatial data. The parties intend to promote the application of this data in decision-making for management and spatial planning.

The cooperation will focus on improving qualifications in the fields of data collection, processing, integration, and analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Earth observation satellites, artificial intelligence technologies, and GeoAI. Special attention will be paid to the exchange of experience and knowledge, as well as the development of modern methods of applied analysis.

The Presidents of Uzbekistan and Georgia, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Mikheil Kvelashvili, held a meeting where they discussed deepening economic interaction between the two states. The main areas of discussion included increasing trade turnover, promoting tourism, and more effective utilization of the transit potential of both countries.

This meeting took place during the working visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Turkey. During the discussions, issues regarding the practical implementation of agreements concluded during Shavkat Mirziyoyev's state visit to Georgia in July of this year were also reviewed.

The leaders emphasized that relations between Uzbekistan and Georgia show a constant increase in activity. Interaction is strengthening at the level of parliaments, ministries, agencies, and business representatives. There is an increase in trade volumes and a growth in the number of joint ventures. Notably, a digital bank operates in Uzbekistan that attracts Georgian investors.

The presidents paid special attention to further strengthening economic ties. Prospects for creating new joint production projects, expanding tourist flows, improving transport corridors, and deepening partnership at the regional level were discussed.