Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan and the French Development Agency (AFD) have identified key areas of cooperation for 2027–2030. The agreements were reached during the seventh annual consultations between the Uzbek government and AFD, held in Tashkent on 25 September.
Uzbekistan’s delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade Shokhrukh Gulamov, while the French side was represented by Virginie Bleitrach, Deputy Director of AFD’s Department for Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Representatives of the Agency for Strategic Reforms, the diplomatic missions of the two countries and AFD’s country office in Uzbekistan also took part in the consultations.
The sides stressed the need to give concrete substance to the agreements reached following the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to France in March 2025 and the transition of bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership.
Over the past 11 years, AFD has approved 17 projects in Uzbekistan worth around €1.6 billion. Its current portfolio comprises 13 projects worth €1.29 billion in energy, water supply and sanitation, livestock, digitalization and the financial sector. Around €1 billion, or 78% of the amount covered by signed agreements, has been disbursed.
Within the AFD Group, cooperation is also developing with Proparco in support of the private sector and with Expertise France in technical expertise. More than €55 million in grants has been mobilized with the participation of the European Union and the French government.
At the current stage, the sides intend to accelerate the implementation of existing projects, prepare new initiatives and move from concepts to financing. Nine projects with a combined value of €604.2 million are currently under preparation.
For 2027–2030, priorities have been identified in energy transition and decarbonization, water supply, agriculture, sustainable urban development, private-sector support and improvements in public financial management.
The indicative portfolio for the new stage includes 11 projects with a total estimated value of €1.125 billion. It covers initiatives to modernize energy and transport infrastructure, develop cities, improve irrigation and agriculture, promote the green economy and expand non-sovereign financing.
Major initiatives include the rehabilitation of the Tashkent-Samarkand railway line and the development of public transport in the capital.
The sides also plan to accelerate preparations for projects to modernize drinking water supply systems in Kashkadarya region, reconstruct the Suyenli Canal in Karakalpakstan, develop the Aral Sea region and upgrade district heating networks.
The agreements reached during the consultations were formalized in a consultation protocol and submitted for joint monitoring. The eighth annual consultations are scheduled to take place in France.
