By Haroon Rashid | Rahbar Kisan International |

Tashkent

At the opening of the Fourth Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF 2025), President Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered a far-reaching keynote address that transcended national ambitions, urging global leaders and investors to recognize investment as a force not only for profit—but for peace, human dignity, and sustainable development.

Addressing over 7,500 delegates from around 100 countries, including 3,000 foreign participants and heads of state from Central Asia and Europe, President Mirziyoyev welcomed dignitaries to a transformed Uzbekistan—a nation he described as “open, reform-driven, and ready to lead in the new global economy.”

A Forum for Stability in Unstable Times

Mirziyoyev’s remarks did not shy away from global challenges. He pointed to rising geopolitical tensions, the weakening of international law, and the human toll of conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, calling for diplomacy, justice, and renewed multilateralism. “In the 21st century, the death of so many innocent people before our eyes cannot be justified,” he said, affirming Uzbekistan’s support for a two-state solution for Palestine and constructive international engagement with Afghanistan.

“The core theme of this forum is investments that guarantee not only economic development, but also peace and stability,” the president declared, positioning the TIIF not merely as a business convention, but as a platform for moral and global leadership.

Green, Digital, Financial – Uzbekistan’s 5-Pillar Growth Plan

President Mirziyoyev outlined an ambitious roadmap anchored in five transformational sectors:

1.Green Energy: With $6 billion in FDI already secured, Uzbekistan plans to raise electricity generation to 120 billion kWh in five years—more than half from green sources. He also announced the launch of a “Green Uzbekistan” climate investment platform and integration into global carbon markets.

2.Digital and AI Economy: With IT exports projected to hit $1 billion in 2025, Uzbekistan aims to become a regional hub for tech and fintech. Key initiatives include launching a national AI model, 20 new data centers, and the “One Million AI Leaders” project to develop talent.

3.Financial Innovation: Uzbekistan is establishing a Financial Stability Council, reforming the insurance sector with a Global Digital Reinsurance Platform, and embracing venture capital, targeting $1 billion in alternative investments over five years.

4.Technological Minerals and Industrial Revolution: With subsoil reserves worth an estimated $3 trillion, Uzbekistan plans to establish “Metals of the Future” techno-parks and offer tax incentives for full-cycle mineral processing projects.

5.Transport and Urban Infrastructure: Major privatization and PPP efforts are underway in airports across the country, and plans for a “New Tashkent” city for 2 million residents include a multi-modal transit hub and investment in shopping and finance districts.

Legal Reforms and Global Integration

Mirziyoyev emphasized the legal backbone supporting these initiatives. He reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to joining the World Trade Organization by 2026, having already harmonized hundreds of standards with international norms. A new “national regime” will give foreign investors equal standing with local companies, and a “one-stop shop” approach will streamline government interactions.

The National Investment Fund, created to privatize 18 major enterprises worth nearly $2 billion, will launch its IPO in 2026 under the management of global firm Franklin Templeton.

Regional Unity and Global Vision

Emphasizing regional synergy, Mirziyoyev lauded growing trade ties with neighboring countries—now worth nearly $13 billion—and called for a “Concept of an Integrated Region for Investment and Trade” in Central Asia. He urged global financial institutions to support this regional vision with new financing tools.

“In Central Asia, we are proving that peaceful cooperation leads to mutual prosperity,” he said, highlighting progress on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and other multilateral projects.

“Uzbekistan is Open for Business—and Ideas”

The speech closed on a human note. “For us, investment is not just a financial resource,” Mirziyoyev stressed. “It also encompasses technology, knowledge, qualified personnel, and integration into international production chains.”

He assured foreign investors of robust legal protections and government support, backed by a reformist state and “hardworking people ready for cooperation.”

As delegates toured the parallel National Exhibition of Industrial and Investment Potential, showcasing 90 companies across 10+ sectors, the message from Tashkent was clear: Uzbekistan is no longer just a destination for investment—it is a partner in global progress.