Kuwait News Agency reported that Ambassador Turki Khaled Al-Mikrad praised the depth of historic relations between Kuwait and Uzbekistan during a reception held in the Uzbek capital to mark the 35th anniversary of independence. The event brought together President Shavkat Mirziyoyev with several ministers, senior officials and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Tashkent. Al-Mikrad received a commemorative medal issued by presidential decree in recognition of the occasion, and he joined embassy colleagues in extending congratulations to the Uzbek leadership, government and people while wishing them continued progress and prosperity.
The ambassador told KUNA that the two countries remain keen to develop cooperation across various fields in ways that serve their mutual interests. He noted that Kuwaiti-Uzbek relations have witnessed continued development that broadens prospects for joint work. Al-Mikrad further underscored their shared commitment to maintaining coordination and consultations on regional and international issues of common concern.
Diplomatic relations between the states were established in 1994, a foundation that has supported steady engagement ever since. Kuwait opened its embassy in Tashkent in 2001, followed by Uzbekistan’s mission in Kuwait City three years later, creating permanent channels for dialogue. These structures have facilitated high-level exchanges that have accelerated in recent years.
President Mirziyoyev paid an official visit to Kuwait in February 2025 that produced a joint statement on comprehensive partnership and paved the way for several concrete accords. The two governments signed agreements covering industrial cooperation, a protocol on air transport, labor exchange, smart cities development, healthcare, culture and a tourism action plan for 2025-2027. Officials also arranged cooperation with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development to support targeted projects.
Uzbek Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov has stated that trade exchange between the countries has increased fivefold over the past five years. He pointed to a successful trial shipment from Samarkand to Kuwait completed in 15 days last month and ongoing work on an alternative route via northern Iranian ports that could cut delivery to seven or eight days. Kudratov highlighted more than 30 Uzbek companies already engaged with Kuwaiti partners, with further contracts and investments under discussion in areas such as petrochemicals, real estate development and food security.
The second session of the Kuwaiti-Uzbek Joint Committee for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation wrapped up with commitments to facilitate mutual recognition of standards and expand private-sector involvement. Jazeera Airways has increased flight services that officials credit with boosting people-to-people contacts and commercial activity. Both sides continue to explore renewable energy, agriculture, infrastructure and logistics as promising domains for future partnership that build on the momentum of recent accords.
