At the beginning of June 2025, a meeting of member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (OIC) was held in Tehran. A significant document containing Uzbekistan's proposals for the development of the transport sector, the Tehran Declaration, was adopted, UPL.uz reported.
One of the main provisions of this declaration is the granting of OIC aviation hub status to Samarkand airport. This was announced by the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan. Additionally, the declaration included an initiative proposed by Tashkent to create a digital office for managing transport and customs processes.
The OIC was established in 1985, with the primary goal of strengthening interstate cooperation in the fields of economy and logistics. Uzbekistan has been a member of the organization since 1992 and has actively participated in projects aimed at regional development.
The idea of developing Samarkand airport as an OIC aviation hub has been discussed before, and now this status has been formalized. This will enhance the airport's role and serve to increase passenger and cargo flow.
Moreover, the establishment of a digital management office in transport and customs systems aims to simplify, expedite, and enhance the transparency of goods crossing the border.
The Tehran Declaration encompasses various aspects of the transport sector and aims to strengthen cooperation among OIC member states, improve logistics efficiency, and contribute to the economic growth of the region.
Built in the 1980s, Samarkand airport underwent complete reconstruction in 2022 and now has the capacity to accommodate 800 passengers per hour. This has made it one of the most modern airports in Central Asia.
