The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Japan have launched a regional project, “Strengthening the System for Region-Wide Disaster Risk Reduction in Central Asia.” The new project, within the framework of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue, aims to enhance disaster resilience at both national and regional levels over two years, focusing
An official closing ceremony for the events held within the framework of the “Tourism Year of Uzbekistan in China” took place in Beijing. The event was organized by the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan. The ceremony was attended by official representatives of the tourism authorities of both countries, tourism industry professionals, and media. Speakers at the
On December 22, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Uzbekistan signed the FAO–Uzbekistan Country Programming Framework 2026–2030, which is embedded in the United Nations’ strategic priorities in the country and the globally adopted Sustainable Development Goals. The new agreement was signed by Viorel Gutu, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon were awarded with the Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize at a ceremony held at the Saint Petersburg State Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory on December 21. The prestigious award was presented in the presence of the President of the Russian
On December 20 in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi welcomed the Presidents of the five Central Asian countries as she hosted the first Summit of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue (CA+JAD) at the leader’s level. Prime Minister Takaichi highlighted the importance and potential of the Central Asian region, including its geopolitical significance as
At the first summit of the “Central Asia + Japan” Dialogue in Tokyo on December 20, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev presented his vision for the development of cooperation in the “Central Asia + Japan” format. The event, chaired by Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi, was also attended by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev,
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi held negotiations in Tokyo on December 20. Following the talks, the President of Uzbekistan and the Prime Minister of Japan signed a Joint Statement on an expanded strategic partnership for future generations. They emphasized that this document will elevate interaction to a
As part of his official visit to Japan, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on December 19 held a meeting with the heads of leading Japanese companies, financial institutions, and business associations. The event was attended by Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa, as well as top managers of Sojitz, Sumitomo, Toyota, ITOCHU,
An event dedicated to the 110th anniversary of the prominent Uzbek art collector Igor Savitsky took place in London on December 16. Organized by the British publishing house Hertfordshire Press, which has specialized in translating and publishing works of classic and contemporary authors from Central Asia for nearly 20 years, the event was attended by
A national workshop in Tashkent on 18-19 December brought together teachers, education specialists, national and international experts to finalize and approve practical recommendations on how to include climate change topics in the 7–11 grade curricula for biology, geography, physics, chemistry, and mathematics, UNDP in Uzbekistan reported. The event was organized by the United Nations Development
According to the latest analytical data published by the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) in its World Tourism Barometer report, Uzbekistan ranked among the World’s Top 7 countries in terms of the fastest growth in inbound foreign tourism for January–September 2025. The number of international tourists visiting the country increased by 73 percent compared to
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $100 million loan and a $5 million grant for Uzbekistan to implement the Access to Finance for Jobs and Growth Project (FINGROW). It will expand access to credit and private equity financing for capital-constrained micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). In Uzbekistan, MSMEs account for over
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has released a new report as part of its flagship project Monitoring of Mutual Investments. New data show that investment activity in the Eurasian region continues to expand despite the global decline in foreign direct investment (FDI). Mutual FDI between the region’s countries reached a record US $48.4 billion at the
On December 16, under the chairmanship of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a meeting was held dedicated to the comprehensive socio-economic development of Tashkent, improving the urban environment, and creating decent living conditions for its population. It was noted that Tashkent has undergone significant changes in recent years. Over the past nine years, more than $20 billion
Kazakhstan has opened two modernized motor vehicle checkpoints—Kazygurt on the border with Uzbekistan and Temir-baba on the border with Turkmenistan—in an effort to boost trade and cargo transportation in the region, primeminister.kz reported. The checkpoints were reconstructed as part of the state program to modernize border infrastructure. The program covers nine checkpoints located on Kazakhstan’s
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $250 million financing package for Uzbekistan to improve municipal infrastructure and services for residents and businesses in 16 districts and cities across the country through the Livable and Productive Cities Program (LPCP). Over half of Uzbekistan’s 37 million people live in cities, a share expected to
On December 15, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was briefed on the ongoing work in the water management sector to increase energy efficiency, develop research potential, and strengthen international cooperation. Plans to replace outdated and energy-intensive pumping units with modern, energy-efficient ones, were reviewed. For instance, in Karakalpakstan, there are 274 pumping stations that irrigate over 185
The project board meeting of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project “Enhancing the resilience of the local population and promoting green, inclusive development of the most vulnerable communities in the Aral Sea region” convened last week in Tashkent in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan and the Council of Ministers of the Republic
On December 12, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated in an International Forum in Ashgabat dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the proclamation of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality, the International Day of Neutrality, and the declaration of 2025 as the “International Year of Peace and Trust”. The event, chaired by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, was
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $250 million loan for Uzbekistan to support a program aimed at expanding equitable access to student financing in higher education and in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) (the EduImkon Program). Over the next three years, this program will help strengthen the student financing support
