Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  Obid Khakimov, Director of Uzbekistan’s Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR), delivered a keynote presentation at the British Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, highlighting economic trends and opportunities in Central Asia. 

This visit, part of a broader government delegation from Uzbekistan to the United Kingdom, marks an important step in strengthening international collaboration and knowledge exchange between the two nations. 

An international roundtable was held at Chatham House to showcase Uzbekistan’s ongoing reforms and explore pathways for enhancing bilateral cooperation. The event was organized with the support of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in the UK. 

Prominent attendees included James Nixey, Director of Chatham House’s Eurasia Program, Central Asia specialists Annette Bohr and Kate Mallinson, and representatives from British official and expert circles. 

Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to the UK, Ravshan Usmanov, provided an overview of Uzbekistan’s comprehensive reforms and discussed the current state and future prospects of Uzbek-British cooperation. 

Obid Khakimov’s presentation focused on the socio-economic development of Central Asian nations, particularly Uzbekistan. Key topics included the region’s trade and investment climate, emerging transport and logistics corridors, and opportunities for energy resource utilization. 

The discussion underscored several crucial points:  

- The untapped potential of the Central Asian region. 

- Opportunities for enhanced collaboration with European Union countries. 

- Economic and technical aspects of trade routes, such as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and the Southern Corridor. 

Participants also explored ongoing regional reforms aimed at integrating industrial sectors into global value chains. Additionally, Uzbekistan’s national models and social protection programs, designed to ensure socio-economic stability, were analyzed. 

British participants showed significant interest in Uzbekistan’s reforms, highlighting their relevance to British policy and economic circles. 

Chatham House representatives expressed a desire to strengthen ties with Uzbekistan’s analytical institutions, emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation. 

The Royal Institute of International Affairs is a leading global think tank in international relations, conducting practical research on key global issues. Recognized as the top think tank of the year in 2016, it publishes *International Affairs* and *World Review* journals and hosts over 300 conferences, seminars, and roundtables annually, featuring leading analysts from around the world.