On April 5, 2026, Tashkent will host the 8th Tashkent International Marathon. This prestigious sporting event, held for eight consecutive years, has become one of the largest sports events in the country. More than 15,000 participants from over 30 countries are expected to take part, the Tourism Committee has announced. The marathon is an international
The situation on Kazakhstan’s roads has been deteriorating in recent years. According to the Legal Statistics Committee of the Prosecutor General’s Office, while 13,300 road accidents were recorded in the country in 2020, last year there were more than 36,100 road accidents, or 2.7 times more. However, the number of vehicles has not increased significantly
The President of Uzbekistan has signed a decree on developing a rapid response system for a sharp deterioration in air quality. By the end of 2026, the country will legislate an action plan that includes both protective measures for the population and restrictions for businesses, Tashkent Today reported. The planned measures include: • Alerts: prompt
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport on March 30 launched a direct passenger route to Uzbekistan’s capital Tashkent, the first non-stop passenger service from the southern Chinese city to Central Asia, Xinhua reported. The airport said the route, operated by Uzbekistan Airways, marks its first new international route launched this year. The service will run once a
From May 31 to June 5, 2026, the international exhibition of environmental technologies, Eco Expo Central Asia 2026, will take place in Samarkand. The event will be held in parallel with the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), giving it particular significance and ensuring a high level of international participation, Uzbekistan’s National Committee
As part of an official visit to China, Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev participated in the “Export to China – SCO Selection” forum, which became one of the key platforms for promoting Kazakh exports to the Chinese market. Opening the forum, the Minister emphasized that Kazakhstan views China as a strategic partner
On April 1, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in a tree-planting event as part of the nationwide “Yashil Makon” initiative and launched the National Dendrological Park project. The National Dendrological Park is being established in Tashkent on an area of 108 hectares. This year, an in vitro laboratory, as well as centers for medicinal plants,
With the financial support from the European Union, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and European Investment Bank (EIB) have supported the construction and commissioning of a new wastewater treatment plant in Uzgen, Kyrgyzstan. The facility, delivered under the “Rehabilitation of Water Supply and Sewerage Systems in Uzgen” project, will provide 10,000 residents
As part of an official visit to Tashkent on March 30, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov to discuss further strengthening of Kazakh-Uzbek political, trade, economic, investment, transit-transport, water-energy, and cultural-humanitarian cooperation. Special attention was paid to further development of trade, economic
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a 90 billion tenge ($173.6 million equivalent) loan to Otbasy Bank JSC to expand access to affordable housing finance for women and offer green mortgage products for low- to moderate-income households across Kazakhstan. The Promoting Inclusive and Green Housing Finance Project will provide residential mortgage financing to more than 2,000
In accordance with a Presidential Resolution of March 25, 2026, three new national natural parks have been established in Uzbekistan and the territory of one existing park has been significantly expanded, according to the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change. The Ovjazsoy – Moviy Toglar and Pskem national natural parks have been established in
China’s General Administration of Customs has confirmed that Kyrgyz frozen fruit are now allowed for export to China after the registration of local frozen fruit producers with the China Import Food Enterprises Registration (CIFER) system, according to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry. Importantly, a separate quarantine permit, as for fresh
The Central Bank of Uzbekistan and the Asian Development Bank presented the results of a joint study of the financial situation of the population. The survey reflects the subjective perception of economic stress and the coping strategies of citizens, Tashkent Today reported. Key findings of the study: • 44% of respondents stated that their income
Small enterprises in Uzbekistan’s capital are announcing their closure. The number of posts on social media about the closure of stores, cafes, restaurants, and photo studios is growing. Owners cite a sharp decline in profitability amid rising costs as the main reasons, Tashkent Today reported. The key factors putting pressure on businesses are rising rental
Kazakhstan has sent a new export batch of wheat flour from its northern city of Kostanay to New York using the infrastructure of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor—a transit route linking China to Europe through Kazakhstan. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the shipment of 24 tons of
Concrete pouring has begun for the foundation slab of the future building of a joint Russian-Kyrgyz secondary school in Bishkek, constructed under an intergovernmental agreement between Russia and Kyrgyzstan, according to the Russian Embassy in Bishkek. Russian Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Sergey Vakunov and Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Edil Baisalov attended the
The Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan has approved the Regulations on National Natural Heritage Sites of Uzbekistan. The document defines the status and categories of national natural heritage sites, sets out the procedure for compiling their official list and establishes rules for carrying out construction activities within these areas, according to the National Committee on
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan on 27 March hosted the Closure Workshop of the joint project “Promoting Innovative Decarbonization Solutions through the Joint Crediting Mechanism and Demonstration of Decarbonization Potential of Public Buildings and Public Transport in Uzbekistan.” The initiative, financed by the Government of
The “Kazakhstan–India Pharma Business Meeting” business forum, aimed at developing and deepening Kazakh-Indian cooperation in the pharmaceutical industry, was held on March 27 in Almaty. The forum brought together representatives of leading pharmaceutical companies and organizations, including Acies Pharmaceutical Pvt. Ltd., Abaris Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Akriti Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd., and AMTEC Health Care Pvt Ltd.,
The final decision on removing Kyrgyzstan’s civil aviation from the European Union’s aviation safety blacklist is expected to be made in May 2026. This was announced by Peter Sorensen, Deputy Head of Unit Aviation Safety at the European Commission, during his meeting with Kyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliyev in Bishkek on March 25. The meeting
