The fifth Tashkent International Investment Forum concluded in June 2026 with reports of tens of billions of euros in agreements, reinforcing Uzbekistan's ambition to position its capital as the leading investment gateway in Central Asia. The anniversary edition drew delegates from more than one hundred countries under a theme centred on investment resilience.
A gathering built around resilience
Held from 16 to 19 June, the forum convened global investors, government officials, international financial institutions and major corporations. Organisers framed the agenda around the idea of protecting capital amid global uncertainty, with sessions exploring institutional mechanisms to strengthen investment resilience in frontier markets and to identify new partnership routes.
By the numbers
- More than 10,000 participants attended, including delegates from over 100 countries.
- The event marked the fifth edition of the forum since its launch.
- Reported outcomes reached into the tens of billions of euros in deals.
- Discussions spanned market access, transport links, green power, digital exports and enabling policy.
High-profile visits
The forum coincided with a series of senior visits that underscored Uzbekistan's growing diplomatic reach. Heads of state and government from Europe and across Central Asia attended, alongside representatives of regional organisations. The presence of European leaders and neighbouring officials highlighted Tashkent's effort to broaden its network of economic partners beyond its immediate region.
Why Central Asia is drawing attention
Uzbekistan sits at the heart of a region increasingly viewed as a crossroads for trade and connectivity between Europe and Asia. As global supply chains diversify, landlocked Central Asian states have sought to attract investment in infrastructure, energy and technology.
- Transport corridors linking the region to global markets are a strategic priority.
- Green energy and digital services feature prominently in reform agendas.
- Regional cooperation among Central Asian states has deepened in recent years.
- International organisations have taken part in the forum's proceedings.
Competition among neighbours
Uzbekistan is not alone in seeking to attract global capital. Neighbouring Central Asian states have launched their own initiatives to draw investment in energy, mining, logistics and technology, creating a degree of regional competition alongside cooperation. By hosting a recurring flagship event, Tashkent aims to differentiate itself as a convening hub, positioning the forum as a fixture on the international investment calendar.
- Regional peers are courting investors with parallel initiatives.
- Connectivity projects can benefit multiple states simultaneously.
- Reform credentials are a key differentiator for capital.
- Cooperation and competition coexist across the region.
From commitments to projects
The central challenge, as forum participants acknowledged, is turning headline commitments into operating projects. Announced deal values often exceed the capital ultimately deployed, and translating pledges into functioning ventures depends on regulatory follow-through, financing conditions and the broader investment climate. For Uzbekistan, the forum represents both a showcase and a test of its reform credentials.
A wider signal
Beyond the immediate agreements, the event served as a statement of Uzbekistan's arrival on the global investment map. By hosting a recurring platform of this scale, Tashkent aims to compete for capital and attention in a region where several neighbours are pursuing similar strategies. The coming year will show how much of the forum's momentum materialises on the ground.