Mongolian students will soon resume their studies at universities in Uzbekistan as part of a renewed push to deepen cultural and educational cooperation between the two countries. The decision was announced following high-level talks between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan and President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh of Mongolia during a state visit to Ulaanbaatar.
Held at the State Palace of Mongolia, the talks — which included both one-on-one discussions and meetings with official delegations — marked the first state visit by an Uzbek president to Mongolia and ushered in a new chapter in bilateral relations.
President Mirziyoyev thanked his Mongolian counterpart for the warm welcome and congratulated the country on the upcoming Day of the People’s Revolution. He described the visit as a turning point in expanding the multifaceted partnership between the two nations.
Education featured prominently in the talks, with both sides agreeing to restore the enrollment of Mongolian youth in Uzbekistan’s higher education institutions under a renewed system of quotas. The move aims to bolster people-to-people ties and support workforce development, particularly in science, engineering, and agriculture.
The leaders also pledged to adopt a “roadmap” for the timely and effective implementation of all agreements reached during the visit.
In addition to education, the two sides explored deeper economic, industrial, and cultural cooperation. President Mirziyoyev noted that trade turnover is growing, joint ventures are increasing, and new projects are underway in sectors including healthcare, e-commerce, agriculture, and construction materials.
The leaders also highlighted opportunities to double mutual trade volumes and emphasized the importance of signing preferential trade and investment protection agreements. Industrial cooperation in the mining sector was designated as a key priority, with a new representative office of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Geology already established in Ulaanbaatar.
The countries expressed mutual interest in launching direct flights between their capitals by the end of 2025 and conducting research into new transport corridors to improve regional connectivity for landlocked countries.
On the cultural front, Uzbekistan is currently holding Days of Uzbek Culture in Ulaanbaatar, featuring a series of art and tourism events. Both leaders underscored the importance of continuing such cultural exchanges to strengthen mutual understanding.
At the conclusion of the visit, President Mirziyoyev invited President Khurelsukh to pay a return visit to Uzbekistan, signaling ongoing momentum in strengthening Uzbek-Mongolian relations.
