ICT Week Uzbekistan 2025: Towards a unified digital future in Europe and Central Asia

As part of ICT Week Uzbekistan 2025, on September 23 in Tashkent, the Latvian IT Cluster, together with the C4CA project stakeholders, organized a high-level panel discussion, which became an important reference point in strengthening digital cooperation between the European Union and Central Asia. The forum brought together representatives of Central Asian governments, international organizations and industry to jointly discuss the region's digital transformation, connectivity and innovation.

"After ICT WEEK in Tashkent and a repeated meeting with the Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan Sherzod Shermtov, it was concluded that Uzbekistan is interested in a mutually beneficial or win-win format of cooperation. They are particularly interested in co-working, the creation of joint ventures and mutual support in developing new markets. Uzbek companies want to enter the European market together with Latvian companies and are ready to help Latvian companies enter the markets of Central Asia and the Gulf countries, therefore it is necessary to look for mutually beneficial forms of cooperation. Uzbekistan offers its infrastructure, programmers and tax breaks so that Latvian companies can create a cheaper product locally. The country is a demographically and economically growing market with broad opportunities, and there is also interest in cooperation between Latvian and Uzbek startup organizations." - Ģirts Jaunzems, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to the Republic of Uzbekistan

A member of the Latvian IT cluster, the company FanApps , also went on the trip. During the expert visit, they received a very positive attitude from the leadership of the Ministry of Sports and the Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan, which confirms their readiness to cooperate in the implementation of digital sports innovations. During the meeting, specific cooperation opportunities in fan engagement and data solutions were discussed, and the company also took the opportunity to participate in the ICT exhibition, where it presented its solution - the UseAward platform.

Cross-border digital transformation

Central Asian leaders emphasized that the region has transformed from a passive consumer of digital solutions to an equal partner that creates innovations and shapes common, international policies. Common regulations, including decrees of the Central Asian presidents, serve as a solid foundation, and each country is developing its own “smart specializations” to complement each other and strengthen regional cooperation.

Development of the space industry

“Space is exciting now — it wasn’t like that decades ago. We need to use this momentum… the applications are already there, but international cooperation is a long-term commitment, more difficult but important,” stressed Muhiddin Ibragimov, a representative of the Uzbekistan Space Research and Technology Agency.

The panelists acknowledged that space technologies are already delivering practical benefits, from disaster management to resource monitoring, while emphasizing that only close regional cooperation can unlock long-term opportunities.

A digital future for Central Asia

“We all want to collaborate, it’s just a matter of defining the projects to start working on together.” — Arman Bekembayev, CEO of SpaceLab, Kazakhstan

Entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems in Central Asia are ripe for development, but success will depend on the ability to translate political will into concrete projects.

“The Internet has no borders, and Central Asia should be seen as a single digital market.” — Zuhra Halimova, Senior Advisor, CAPS Unlock (Kazakhstan)

Special attention was paid to the importance of data strategies. Marat Torobekov (National Legal Corporation, Kyrgyzstan) presented Kyrgyzstan's satellite-based connectivity plan, which demonstrates the region's ambitions for the future.

Joint steps for the future

The discussions once again confirmed that international cooperation is the basis for a more united, innovative and digitally resilient future. The Latvian IT cluster, within the framework of the C4CA project, plans to launch e-training in the use of safe internet in regions, companies and support organizations. As well as define regional problems and potentially work on the implementation of solution projects (expertise of Latvian IT cluster members). One of the nearest events planned to achieve this goal is the organization of hackathons of local working groups.

“Participation in ICT Week in Uzbekistan confirmed the importance of cooperation and networking with Central Asian digital policy makers and innovation leaders. This trip allowed us to start building a regional digital innovation network, identify specific needs and challenges - from the cultural and business environment to infrastructure accessibility, as well as agree on future activities where the EU and Latvian IT cluster can contribute with their experience. The contacts and insights gained will be the basis for long-term cooperation and the development of joint solutions.” - Alise Proveja, Head of the Latvian IT Cluster Project C4CA, comments on the visit and the related future prospects

For the successful implementation of the event, many thanks to the Latvian Embassy in Uzbekistan, the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA), the Central Project Management Agency in Lithuania, and all partners for their contribution to its organization.

The project is implemented in cooperation with the Central Finance and Contracts Agency and Expertise France, with funding from the European Commission.