Closing a 31-Year Chapter: Uzbekistan WTO Accession 2026 Final Goal
Uzbekistan aims to finalize its 31-year bid for WTO membership by March 2026. With 33 out of 34 bilateral talks complete, the country prepares for global trade integration.
A 31-year wait is finally nearing its end. Uzbekistan is on track to officially join the World Trade Organization (WTO) in March 2026. During the 14th Ministerial Conference in Cameroon, Tashkent hopes to finalize a journey that began shortly after its independence.
The Final Sprint to Uzbekistan WTO Accession 2026
Uzbekistan's chief negotiator, Azizbek Urunov, recently described 2025 as a "decisive and results-oriented year." According to reports from The Diplomat, the country has successfully completed bilateral market-access negotiations with 33 out of 34 engaged WTO members. This list includes major heavyweights like the EU, China, the UK, and Russia.
The only remaining hurdle in bilateral talks is Taiwan. On the legislative front, Tashkent hasn't been idle either. It adopted 30 WTO-related legal actions in the past year, with another 29 acts currently in the drafting stage to ensure domestic laws align with international standards.
Navigating Political Tensions and Domestic Reform
The path to Geneva hasn't been smooth. The bid originally stalled in 2005 due to international condemnation of the previous regime. It wasn't until 2020 that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev revived the effort. Interestingly, Uzbekistan chose to remain an observer in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to prioritize its WTO membership, signaling a shift toward broader global integration rather than regional blocs.
Inside the country, the dismantling of protectionist policies has met with mixed feelings. While experts suggest it'll pave the way for a more resilient economy, some local businesses are frustrated over the loss of special privileges. Despite this, Trade Minister Laziz Kudratov maintains that accession is "critically important" for anchoring the country within a predictable international trade framework.
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