Direct flights, trade growth, and student exchange: Uzbekistan and Mongolia deepen cooperation

At the start of the meeting, President Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude to the Mongolian leader for his warm hospitality and the invitation to undertake this official state visit.

It was emphasized that this visit – the first of its kind in the history of bilateral relations – marks the beginning of a new stage in the development of multifaceted ties between Uzbekistan and Mongolia. Mirziyoyev also extended congratulations to the Mongolian side on the upcoming Day of the People’s Revolution.

The two leaders discussed key issues regarding the further development of Uzbekistan–Mongolia relations of friendship and broad-based cooperation.

Contacts and exchanges at all levels have intensified. Bilateral trade turnover is steadily growing. The number of joint ventures is increasing, and initial cooperative projects are underway in areas such as healthcare, education, e-commerce, agriculture, and the production of construction materials.

Just recently, a successful business forum was held with the participation of entrepreneurs and officials from both countries, and a trade house featuring Uzbek products was opened in Ulaanbaatar.

The talks paid special attention to deepening economic cooperation.

It was noted that there is significant potential to multiply mutual trade in the coming years, primarily by expanding the range and volume of high-demand goods.

In this regard, both sides stressed the importance of accelerating the adoption of agreements on preferential trade and investment protection.

President Mirziyoyev underscored the need to deepen industrial cooperation in specific sectors of the economy. A number of promising areas for collaboration were identified as priorities.

These include, first and foremost, partnerships in the mining sector, such as the development of geological exploration programs, the exploitation of raw material deposits, technology transfer, knowledge exchange, and specialist training.

In this context, the opening of a representative office of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Geology in Ulaanbaatar to support sectoral projects was noted with satisfaction.

Both sides expressed interest in enhancing comprehensive cooperation in agriculture through the creation of joint clusters and the development of cooperative projects for processing and producing meat, dairy, wool, and leather products.

Strengthening transport connectivity and developing new logistics routes also received particular attention. Direct flights between the capitals are planned to be launched by the end of the year.

President Mirziyoyev proposed conducting practical studies, in cooperation with the International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries, to identify the shortest and most efficient transport corridors.

The importance of continuing active cultural and humanitarian exchanges was also emphasized. The Uzbek side noted with satisfaction the ongoing Days of Uzbek Culture in Ulaanbaatar, along with related art and tourism events.

It was agreed to actively develop cooperation between higher education institutions and to resume the enrollment of Mongolian students at Uzbek universities within the allocated quotas.

The two sides also agreed to adopt a “roadmap” to ensure the timely and effective implementation of the agreements reached.

In conclusion, President Mirziyoyev extended an invitation to the President of Mongolia to pay a return visit to Uzbekistan.