UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Discusses Strengthening Bilateral Ties with Uzbek Official Saida Mirziyoyeva

President Sheikh Mohamed held talks in Abu Dhabi with Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan, aimed at further advancing ties between the nations. Sheikh Mohamed and Ms Mirziyoyeva explored ways to expand co-operation in support of shared development goals during their meeting on Saturday.

Ms Mirziyoyeva, a prominent voice in the Uzbek government, recently delivered the country's address at the UN General Assembly in New York. During her UN address, she stressed the need for the organization to work more effectively and closely with Central Asia, emphasizing Uzbekistan's commitment to peace and global co-operation.

The high-level meeting in Abu Dhabi was attended by several key figures, including Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Adviser to the UAE President, alongside other officials.

Relations between the UAE and Uzbekistan have grown increasingly robust in recent years. In June 2022, the two countries signed an agreement to co-operate on government modernisation across 10 sectors, expanding upon a similar 2019 pact to promote the exchange of knowledge and expertise. These areas of co-operation encompass the financial sector, education, the economy, government leadership, food security, agriculture, ports, and customs.

Diplomatic and economic engagements have continued to accelerate. In September 2024, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, made an official visit to Uzbekistan. Furthermore, in January 2025, President Sheikh Mohamed and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev oversaw the signing of a strategic partnership declaration, formalized by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi.

Connectivity between the two nations has also improved, with Etihad Airways launching daily direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Tashkent last month, marking the airline's first route to Uzbekistan to meet rising travel demand.