The city of Seattle, USA, has declared September 1 as "Uzbekistan Independence Day"

Seattle Mayor Kathy B. Wilson has officially declared September 1, 2026, “Uzbekistan Independence Day.” This was announced to Daryo by the Consul General of Uzbekistan in Washington, Ahror Burhonov.

This decision was made in connection with the 35th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The official proclamation signed by the Seattle Mayor specifically notes that Uzbekistan has passed the path of sovereignty, development, and large-scale transformation over the past 35 years.

The document also notes the establishment of the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Seattle, which makes Seattle one of the few cities in the United States with a direct diplomatic mission of Uzbekistan.

The proclamation noted that Uzbekistan is the most populous country in Central Asia and one of the region’s fastest-growing economies, and that the country is committed to expanding open markets and international partnerships. It also noted Uzbekistan’s location at the heart of the ancient Silk Road and its strategic role as a gateway to a region that now has over 100 million consumers. It highlighted the great potential for cooperation with Seattle’s world-renowned business community in trade, investment, logistics, technology, and energy.

The Mayor of Seattle noted that the activities of the Consulate General of Uzbekistan will serve to strengthen long-term people-to-people, business, and intergovernmental ties between the two sides.

“We are honored by the high level of attention that the city of Seattle is paying to the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence. This decision is not only a tribute to our holiday, but also a clear expression of the new and promising relations that are being formed between Uzbekistan and the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. With the opening of the Consulate General in Seattle, we aim to transform this friendship into concrete economic, technological, educational and cultural projects,” said Ahror Burhonov.

According to Burhonov, the official opening ceremony of the first Consulate General of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the West Coast of the United States will be held in Seattle on September 4. The event is dedicated to the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence, and is expected to be attended by the leadership of Washington State and the city of Seattle, the diplomatic corps, leading US companies, academic circles and representatives of the public.

Seattle is one of the largest economic, technological, and commercial centers in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. The Greater Seattle area has a population of over 4.1 million, and its economy is projected to generate a gross regional product of approximately $607 billion in 2025. It is the largest economy in Washington state. Seattle and its surrounding cities are home to some of the world's largest companies, including Amazon and Starbucks, which are headquartered in Seattle, as well as Microsoft, Costco Wholesale, T-Mobile, and PACCAR. The region also has significant operations for global companies such as Boeing, Google, Meta, Expedia Group, and Alaska Airlines. The combined revenue of the leading publicly traded companies in Greater Seattle exceeds $1.5 trillion.