On February 17, 2020, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva Ulugbek Lapasov met with the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Roberto Azevêdo. 

An invitation to Tashkent Investment Forum and a meeting of the Council of Foreign Investors to be held on March 5-6 was given to the WTO Director-General.

The goals and program of Tashkent International Investment Forum, as well as the ongoing economic reforms and measures on liberalizing foreign trade in Uzbekistan, the effectiveness of which is highly appreciated by the international community, were discussed at the meeting.

The parties considered issues on the agenda of bilateral cooperation within the framework of Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO, including the organization of the fourth meeting of the Working Group on Uzbekistan’s accession to this organization, in Geneva, in the near future. It was noted that in his Address to the Oliy Majlis on January 25, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the importance of cooperation with the WTO.

Roberto Azevêdo welcomed the ongoing liberalization process and economic changes in Uzbekistan. The WTO expressed readiness to provide necessary assistance to Uzbekistan in the process of its entry by preparing necessary documents, expanding participation of Uzbekistan experts and specialists in thematic workshops and courses, as well as holding meetings of the Working Group as agreed by the parties.