Bilateral Relations

Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the State of Qatar were established on 27 November 1997 at the ambassadorial level, laying the foundation for a close and trusted partnership. Today, both countries are represented by resident embassies – the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Tashkent (opened on 7 May 2023) and the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Doha (opened on 10 December 2023) – reflecting the mutual commitment to long-term cooperation. In 2024, bilateral ties were officially elevated to the level of a Strategic Partnership following the signing and subsequent ratification of the Agreement on the Establishment of Bilateral Strategic Partnership Relations.

High-Level Political Dialogues

High-level visits have given powerful impetus to the relationship. On 5-6 June 2023, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, paid a historic state visit to Uzbekistan in the city of Samarkand – the first visit of its kind – during which the two leaders launched a wide-ranging cooperation agenda. On 1-2 October 2023, His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, paid a state visit to Qatar, held official talks with His Highness the Amir, and took part in the opening ceremony of Expo Doha 2023, where a new package of agreements and memoranda of understanding was signed.

This exchange of visits continued with the working visit of His Highness the Amir to Tashkent on 19 December 2023 to participate in the International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award ceremony, during which the two leaders discussed further deepening of political dialogue, economic and humanitarian cooperation, and support for regional connectivity projects. On 15 April 2024, on the margins of the GCC-Central Asia ministerial meeting in Tashkent, an intergovernmental Agreement on Strategic Partnership and on the establishment of a Coordination Council between the foreign ministries was signed, giving the partnership a clear institutional framework.

The Strategic Partnership architecture was further consolidated on 21 August 2025, when the first meeting of the Coordination Council for the Strategic Partnership between Uzbekistan and Qatar convened in Doha, co-chaired by the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan. The Council adopted a roadmap to expand cooperation across politics, security, trade, investment, transport and culture. In November 2025, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid a working visit to Doha to take part in the Second World Summit for Social Development, using the occasion to hold talks on the implementation of strategic partnership projects and coordination on international and regional issues of common interest.

Economic and Investment Cooperation

Economic ties between Uzbekistan and Qatar have grown rapidly in recent years. During the Amir’s state visit to Samarkand on 6-7 June 2023, the two sides signed key agreements on the promotion and protection of investments, the avoidance of double taxation, customs cooperation, and labour recruitment, as well as a series of sector-specific documents in trade, higher education and research, youth and sports, agriculture and food security, and plant protection and quarantine.

On 1 October 2023, the Uzbekistan–Qatar Business Council was established in Doha to foster direct ties between business communities and to support joint projects. On 1–2 October 2023, during the President of Uzbekistan’s state visit to Qatar, an MoU on investment cooperation was signed between Uzbekistan’s Fund for Reconstruction and Development and the Qatar Investment Authority, creating additional instruments to co-finance large-scale projects in energy, industry, infrastructure, agriculture, banking and tourism. 

To steer this growing agenda, the two countries created an Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. Its inaugural meeting was held in Doha in November 2024, while the second session took place in Tashkent on 16 October 2025. These meetings brought together senior officials and private-sector representatives to agree concrete steps to deepen collaboration in trade, investment, banking, agriculture, environmental protection, transport, tourism and information technology. Regular contacts between the Qatar Chamber and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan complement this work by promoting partnerships in technology, manufacturing and services.

Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges

Cultural diplomacy has become a vibrant pillar of bilateral relations. On 6— June 2023, a government-to-government Memorandum of Understanding on cultural cooperation was signed, opening a structured program of exchanges in arts, heritage, museums and creative industries. In February 2024, Uzbekistan Cultural Week was held in Doha (20–26 February) at Darb Al Saai, presenting concerts, crafts, cuisine, cinema and museum exhibitions that showcased Uzbekistan’s rich cultural heritage to Qatari audiences.

In response, Qatar Cultural Week took place in Tashkent on 11–14 October 2024, featuring performances and exhibitions led by Qatar’s Ministry of Culture and strengthening links between cultural institutions of both countries. Cultural cooperation was further highlighted on 5 October 2025, when Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani attended the Bukhara Biennale in Uzbekistan, underlining growing partnerships in visual arts, museums and heritage preservation.

Connectivity and Mobility

Uzbekistan and Qatar are also working closely to facilitate mobility and connectivity between Central Asia and the Gulf. From 5 June 2023, Qatari citizens were granted 30-day visa-free entry to Uzbekistan, easing tourism and business travel. On 2 June 2024, Qatar Airways launched a direct Doha–Tashkent flight, initially four times per week, significantly expanding passenger and cargo links and supporting the growth of trade, investment and tourism in both directions.

Taken together, these political, economic and cultural milestones have transformed Uzbekistan-Qatar relations into a dynamic, forward-looking strategic partnership. Through regular high-level dialogue, robust institutional mechanisms and active people-to-people contact, the two countries are working to unlock new opportunities for their citizens and to contribute jointly to stability and prosperity in Central Asia, the Gulf region and beyond.