TASHKENT, Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (WNP): President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will pay an official visit to the United States from February 17–19 to participate in the inaugural meeting of the newly established Peace Council, a multilateral platform aimed at promoting dialogue and peaceful resolution of global and regional conflicts.
The Peace Council was formally founded in January 2026 during the World Economic Forum in Davos, where heads of state and government signed the founding charter. The body is designed to strengthen international mechanisms for conflict prevention and to advance political and diplomatic solutions to some of the world’s most pressing crises, particularly in the Middle East.
Uzbekistan joined the initiative as a founding member, underscoring Tashkent’s long-standing commitment to peaceful diplomacy, multilateral engagement and adherence to international law.
The country has consistently advocated dialogue-based approaches and rejected the use of force in resolving disputes.
Tashkent’s position on the Palestinian issue — calling for a just and sustainable settlement in line with United Nations resolutions — has gained renewed visibility within the framework of the Peace Council, reflecting Uzbekistan’s broader diplomatic posture on regional stability.
Mirziyoyev’s participation in the Peace Council’s first meeting comes amid a noticeable intensification of political dialogue between Tashkent and Washington. Over the past six months, bilateral contacts at senior levels have increased, signaling what officials describe as a new phase in relations.
In September last year, the Uzbek president traveled to New York to attend a session of the United Nations General Assembly, holding meetings with global leaders and heads of international organizations. In early November 2025, he undertook a working visit to the United States, which included talks with the U.S. president, members of Congress and representatives of the American business community.
Discussions during that visit focused on strategic partnership, economic cooperation, investment opportunities and regional security, including collaboration under the “C5+1” format, a platform for engagement between the United States and Central Asian states.
Contacts between the two countries have continued through diplomatic channels, including interagency cooperation and leadership-level communications. Economic dialogue has expanded, with new platforms for business collaboration reflecting shared interest in deepening trade and investment ties.
In Washington, Uzbekistan is increasingly viewed as a stable and pragmatic partner pursuing balanced foreign relations while advancing domestic economic reforms.
Uzbekistan’s role in launching the Peace Council is widely seen as evidence of its growing international profile and constructive engagement in global affairs. For the United States, Tashkent’s participation reinforces its importance as a partner in promoting peace, security and sustainable development across Eurasia.
Cooperation between the two countries now spans multiple sectors, including regional security, support for economic reforms, trade expansion, energy projects, digital transformation, infrastructure development and educational exchanges. These initiatives are laying the groundwork for a long-term strategic partnership.
Analysts view Mirziyoyev’s visit as both a diplomatic milestone and a continuation of Uzbekistan’s efforts to position itself as an active contributor to shaping a new architecture of international dialogue.
The visit is expected to further consolidate bilateral ties while highlighting Uzbekistan’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy and global stability at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
