1. As of July 23, 2025, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to Geneva Choi Sung-yo has assumed the role of Chair of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Working Party on the Accession of Uzbekistan.

2. Mr. Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel, Chair of the WTO General Council and Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the WTO in Geneva, announced during the General Council Meeting held on July 22–23, 2025, that consensus had been reached on the appointment of Ambassador Choi Sung-yo as Chair of the WTO Working Party on the Accession of Uzbekistan.

3. With her appointment, the Republic of Korea continues to hold the chairmanship of the WTO Working Party on the Accession of Uzbekistan, a position it has maintained since 2004. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to Geneva YUN Seong Deok previously served as Chair from March 2023 to July 2025, presiding over the 6th to 10th meetings of the WTO Working Party on the Accession　of Uzbekistan during his tenure.

4. As Chair, Ambassador Choi will lead and coordinate both bilateral and multilateral negotiations between Uzbekistan and WTO Members, with the support of the WTO Secretariat, and will preside over the meetings of the Working Party.

※ As of July 2025, a total of 22 countries, including Uzbekistan, are currently in the process of acceding to the WTO.

5. Uzbekistan, since the establishment of its Working Party in December 1994, has actively pursued economic reform by enacting and revising its domestic trade-related legislation to align with WTO rules. The country is accelerating efforts to complete its accession, including engaging in bilateral negotiations with key WTO Members on market access for its goods and services.

6. Korea has provided diverse support, including advisory, research, and training services, for Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO since 2018 through the establishment of a Joint Advisory Committee (Chaired by former Ambassador and Permanent Representative to Geneva Choi Seok-young). Notably, during the bilateral summit in June 2024, Korea and Uzbekistan concluded bilateral negotiations by signing a protocol between the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea and the Office of the President of Uzbekistan, laying the foundation for a more predictable trade and investment environment for Korean businesses.

7. Korea’s continued appointment to the Chairmanship of the Uzbekistan Working Party reflects the international community’s recognition of the Korean government’s contributions to the advancement of the multilateral trading system. Moreover, this Chairmanship is expected to contribute to the continued enhancement of close bilateral ties between Korea and Uzbekistan.