On March 5, the European Union (EU) and the UNDP held the handover ceremony of equipment to the Research Institute of Fisheries to support more sustainable fish farming practices in Uzbekistan. The provided equipment will help to reduce water consumption, improve water quality and energy efficiency in the fish farms, and, in turn, support the welfare of fish, the Delegation of the European Union
The World Bank on March 4 released its flagship annual report, Women, Business and the Law (the 2024 WBL), which assesses progress toward legal gender equality worldwide. The 2024 edition features an index that evaluates 190 countries, including Uzbekistan, against 10 indicators: Safety, Mobility, Workplace, Pay, Marriage, Parenthood, Childcare, Entrepreneurship, Assets, and Pension. The latest Women, Business, and the
In a significant move to bolster regional collaboration, representatives from Central Asian nations convened at a workshop in Almaty on March 1 to forge a roadmap and action plan for a proposed second phase of the World Bank-supported Central Asia Hydrometeorology Modernization Project (CAHMP II). This gathering underscored an advancement in regional cooperation and modernization efforts in
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Committee of Veterinary and Livestock Development of Uzbekistan have launched a new project, implemented by the FAO Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases, under USAID’s Global Health Security program. The goal of the
The Tashkent City Court sentenced 23 people — including an Indian national — to prisons terms of up to 20 years after a cough syrup imported into Uzbekistan from India killed 68 children in 2022, RFE/RL’s Uzbek Service reported. In reading out the court’s verdict on February 26, the judge said Indian national Ragvendra Pradar, who is
Karakalpak activist Aqylbek Muratov (aka Muratbai), who was arrested in Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, at Uzbekistan’s request earlier in February has been given asylum seeker status in Kazakhstan, RFE/RL’s Kazakh Service reported. A relative of Muratov, Fariza Narbekova, told RFE/RL on February 26 that Kazakh officials had given him an asylum seeker’s certificate three days earlier. A
A conference on international cooperation in the area of the protection of rights and freedoms of citizens took place in Tashkent on February 23. The conference, supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), brought together 100 international experts and government representatives, including more than 20 ombudspersons and representatives of international organizations, the U.S.
Earlier this month, Tajik migrant workers in the Russian city of Samara were scared after Sunatullo Nazriev, the leader of the local Tajik diaspora, called on Tajiks who have Russian citizenship and those who want to get Russian passports in an expedited way to join Russia’s armed forces fighting in Ukraine. According to the migrant
On February 21, Nobel Systems Inc., a leading provider of geospatial solutions, announced the successful completion of the groundbreaking Digital Twin project in collaboration with Uzsuvtaminot, the national water management agency of Uzbekistan, the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan reported. The Digital Twin initiative aimed to revolutionize water management practices in Uzbekistan by leveraging advanced technologies
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director David Hoffman, along with relevant Government of Uzbekistan stakeholders, on February 20 launched the five-year USAID All Children Succeeding program in Tashkent. The event gathered ministries and government agencies, UN organizations, disabled persons organizations, and international education experts. The Government of Uzbekistan has taken decisive action to secure
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) introduced the National Programme of Action for the Digitalization of Agriculture as a result of a pivotal one-year technical assistance project. The launch event on February 20 brought together national and international stakeholders in Tashkent to present the National Programme, providing insights into its vision,
The recent summoning of the Uzbek ambassador to Russia over remarks made by the rector of the University of Journalism in Tashkent highlights the escalating tensions surrounding language politics in the region. Sherzod Qudratxoja’s statement labeling Uzbek citizens who speak Russian but not Uzbek as “occupiers or idiots” has sparked a diplomatic outcry from Russia,
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on February 14 that it summoned the Uzbek ambassador to Russia, Botirjon Asadov, over a recent statement by Sherzod Qudratxoja, the rector of the University of Journalism in Tashkent, who called Uzbek citizens who speak Russian but do not know Uzbek “either occupiers or idiots,” RFE/RL’s Uzbek Service reported. The Russian
On February 12, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) signed the Letter of Intent during the high-level plenary session, “Nature Knows No Borders: Working Together for Migratory Species and Sustainable Development
The opening ceremony of the Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies (Green University) took place in Uzbekistan’s Tashkent region on February 10 with the participation of the Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Grethel Aguilar, the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, Aziz
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has reaffirmed its dedication to advancing women’s empowerment in the information technology (IT) sector in Central Asia. On February 5, USAID partners gathered at the IT Park in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to celebrate the achievements of women in technology and the impact of the Tumaris.Tech and FoundHer initiatives,
On February 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan hosted a presentation of ongoing and planned US grants in the area of economic development. The event, organized together with the US Embassy in Tashkent, was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Muzaffar Madrakhimov, Director of the US Agency for International Development
Afghanistan’s acting Minister of Defense, Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, met with Abdulsalam Azizov, the head of Intelligence and Border Services of Uzbekistan, to discuss border issues, strengthening bilateral relations, and economic and transit cooperation, Afghan broadcaster TOLOnews reported on February 1. At the meeting, the Afghan minister said that the Islamic Emirate’s security forces are
The Board of Directors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a new strategy for Uzbekistan, setting out the Bank’s priorities in the country until 2029. The Bank’s strategic approach to operations in Central Asia’s most populous state will be based on activities in three areas: supporting decarbonisation, greater water efficiency and cleaner energy; developing
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it invested more than €1.2 billion in projects across Central Asia in 2023 to stimulate the region’s sustainable and inclusive growth. Uzbekistan remained the leading recipient of EBRD funding in the region for the fourth year running, by attracting more than €700 million. The remaining €518 million
