Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 26 June 2025, the first Uzbek-Mongolian expert forum was held under the theme "Uzbekistan and Mongolia: New Prospects for Mutually Beneficial Cooperation," dedicated to the outcomes of the first state visit of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Mongolia.

The event, held in an online format, was organized by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISRS) in collaboration with the Institute for Strategic Studies under the National Security Council of Mongolia (ISS).

The forum brought together foreign policy officials, leading experts, and heads of analytical institutions from both countries. The Uzbek side was represented by specialists from the Center for Foreign Policy Studies and International Initiatives, the International Institute for Central Asia, the Institute for Macroeconomic and Regional Research, the Center for Economic Research and Reforms, and the Center for Progressive Reforms. The Mongolian side was represented by staff from the ISS and the International Analytical Center for Landlocked Developing Countries.

The expert dialogue provided an important platform for a substantive exchange of views on a wide range of issues related to the development of Uzbek-Mongolian cooperation. Opening the forum, Deputy Director of the ISRS Bakhtiyor Mustafayev emphasized the special significance of the event, held shortly after the historic visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Ulaanbaatar. He noted that a key outcome of the negotiations was the signing of a Joint Declaration that marked the transition of bilateral relations to the level of a comprehensive partnership.

This assessment was echoed by the Ambassador of Mongolia to Uzbekistan, Batbaatar Daadankhuu, who described the Uzbek leader’s visit as a turning point in the history of bilateral relations. According to him, the signing of more than 15 agreements and protocols reflects the high level of political trust and confirms both sides' commitment to comprehensive cooperation. He also noted that the opening of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Mongolia will provide a solid foundation for further expanding contacts.

Head of the ISS Center, Niyamjav Soyolgerel, highlighted the active dynamics of trade and economic ties between the two countries, despite their geographical distance. In her view, the opening of the Uzbekistan Trade House in Ulaanbaatar and the implementation of a pilot project for a motor corridor along the Uzbekistan–Kyrgyzstan–China–Mongolia route will significantly contribute to trade growth. She noted that this transport initiative strengthens economic connectivity between Central and Northeast Asia and opens new logistical opportunities.

ISS expert Dashkhuu Batmunkh pointed out that Uzbekistan’s rapidly developing economy creates favorable conditions for close cooperation in the agricultural sector. In particular, both sides have the potential to establish joint livestock complexes specializing in wool and leather processing as well as halal meat production.

Researcher from the International Analytical Center Gonchigzeveg Enkhzul emphasized the importance of strengthening transport and logistics cooperation between landlocked countries. She highlighted infrastructure development projects in ICT, energy, and transport, along with the upcoming launch of a direct flight between Tashkent and Ulaanbaatar in September 2025, as significant steps toward economic integration and the expansion of logistics chains.

Humanitarian cooperation also received special attention during the discussion. ISS representative Davaajanstan Buyandelger emphasized the historical foundation of cultural ties between the two peoples and expressed gratitude for Uzbekistan’s provision of educational quotas for Mongolian students. According to him, this initiative opens access for Mongolian youth to high-quality education in fields relevant to the country's development.

In conclusion, participants noted that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to Mongolia gave a powerful impetus to the qualitative renewal of bilateral relations. The forum reaffirmed the high level of mutual interest in continued cooperation and underscored the need for regular expert dialogue to implement existing agreements and identify new areas of growth in Uzbek-Mongolian relations.