From May 30 to June 6, Samarkand became a global platform for discussing the key environmental challenges of our time, hosting the Eighth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the 71st GEF Council Meeting. For the first time in history, the Assembly was held in Central Asia, bringing together representatives from 186 countries,
Over 5.352 million international tourists arrived in Uzbekistan during the first five months of 2026. More than 1.3 million foreign tourists visited Uzbekistan in May alone, according to the country’s Tourism Committee. This represents an increase of 1.148 million visitors, or 27.3 percent, compared to the same period last year. The sustained growth highlights Uzbekistan’s emergence as one of the fastest-growing
Mountains are not passive backdrops to human history; they are dynamic, living systems that have shaped civilizations, economies, and ecosystems for millennia. Nowhere is this more evident than in Central Asia, home to some of the world’s most formidable ranges—the Pamirs, Tian Shan, Hindu Kush, Altai, and Ural. These mountains are more than geological formations;
On the sidelines of the Eighth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in Samarkand, the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of Uzbekistan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched a new initiative, “Supporting Implementation of the Stockholm Convention through the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste in Uzbekistan,” aimed at strengthening
On June 4, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Russia Vladimir Putin launched the construction of the first power unit of an integrated nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan. The ceremony, held via video conference, was attended by Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Mirziyoyev expressed his gratitude to
On June 3, on the sidelines of the 71st meeting of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council, the Government of Uzbekistan, in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), officially launched the preparatory phase of the Nature4Health Uzbekistan initiative. The launch marks Uzbekistan’s official accession to the second phase of Nature4Health (N4H)
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan will gain more access to long-term financing following IFC’s commitment of up to $10 million to Highland Central Asia Fund II. The investment will support job creation, private sector growth, and the development of the region’s private equity market, said IFC, a member of the World
Central Asia and Mongolia will remain resilient to geopolitical shocks and record the highest growth rates of the EBRD countries of operation in 2026 and 2027, according to the latest Regional Economic Prospects report published by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The economies of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are projected to grow by 5.6 per cent
On June 2, the official opening ceremony of the international environmental exhibition Eco Expo Central Asia 2026 was held in Samarkand. The event brought together representatives from over 100 countries, heads of international organizations, investors, manufacturers of eco-friendly products, eco-innovators, as well as government officials and members of the expert community, according to the National
On June 2, within the framework of the Eco Expo Central Asia 2026 international exhibition, a side event titled “Islands of Resilience: Conserving Ecosystem Services in the Lower Amu Darya and Aral Sea Basin” took place in Samarkand. The event was dedicated to the restoration of ecosystems in the Aral Sea region, sustainable land and
In recent years, the international film industry has increasingly talked about diversity, cultural multiplicity, and the need for new voices. However, in reality, the global screen remains quite hierarchical: some countries are automatically considered “providers of great cinema,” while others are still relegated to the cultural periphery. When Western audiences hear about films from Central
The 71st meeting of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council has officially opened in Samarkand ahead of the Eighth GEF Assembly and the Eco Expo Central Asia 2026 international exhibition. The event brings together representatives from 186 GEF member countries, international organizations, financial institutions, environmental agencies, civil society and the private sector, according to the
Afghanistan’s trade with Central Asian countries reached more than $1.27 billion in the first five months of 2026, including around $74 million of Afghanistan’s exports, TOLOnews reported citing the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce. According to the ministry, dried fruits, fresh fruits, talc stone, vegetables, medicinal plants, and various types of juice are among
Representatives of the Government of Uzbekistan, the Government of Japan, the Republic of Karakalpakstan, development partners, and local stakeholders gathered in Tashkent this week for the inception workshop of the recently launched project “Strengthening Water Resource Governance and Resilience to Climate Change in the Aral Sea Region,” UNDP Uzbekistan reported. Implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan have signed a memorandum of cooperation under the Technical Assistance Fund (TAF). The document is aimed at supporting exports, product certification and the development of non-financial instruments for Uzbek businesses. TAF funds will be used for projects that help local
As part of the international tourism exhibition ITB China, the Chairman of the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan, Abdulaziz Akkulov, held a meeting with the Vice President of Trip.com Group, Edison Chen. Trip.com Group is one of the world’s leading online aggregators of travel services and has more than 500 million users. The platform works with
Representatives of government institutions, civil society organizations, academia, the media, and international partners gathered in Tashkent on May 25 for a roundtable to discuss the research study “Gender and Corruption in Uzbekistan: Towards Transformational Change.” The research was completed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Anti-Corruption Agency, with the financial support of
Uzbekistan’s private sector has signed trade agreements and memorandums of understanding worth more than $5 billion with Afghanistan over the past eight months, TOLOnews reported citing the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI). These agreements cover sectors including fresh and dried fruits, precious and semi-precious stones, coal, cement, carpets, cotton, raw materials, food products,
Today, Uzbekistan stands among the fastest-growing e-commerce markets in Central Asia. The sector reached USD 1.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 1.8–2.2 billion by 2027, according to the Uzbek Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade. Market development is supported by 32.7 million internet users, the widespread adoption of digital payment solutions, and the steady expansion of logistics
A two-day national seminar titled “Working with Labour Migrants: Theoretical and Practical Approaches for Safe Adaptation and Ethics-Based Recruitment” kicked off on May 25 in the framework of EU-funded regional project PROTECT “Improving Migration Management and Migrant Protection in selected Silk Routes and Central Asian Countries”, implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development