In his first interview in Dushanbe, Sudipto Mukerjee, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Tajikistan, spoke with journalist Shoira Toirova about how the country’s development priorities are changing, why young people are becoming a key factor of sustainability, and how innovation, climate adaptation, and local solutions are shaping the region’s future.
The forum “Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan: Cooperation in Healthcare, Technology, and Personnel” opened in Tashkent on October 17, as part of the Days of Kazakh Medicine in Uzbekistan. “Our countries share a common desire to develop sustainable, accessible, and technologically advanced healthcare systems. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are addressing similar challenges in modernization, personnel training, digital transformation, and innovation.
A five-day seminar-training on “Upskilling ICT Specialists in Big Data, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)” was held in the Tashkent region, bringing together 30 participants representing the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan and other agencies involved in public service delivery and digitalisation, specialists from the Public Service Centers, and Data/AI experts from IT Park
Qazaq Air (Vietjet Qazaqstan) has announced the launch of two new international routes connecting the capital of Kazakhstan with key cities in Central Asia — Bishkek and Samarkand. The airline’s expansion in Central Asia is part of the strategic initiative of Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev aimed at strengthening ties between Central Asian countries to promote
On October 15, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev gave the official start to construction of a new Tashkent International Airport. Passenger traffic to the Uzbek capital has tripled over the past eight years, reaching 9 million people per year, and will exceed 24 million by 2040. However, the existing airport, designed for 11 million passengers per
On October 14, the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon delivered a speech at the International Investment Forum “Dushanbe Invest – 2025”. Rahmon emphasized that the main goals of the forum are to present the vast resources and opportunities of Tajikistan for investment, the country’s readiness for cooperation and new technologies and ideas, as well as
Each year on 13 October, the world marks the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, established by the United Nations to raise awareness of the importance of reducing disaster risks and building resilient communities. In Uzbekistan, this day is commemorated with a series of events aimed at strengthening national disaster management systems and enhancing public preparedness
In a significant boost to energy and water security in Central Asia, the European Union together with partners announced new investments in hydropower infrastructure in Central Asia, according to the Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic. Particularly, the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant megaproject in Kyrgyzstan marked noticeable progress, with a total of €900 million
Uzbekistan is enhancing its presence in the European tourism market. The country’s Tourism Committee has launched a joint project with the German media company FVW Medien GmbH aimed to showcase the country’s beauty, culture, and hospitality to a wide audience of travelers from Germany and other European countries. As part of the campaign, there will
Esther Harlander, Deputy Director of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Head of the Environmental Remediation Account at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), visited Yangiyabad in the Tashkent region, accompanied by Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan and Sharifbek Khasanov, Director of the Agency for Waste
In September 2025, the new season of the world-famous travel television show “The Amazing Race Australia” premiered on Australia’s Network 10 and the streaming platform 10 Play. One of the central highlights of the season was filming in Uzbekistan — primarily in Samarkand — where the competition tasks were designed around the country’s rich local
At the summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) on October 7 in Gabala, Azerbaijan, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening the unity of the Turkic world and enhancing its role in global politics, the economy, and humanitarian development. Mirziyoyev proposed to hold in Samarkand the first joint
In 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) celebrates its 80th anniversary, while Tajikistan marks 30 years of membership in the organization. Over the past three decades, FAO has evolved in the country from a humanitarian partner into a strategic ally—capable of mobilizing resources, introducing innovations, and building resilient agricultural systems
At the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) held in Sydney, Australia, it was officially decided that the 2028 edition of the congress will take place in Samarkand. This historic decision marks a new stage in the development of the space industry not only for Uzbekistan but also for the entire Central Asian region. The delegation of
For the first time, the Government of Tajikistan has financed the procurement of antiretroviral therapy (ART) drugs and HIV early diagnosis tests for newborns, under the project “Support to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of Tajikistan in Procuring Quality Medical Products,” implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The Government-financed procurement
A delegation from Uzbekistan, composed of representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), recently undertook a three-day study visit to Batken Region of Kyrgyzstan. The mission was organized with the objective of studying innovative artificial glacier technologies as a solution to seasonal water shortages. The delegation attended a presentation on
On October 2 in Astana, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan hosted the jubilee award ceremony for the winners of the 10th Annual International Contest “Kazakhstan Through the Eyes of Foreign Media”. This year, by decision of the jury, the works of journalists from Armenia, Belgium, Pakistan, the United States, and Uzbekistan were recognized
In the vibrant tapestry of global tourism, Umedjon Saidov, National Expert in Tourism Development and General Director of Somon Travel LLC, shines brightly by unveiling Tajikistan’s hidden treasures. From scholar of international relations to orchestrator of the Dushanbe International Tourism Exhibition (DITE-2025), held September 18–20, he blends cultural reverence with strategic brilliance, elevating sites from
As tourism in Kyrgyzstan is becoming a driver of inclusive growth, women’s empowerment, and sustainable development, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provides comprehensive support to the tourism industry. The regional project “Aid for Trade in Central Asia,” funded by the Government of Finland, demonstrates that a system approach to tourism development can transform local
Exporters and transport operators crossing the Dostuk border – the main border crossing between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan – are set to have a smoother experience and shorter waiting times, with the launch of the Electronic Queue Management System (e-QMS), the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan reported. The digital platform, developed by the International
