Germany and Uzbekistan: New Impetus for a Strategic Partnership

The state visit of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Uzbekistan on 17 and 18 June 2026 marks another step toward deepening German-Uzbek relations. It underscores the growing importance of the economic and innovation partnership between the two countries. With a population of over 38 million, Uzbekistan is the demographic giant of Central Asia and offers considerable, as yet only partially untapped potential in the areas of skilled labor recruitment, IT outsourcing, and the development of resilient supply chains for critical raw materials. In view of the strong engagement of international competitors, a geopolitical window of opportunity is opening that requires swift and decisive action by German policymakers and businesses.