During a diplomatic trip to Mongolia, Javlon Vakhabov, Director of IICA, held a meeting with Dulguun Damdin-Od, Executive Director of the International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries.
During the discussion, the IICA Director emphasized the critical importance of logistics and the advancement of transportation links for both Uzbekistan and Mongolia, as they are both landlocked nations. These countries share similar challenges, such as increasing costs and delivery times, a rise in logistics expenses as a percentage of import prices (up to 60% for Central Asia), and the need to establish new routes and diversify transportation corridors.
The parties exchanged ideas on regional infrastructure initiatives, specifically the China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan project and the expansion of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor’s potential.
It was highlighted that the geographical location of Central Asia and Mongolia presents additional opportunities for transforming the region into a key transit and communication hub of Eurasia.
The first visit of the President of Mongolia to Uzbekistan in over three decades, in June 2024, was a significant topic of discussion. This visit led to the signing of intergovernmental agreements on the development of air and road transport.
The representatives of Mongolia expressed their commitment to actively implement these agreements and emphasized the crucial role of enhancing transport connectivity in bilateral cooperation.
At the end of the meeting, both parties stressed the importance of expert dialogue between institutions, including analysis, strategic planning, and the exchange of best practices in transportation, economics, and sustainable development. They also reaffirmed their interest in continuing communication and deepening their partnership to find practical solutions for the region.
G. Khonnazarov, UzA