Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — A meeting of heads of local representative bodies from Uzbekistan and Belarus was held in Khiva on 29 September as part of the Fourth Uzbek-Belarusian Interparliamentary Forum.
The sides discussed the development of interregional ties, new economic initiatives and practical cooperation between regions of the two countries. Fifteen bilateral agreements were signed following the meeting, the press service of the Senate of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis said.
The participants highlighted the importance of cooperation at the local level in further strengthening the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Belarus. Particular attention was paid to developing direct contacts between regions and representatives of local communities.
The sides discussed the role of local representative bodies in the socio-economic development of territories, engagement with the population, expanding citizen participation and supporting public initiatives.
They also considered ways to make effective use of the economic and social potential of the regions, stimulate entrepreneurial and investment activity, and develop new areas of economic partnership.
Parliamentary diplomacy featured prominently in the discussions. The sides agreed to develop regular dialogue between local representative bodies and expand mutual visits and working meetings.
The 15 agreements are aimed at expanding interregional cooperation, developing direct contacts, exchanging experience and bringing interaction to a new practical level.
Several thematic sessions were also held during the forum in Khiva, focusing on industrial cooperation, the agro-industrial sector, tourism, education, healthcare, science and innovation.
At the first session, titled “Uzbekistan and Belarus: Industrial Cooperation, Joint Investments and Realizing Labor Potential,” participants considered opportunities to expand industrial cooperation, implement investment projects, localize production and establish joint ventures.
Parliamentarians, government representatives, business circles, business associations and women entrepreneurs discussed the development of cooperation chains, the production of new types of goods, the introduction of modern technologies and access to new markets.
Particular attention was paid to women’s participation in entrepreneurship, job creation, development of professional skills and support for women’s business initiatives.
The second session, “Cooperation in the Agro-Industrial Sector: Food Security and Biotechnology,” focused on the state of cooperation in the agro-industrial sector, technology exchange and new joint projects.
Participants considered food and phytosanitary security, the introduction of modern agricultural technologies and biotechnology, agricultural processing and investment attraction.
Among the proposals were localizing the production of Belarusian agricultural machinery in Uzbekistan, establishing joint production facilities and expanding investment projects.
The sides also identified areas for cooperation in livestock breeding, genetics and veterinary medicine, breeding and seed production, biological plant protection, agricultural biotechnology and digital solutions. They expressed interest in conducting joint research and training qualified specialists.
Following the session, 11 agreements worth 35.5 million soums were signed.
The third session focused on the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Belarus in the humanitarian and social sphere.
It was attended by members of the Senate of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis and the Council of the Republic of Belarus’ National Assembly, representatives of government organizations, educational and scientific institutions, the healthcare sector and the Youth Parliament.
Participants discussed cooperation in higher and vocational education, scientific research, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and innovation.
The discussions included expanding cooperation between universities, joint training of engineering specialists and the exchange of experience in vocational education.
The participants also considered opportunities for joint research in biodiversity, genetics and modern technologies.
In healthcare, the discussions covered maternal and child health, pediatrics, improving the quality and accessibility of medical services and digitalization of the healthcare system. The sides also considered prospects for cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector.
The fourth session, titled “Tourism Dialogue: From Potential to Concrete Joint Projects,” focused on increasing tourist exchanges, creating new tourism products and joint routes, and improving service quality.
Representatives of government organizations, educational institutions, the private sector, the hotel industry and tour operators from both countries took part in the discussion. Participants proposed jointly promoting tourism products combining the opportunities of Uzbekistan and Belarus in third-country markets.
Particular attention was paid to Uzbekistan’s potential in cultural and historical, ecological, ethnic, gastronomic, educational and pilgrimage tourism. The Belarusian side presented its experience in developing ecotourism, establishing tourist villages, educational tourism and training personnel for the sector.
Following the tourism session, a number of agreements and memorandums on cooperation in tourism and the provision of tourism services were signed.
The forum also hosted the Fourth Business Forum of Women Entrepreneurs of Uzbekistan and Belarus, where participants discussed opportunities for further developing business ties between the two countries.
Overall, the sides emphasized the need to fill bilateral cooperation with specific projects, expand direct contacts between regions and entrepreneurs, and make more effective use of the existing economic, social and human potential.
