Today in Tashkent, a roundtable discussion was held on “Internal modernization and Uzbekistan’s foreign policy potential: Economic transformation, human capital development, and strengthening international positions (in the context of the President’s Address for 2026)”.

The event was jointly organized by the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, the Center for Progressive Reforms, and the Center for Foreign Policy Studies and International Initiatives.

The roundtable brought together representatives of government bodies, analytical and research centers, leading experts in economics, international relations, and foreign policy, and members of the academic community.

The keynote address was delivered by the First Deputy Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Rector of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Sodiq Safoyev. In his remarks, he noted that the Address of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, for 2026 is primarily people-oriented, focusing on improving the quality of life of the population and laying sustainable foundations for the country’s long-term development.

During today’s discussion, particular emphasis was placed on the fact that the country’s further reform process will focus on knowledge, high technologies, and advanced approaches to addressing existing socio-economic challenges.

It was also emphasized that the goals set within the Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy, adopted five years ago, have largely been achieved. In this regard, the country’s leadership has identified new priorities and tasks, the implementation of which requires a qualitatively new level of competencies and training.

During the roundtable, participants examined how to convert internal reforms – economic transformation, human capital development, education, and entrepreneurship – into a sustainable foreign policy resource, as well as priority areas of foreign policy and the expansion of Uzbekistan’s international partnerships.

Following the event, it is planned to develop practical proposals and recommendations to strengthen Uzbekistan’s foreign policy potential and advance interdisciplinary expert dialogue. In conclusion, it was noted that the sustained implementation of reforms across all key areas lays a solid foundation for achieving the strategic goals set by the Head of State and contributes to strengthening the country’s sustainable socio-economic development.

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Aziza Alimova, photos by Oybek Pardayev, UzA