# Uzbekistan expands regional cooperation > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkeys-academic-outreach-to-central-asia > Updated: 2026-07-28T08:44:59.000Z. Sources: 33. Developments: 14. By late July 2026 Uzbekistan’s drive to attract foreign capital continued unabated, with more than 20,500 foreign‑invested enterprises and a US$1 billion bilateral‑trade goal with Azerbaijan. Earlier that month Turkish investors pledged US$8.2 billion and the country set a US$10 billion trade target, while partnerships with the EBRD, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and El Salvador broadened Uzbekistan’s multi‑regional outreach. On 28 July, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and EBRD President Odile Renaud‑Basso met in Ashgabat, confirming plans to deepen cooperation on energy diversification, transport corridors, digital and green economies, water‑resource management and agriculture. The same forum hosted the Turkmen‑Uzbek Business Forum, where Uzbek Ambassador Ravshanbek Alimov and Turkmen officials discussed joint industrial projects, notably construction‑materials manufacturing, to support large‑scale urban development in both nations. Two days later, on 30 July, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited Kyrgyzstan and signed a Treaty on Allied Relations with President Sadyr Japarov, together with a suite of bilateral agreements covering border management, defence cooperation, social protection, investment, tourism, education and cultural exchange. The accords include protocols on joint water‑resource use, border checkpoints and resort development in the Issyk‑Kul region, further integrating Uzbekistan’s transport and tourism networks with its northern neighbour. Also on 30 July, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan began laying the Trans‑Caspian Fiber‑Optic Cable. The CaspiLink B.V. joint venture—formed by Kazakhtelecom ASC and AzerTelecom International MMC—shipped three cable baskets weighing about 600 tons to Baku and deployed a 70‑person crew on a specialised vessel. Seabed installation is slated to finish within 15–20 days, with full commissioning expected by the end of 2026, bolstering digital connectivity that aligns with Uzbekistan’s digital‑economy ambitions. These steps reinforce Uzbekistan’s strategy to expand industrial capacity, logistics and foreign investment ahead of its US$240 billion GDP goal for 2030. ## Claims - Kazakhstan Foreign Minister Yermek Koşerbayev held a telephone conversation with U.S. official Marco Rubio about attacks on the CPC. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Approximately 80 % of Kazakhstan’s oil exports are transported through the CPC system. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Kazakhstan and the United States discussed measures to stop the attacks and ensure safety of Kazakhstan’s oil export infrastructure. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Kazakhstan is preparing President Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev’s visit to the United States for the G20 summit. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Drone attacks on 17 July and 19 July targeted the CPC terminal and damaged civilian tankers carrying Kazakhstan’s oil. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Kazakhstan and the United States called for condemnation of the CPC attacks and urged coordinated protective measures. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Romania imports over 60 % of its oil from Kazakhstan via the CPC. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan discussed pipeline security with Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. (corroborated by 2 sources) - On 20 July a drone struck the tanker NELSA at the CPC’s SPM‑1 mooring facility, causing a fire. (single source) - The Caspian Pipeline Consortium is an international oil transportation project involving Russia, Kazakhstan, and major global energy companies. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-07-28: Turkmenistan Expands Economic Partnerships with EBRD and Uzbekistan Turkmen President Berdimuhamedov pledged deeper ties with the EBRD on energy, transport and green projects, while a Turkmen‑Uzbek business forum targeted joint construction‑materials ventures. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkmenistan-expands-economic-partnerships-with-ebrd-and-uzbekistan ### 2026-07-18: Uzbekistan sees rapid rise in foreign‑invested enterprises across trade, industry and energy Uzbekistan now has over 20,500 foreign‑invested firms, especially in trade, industry and IT, while a new Uzbekistan‑Azerbaijan pact launches joint oil‑gas, tourism and manufacturing projects to lift trade to $1 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uzbekistan-sees-rapid-rise-in-foreigninvested-enterprises-across-trade-industry-and-energy ### 2026-07-13: Uzbekistan expands foreign investment and deepens bilateral ties with Belarus Uzbekistan deepens cooperation with Belarus through joint factories and trade, while regional FDI inflows rise to $5 bn, boosted by projects in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uzbekistan-expands-foreign-investment-and-deepens-bilateral-ties-with-belarus ### 2026-07-11: Uzbekistan President Mirziyoyev launches AI-driven steel sector overhaul Uzbek President Mirziyoyev unveiled an AI‑focused overhaul of the steel sector, adding domestic raw‑material projects, a real‑time scrap platform and efficiency targets to boost GDP growth. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uzbekistan-president-mirziyoyev-launches-ai-driven-steel-sector-overhaul ### 2026-07-07: Turkey deepens ties with Uzbekistan as US President Trump plans Ankara visit Turkey’s diplomatic agenda includes Zorlu’s talks in Uzbekistan on partnership and heritage, while President Trump plans an Ankara visit to discuss defense, trade and possible sanctions relief. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkeys-ak-party-deputy-chairman-zorlu-holds-talks-in-uzbekistan ### 2026-07-04: Uzbek President Mirziyoyev launches major urban upgrades in Tashkent President Mirziyoyev unveiled Sergeli’s new housing and cogeneration plant, plus plans for artificial lakes, digital tourist maps and upgraded amenities across Tashkent. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uzbek-president-mirziyoyev-launches-major-urban-upgrades-in-tashkent ### 2026-07-01: Uzbekistan Boosts Logistics with Georgia Deal and New Domestic Transport Hubs Uzbekistan and Georgia discussed expanded trade and logistics cooperation, while Uzbekistan proposed six districts as dedicated transport‑logistics hubs with land grants and credit support. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uzbekistan-boosts-logistics-with-georgia-deal-and-new-domestic-transport-hubs ### 2026-06-24: Tashkent universities forge new ties with UK and Kazakhstan Uzbek universities broaden overseas links: TDSHU discussed cooperation with the UK’s University of Sussex, while TIU launched a semester‑long mobility programme for students at Kazakhstan’s Kokshetau University 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tashkent-universities-forge-new-ties-with-uk-and-kazakhstan ### 2026-06-23: Central Asian Nations Boost Trade and Logistics Ties Uzbekistan‑Turkey and Kazakhstan‑Turkmenistan business forums stress logistics links, trade growth and joint ventures to deepen regional economic ties. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/central-asian-nations-boost-trade-and-logistics-ties ### 2026-06-17: Uzbekistan's Tashkent Investment Forum records record foreign attendance Uzbekistan's Tashkent International Investment Forum attracted a record 10,600 participants, including leaders from over 100 countries, as President Mirziyoyev outlined new investment guarantees and projects in 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uzbekistans-tashkent-investment-forum-records-record-foreign-attendance ### 2026-06-16: Turkey-Uzbekistan Business Forum in Tashkent Highlights $8.2 bn Turkish Investments Turkey and Uzbekistan opened a bilateral business forum in Tashkent, noting $8.2 bn of Turkish investments, 2,200 Turkish firms operating there, and plans to expand trade to $5‑10 bn. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-uzbekistan-business-forum-in-tashkent-highlights-82-bn-turkish-investments ### 2026-06-15: Atatürk University hosts Uzbek delegation to boost academic cooperation Atatürk University hosted Uzbek university leaders to discuss student exchanges, joint research and curriculum support, aiming to formalise broader academic ties between Turkey and Uzbekistan. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/atatrk-university-hosts-uzbek-delegation-to-boost-academic-cooperation ### 2026-06-07: Bursa Technical University signs multiple academic cooperation agreements in Uzbekistan Bursa Technical University, led by Rector Prof. Dr. Naci Çağlar, signed cooperation agreements with several Uzbek universities to boost joint research, student mobility and technology projects, strengthening ac 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bursa-technical-university-signs-multiple-cooperation-deals-with-uzbek-universities ### 2026-05-29: Turkey deepens ties with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan through university accords and seed initiative Turkey signed university cooperation agreements with Uzbekistan at a Bukhara forum and launched a seed‑preservation project sending experts to Kyrgyzstan, strengthening ties in education and sustainable farming 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-deepens-ties-with-uzbekistan-and-kyrgyzstan-through-university-accords-and-seed-initiative --- Cite as: Uzbekistan expands regional cooperation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkeys-academic-outreach-to-central-asia