International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity Development

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International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity Development

Article Details Page

Harnessing Economic Statecraft: Uzbekistan's Ascent to Regional Leadership in Central Asia

Authors

  • Dr. Alisher T. Rakhimov Department of International Relations, Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
  • Prof. Elena V. Petrova Centre for Eurasian Studies, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55640/ijsshd-v02i09-01

Keywords:

Uzbekistan, Economic Diplomacy

Abstract

Background: Since 2016, Uzbekistan has initiated a fundamental shift in its foreign policy under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, moving away from a protracted period of isolationism toward a strategy of proactive regional engagement. A central pillar of this new doctrine is the use of economic diplomacy to resolve disputes, foster goodwill, and enhance its influence within Central Asia, a region historically characterized by complex geopolitical dynamics and fragmented cooperation.

Objective: This article analyzes the mechanisms and outcomes of Uzbekistan's economic diplomacy. It seeks to demonstrate how targeted policies in trade, infrastructure, and energy are associated with the nation's elevated status as a pivotal regional actor. The study investigates the hypothesis that this strategic deployment of economic statecraft is the primary factor linked to its growing influence.

Methods: The study employs a qualitative, descriptive research design, conducting a systematic analysis of policy documents and official reports. Sources are drawn from the Government of Uzbekistan [7], alongside major international institutions including the World Bank [10], IMF [3], Asian Development Bank [1], and various United Nations agencies [8, 9]. Thematic analysis was used to identify key strategies and their corresponding results, while a comparative approach contextualizes Uzbekistan's efforts within the broader regional framework, particularly in relation to Kazakhstan [4, 6].

Results: The findings indicate that Uzbekistan's diplomatic efforts are correlated with significant positive outcomes. These include a marked increase in intra-regional trade, the successful launch of critical cross-border infrastructure projects that enhance connectivity, and strengthened cooperation in the crucial sector of energy security. However, the analysis also identifies significant internal challenges, such as persistent bureaucratic inefficiencies [2], that could impede the long-term sustainability of these achievements.

Conclusion: Uzbekistan's strategic deployment of economic statecraft is strongly associated with its effective repositioning as an influential leader in Central Asia. By prioritizing economic cooperation, Tashkent has successfully built political capital and fostered a more stable and integrated regional environment. Sustaining this momentum appears to be contingent on a concerted focus on deepening domestic institutional reforms.

References

Asian Development Bank (2020). Central Asia energy security: Managing shared resources for sustainable growth. ADB. https://www.adb.org/publications/central-asia-energy-security-managing-shared-resources-sustainable-growth

Gorbachev, G., & Abdullayev, M. (2020). Bureaucratic inefficiencies in Uzbekistan's economic diplomacy: Challenges and solutions. Journal of Central Asian Economics, 5(3), 67-83. https://www.jcae.eurasianresearch.org/

International Monetary Fund (IMF). (2020). Uzbekistan: Managing growth and investment climate. IMF Reports. https://www.imf.org/en/Countries/UZB

Kazakhstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2019). Central Asian cooperation: Trade and investment perspectives. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan.

Link: https://www.mfa.kz/en/content/central-asia-cooperation

Kazakhstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (2019). Central Asian cooperation: Trade and investment perspectives. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. https://mfa.gov.kz/en

Shavkat Mirziyoyev. (2021). Uzbekistan’s foreign policy strategy in Central Asia: A new era of cooperation. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan. https://mfa.uz/en

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2021). Renewable energy development in Uzbekistan: Strategic priorities. UNDP Uzbekistan. https://www.undp.org/uzbekistan

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). (2020). Regional integration in Central Asia: Uzbekistan’s role in fostering economic cooperation. ESCAP. https://www.unescap.org/

World Bank. (2021). Infrastructure and regional integration in Central Asia. World Bank Reports. https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/eca/brief/central-asia

World Economic Forum (WEF). (2020). Uzbekistan's economic reforms and foreign investment opportunities. WEF Insights. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/02/uzbekistan-economic-reforms-investment-2020

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Published

2025-09-01

How to Cite

Harnessing Economic Statecraft: Uzbekistan’s Ascent to Regional Leadership in Central Asia. (2025). International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity Development, 2(09), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.55640/ijsshd-v02i09-01

How to Cite

Harnessing Economic Statecraft: Uzbekistan’s Ascent to Regional Leadership in Central Asia. (2025). International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity Development, 2(09), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.55640/ijsshd-v02i09-01