Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan and WTO officials have discussed state support for agriculture and the country’s commitments as part of its accession to the World Trade Organization.
The meeting in Tashkent brought together Azizbek Urunov, the President of Uzbekistan’s representative for WTO affairs and the country’s chief negotiator for WTO accession, and WTO Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam. The Food Safety Committee of Uzbekistan reported on the meeting.
The talks focused on the needs of the country’s agricultural sector during the transition period and mechanisms for providing domestic support to the industry.
In particular, the participants considered the possibility of using the de minimis level established for developing countries, as well as bringing existing state support measures for agriculture into line with WTO rules.
The sides also discussed the phased implementation of the relevant changes, taking into account Uzbekistan’s future commitments following its accession to the organization.
Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector is currently undergoing transformation and diversification. Alongside agricultural production, increasing attention is being paid to processing and storage, expanding export potential and introducing market-based mechanisms.
Against this backdrop, WTO accession talks involve the need to adapt the agricultural sector to international competition while taking into account the requirements of the transition period.
In developing its position, Uzbekistan takes into consideration the specific features of its national economy and agricultural sector, food security concerns and the country’s position on the global market.
At the 13th meeting of the Working Party on Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO, held in July 2026, the Uzbek side reported that 190 regulatory and legal documents had been brought into line with WTO rules. It also submitted 31 bilateral market-access agreements to the WTO Secretariat.
WTO membership would provide Uzbekistan not only with expanded opportunities for foreign trade, but also require the adaptation of legislation to international trade rules, efforts to strengthen the competitiveness of the economy and the creation of more predictable conditions for participants in foreign economic activity.
For agriculture, the process is also linked to food security, employment, sustainable development of rural areas and ensuring the domestic market is supplied.
