The conversation reviewed the outcomes of the recent roundtable "The Digital Transformation of Uzbekistan and Russia: Points of Alignment Between National Priorities," along with further areas of engagement.

Javlon Vakhabov noted that the event had allowed participants to map out promising avenues for cooperation between the two countries in digitalization and the adoption of artificial intelligence. This topic, he stressed, is very much in demand today and calls for the active involvement of expert communities.

He placed particular emphasis on the point that engagement between think tanks will make for closer integration of the two countries' national priorities and give fresh impetus to the development of bilateral relations.

For his part, Sergey Orlov underscored the Gorchakov Fund's interest in continuing its cooperation with IICA and in holding joint events on current issues of the bilateral and regional agenda. In this context, the two discussed joint initiatives planned for 2027.

Following the meeting, both sides affirmed their interest in further strengthening engagement and maintaining a regular expert dialogue between IICA and Russian research and analytical centres.

The Gorchakov Fund was established in 2010 on an initiative of Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to advance public diplomacy, international dialogue, and expert cooperation. On December 14, 2021, IICA and the Gorchakov Fund concluded a Cooperation Agreement.