Uzbekistan presents AI strategy at UN global forum in Geneva

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — A delegation from Uzbekistan led by the Minister of Digital Technologies, Sherzod Shermatov, participated in the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, which took place on 5–6 July 2026 in Geneva.

The forum, organized for the first time within the UN system, brought together representatives of international organizations, delegations from more than 170 states, leading scientists, technology companies, investors, and civil society institutions.

The primary focus of the event was the discussion of mechanisms for the global governance of artificial intelligence, ensuring the safe and responsible use of technologies, and developing international cooperation.

Opening the forum, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that the new platform will become a permanent international mechanism for discussing artificial intelligence regulation and developing common approaches to its advancement.

The Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin, and the Director-General of UNESCO, Khaled El-Enany, emphasized the importance of inclusive governance of artificial intelligence technologies, the refinement of international legal and ethical standards, the exchange of experience between states, and the respect for human rights.

Speaking at the high-level plenary session, Sherzod Shermatov presented the key directions of Uzbekistan's state policy in the field of artificial intelligence.

The minister announced that the country has approved the Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence Technologies until 2030, under which approximately 100 priority projects are being implemented in healthcare, education, agriculture, energy, finance, industry, and electronic government.

Particular attention, according to him, is paid to workforce training. Within the framework of the "5 Million AI Leaders" project, more than 1 million people have already received certificates, over 3,000 civil servants are undergoing advanced training, and specialists responsible for implementing artificial intelligence technologies have been appointed in 90 government agencies.

Shermatov also noted the improvement of Uzbekistan's positions in international rankings. In particular, in the Government AI Readiness Index published by Oxford Insights, the republic ranked 62nd among 195 countries, rising 25 positions at once.

Concluding his speech, the minister emphasized that the further development of artificial intelligence must be built on the principles of personal data protection, transparency, ethics, cybersecurity, and the maintenance of human control over technologies.

He also confirmed the readiness of Uzbekistan to expand international cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence and to participate in shaping global approaches to the governance of this technology.