By Mokhi Sultanova in Tashkent
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev last week welcomed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO), in Tashkent for a meeting to discuss Uzbekistan's ongoing efforts to join the global trade body.
Discussions cantered on practical steps Uzbekistan has taken towards WTO accession.
Two sessions of the WTO/Uzbekistan accession working group have taken place.
Talks have started on agricultural support conditions. Efforts to harmonise national legislation with WTO norms are continuing.
The meeting also looked at building green economy cooperation, advancing e-commerce and increasing the export of digital services.
A proposal was made to establish a Center for Competence in Trade Policy in Uzbekistan. It would be aimed at bolstering the skills of local professionals in international trade regulation, with support from the WTO.
Okonjo-Iweala met with university students.
She was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of World Economy and Diplomacy.
Uzbekistan officially resumed its WTO accession process in July 2020.
In May, it was announced that Uzbekistan aims to join the WTO before the 14th ministerial conference in Cameroon in 2026.
On June 3, Mirziyoyev signed a decree to accelerate market reforms and align national legislation with WTO agreements.
