The Consulate General of Uzbekistan has officially opened in Seattle

The Consulate General of Uzbekistan has officially opened in Seattle

A solemn opening ceremony of the Consulate General of Uzbekistan, which began its work back in the spring of this year, was held in Seattle. This event marked the official launch of the diplomatic mission on the West Coast of the United States.

The creation of new diplomatic missions in key American metropolises — Seattle, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Orlando — is provided for by a presidential decree on the formation of the American-Uzbek Business and Investment Council. The main focus of the consulates' work is defined as integration with Uzbek diasporas across the country, as well as assisting in the promotion of trade and economic projects. In addition, the diplomatic mission in Seattle will provide direct support to the Minister-Counselor of the Embassy in Washington, Komil Allamjonov, who represents the Presidential Administration in the United States.

Prior to the expansion of its diplomatic presence, Uzbekistan had only an embassy in Washington and a consulate general in New York in the US. Now, citizens of the republic and entrepreneurs of the Pacific Coast receive full-fledged representation.

Earlier, Seattle Mayor Kathy B. Wilson declared September 1st of this year as the official "Uzbekistan Independence Day" in the city in honor of the 35th anniversary of the republic's sovereignty. The document specifically highlights the half-century history of sister-city relations between Tashkent and Seattle, as well as the growing role of the Uzbek community in the life of the American metropolis.