On 10 March, French Healthcare Association, in partnership with French Ministry of Health and the Uzbek Ministry of Health, organised a bilateral forum devoted entirely to cooperation in healthcare between France and Uzbekistan.
The forum was held in conjunction with the official visit to Paris of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and was supported by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
The context for strengthening Franco-Uzbek health links
The number of French companies operating in Uzbekistan in all sectors has tripled over the past decade. The year 2024 also marked a record for exports of goods from France to Uzbekistan, reaching €623 billion, all sectors combined.
Uzbekistan is actively engaged in an ambitious process to bring its healthcare system into line with the European model, in order to offer its population optimum access to care. The country aims to strengthen its partnerships with France, recognised for its expertise in a number of strategic areas. The aim is twofold: to improve public health while incorporating cross-cutting issues relating to public policy, energy, the environment, digital technology and transport.
As part of this drive, Uzbekistan is carrying out an in-depth reform of its healthcare system, supported by major investment. The aim of this transformation is both to ensure better protection for citizens and to position the country as a regional centre of excellence in healthcare. Cooperation between the public and private sectors plays a key role in improving healthcare provision, with the private sector now accounting for nearly a third of the country’s health services.
Increased use of international partnerships is an essential lever for supporting these developments. Benefiting from a stable economic and political environment and a strategic geographical position, Uzbekistan aims to become a major regional healthcare hub in Central Asia.
First health forum to cement links between France and Uzbekistan
Held on 10 March at the headquarters of Business France, the first France-Uzbekistan Health Forum, organised on the initiative of the French Healthcare Association, focused on the three key areas identified by the Uzbek Ministry of Health, namely oncology and the creation of centres of excellence, emergency medical care and the training of healthcare staff.
A large number of French and Uzbek professionals and experts came together to discuss new prospects for collaboration in these areas.
Both health ministers of the partner countries, Mr Asilbek Anvarovich Khudayarov and Dr. Yannick Neuder, as well as Ludovic Pouille, Director of Economic Diplomacy at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Georges-Fabrice Blum, Health Export Coordinator, and Jérôme Weinback, Deputy Delegate for European & International Affairs, honoured the association with their contribution to this unique event.
Expert speakers gave their insights at three round tables dedicated to oncology, emergency care and continuing training for healthcare professionals, coordinated and moderated by Emile Jockey, General Delegate of French Healthcare Association.
This forum therefore marks a significant step in the strengthening of Franco-Uzbek links, marked in particular by the signing of an MoU in health between the Uzbek Ministry of Health and the member company Ellipse Projects.
At the same time, an economic meeting chaired by the Minister of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Jean-Pierre Boffy, Chairman of the French Healthcare Association, was held in small groups, giving member companies the opportunity to discuss their projects in Uzbekistan with the Minister and to lay the groundwork for their implementation.
Hôpital Foch then welcomed the official delegation for a tour of its facilities and a presentation of its international expertise, with a view to extending the collaboration in the areas of improving oncology care and training medical and paramedical staff.
The day ended with a dinner in honour of the delegation and the Minister, attended by members of the ecosystem.
