Lee Hsien Loong: Singapore will support Uzbekistan's accession to the WTO

Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, during an official visit to Uzbekistan from August 27 to 31, 2026, addressed the Oliy Majlis, the parliament of the Republic of Uzbekistan, on August 31. This was stated in the text of his speech, published following the visit.

Lee Hsien Loong congratulated Uzbekistan on the 35th anniversary of its independence, which is celebrated on September 1. He noted that, despite being separated by 6,000 kilometers, Singapore and Uzbekistan share similar historical paths: both states peacefully gained independence, seceding from larger unions—the Federation of Malaysia and the former Soviet Union, respectively.

He noted that both countries are not the largest in their regions and are forced to build relationships with larger neighbors. They also face similar consequences of climate change. He recalled that in 2023, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was forced to cut short a state visit to Singapore due to one of the coldest winters in Uzbekistan's history, while this summer has been one of the hottest on record in the country.

The senior minister drew parallels between the history of the Silk Road, which contributed to the development of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Tashkent, and the maritime trade route on which Singapore's prosperity has been built for centuries.

He recounted that last week, while visiting the Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent and the historical monuments of Samarkand, he was impressed by the resilience and resourcefulness of the people of Uzbekistan over the centuries.

Speaking about his talks with President Mirziyoyev during his state visit to Singapore in 2023, Lee Hsien Loong said the two sides discussed creating conditions and infrastructure to attract foreign investment, improving the quality of public administration, and investing in education to prepare young people for work in a globalized world.

According to him, then-President Halimah Yacoub later paid a reciprocal state visit to Uzbekistan, and the speakers of the two countries' parliaments, Nuriddin Ismoilov and Seah Kian Peng, exchanged official visits.

The Senior Minister reaffirmed Singapore's support for Uzbekistan's upcoming accession to the World Trade Organization, calling this step an example of the country's commitment to the principles of openness and multilateral trade in the face of a weakened WTO system.

He also stated that Singapore recently co-sponsored a UN General Assembly resolution on environmental challenges in Central Asia, introduced by Uzbekistan on behalf of the region's states. Singapore will also fully support Uzbekistan's chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, which the country will assume next year.

Lee Hsien Loong expressed hope for Uzbekistan's early accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), noting that Singapore will chair the organization next year and intends to use this role to expand ASEAN's ties with partners beyond traditional networks.

Regarding bilateral relations, the Senior Minister reported that trade between the countries is growing rapidly, albeit from a low base, and Singapore's direct investment in Uzbekistan is also increasing.

He reported that during the visit, a memorandum of understanding was signed between two Singaporean companies and the Uzbek government regarding the construction of a large agro-industrial complex in Tashkent. He also stated that Singapore and Uzbekistan have agreed to begin negotiations on a free trade zone agreement, which should facilitate mutual access for companies to the two countries' markets.

Lee Hsien Loong noted that cooperation could extend beyond traditional sectors to areas such as water resources management, where Singapore has accumulated experience, and fintech. He reported that several hundred Uzbek officials have received training in public administration, civil aviation, and urban development in Singapore, and the two sides are considering launching a separate program on leadership and public administration for senior Uzbek civil servants. He also emphasized the importance of youth exchanges between the two countries.

In conclusion, the Senior Minister recalled that next year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Uzbekistan.