European Union-Central Asia Innovation Forum 2026

The "European Union-Central Asia Innovation Forum" was held as part of the "InnoWeek-2026" international week of innovative ideas. The forum was dedicated to developing research and innovation cooperation between the European Union and the countries of Central Asia, learning best practices, and identifying new opportunities for joint projects.

Today, innovative development is closely related not only to the creation of new technologies, but also to the orientation of scientific developments to the needs of the economy and society. In this, international cooperation, exchange of knowledge and experience, and interaction of scientific communities play an important role. The forum is important in terms of accelerating these processes and expanding the participation of Uzbek researchers in the international scientific space.

The event was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the European Union. It was attended by Javlonbek Abdujalilov, Deputy Director of the Agency for Innovation Development, and discussed issues of developing the innovation ecosystem in the region, exchanging technologies, implementing scientific research results, and participating in international scientific programs.

One of the main focuses of the forum was to provide a broad overview of the opportunities for international scientific cooperation through the European Union's Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 programs. Successful projects and cooperation experiences implemented within the framework of these programs were discussed, and attention was paid to the opportunities for scientists and innovators to participate in international initiatives, find new partners, and launch joint research.

The opening session of the forum featured a presentation on the topic "New Opportunities: Uzbekistan-European Union: Cooperation." The innovative environment in Central Asia, technology transfer, and prospects for regional cooperation within the framework of European Union initiatives were also discussed.

The event was attended by representatives of international organizations, National Erasmus+ Office in Uzbekistan, universities and scientific institutions, international experts, young scientists and researchers. The session "Innovative Projects: Central Asian Experience" showcased promising developments and practical experience of the countries of the region. It was an important platform for introducing innovative solutions being created in the region, popularizing effective experiences and developing new partnerships.

The importance of the forum is not limited to international dialogue, it is aimed at unifying scientific potential, expanding the participation of Uzbek researchers in international projects, and developing partnerships that serve to implement scientific results in practice. Consistent cooperation with the European Union creates important opportunities for the development of our country's innovation ecosystem, the adoption of new technologies, and increasing the practical value of scientific developments.

Read more: https://innoweek.uz/uz/news/237