Uzbek MPs Trained on WTO Issues Ahead of Country’s Accession

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — As Uzbekistan enters the final stage of preparations for accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), members of parliament have undergone intensive training to strengthen their knowledge of WTO matters in anticipation of their upcoming responsibilities.

In their regulatory and oversight roles, Uzbek legislators will play a key part in implementing the country’s commitments under the WTO. The Oliy Majlis, Uzbekistan’s parliament, will review policies and draft laws to ensure they comply with WTO requirements and is ultimately responsible for their adoption.

The process of aligning national legislation with WTO trade defense measures has already begun, with draft laws on anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, and safeguards for the domestic market under review. These bills are expected to be submitted to parliament in the near future.

As the link between the state and citizens, members of parliament assess public interests and will examine how WTO membership will affect the daily lives of their constituents. They also contribute to shaping public opinion by explaining risks and opportunities and addressing questions and concerns from society.

To carry out these tasks effectively, MPs require a deep understanding of WTO issues, which are highly technical and complex.

To build this institutional capacity, the International Trade Centre (ITC) developed a tailored intensive course designed for legislators, with a focus on promoting a comprehensive, cross-sectoral approach to the accession process.

The course took place from 13 to 16 August 2025 in Tashkent and online. It was led by leading global experts, including Peter Van den Bossche, former Chair of the WTO Appellate Body; Arthur Appleton, a renowned international lawyer and government advisor on trade matters; and Hamid Mamdouh, former Director of the WTO Trade in Services and Investment Division and an international trade lawyer.

Over four days, the program provided participants with fundamental knowledge across a wide range of issues related to Uzbekistan’s WTO accession.

Day one covered WTO principles and detailed rules on trade in goods. The second day focused on agricultural trade, subsidies, and trade defense instruments. The third day addressed technical barriers to trade and sanitary and phytosanitary measures. The final day explored intellectual property rights and trade in services.

The course offered participants ample opportunities to discuss practical issues already on their agenda with the instructors. Active debates centered on subsidies and forms of local support that could comply with WTO rules. Environmental protection and state trading enterprises were also discussed, while MPs raised detailed questions on agricultural trade — a sector of strategic importance for Uzbekistan.

Thirty parliamentarians took part in the training.

The program was funded by the European Union under the project “Supporting Uzbekistan’s Accession to the WTO.”