The 20th General Assembly of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), held in Tashkent on 11-13 November, has officially concluded.

This event, hosted for the first time in Central Asia, carries significant historical importance not only for Uzbekistan but for the entire region. For nearly 15 years of its activity, SMIIC had never convened its General Assembly in a Central Asian country. 

The decision to host the 2024 session in Tashkent was formally adopted in November 2024 during the 19th General Assembly in Istanbul, reflecting international recognition of the wide-ranging reforms taking place in New Uzbekistan, the modernization of its trade system, the acceleration of its WTO accession process, and its strong commitment to green development and digitalization aligned with global standards.

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Established in 2010 by the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), SMIIC today unites 48 countries. Uzbekistan has been a full member of the organization since 2019 and has since adopted more than 70 international SMIIC standards into national practice. Delegations from all 48 member states, along with representatives of prominent international organizations such as OIC, UNIDO, GSO, AIDSMO, and IOFS, attended the Tashkent meeting. Over three days, participants discussed key priorities, including reducing technical barriers to trade, modernizing approaches to standardization and metrology, improving conformity assessment systems, and approving SMIIC’s upcoming programs and budget.

The agenda included high-level bilateral meetings, panel discussions, and roundtables. Cultural programs showcasing Tashkent’s historical and economic potential were also organized for participants. These activities further strengthened bilateral and multilateral cooperation while highlighting Uzbekistan’s growing diplomatic profile on the international stage.

Hosting the 20th General Assembly of SMIIC once again confirmed Tashkent’s status as a significant economic and diplomatic hub. The event demonstrated Uzbekistan’s active and equal role in shaping the future of global standardization policy, while reaffirming international support for the country’s ongoing economic reforms and sustainable development strategy.

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Musulmon Ziyo, video by Hamroz Bayonov, photos by Oktam Hayitov, UzA