WTO praises Uzbekistan’s reforms and fast-track accession efforts

The meeting took place on 22 September in New York. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the pace of negotiations with WTO member states. Uzbekistan is working to align its national legislation with WTO norms and rules, including technical regulation and food safety standards.

Speaking in an interview with the Uzbekistan 24 TV channel, Okonjo-Iweala praised the progress made.

“Today, significant progress has already been achieved, which is clearly reflected in the economy. While the global economy is growing at an average of 3%, Uzbekistan’s economy is expanding at 6% – twice as fast. This is a very positive outcome,” she said.

Okonjo-Iweala noted that Uzbekistan’s accession is close to completion:

“A working group meeting will be held in November. We hope that by March all processes will be fully completed and we will be able to formally celebrate Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO. We are moving forward with strong determination.”

She also thanked President Mirziyoyev for his support of the negotiation process:

“The team is doing very effective work. At present, all bilateral negotiations have been completed.”

In a post on X, the WTO chief added: “Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO is driven by the President’s strong political commitment to market-oriented reforms. Thank you Mr. President. We are making great progress, let’s keep working hard together so we can deliver for Uzbekistan!”

In mid-September, Uzbekistan signed market access protocols with Argentina, Australia and Honduras as part of its WTO accession process. “Only three countries remain before the bilateral negotiations are fully completed,” said Azizbek Urunov, the president’s representative on WTO issues and the country’s chief negotiator.

Urunov did not disclose which countries are still pending, but the list is believed to include Russia – with which “outstanding issues” were discussed in March – as well as the European Union.

Uzbekistan has already concluded accession talks with countries such as the United States, China and the United Kingdom.

In May, Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev announced that Uzbekistan intends to join the WTO ahead of the organization’s 14th ministerial conference, scheduled to be held in Cameroon in March 2026.