On September 20, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in New York to participate in events marking the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. At John F. Kennedy Airport, he was welcomed by Paolo Zampolli, Special Envoy of the U.S. President for Global Partnerships, Carolyn Lamm, Chair of the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce, and other officials.
Finance and Critical Minerals Cooperation
On September 22, Mirziyoyev held a series of high-level meetings with executives from leading corporations and international institutions. Uzbekistan is seeking to position itself as a reliable supplier in the global critical minerals chain. With reserves of copper, gold, uranium, and rare earths, officials have prioritized foreign partnerships to accelerate exploration and processing capacity, while also ensuring environmental and governance standards are met.
In talks with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, the two sides discussed expanding cooperation on monetary policy, statistical reform, and educational programs. Georgieva commended Uzbekistan’s economic reforms and reaffirmed the Fund’s support.
A $1 billion package of initiatives was finalized with Traxys, the Colorado School of Mines, FLSmidth, McKinsey, and Go Green Partners. These projects focus on critical minerals mining and processing, alongside the creation of a Competence Center in Uzbekistan.
Discussions with BlackRock board member Adebayo Ogunlesi centered on establishing a joint infrastructure fund. With Citigroup Chairman John Dugan, the president addressed IPOs of state-owned enterprises, Eurobond issuance, and trade finance mechanisms.
Franklin Templeton CEO Jenny Johnson confirmed agreements related to the transformation of state-owned companies and the development of the Tashkent Stock Exchange. President Brian Friedman of the New York-based global investment banking and capital markets firm, Jefferies, meanwhile, expressed interest in helping attract strategic investors to Uzbekistan’s National Investment Fund.
Franklin Templeton’s management of Uzbekistan’s $1.7 billion National Investment Fund signals growing trust in U.S. asset managers. Meanwhile, Jefferies’ potential involvement in attracting strategic investors highlights the rising role of global capital markets in Uzbekistan’s privatization and modernization agenda.
NASDAQ CEO Adena Friedman discussed the modernization of the Tashkent Stock Exchange and the introduction of a government bond trading platform. Oppenheimer Holdings CEO Robert Lowenthal pledged support for Uzbekistan’s private sector and participation in Eurobond issuance.
Image: president.uz
Strategic Agreements Signed
A signing ceremony was held in the presence of President Mirziyoyev and U.S. Presidential Special Envoy Sergio Gor. Agreements were exchanged with Boeing, FLSmidth, Cleveland Clinic, Citigroup, Cargill, Pangea Filtration Technology, SLB, Biologic International, and others.
During a meeting with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Mirziyoyev reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to aligning its legislation with international standards, with the goal of completing WTO accession by 2026. Uzbekistan’s WTO accession is being closely watched in Central Asia, as its success could set a precedent for other countries still outside the organization. For investors, WTO membership would mean greater legal predictability and integration into global trade frameworks.
The president also met with Air Products CEO Eduardo Menezes. The company has already invested over $1 billion in Uzbekistan, with projects at the GTL plant, Ferghana Refinery, and “Navoiazot.” Both parties agreed to expedite the construction of a gas-chemical complex in Bukhara.
Boeing and Uzbekistan Airways Ink Landmark Deal
A standout announcement came from U.S. President Donald Trump, who revealed a major agreement between Uzbekistan Airways and Boeing on Truth Social. According to Trump, Uzbekistan will purchase 22 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft valued at more than $8 billion. Trump noted that the deal will support over 35,000 jobs in the United States.
“President Mirziyoyev is a man of his word, and we will continue to work together on many other issues,” Trump stated.
According to a May 2025 report by Ranking.kz, Uzbekistan places among the top three post-Soviet countries in both its number of airlines and the size of its aircraft fleet. As of that date, the former Soviet nations had approximately 1,100 aircraft and 96 airlines. Russia led with 39 carriers and 748 planes. Uzbekistan held second place by number of airlines (12) and third in fleet size (93 aircraft). Kazakhstan followed with 10 airlines and 98 planes, surpassing Uzbekistan in aircraft count but trailing in carrier numbers.
Deepening Engagement
Mirziyoyev’s program in New York underscores Uzbekistan’s expanding engagement with global corporations, financial institutions, and international organizations. The agreements signed mark a significant step forward in investment, energy, infrastructure, and aviation, reinforcing the country’s strategic pivot toward global economic integration.
Mirziyoyev’s New York visit demonstrates Uzbekistan’s determination to anchor itself more firmly in global markets. The combination of multibillion-dollar aviation and energy deals, commitments from major U.S. financial institutions, and progress on WTO accession illustrates how Tashkent is blending domestic reform with international engagement. For Washington, the agreements also reflect a deepening U.S. stake in Central Asia’s most populous country, one positioned as both a logistics hub and a rising source of critical resources. If implemented effectively, the initiatives announced in New York could accelerate Uzbekistan’s transformation into one of the region’s most dynamic economies and a key partner in the evolving Eurasian trade and investment landscape.
