Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 21 January 2025, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with a delegation from Japan, led by the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Akihiko Tanaka.

During the meeting, the sides discussed enhancing practical cooperation and advancing joint initiatives with this leading foreign financial institution. Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted that the visit of the head of JICA marks a new stage in collaboration on economic and financial-technical matters, emphasizing the importance of the agency as a strategic partner in supporting reforms aimed at creating a New Uzbekistan.

To date, the portfolio of joint projects in areas such as energy, transportation, agriculture and water management, healthcare, and education exceeds 8 billion dollars. Last year, a three-year cooperation program was approved, and successful projects such as the Uzbek-Japanese Human Resource Development Center and the Youth Innovation Center are ongoing. Additionally, through collaboration with JICA, more than 2,500 Uzbek specialists have completed training and internships in Japan, while Japanese volunteers are making a significant contribution to the implementation of social and humanitarian projects in Uzbekistan.

Furthermore, an agreement was signed recently for the construction and equipping of the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center for Neurology and Stroke in Tashkent.

The President of Uzbekistan expressed support for expanding JICA’s activities in the country. The importance of implementing private sector projects, creating a special economic zone for Japanese investors, opening a Japanese university, and collaborating in vocational education were also emphasized.

Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to introduce new mechanisms for promoting current and future projects through a "roadmap."