Uza. The University of World Economy and Diplomacy hosted an International Conference on “Uzbekistan’s Pathway to the WTO”.

The event, organized in cooperation with the Interdepartmental Commission on WTO, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Uzbekistan, and the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, was attended by the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the World Trade Organization, Chief Negotiator Azizbek Urunov, former Chair of the Working Group on Accession of Uzbekistan to the WTO Lee Tae-ho, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to Uzbekistan Kim Hee-sang, as well as ambassadors of the People’s Republic of China, India, Japan, France to Uzbekistan, representatives of ministries and agencies, leadership, professors, teachers and students of the University of World Economy and diplomacy.

UWED First Vice-Rector Durbek Omonov, Mr. Kim Hee-sang, Mr. Azizbek Urunov, and others noted that Uzbekistan, with its rapidly developing economy and strategic location, is on the verge of joining the World Trade Organization. The support and experience of international partners are of practical importance in this process.

According to Mr. Urunov, increasing the potential of team members and national experts is extremely important. This conference serves precisely these purposes.

– Accession to the WTO is undoubtedly a priority for Uzbekistan, – he said. – President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sets clear and achievable goals on this path. We have taken significant steps towards becoming a member of the World Trade Organization. I believe that this year, we will achieve significant results in this direction.

As noted, this conference is a platform for dialogue that provides an opportunity to exchange knowledge and best practices and establish connections between academia, government, and industry representatives sharing a common vision to enhance international trade cooperation.

The participants also discussed reforms in trade promotion and regulation, economic and commercial opportunities, issues of international cooperation, and raising public awareness in this direction.

Special attention was paid to issues such as the potential economic benefits that Uzbekistan could achieve in the future through WTO membership, access to foreign markets and new trade opportunities, and the legal and institutional frameworks that need to be developed and improved to ensure a smooth transition to the WTO.

Experts also analyzed the extent to which Uzbekistan has adapted trade regulation reforms to WTO standards and practices.