Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan and China have agreed to expand expert cooperation in artificial intelligence, the digital economy and data infrastructure, following the second meeting of the Uzbek-Chinese Expert Council in Tashkent.
The meeting, titled “Digital Partnership: Artificial Intelligence and the Next-Generation Data Economy”, concluded with the signing of a 2027 work plan by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan (ISRS) and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ Institute of Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the Dунё news agency reported.
The meeting brought together heads and representatives of analytical, research and educational organisations from both countries, as well as government agencies and diplomatic missions.
Uzbek participants included representatives of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, the Centre for Economic Research and Reforms, and the Research Institute for the Development of Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence. China was represented by relevant institutes of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, among others.
Participants discussed prospects for cooperation in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, data-processing infrastructure and workforce training. Particular attention was given to applying AI in industry, agriculture, water management, public administration and other economic sectors.
Experts also considered the development of data centres, the expansion of digital services, improvements to regulatory frameworks and cooperation in cybersecurity.
Alongside the technological opportunities, participants highlighted the need to address personal data protection, the ethical use of AI, changes in the labour market and unequal access to advanced technologies.
According to international expert estimates cited in materials from the meeting, artificial intelligence could contribute US$20 trillion to the global economy by 2030. The digital economy already accounts for more than 17% of global gross domestic product.
Uzbekistan is developing its national digital ecosystem under the Digital Uzbekistan 2030 strategy and its 2021–2030 Artificial Intelligence Development Strategy. The country’s digital services exports reached approximately US$1 billion in 2025.
Projects to expand computing capacity and data-processing infrastructure are also underway. In June 2026, an agreement was signed to finance the construction of a 12-megawatt green data centre at IT Park.
China’s experience in developing computing infrastructure, deploying intelligent solutions and building a digital economy is of interest to Uzbekistan. Further opportunities for bilateral cooperation are linked to the Digital Silk Road initiative, which aims to strengthen digital connectivity, technology exchange and innovation partnerships.
The Chinese side praised Uzbekistan’s progress in developing digital infrastructure and its national innovation ecosystem, expressing interest in expanding professional contacts and working jointly on future initiatives.
The Uzbek-Chinese Expert Council was established in October 2024 under a memorandum between ISRS and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ Institute of Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Its first meeting was held in Beijing on 22 March 2025 and focused on climate change, environmental cooperation and green technologies.
The two sides also agreed to hold the council’s third meeting in Beijing.
