Egypt, one of the world’s oldest centers of civilization, continues to hold a distinguished position in the Islamic world, the Arab region, and across Africa. In recent years, relations between Egypt and Uzbekistan have witnessed remarkable momentum, entering a new phase marked by deeper strategic alignment and expanding cooperation across political, economic, cultural, and educational fields.
The foundations of Egyptian–Uzbek relations are deeply rooted in shared intellectual and spiritual heritage. Historic figures such as Ahmad al-Farghani, who lived and worked in Egypt, symbolize the centuries-old scholarly bridge between the Nile and Transoxiana. The Nilometer he built in Cairo remains an enduring testament to this legacy and a symbol of the longstanding friendship between the two peoples.
Modern diplomatic relations have developed steadily since Egypt became one of the first Arab states to recognize Uzbekistan’s independence in December 1991. Diplomatic ties were formally established in January 1992, followed by the opening of Egypt’s embassy in Tashkent in 1993 and Uzbekistan’s embassy in Cairo in 1994.
In recent years, strong political will from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has elevated bilateral ties to a higher level. A milestone was President El-Sisi’s official visit to Uzbekistan in 2018, followed by continued high-level engagements, including meetings in Beijing in 2022 and President Mirziyoyev’s landmark visit to Egypt in February 2023. During that visit, both sides agreed to upgrade relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, opening a new chapter in cooperation.
Economic relations have expanded rapidly. Bilateral trade has grown significantly in recent years, reaching nearly $55 million in 2024—almost nine times higher than in 2018. Uzbekistan’s exports to Egypt include textiles, silk, metals, construction materials, and food products, while Egypt exports pharmaceuticals, chemicals, plastics, electrical equipment, and agricultural goods. Currently, 29 joint ventures with Egyptian capital operate in Uzbekistan, with additional projects under discussion in pharmaceuticals, fisheries, and manufacturing.
Tourism and people-to-people exchanges are also gaining momentum. Uzbek tourism to Egypt has increased by around 40 percent, reflecting Egypt’s strong appeal as a global destination. Meanwhile, many Egyptian visitors travel to Uzbekistan for religious tourism, drawn to historic Islamic centers such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and Tashkent.
Academic and cultural cooperation has become a cornerstone of the partnership. More than 120 Uzbek students were enrolled in Egyptian universities—particularly Al-Azhar and Cairo University—in 2024, while around 50 Egyptian students and researchers studied in Uzbekistan. Institutional partnerships now link Uzbek universities with leading Egyptian institutions including Cairo, Ain Shams, Alexandria, Helwan, and Port Said universities.
Religious and educational collaboration has intensified further. An Al-Azhar delegation’s 2024 visit to Tashkent resulted in proposals to establish a center for Arabic language and Islamic studies. The university also donated more than 500 academic books to Uzbek institutions, reinforcing intellectual ties and supporting educational development.
Connectivity between the two countries has improved with direct Cairo–Tashkent flights, facilitating exchanges among students, researchers, tourists, and business communities.
Politically, Egypt and Uzbekistan continue close coordination through joint committees, political consultations, and multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Recent high-level meetings produced memoranda of understanding covering trade, investment, transport, energy, and culture.
Overall, Egypt and Uzbekistan are building a modern partnership grounded in mutual respect, historical affinity, and converging long-term interests. The growing cooperation across economic, social, cultural, and religious domains is laying a solid foundation for a durable, comprehensive strategic partnership.
As two historic centers of civilization, Egypt and Uzbekistan are well-positioned to transform their deep-rooted ties into a forward-looking partnership that advances regional stability, intercultural dialogue, and shared prosperity.
By: Dr. Muzaffar Kamilov
President of the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan
Member of the Executive Council of ICESCO
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