In early February, with the assistance of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Afghanistan, the Uzbek delegation visited Kabul on a working trip. The group included the Director of the International Institute of Central Asia (IICA) Javlon Vakhabov, the First Vice-Rector of UWED and Director of IAIS Dr. Akram Umarov, Director of the Diplomatic Academy of UWED Prof. Abdusamat Khaydarov, as well as several IICA fellows. The visit aimed to discuss current issues of bilateral interaction and develop practical cooperation in trade, economic, transport, logistics, and humanitarian spheres.

As part of the visit, meetings were held with representatives of Afghan state structures’ leadership. Negotiations took place with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, during which the parties discussed prospects for regional interconnectedness, the promotion of transport and energy projects, and the strengthening of humanitarian ties. A meeting was also held with Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mawlawi Ahmadullah Zahid, where the growth of mutual trade turnover, which increased to $1.6 billion by the end of 2025, was noted, and priorities for expanding investment cooperation were outlined.

Special attention was paid to infrastructure and transport connectivity issues. The delegation met with the Deputy Minister of Public Works of Afghanistan for Railway Transport, Mawlawi Mohammad Iskhaq Sahibzada. They discussed prospects for joint infrastructure initiatives, including the development of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan corridor, as well as the growth of transit transportation, which exceeded 3 million tons in 2024.

As part of the expert and business track of the visit, a round table was organized jointly with the Harakat-Afghanistan NGO, featuring Afghan business representatives and relevant experts from both countries. The event focused on trade diversification and strengthening direct business ties. Additionally, the delegation met with the Director of the Center of Strategic Studies under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, Abdul Khay Qanit, where they discussed mechanisms for expanding expert dialogue, holding joint events, and preparing analytical materials.

Following the working visit, the parties confirmed their interest in further deepening cooperation and agreed to maintain regular contacts to promote practical initiatives aimed at strengthening regional interconnectedness and sustainable economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.