BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 14. On April 13, Moscow
hosted the sixth meeting of the Joint Commission between Russia and
Uzbekistan, underscoring the continued expansion of bilateral
cooperation beyond traditional trade relations.


Founded in 2018 at the initiative of the two presidents, the
commission has quickly evolved into a robust framework for
coordinating economic activities. While it initially concentrated
on trade, the scope of cooperation now spans multiple sectors,
including energy, industry, logistics, technology, and human
capital development.


Energy remains a central pillar of this collaboration, driving
the broader trajectory of relations. A key project under this
framework is the nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan's Jizzakh
region, which involves Russia’s Rosatom and has already entered the
implementation phase. Construction is actively progressing, and the
industrial infrastructure is being developed. The project envisions
an integrated nuclear power system with multiple units of varying
capacities, rather than a single facility.


Early estimates suggest that the plant’s total output will reach
approximately 17 billion kWh annually, accounting for 13-14% of
Uzbekistan's current electricity consumption. Given the rising
electricity demand, the project is expected to play a strategic
role in enhancing the country's long-term energy security, adding
significant weight to the ongoing cooperation between Russia and
Uzbekistan.


“Implementation of this initiative will provide an additional
boost to the economy and ensure a stable energy supply for
decades,” Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said during the
meeting.


Cooperation in the oil and gas sector is also deepening. The
parties confirmed their readiness to continue and expand supplies
of Russian oil and natural gas. Particular emphasis is being placed
on the modernization of Uzbekistan’s gas transportation and
processing infrastructure with the involvement of Russian
technologies and expertise. Drilling of new wells is already
underway, while production facilities are being upgraded to improve
overall efficiency.


At the same time, Uzbekistan’s energy strategy remains
diversified. The country is actively expanding renewable energy
capacity, particularly in solar and wind generation. However,
base-load sources, including nuclear and gas, continue to play a
critical role in ensuring grid stability and meeting peak demand,
underscoring the importance of ongoing joint projects with
Russia.


On the broader economic front, bilateral cooperation shows
continued positive momentum. In 2025, trade turnover between Russia
and Uzbekistan rose by 12.5%, approaching $13 billion. Russia’s
exports to Uzbekistan expanded across key sectors, including
mineral products, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, while Uzbekistan
strengthened its position in textiles and agricultural exports.
Russia’s share in Uzbekistan’s total foreign trade turnover remains
around 16%, reinforcing its role as one of Uzbekistan’s principal
economic partners.







“Russia is among Uzbekistan’s leading foreign trade partners.
Mutual trade turnover has grown by nearly 12.5 percent and
approached one trillion rubles. In line with the agreements between
the heads of state, we aim to multiply this figure by 2030,”
Mishustin noted.


At the same time, the current stage of cooperation is
increasingly defined not only by trade volumes but also by a shift
toward industrial cooperation and large-scale investment projects.
More than 3,000 enterprises with Russian participation operate in
Uzbekistan, while around 150 joint projects worth approximately 4
trillion rubles are being implemented across various sectors.


A critical aspect of this cooperation is the development of
joint industrial zones, which serve as key platforms for fostering
deeper integration. Technoparks in Chirchik and Jizzakh are already
yielding significant outcomes, with multiple residents and the
creation of thousands of jobs. The expansion of these zones is
expected to continue in the coming years, with new projects planned
across various regions, enhancing both localization and production
supply chains.


“These platforms demonstrate tangible results of industrial
cooperation and form a solid foundation for further growth in
mutual trade,” Alexey Mikhailov, Director of the Department for
Economic Cooperation with CIS Countries at Russia’s Ministry of
Economic Development, told Trend.


Logistics development further complements this framework. The
parties are actively building a network of wholesale distribution
centers and trade houses, improving supply chain efficiency and
reducing transaction costs. These initiatives are already being
implemented in several Russian regions and are gradually expanding
in scale.


Overall, the outcomes of the meeting represent a broader
trajectory of economic collaboration, marked by the convergence of
energy, trade, investment, infrastructure, and technological
development. Whether the two countries will achieve their ambitious
goal of significantly increasing trade turnover by 2030 hinges on
the continued success of this integrated model of cooperation. At
present, Russia and Uzbekistan are making steady progress toward
deeper economic integration, cementing their position as one of the
most dynamic partnerships in the region.