In the framework of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s state visit to Paris, the Foundation for the Development of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan and the French Ministry of Culture signed a number of agreements on cooperation in the field of culture.
The documents were signed by the head of the Foundation, Gayane Umerova, and the French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati.
One of the agreements is a declaration on cooperation between the cultural institutions of the two countries. It envisages the development of academic exchanges between the Alfred Cortot School of Music in Paris and the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, as well as support for joint film projects.
An agreement was also signed to hold the exhibition “Uzbekistan: Avant-Garde in the Desert” in France and an international conference on museums and artificial intelligence in Samarkand as part of the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference.
According to the National Statistical Committee, as of January 1, 2025, the number of permanent residents of the Republic of Uzbekistan amounted to 37.5 million people.
The permanent population of the Republic of Uzbekistan by years (as of January 1):
– 1920 – 4.4 million people
– 1930 – 4.9 million people
– 1940 – 6.6 million people
– 1950 – 6.2 million people
– 1960 – 8.4 million people
– 1970 – 11.8 million people
– 1980 – 15.8 million people
– 1990 – 20.2 million people
– 2000 – 24.5 million people
– 2010 – 28.0 million people
– 2020 – 33.9 million people
– 2025 – 37.5 million people
On March 7, the President of Uzbekistan watched a presentation on expanding the raw material base of minerals critical to industry and manufacturing high value-added products.
Uzbekistan has discovered deposits of more than 30 metals such as tungsten, molybdenum, magnesium, lithium, germanium, graphite, vanadium and titanium.
In the next three years, 76 projects covering 28 rare minerals are planned to be implemented with a total value of $2.6 billion. To expand the raw material base, additional funding will be allocated for exploration and research.
It is emphasized that the main task is to extract valuable raw materials directly from the ore using modern technologies, increase the purity of minerals and create products with high added value. For example, beneficiation of tungsten concentrate from the Ingichka deposit will double the added value. So far, 18 such projects have been developed.
In order to expand the chain “raw materials – processing – science and technology – finished products”, it was proposed to organize technology parks in the Tashkent and Samarkand regions, which are rich in molybdenum and tungsten.
The head of state instructed to transfer technologies and best practices in this area, open modern laboratories and training centers. It was emphasized that in the context of the “fourth industrial revolution” it is necessary to create a solid base for taking a worthy position in this market.
Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have completed their first cross-border freight transportation using the new e-Permit system.
The system allows for the issuance and exchange of permits in a fully digital format, aiming to increase efficiency and reduce processing times for international road freight transport.
The first batch, including a truck from an Uzbek transportation company, arrived in Azerbaijan under the e-Permit system. This marks a step forward in the digitalization of cross-border transportation procedures between the two countries.
AZERBAIJAN, cross-border transportation, digital system, electronic permits, UZBEKISTAN
On February 10 this year, the first freight train was sent from China to Afghanistan via a new direct rail route connecting the two countries through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The train, carrying 55 containers of communication equipment manufactured by the Chinese telecommunications concern ZTE, departed from Chongqing’s Tuanjetsun station to Afghanistan’s Hairaton.
The train will cross the border at the Khorgos checkpoint in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and reach its destination in Khairaton via Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
The entire journey is expected to take 12-15 days. “By using the direct rail freight transportation scheme, transportation time will be reduced by 3-5 days compared to road transportation, and logistics costs are expected to be reduced by 15-20%. This will strengthen the safety and efficiency of transportation and supply of goods,” said Liu Jianfeng, a ZTE employee.
The opening of the direct freight route will further strengthen trade and economic cooperation and exchanges between Chongqing and Afghanistan, as well as with other Central Asian countries.
President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will visit Uzbekistan on April 3-4 to participate in the first EU-Central Asia Summit.
The summit will be chaired by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and will be attended by the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
During the summit, the EU is expected to reaffirm its commitment to expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including transport and digital interconnectivity – within the region and with the EU, strategic raw materials, economy and security, and the transition to clean and efficient energy sources.
“The first EU-Central Asia Summit will strengthen our commitment to work together for peace, security and sustainable development, in full respect of international law,” said António Costa.
