   
  
WT/MIN(24)/ST/70  
26 February  2024 
(24-1563) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original: English  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR JAMSHID KHODJAEV  
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER  
UZBEKISTAN  
(Speaking as an Observer)  
On behalf of the Government of Uzbekistan allow me to sincerely congratulate the United Arab 
Emirates and the WTO for  the excellent organization of the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World 
Trade Organization (MC13).   
I am deeply honored to address this esteemed gathering as it represents the collective voice of 
nations committed to open, fair, and rules -based trade, a vi sion I deeply share on behalf of the 
Republic of Uzbekistan.  
First and foremost, allow me to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the nations of Comoros and 
Timor -Leste on their accession to the WTO.  
As we convene at the 13th Ministerial Conference of the WTO, it is imperative that we take stock of 
the current state of global trade. The current global trade landscape is undoubtedly complex. We 
face headwinds of geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties, and evolving technological 
advancements.  
Yet, in the face of these challenges, Uzbekistan remains steadfast in its belief in the WTO 's 
multilateral trading system and committed to the accession process. In our view, issues that are 
being discussed within the current WTO Agenda have a critical signifi cance to preserve and 
strengthen global flows of goods and services. Among such areas, we would like to highlight the 
WTO reform, fisheries and agriculture negotiations, climate change, food security, trade and 
development.  
Over the past several years und er the leadership of the President of Uzbekistan 
H.E. Mr. Shavkat  MIRZIYOYEV, Uzbekistan has embarked on a comprehensive program of economic 
reform aimed at modernizing its economy and aligning with global best practices.  
In the first stage, we implemente d a series of very prompt reforms from 2017 to 2022, laying the 
groundwork for deeper structural changes. Building on this foundation, we launched a second stage 
of reforms in 2022, focusing on mid and long -term objectives. We are systematically resolving 
outstanding issues, dismantling barriers to trade, and creating a level playing field for domestic and 
foreign investors.   
Central to our reform agenda is the resolution of systemic issues and the promotion of a vibrant 
private sector through privatization , liberalization of prices, and the creation of a free market 
environment. We are committed to this ambitious vision and have set a target to fully transition into 
these principles by 2030.  
In our pursuit of economic transformation, Uzbekistan is also min dful of its environmental 
responsibilities and pursuing sustainable development goals. We are committed to transitioning to 
a "green economy " by increasing the share of renewable energy sources to 25,000 MW, representing WT/MIN(24)/ST/70  
 
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  40% of our total energy consumption . Additionally, as a signatory to the Paris Agreement, we are 
actively combating climate change challenges. In our pursuit of economic prosperity, Uzbekistan 
recognizes the importance of enhancing trade not only at the national level but also regionally. W e 
are actively participating in Central Asian trade initiatives and welcome WTO efforts to facilitate 
regional integration and cross -border trade.  
For the past two years, we have intensified our efforts to become a full -fledged Member of WTO. 
In 2023 we h eld two Working Party meetings on the accession of Uzbekistan to WTO. We made 
substantial progress and implemented several significant institutional reforms.  
We also have made significant progress on the bilateral front by concluding market access 
negotia tions with 10 Members.  
Furthermore, we applaud the WTO's focus on emerging issues like e -commerce, inclusive trade, and 
gender equality in trade. These initiatives hold immense potential for developing countries like 
Uzbekistan and ensure that the benefits of trade reach all segments of society.   
Besides, I would like to address a point critical to the future of the WTO: accession processes.  
Unfortunately, we cannot ignore the fact that in recent times the process of accession to WTO has 
become complicated and requires serious efforts from the applicant countries to satisfy the requests 
of Member States within the realities of current global e conomic challenges.  
In this regard, I kindly ask WTO Members to adopt a more inclusive and flexible approach to 
accession, tailoring expectations to the specific circumstances and development needs of each 
country.   
Together, we must strive to create a tr uly level playing field for all nations, regardless of size or 
economic power. Only then can the WTO fulfill its true potential as a catalyst for global economic 
growth and shared prosperity.  
In conclusion, Uzbekistan stands ready to contribute to the WTO 's mission of a fairer, more inclusive, 
and sustainable global trade system. We remain committed to our accession process and believe 
that open and transparent dialogue is key to achieving our shared goals.   
__________  