Strong ties based on mutual respect, good neighborliness and the convergence of strategic interests have been formed since the first years of independence of the two states.

Diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan were established on November 23, 1992.

The key high-level visits that have taken place in recent years have become important and landmark events in the history of bilateral relations.

Thus, on March 22-23, 2017, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid a state visit to Kazakhstan, which marked the beginning of a completely new, qualitative stage in relations between the countries.

In response, on April 14-15, 2019, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Uzbekistan on a state visit.

In subsequent years, the heads of state met several times - on December 5-6, 2021, the President of Uzbekistan visited Astana, on December 21-22, 2022, the President of Kazakhstan visited Tashkent, and on August 7-9, 2024, the President of Uzbekistan paid a state visit to Kazakhstan.

In addition, three working meetings of the two leaders took place - on March 3, 2023 in Shymkent, on April 5, 2024 in Khiva and on March 29 this year in Almaty.

The year 2025 was very fruitful: The President of Kazakhstan visited Samarkand on April 3-4, 2025 to participate in the Central Asia-EU summit, the President of Uzbekistan visited Astana twice in May and June to participate in the Central Asia-Italy and Central Asia-China summits.

Of particular importance is the mechanism of Consultative Meetings of the heads of State of Central Asia, initiated by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in 2018. This platform has become a unique platform for coordinating regional policy, within the framework of which Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan demonstrate unity of approaches to ensuring stability and sustainable development of Central Asia.

The joint implementation of regional initiatives contributes to building trust, improving the efficiency of economic and transport ties, as well as deepening humanitarian contacts.

An important tool for strengthening political dialogue is the active interaction of foreign ministries. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan regularly hold political consultations on a wide range of issues on the bilateral and regional agenda, including cooperation within the framework of the United Nations, the CIS, the SCO, the OIC, the TG and other multilateral structures.

In 2023-2025, regular rounds of inter-ministerial consultations were held in Tashkent and Astana, during which the parties discussed prospects for deepening cooperation, regional security issues and the intensification of economic projects.

Since 1997, a joint intergovernmental commission on bilateral cooperation has been operating between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Since 2019, it has been co-chaired by the Prime Ministers of the two countries. The last, 22nd meeting of the IPC was held on October 22-23, 2025 in Khiva.

Since 2021, 17 events have been held with the participation of prime ministers, including mutual visits, as well as the participation of the Uzbek side in the EAEU meetings and the annual Digital Almaty forums.

At the same time, in 2018, a mechanism for interregional cooperation was launched - the Forum of the Regions of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The fourth forum was held on October 20-21, 2024 in Samarkand, and the fifth is scheduled for 2026 in Kazakhstan.

Interparliamentary cooperation is an important component of the political dialogue. During the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan in March 2017, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Senates of the two countries. On November 26, 2018, a similar document was signed between the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan and the Majilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan.

In 2020, a Commission for cooperation with the Parliament of Kazakhstan was established in Uzbekistan, and interaction groups under both chambers of parliament operate in Kazakhstan.

In 2022, during the visit of Speaker of the Oliy Majlis Nuriddin Ismoilov to Kazakhstan, the parties signed an agreement on the establishment of an Interparliamentary Cooperation Council. Since then, joint meetings, exchanges of delegations and participation in international parliamentary forums have been regularly held.

On April 7, 2025, Chairman of the Majilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Yerlan Koshanov visited Tashkent to participate in the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and was received by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

On August 18-19 of the same year, Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis Tanzila Narbayeva paid an official visit to Kazakhstan, where she was received by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, met with the heads of both houses of Parliament, and also participated in the First Forum of Scientific and Creative Intelligentsia.

Regular interparliamentary contacts allow not only to strengthen political trust, but also to ensure consistency of legislative initiatives aimed at developing the economy, social sphere and environment.

Kazakhstan is one of the three largest foreign trade partners of Uzbekistan. In 2024, Uzbekistan's share in Kazakhstan's regional trade turnover was 55.8%.

In 2022, an Intergovernmental Working Group on Monitoring and Import Substitution of joint projects was established, headed by the Deputy Prime Ministers of the two countries.

Cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere is carried out on the basis of an intergovernmental agreement dated January 10, 1994.

In recent years, dozens of events have been organized aimed at strengthening cultural ties, holding exhibitions, festivals, tours and forums.

In 2023, the Days of Culture of Kazakhstan were held in Samarkand and Bukhara, and in 2024, the Days of Culture of Uzbekistan in Astana and Almaty.

Special attention is paid to cooperation in the field of tourism. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan jointly promote tourist routes along the Great Silk Road, which contributes to the development of cultural exchange, attracting foreign tourists and creating new jobs. Religious and pilgrimage tourism destinations are actively developing, and joint travel packages are being organized for citizens of the two countries and foreign guests.

Cooperation in the field of education and science plays an important role in the development of humanitarian ties. Academic exchange between universities is expanding, and the number of students enrolled in dual degree programs is growing. Branches of Uzbek universities are successfully operating in Kazakhstan, and Kazakh educational institutions in Uzbekistan.

In short, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan demonstrate a model of strategic partnership and alliance based on mutual trust, openness and support. Bilateral relations cover all key areas, from politics and economics to culture and education, which gives them a comprehensive and sustainable character.

The initiatives put forward by the heads of State serve as a solid foundation for further strengthening ties and building long-term projects. The participation of the two countries in regional and international formats, be it Consultative Meetings of the leaders of Central Asia, cooperation within the SCO, CIS, OIC and other structures, strengthens their role in ensuring stability, security and sustainable development of the region.

Thus, today Uzbek-Kazakh relations are reaching a new level of interaction, confirming that the union of fraternal peoples of Central Asia has a powerful potential and serves as a pillar for the entire region.

In this context, the upcoming visit of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Uzbekistan will open a new page in the history of good-neighborliness, and the joint efforts of the two countries will contribute to the transformation of the Central Asian region into a space of stability, sustainable development and prosperity.

News agency "Dunyo".