The inaugural meeting of the Coordination Council for the Strategic Partnership between Qatar and Uzbekistan, held in Doha, marks a significant milestone in the deepening of bilateral ties between the two nations.
Headed by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, and his Uzbek counterpart H E Bakhtiyor Saidov, the meeting is a testament to the shared vision and strategic intent of both leaderships.
At its core, this partnership is not merely symbolic. It is built on over two decades of solid political relations and now anchored in a formal Agreement on the Establishment of a Bilateral Strategic Partnership signed earlier in 2024. Such a commitment reflects a mutual recognition of the need for pragmatic, forward-looking cooperation—one that encompasses political, economic, academic, cultural, and environmental dimensions.
Trade, while still modest at around $1.8m in 2024, has room to grow, and both sides appear committed to scaling this up. The recent Memorandum of Understanding between Qatar Mining and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Mining Industry signals concrete steps toward increased economic collaboration. But this partnership is not solely about economics—it’s also about connectivity, sustainability, and youth empowerment.
Crucially, both countries understand that a true strategic alliance requires more than high-level meetings; it demands regular exchanges, institutional mechanisms like the Coordination Council, and tangible initiatives across multiple sectors. Their emphasis on collaboration within international organizations, and mutual support in global fora, further amplifies their collective voice on the world stage.
The willingness to hold the Council’s second meeting in Samarkand in 2026 underlines the sustained commitment on both sides to continuity and accountability. In a world where diplomatic gestures often fail to translate into action, the Qatar-Uzbekistan partnership offers a refreshing model—structured, sincere, and strategic.
As Doha prepares to host the Second World Social Summit in 2025 and eyes the Olympic Games in 2036, and as Samarkand gears up for the Unesco General Conference and the GCC-Central Asia Summit, these events offer further platforms to deepen this growing relationship.
As being managed wisely, this partnership will evolve into a blueprint for cooperation among nations seeking balanced, multi-sectoral engagement rooted in mutual respect and shared ambition.
