Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 1 July, the First Uzbekistan–Azerbaijan Interparliamentary Forum successfully concluded in the ancient city of Khiva, marking an important milestone in the development of intergovernmental relations and parliamentary diplomacy between the two friendly nations.

Speaking at the plenary session, Chairperson of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan, Sahiba Gafarova, emphasized that thanks to the visionary policies of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the country’s sweeping reforms, Uzbekistan is demonstrating dynamic socio-economic development and has achieved remarkable progress across many sectors.

Forum participants discussed a broad range of issues encompassing key areas of bilateral cooperation. Special attention was given to the role of parliaments in strengthening strategic partnership, expanding socio-economic cooperation, advancing digitalization and innovation, promoting sustainable agriculture, improving education and healthcare, ensuring gender equality, and deepening humanitarian and environmental partnerships.

The discussions highlighted the importance of exchanging best practices, assessing the outcomes of implemented initiatives, identifying current challenges, and finding effective solutions. It was underscored that the continued development of interparliamentary cooperation would make a significant contribution to the consolidation of allied ties, sustainable development, and the prosperity of both countries.

Particular emphasis was placed on expanding economic and investment cooperation, fostering partnerships in education, healthcare, culture, and tourism, and strengthening the role of women and youth in public and political life.

Concrete initiatives were proposed and supported, including the development of joint recommendations to improve the investment climate, the establishment of trade houses of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan abroad, the organization of regular business missions, the simplification of visa procedures, and the creation of a digital tourism platform.

The forum also addressed the possibility of creating a shared educational and scientific framework for Turkic-speaking nations, the establishment of electronic libraries, and the development of cooperation in medical insurance and cross-border treatment of patients.

As a result of the forum, three key documents were adopted that will shape the future course of interparliamentary engagement:

– The Khiva Declaration, outlining common principles and cooperation priorities;
– The 2025–2026 Action Plan for implementing joint projects under the framework of parliamentary diplomacy;
– The Regulations of the Interparliamentary Commission, whose establishment marks an important institutional step toward the systematic and coordinated implementation of bilateral initiatives.

The forum in Khiva served as a significant platform for strengthening the Uzbekistan–Azerbaijan interparliamentary dialogue, gave new momentum to the fraternal ties between the two nations, and laid a solid foundation for further cooperation in the interest of both peoples.