Uzbekistan aims to finalize WTO membership process in 2025

According to the presidential press service, Mirziyoyev reviewed the progress of Uzbekistan’s WTO accession process and the measures being taken to accelerate it on May 14.

Since 2023, the accession process has been under the president’s special oversight. Over this period, four Working Party meetings have been held, during which more than 500 questions were addressed.

As part of the bilateral track, Uzbekistan has conducted market access negotiations with 33 countries. Agreements have been successfully finalized with 24 of them.

Azizbek Urunov, the President’s Special Representative for WTO Affairs, noted that WTO members have responded positively to Uzbekistan’s new approach and the outcomes of its reform agenda.

To align national legislation with WTO requirements, the country has undertaken comprehensive legal and institutional reforms. Specifically, 13 laws, 10 presidential decrees and resolutions, 19 Cabinet of Ministers resolutions, and 10 interagency regulatory acts have been adopted.

Procedures for customs regulation, export-import operations, and intellectual property rights have been harmonized. In addition, exclusive rights previously held by six state-involved enterprises have been revoked.

During the meeting, the President issued a set of instructions aimed at speeding up and systematizing the WTO accession process.

He emphasized the need to complete bilateral negotiations with the remaining nine countries, hold two more Working Party meetings, and finalize the draft of the Working Party Report, which will enshrine Uzbekistan’s international commitments under the WTO framework.

The president also highlighted the urgency of adopting about 15 additional legal acts, including new versions of the laws On the Quality and Safety of Food Products and On Safeguard Measures, Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties, in close and effective coordination with the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis.

He placed particular importance on advancing reforms in technical regulation, sanitary, phytosanitary, and veterinary standards, as well as enhancing the training and qualification of professionals in these sectors.

As of March this year, negotiations had been completed with 21 countries. Special Representative Urunov earlier stated that Uzbekistan still needed to conclude talks with Russia, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and others.

In April, amid escalating global trade tensions, President Mirziyoyev warned of the risks posed by financial instability worldwide. “Those who think these fluctuations won’t affect us are mistaken,” he said.