A signing ceremony held at the Ministry of Water Resources on February 27 marked the official launch of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) new landmark project “Strengthening Water Resources Governance and Resilience to Climate Change in the Aral Sea Region”. UNDP and Japan partner for this transformative initiative in Uzbekistan with financial support from the
Based on recent economic consensus from institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Central Bank (ECB), and the World Economic Forum (WEF) as of early 2026, globalization is not entirely “over,” but it is undergoing a profound structural shift. Economists generally agree that the era of hyperglobalization has stagnated—a trend accelerated by the
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is helping to create favourable conditions for the growth and development of domestic pharmaceutical production in Uzbekistan by supporting the operations of its long-term client, Samarkand England Eco-Medical (SEEM). The Bank is providing a loan of up to €20 million to SEEM and its sister-company, Bayan
During his visit to Asunción, the Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, Laziz Kudratov, was received by the President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña. The parties discussed the phased opening of markets on a reciprocal basis and the expansion of mutual market access for goods from both countries, according to the Uzbek government’s website.
On February 26, London hosted a meeting of foreign ministers of five Central Asian countries and the United Kingdom under the “Central Asia + UK” (CA5+UK) framework. The ministers discussed a wide range of bilateral and regional issues, including opportunities for economic growth, expanding trade and investment cooperation, and joint efforts to strengthen regional connectivity
From 31 May to 6 June 2026, Samarkand will host the VIII Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), one of the largest international events in the field of environmental protection and climate action. Holding an event of this scale in Uzbekistan will be a landmark step in strengthening the country’s position on the global
On February 25, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals for the development of urbanization processes and the expansion of green areas in Tashkent. In recent years, the economy and agglomeration of the capital have been developing dynamically, and the permanent population of Tashkent has exceeded 3.1 million. It is projected that the city’s population will
On March 1, 2026, Uzbekistan will officially launch a state rainfall induction project. The initiative, approved by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, aims to combat drought and water shortages in the Tashkent region, drawing on the experience of France, China, and Saudi Arabia. The technique is expected to increase precipitation by 10–20%, ensuring agricultural stability, Tashkent Today
A dialogue between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the country’s youth took place on February 24. More than 60,000 young people participated in the meeting via studios in Karakalpakstan, across the regions, and in the city of Tashkent. The president noted that the country’s more than 22 million young people represent a powerful economic, social, and
The IshKadr Academy Digital Skills Development Center has officially opened in the Khazarasp district of Uzbekistan’s Khorezm region. The center was established within the framework of the joint project of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) “Empowering Youth to Embrace the Digital Economy and Digital Entrepreneurship,”
In 2025, Uzbekistan’s public debt increased by $6.6 billion or 16.5%, reaching $46.9 billion. In the fourth quarter of the year alone, the debt grew by $2.9 billion, Tashkent Today reports. The country’s external debt amounted to $39.8 billion, an increase of $6.1 billion over the year. Domestic debt increased to $7 billion (+$542 million
Uzbekistan ranked 104th out of 123 countries in the EF English Proficiency Index 2025, the world’s largest ranking of countries and regions by English skills based on test results of 2.2 million adults, Tashkent Today reported. Uzbekistan’s score 429 is significantly below the global average score of 488. Compared to the previous year, the country lowered
On February 20, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting to define priority tasks for the socio-economic development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. It was noted that due to its vast territory and mineral reserves, Karakalpakstan has considerable economic and investment potential. Tangible changes have taken place in Karakalpakstan’s economy in recent years. Eight years ago, the
The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has published a report on inflation expectations of the country’s households and businesses as of early 2026. According to the report, the average price growth forecast for the next 12 months has been decreased by 0.3% to 11.2%, Tashkent Today reports. The highest price growth expectations among households are traditionally
Construction of a modern cable car system has begun at the Silk Road Samarkand tourist complex. The project aims to further enhance the region’s tourism appeal and create convenient, modern transport infrastructure for visitors, according to the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan. The total length of the cable lines will be 1,700 meters. The system will
Since the beginning of 2026, solar and wind power plants in Uzbekistan have generated 1 billion kWh of electricity. According to the Ministry of Energy, this milestone was reached by February 13, a 40% (400 million kWh) increase over the same period last year, Tashkent Today reported. Uzbekistan now has 15 solar power plants with
UTK International Logistics Co. Ltd., a joint venture established in China with the participation of Uzbekistan’s Uztemiryulkonteyner JSC, has launched the first pilot container train from China to Tajikistan. This project is a practical step toward implementation of agreements aimed at deepening regional cooperation, reached by presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan in Dushanbe in
A working visit of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Washington D.C. on February 18 began with a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. They discussed bilateral trade and economic cooperation, noting that the United States is one of Uzbekistan’s key partners. Bilateral trade has exceeded $1 billion, and around 340 American
Uzbekistan showcased its extensive potential in pilgrimage tourism at the international exhibition “Muslim Travel Show” in London, which brought together leading representatives of the global pilgrimage tourism industry, Dunyo information agency reported. Uzbekistan highlighted the country’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage, its unique historical landmarks, and its modern infrastructure designed to accommodate international visitors. During a
On February 17, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy to Central Asia and Azerbaijan Lord John Alderdice, who arrived in Uzbekistan on a working visit. The parties discussed further expansion of the Uzbek–British partnership, primarily in the trade and economic sphere, emphasizing the dynamic development of political dialogue and
