The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has included the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan in its list of the six most anticipated museum openings of 2026. The opening of this grand museum complex in Tashkent is scheduled for March. According to the BBC, the Center’s building itself is a stunner, topped with a monumental turquoise mosaic
Afghanistan’s trade with Central Asian countries increased significantly in 2025 compared to 2024, with imports rising by 43% and exports growing by 77%, TOLOnews reported citing statistics from the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Afghanistan’s imports increased from $1.679 billion in 2024 to $2.399 billion in 2025, while exports rose from $122 million to
In Uzbekistan, industrial enterprises will now be encouraged to take action aimed at reducing their impact on the environment. This is stipulated in the Resolution “On the Procedure for Incentivizing the Efforts of Industrial Enterprises of Categories I and II to Reduce Their Environmental Impact,” according to the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change.
On March 3, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree strengthening the system for protecting the rights of women and children, as well as preventing cases of harassment and violence against them. In Uzbekistan, continuous attention is devoted to preventing early marriages and births, as well as violence against women and children, as key priorities in
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) President Zou Jiayi recently visited founding AIIB members Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, conveying her intent to ensure AIIB’s future direction remains grounded in country needs and strong partnerships. These visits, part of a “listening tour” Zou is undertaking since she took office in January, highlighted Central Asia’s position as
In 2025, Uzbek citizens were the third-largest group among detained illegal migrants in Turkey, Fergana Information Agency reports with reference to data from the Turkish migration authorities. In 2025, Turkish authorities detained 13,683 Uzbek citizens, compared to 11,521 in 2024, when Uzbekistan was fourth. The increase continues since 2022. While 4,817 Uzbek citizens were detained
Uzbekistan’s electricity generating capacity has reached 25,800 MW, including 8,000 MW, or 31 percent of the total, accounted for by solar, wind, and hydropower generation, according to the Uzbek Ministry of Energy. In 2026, Uzbekistan plans to produce 90 billion kWh of electricity, a 40 percent increase compared to 2020. This year, amid economic growth
From June 16 to 19, 2026, Tashkent will host the 5th Anniversary Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF 2026), the leading investment platform in Central Asia bringing together global investors, government representatives, international financial institutions, and major business leaders, the Uzbek Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade has announced. The anniversary forum will build upon the
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
