In a significant boost to energy and water security in Central Asia, the European Union together with partners announced new investments in hydropower infrastructure in Central Asia, according to the Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic. Particularly, the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant megaproject in Kyrgyzstan marked noticeable progress, with a total of €900 million
In the Forish district of Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh region, a press tour was organized to the construction site of the Small Modular Nuclear Power Plant (SMNPP), where media representatives were introduced to the implementation process of this strategic energy project. Journalists inspected several key facilities, including:— the excavation site for the first reactor unit, where vertical leveling
The Uzbek Minister of Digital Technologies, Sherzod Shermatov, held a meeting with representatives of the U.S. company Amazon Kuiper. The parties explored opportunities for cooperation in developing digital infrastructure and improving broadband Internet services in Uzbekistan. Following the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Digital Technologies and Amazon Kuiper
Afghanistan has granted official licenses to Uzbek companies to conduct geological research in Afghanistan and extract hydrocarbon resources such as oil and gas, TOLOnews reported. The Afghan Ministry of Mines and Petroleum confirmed the cooperation, saying that several contracts have been signed with both domestic and foreign companies — particularly with Uzbek companies — for
On October 8, Aidar Abildabekov, Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, met with Khurram Teshabayev, Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan. It was noted at the meeting that Uzbekistan remains one of Kazakhstan’s priority trading partners in Central Asia. The two countries are consistently working to achieve the mutual trade
On October 9, the Second “Central Asia–Russia” Summit was held in Dushanbe. The event, chaired by the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, was attended by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the
Uzbekistan is enhancing its presence in the European tourism market. The country’s Tourism Committee has launched a joint project with the German media company FVW Medien GmbH aimed to showcase the country’s beauty, culture, and hospitality to a wide audience of travelers from Germany and other European countries. As part of the campaign, there will
Over the past 34 years of independence after the breakup of the Soviet Union, Central Asia has faced problems that require joint efforts for their solution. These include water and energy shortages, access to the sea and international transport routes, environmental risks, and instability in Afghanistan. In recent years, however, Central Asian countries have strengthened
Esther Harlander, Deputy Director of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Head of the Environmental Remediation Account at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), visited Yangiyabad in the Tashkent region, accompanied by Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan and Sharifbek Khasanov, Director of the Agency for Waste
In September 2025, the new season of the world-famous travel television show “The Amazing Race Australia” premiered on Australia’s Network 10 and the streaming platform 10 Play. One of the central highlights of the season was filming in Uzbekistan — primarily in Samarkand — where the competition tasks were designed around the country’s rich local
At the summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) on October 7 in Gabala, Azerbaijan, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening the unity of the Turkic world and enhancing its role in global politics, the economy, and humanitarian development. Mirziyoyev proposed to hold in Samarkand the first joint
At the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) held in Sydney, Australia, it was officially decided that the 2028 edition of the congress will take place in Samarkand. This historic decision marks a new stage in the development of the space industry not only for Uzbekistan but also for the entire Central Asian region. The delegation of
On October 6, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed plans for the development of artificial intelligence technologies in Uzbekistan and their broad implementation across the economy and social sectors. Today, artificial intelligence is becoming one of the key tools in various sectors, including the economy, education, healthcare, security, and other vital areas. Its application contributes to improving
Starting from 2026, a mechanism for detecting illegal tree cutting using space monitoring will be introduced in Uzbekistan. This is stipulated in the presidential decree “On Measures to Expand the Use of Aerospace Data in Economic Sectors and Improve the Agricultural Management System.” According to the document, the Agency for Space Research and Technology will conduct
A government meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed the implementation of Yashil Makon (Green Space), Uzbekistan’s nationwide program which aims to preserve and restore biodiversity through the greening of urban and rural areas. Launched by President Mirziyoyev in November 2021, the Yashil Makon program is aimed at the planting of one billion trees and
A delegation from Uzbekistan, composed of representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), recently undertook a three-day study visit to Batken Region of Kyrgyzstan. The mission was organized with the objective of studying innovative artificial glacier technologies as a solution to seasonal water shortages. The delegation attended a presentation on
Exporters and transport operators crossing the Dostuk border – the main border crossing between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan – are set to have a smoother experience and shorter waiting times, with the launch of the Electronic Queue Management System (e-QMS), the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan reported. The digital platform, developed by the International
Uzbekistan’s exports to Afghanistan exceeded $873 million during the first eight months of this year, TOLOnews reported with reference to the Uzbek National Statistical Committee. According to Afghanistan’s National Statistics and Information Authority, the country’s exports to Uzbekistan stood at more than $28 million over the past six months. The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and
On September 26, Ambassador of the European Union to Uzbekistan Toivo Klaar delivered a lecture to students of the Tashkent State University of Economics, focusing on the growing economic partnership between the European Union (EU) and Uzbekistan, the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan reported. Addressing the students and faculty, Ambassador Klaar highlighted Uzbekistan’s
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and the Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank) have released a joint research report, entitled ‘Exploring Trade and Investment Relations between India and Central Asia: Unlocking Economic Benefits’. The report analyzes the untapped potential of cooperation between the two dynamically growing economic centers. The report lists Central Asia and
