Uzbekistan - UAE: practical development of relations of mutual trust, cooperation and friendship

It is difficult to imagine economic development in any country in the world where the agricultural sector is not given special attention. After all, the level of well-being of citizens in each country depends on the degree of development of agriculture. Only through the development of the agricultural sector are products necessary for life and beneficial to the health of the country’s population produced, and the system of their processing is improved. In addition, this helps to increase the number of jobs for the rural population in remote areas.

Therefore, in Uzbekistan, special attention is paid to the development of the agricultural sector, the widespread introduction of the experience of developed countries, scientific achievements and innovations in this area.

In particular, Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated October 23, 2019 No. UP-5853 “On approval of the Strategy for the Development of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2020 - 2030”, which identifies 9 priority areas for the development of agriculture.

Based on these priority areas, a number of activities are being carried out for the consistent development of the agricultural sector, the widespread introduction of advanced experience and agricultural technologies from developed countries, as well as scientific achievements in agriculture. At the same time, cooperative relations established primarily with developed countries are of particular importance.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the invitation of the President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will visit this country on an official visit from January 13 to 16. Speaking about cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates in the agricultural sector, it is worth noting that Uzbekistan and the countries of the Middle East, including the UAE, are united by the desire to achieve common goals, geographical proximity, as well as cultural and spiritual kinship.

The modern world is witnessing how Uzbekistan, thanks to its pragmatic policy, is successfully establishing close cooperation with both the West and the East. A special role in this process is played by interaction with the United Arab Emirates, which occupies a key position in the Middle East region. The dialogue between the leaders of the two countries, based on mutual trust and friendship, contributes to the comprehensive development of relations and the implementation of important visits, the next of which serves as clear confirmation of this.

The UAE has become one of the key partners of Uzbekistan in the region, which is emphasized by significant events, such as the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, celebrated in October 2022. Today, relations between Tashkent and Abu Dhabi are rapidly strengthening, based on the principles of mutual trust and consideration of interests. Since 2017, these ties have moved to a qualitatively new level, facilitated by active political dialogue at the highest and highest levels.

Last year, the volume of mutual trade turnover between Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates amounted to $30.5 million. Of this amount, $19.3 million was exported from Uzbekistan to the UAE, where the main share is occupied by fruits, vegetables and prepared food products. At the same time, imports from the UAE amounted to $11.2 million. In the agricultural sector, relations between the two countries continue to rapidly strengthen, creating mutually beneficial opportunities for both sides.

It is important to note that such achievements do not happen on their own. The UAE is actively assisting Uzbekistan in the development of various areas, including the selection and assessment of professional competencies of civil servants, as well as the introduction of advanced educational and innovative approaches. The Prime Minister of the UAE and Emir of Dubai, Muhammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, plays a significant role in this process. The relationship of special trust and friendship between our countries is the result of targeted and practical steps aimed at strengthening cooperation.

It should be emphasized that the Sustainable Development Week summit held annually in Dubai has become a key event that serves as an indicator of the effectiveness of interaction in various fields and industries. This event received high recognition from the international community, confirming its significance at the global level. If we look at the example of the agricultural sector, the calls made at the summit over the past three years clearly demonstrate the need for joint action to ensure a secure future for humanity and its sustainable existence on our planet. It is clear that traditional agriculture can no longer fully satisfy the growing demands and needs of the world's population. It is encouraging that the Dubai Summit has become an important platform for discussing and finding solutions to these global challenges.

It is no coincidence that the United Arab Emirates is seeking to develop cooperation with Uzbekistan in the field of agriculture along with other areas. Many Arab companies are showing interest in processing agricultural products grown in Uzbekistan, with subsequent export not only to the UAE, but also to international markets. In this context, there is no doubt that the current visit of the President of Uzbekistan to the UAE will be an important step that will take cooperation between the two countries, based on mutual trust, to a qualitatively new level.

Also within the framework of this visit, it is planned to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of the United Arab Emirates. The document will be aimed at strengthening cooperation in the field of agriculture and food security.

Of course, in the agricultural sector there are many unrealized opportunities for developing cooperation between the two countries. Currently, responsible representatives of the agricultural sector of Uzbekistan and the UAE are actively discussing the joint implementation of various projects. Among them: organizing the production of food and confectionery products in cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, exporting fresh vegetable products grown in Uzbekistan to the UAE, as well as holding the international exhibition “Food Security Week” in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan has for the first time adopted a National Program for Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change and Reducing its Negative Impact. To implement it and support product manufacturers, more than $160 million was raised from foreign financial organizations.

Particularly noteworthy is the fact that in 2024, 343 new projects were launched in rural areas aimed at developing the food industry, as well as improving the infrastructure for storing and marketing agricultural products.

Of more than 4.3 thousand species of plants growing in natural conditions and adapted to the climatic conditions of Uzbekistan, about 750 are medicinal. Of these, 112 species are registered for use in scientific medicine, and 70 species are actively used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Taking this into account, in the agriculture of Uzbekistan, special attention is paid to the cultivation of medicinal plants. In this area, significant progress is being made in the field of plant protection, rational use of natural resources, organization of cultural plantations and processing of raw materials.

One ​​of the largest events in the agricultural sector of Uzbekistan in 2024, of course, was the VIII World Cotton Research Conference, which was held for the first time in Tashkent from October 3 to 7. Within the framework of this prestigious conference, which brought together scientists and experts from countries actively involved in cotton growing, key topics such as crop sowing systems in the context of global climate change, the ecology of chemical treatment against insects, as well as issues of robotics and artificial intelligence in agricultural production were widely discussed.

Under the real threat of global climate change, it is extremely important to jointly solve problems aimed at increasing cotton yields and developing seed production and cotton breeding. During the conference held in Tashkent, scientists in the field of cotton growing exchanged experiences and discussed ways to improve the quality of fiber and increase the yield of this important agricultural crop.

In 2025, it is planned to expand the areas occupied by local biotechnological plant varieties that are resistant to drought, salinity and wilting, using advanced breeding technologies based on gene knockout and marker methods.

Of course, for the effective development of the agricultural sector and achieving high productivity, it is extremely important to introduce the latest achievements of science and technology, as well as innovative developments. In the context of the rapid progress of digital technologies, which cover all sectors of the republic’s economy, the agricultural sector cannot remain aloof from these changes.

In recent years, a number of reforms have been carried out in the agricultural industry aimed at creating agro-industrial clusters, supporting and further improving their activities. As a result of these reforms, today there are 671 agro-industrial clusters operating, which has opened up new opportunities for deep processing, storage and sale of products produced within their framework.

One of the priority areas in agriculture remains ensuring food security of the population, creating a favorable agricultural business environment and value chains, increasing the investment attractiveness of the sector, as well as the development of rural areas.

In a word, given the wide investment potential of the United Arab Emirates, as well as their experience in implementing large investment projects aimed at the effective implementation of advanced technologies and the formation of a diversified and sustainable economy, cooperation between our countries is developing in many key areas. Close partnership with such a country opens up new opportunities for Uzbekistan in the agricultural sector.

Ibrokhim Abdurakhmanov

Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan