The key facts
- Ashraf Khodjaev has been appointed Uzbekistan's first permanent representative to the African Union (per Dunyo news agency).
- On October 14, he presented his credentials to AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
- Khodjaev is concurrently ambassador to Qatar, South Africa and Ethiopia.
First Representative to the AU
Uzbekistan has appointed its first permanent representative to the African Union, which unites 55 countries of the continent. The post went to Ashraf Khodjaev, who is Uzbekistan's ambassador to Qatar and, concurrently, to the Republic of South Africa and Ethiopia. This was reported by the Dunyo news agency, which Gazeta.uz publications in Uzbek, Russian and English cite.
Presentation of Credentials
On October 14, Khodjaev presented his credentials to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. After a brief ceremony, a conversation took place in which the sides confirmed their mutual commitment to developing friendly relations and cooperation, and discussed plans for joint events in the fields of culture, economy and humanitarian interaction.
The Diplomat's Career
Khodjaev became Uzbekistan's first ambassador residing in Qatar in February 2024. Publications differ on the details of his subsequent appointments: the Russian-language version of Gazeta.uz reports that in autumn 2025 he was appointed ambassador to South Africa, and in June of this year — the country's first ambassador to Ethiopia; the English-language version indicates October 2025 for South Africa and June 2026 for Ethiopia.
About the African Union
The African Union is the largest intercontinental political, economic and social organization of the African continent, uniting 55 states. Its headquarters are located in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). The organization was established on July 9, 2002, in Durban (South Africa), replacing the Organization of African Unity, which had existed since 1963.
