At the invitation of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Uzbekistan on a working visit. The meeting of the leaders took place in the ancient city of Bukhara, the former capital of the Shaybanids. Earlier, a meeting between the presidents of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan was also held in Bukhara. The choice of the historical city and the joint visit to architectural monuments and shrines set a special tone for the negotiations, giving them an informal format and emphasizing the importance of a shared cultural heritage. In such conditions, as a rule, issues are discussed that require a more prompt approach and await a quick solution. Moreover, such a format allows for more open discussion, sometimes raising sensitive and uncomfortable topics that sound more restrained on the official agenda. It is in informal dialogue that the opportunity arises to coordinate positions and determine priorities more quickly.
The negotiations held between the heads of state were dedicated to the issues of further developing cooperation between the two states, strengthening interstate ties, and expanding practical interaction across a wide range of areas. For Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, bilateral relations are of particular importance, both from the perspective of regional partnership and in the context of the sustainable development of Central Asia.
In addition to official negotiations, the presidents visited a number of sights of ancient Bukhara, got acquainted with the activities of industrial enterprises, and took part in other events. During the informal meeting in Bukhara, Shavkat Mirziyoyev handed over to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev a number of valuable archival materials from the 1920s–1950s related to the mausoleums of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and Rabia Sultan Begim in Turkestan. The transfer of documents related to the mausoleums of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and Rabia Sultan Begim reflects the attention paid to the historical, cultural, and, in particular, religious heritage of the region. Also symbolic is the visit of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the mausoleum of Bahauddin Naqshbandi in Bukhara: it emphasizes the spiritual connection between such centers as Turkestan and Bukhara.
To systematically solve the environmental problem, Tokayev proposed launching a joint "Clean Air" initiative, initially put forward by Uzbekistan, which will unite the efforts of the authorities, business, and society. The program provides for monitoring emissions, stimulating the transition to environmentally friendly types of fuel, and modernizing urban infrastructure. Air pollution in both Tashkent and Almaty, which is among the most polluted large cities in the world, makes cooperation in this area particularly relevant.
The meeting held in Bukhara is an important step in the development of Uzbek-Kazakhstan cooperation, aimed at further strengthening friendship, partnership, and practical interaction in key areas.