President of the ADB Visits Uzbekistan to Strengthen Partnership

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Masato Kanda, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), met with President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, reaffirming the bank’s commitment to long-term partnership with the republic and marking 30 years of bilateral cooperation.

“ADB proudly celebrates three decades of partnership with Uzbekistan. We remain committed to supporting reforms aimed at expanding opportunities for people and regions, investing in human capital, and ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth across the country,” Kanda stated.

During the meeting, the development priorities outlined in the “New Uzbekistan – 2030” strategy, based on the principle of “For Human Dignity,” were discussed. The ADB President confirmed the bank’s readiness to continue supporting key reform areas, including private sector development, transformation of state-owned enterprises, promotion of renewable energy, expansion of financial inclusion, and deepening regional cooperation.

The interlocutors expressed hope that the 59th Annual Meeting of the ADB, scheduled to take place in Samarkand in May 2026, would serve as a clear demonstration of strong partnership and provide a platform to showcase Uzbekistan’s reform achievements and its growing regional role.

During the visit, Kanda held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and ADB Governor for Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Jamshid Kuchkarov, and a number of other senior government officials. Discussions focused on advancing strategic reforms, strengthening public-private partnership mechanisms, and deepening cooperation in education, finance, and infrastructure sectors.

In the presence of the ADB President, two new financing projects were signed.

The first, the “STEM in Secondary Education” project, valued at US$100 million, aims to equip 200 schools with modern laboratories, digital equipment, and create an inclusive educational environment.

The second, the “Inclusive Finance Development Program, Subprogram 2,” is designed to enhance financial accessibility, improve financial system governance, and expand access to financing for socially vulnerable groups.

During a visit to Samarkand, Kanda met with Hokim Adiz Boboev. The parties discussed preparations for the upcoming ADB Annual Meeting and expressed confidence in its successful conduct.

Kanda then inspected the “Silk Road” complex, the main venue for the forum, which is expected to host several thousand representatives from governments, businesses, academia, media, and civil society.

Kanda and Khodjaev also officially inaugurated the expanded ADB Permanent Mission in Tashkent. The renovated office is intended to strengthen engagement with national partners and enhance the efficiency of the bank’s operations. In the evening, a reception was held with over 100 representatives of government bodies, international partners, and the private sector to commemorate 30 years of cooperation.

Founded in 1966, the ADB is the leading multilateral development bank in the Asia-Pacific region.

Bringing together 69 member countries, the bank supports sustainable and inclusive growth through innovative financial instruments and partnership mechanisms for infrastructure development, improvement of living standards, and environmental protection.