SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) - Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called for a fundamental restructuring of the country's diplomatic missions on January 15, urging ambassadors to pivot from traditional political representation to aggressive economic advocacy and the protection of citizens abroad.
Speaking at an expanded meeting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mirziyoyev said the shifting geopolitical landscape and increasing threats to state sovereignty require a "new generation" of diplomats capable of delivering concrete outcomes rather than just managing relations.
"In the current environment, an ambassador is not just a person who conducts political dialogue," Mirziyoyev said. "An ambassador is a state representative who attracts investment and technologies, opens new export markets, launches transport and logistics corridors... and, most importantly, protects the rights of our citizens."
The president emphasized that future performance evaluations for heads of diplomatic missions will rely on specific key performance indicators. These include the volume of export revenues generated from their host countries, the growth of tourist flows to Uzbekistan, and the effective organization of legal labor migration.
Reviewing the previous year, Mirziyoyev noted that 2025 was productive for Uzbekistan's foreign policy. Foreign trade turnover exceeded $80 billion for the first time, with exports reaching $33.5 billion and foreign investment topping $43 billion. The country also established strategic partnerships with 11 additional nations, bringing the total to 19.
Despite these figures, the president criticized the underutilization of existing potential. He pointed to the failure to secure available international funding, estimating that better coordination between ministries and embassies could have attracted an additional $200 million to $300 million in grants last year.
Mirziyoyev also highlighted the negative impact of rising logistics costs on the competitiveness of domestic products. He instructed diplomats to work on diversifying transit routes and optimizing supply chains, particularly to reduce transportation costs for goods entering European markets.
The meeting also addressed the welfare of Uzbek citizens working abroad. Mirziyoyev directed embassy staff to abandon "office diplomacy" and establish direct dialogue with compatriots, ensuring qualified legal assistance is available for labor migrants.
To formalize these shifts, the president announced the need to update the Concept of Foreign Policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The revised document will reflect long-term goals in economic diplomacy, security, transport logistics, and climate issues.
"The time has come for a new generation of diplomats – those who achieve concrete results and firmly defend the interests of Uzbekistan in the international arena," Mirziyoyev said.
To recognize effective service under these new standards, the president proposed the establishment of a new state award, the title of "Honored Diplomat of the Republic of Uzbekistan."
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