AGP Executive Report

Turkic Summit: At the Ankara OTS summit, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev urged closer unity, an integrated Middle Corridor and shared logistics hubs. Leaders backed regional energy links, including a Central Asia–Azerbaijan green-energy corridor, as Türkiye took the group’s rotating chair. Trade with Türkiye: The two countries signed five agreements, adding eight products on each side to preferential trade and reaffirming a near-term $5 billion trade target. Investment and Exports: Uzbekistan’s fixed-capital investment rose 20.1% year on year to 584.2 trillion soums in January–September. A new 1,000-square-metre logistics hub in Poland aims to speed Uzbek goods into European markets. Climate Funding: The Green Climate Fund allocated €103.7 million to restore Uzbekistan’s forests and pastures.

Turkic Summit: Uzbekistan and Türkiye signed five agreements covering trade, social security, transport and business cooperation after President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara. The leaders are attending the Organization of Turkic States summit, where regional cooperation is on the agenda. Regional Energy: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan held technical talks on the planned 1,860-megawatt Kambarata-1 hydropower plant, a joint project intended to boost electricity generation and cooperation on water management. Nuclear Safety: IAEA experts in Tashkent urged Uzbekistan to prepare early for radioactive waste management as the country develops its nuclear energy plans, including by planning storage, technology and funding. Tashkent Renewal: Under the city’s relocation programme, some residents can exchange old homes for new apartments and remain in their homes until construction is complete; valuations, deadlines and contract terms remain key concerns. Arts and Education: Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan signed an agreement to expand student and faculty exchanges, internships and joint projects between their arts institutions.

Türkiye Ties: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan signed five agreements in Ankara covering trade, transport, social security and business cooperation. The meeting came as Uzbekistan joined the Organization of Turkic States summit, where Türkiye is taking over the group’s rotating chairmanship. Economic Growth: Uzbekistan’s GDP rose 8.3% in the first nine months of 2026, with services, industry and construction driving expansion. Power Grid: The World Bank approved a $100 million loan to modernize Uzbekistan’s electricity network and improve its capacity to connect renewable energy. Tashkent Air: An ongoing temperature inversion is trapping dust and pollutants near the ground; authorities say pollution may persist, while inspections and dust-control measures continue. Regional Flights: Pegasus Airlines plans to launch Istanbul routes to Bukhara on December 14 and Andijan on December 18, with Termez service due to start in March 2027.

Regional Diplomacy: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is in Türkiye for the Organization of Turkic States summit, where leaders are expected to discuss trade, transport and investment. Education: A Central Asian forum in Tashkent brought regional officials and university leaders together to advance student exchanges, joint research and cooperation on AI in higher education. Energy: The World Bank approved a $100 million loan to modernize Uzbekistan’s power network, while Uzbek and Kyrgyz energy ministers discussed electricity supplies and winter preparations. Connectivity: Construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway is on schedule, with 22% of the total work targeted for completion by year-end. Centrum Air has also launched twice-weekly Tashkent–Mattala flights. Digital Payments: Apple Pay has launched in Uzbekistan, with local bank cards expected to gain support soon. Tashkent: Six people died and two were critically ill in a carbon monoxide poisoning incident.

Digital Payments: Apple Pay became available in Uzbekistan on October 27, following Google Pay’s launch last week; support for Uzcard and Humo cards is expected soon. Power Grid: Uzbekistan secured $300 million in World Bank and Asian Development Bank loans to upgrade 60 substations, cut outages and connect more renewable energy. Tashkent Safety: Six people died from carbon monoxide poisoning at a home where investigators say a basement boiler and gas connection failed to meet safety requirements. Travel Links: Pegasus Airlines plans Istanbul flights to Bukhara from December 14, Andijan from December 18 and Termez from March 2027. Regional Ties: Uzbekistan and Qatar are seeking deeper trade and investment cooperation after President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met Qatar’s Amir in Tashkent. Uzbekistan is also due to join Turkic states’ talks in Ankara on trade, transport, energy and digital cooperation.

Travel: Egypt has postponed new entry requirements for Uzbek citizens until March 1, 2027, keeping current rules in place until then. Transport: Uzbekistan and France discussed public transit upgrades, multimodal links and lower-emission transport for New Tashkent, with French firms including Alstom and IVECO taking part. Climate: Officials and researchers in Tashkent examined how water and climate risks affect Uzbekistan’s economy and options for greener growth. Digital Economy: Apple Pay and Google Pay are rolling out in Uzbekistan, while the Commodity Exchange reported a 34.4% rise in nine-month profit. Culture and Education: UNESCO added ten Tashkent modernist landmarks to its World Heritage List, and South Korea’s Jeonbuk National University opened a center in Tashkent to support student exchanges and research. Trade and Investment: Uzbekistan and the United States signed agreements worth $12 billion during US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Central Asia visit.

Digital Economy: Apple Pay and Google Pay began rolling out in Uzbekistan, with cards from several local banks now eligible for contactless payments. Saudi-backed DataVolt is also nearing completion of the first phase of a $200 million Tashkent data centre, while Uzbekistan and EY are exploring AI and technology exports. Culture and Heritage: UNESCO added ten Tashkent modernist landmarks to its World Heritage List, recognizing architecture shaped by the city’s post-1966 earthquake rebuilding. Science: The International Science Council opened a regional hub in Tashkent to support research links across Central Asia and Transcaucasia. Labor Migration: Work-related entries by Uzbek citizens into Russia fell 13.2% in the first half of 2026, though Russia remained the largest destination, with more than 1.17 million entries. Diplomacy: Uzbekistan’s parliament speaker visited Oman as officials discussed closer cooperation, while President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks with Qatar’s Amir on bilateral ties.

Afghan Trade: Uzbekistan Railways will add cargo fees for most shipments to Afghanistan from November 7: $67–$109 per rail wagon and $235–$637 by road. Wheat, fuel and gas are exempt. Qatar Ties: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Qatar’s Amir agreed in Tashkent to expand trade, investment and joint projects, building on a strategic partnership; bilateral trade rose more than 30% in 2025. U.S. Investment: The two countries signed $12 billion in agreements during U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Central Asia visit. Green Transition: Uzbekistan pledged $4.5 million to the UN-backed Global Environment Facility, as biodiversity funding announced at COP17 topped $500 million. Tashkent is also developing 110 hectares of nurseries to grow more than 120 million shrubs locally and cut reliance on imports. Technology: An Uzbek delegation visited South Korean semiconductor maker Simmtech as part of a training program aimed at building industrial cooperation. Digital Economy: Uzbekistan licensed MONETEX to operate a crypto shop, bringing the number of licensed providers to 17 companies.

Diplomacy: Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim met President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Uzbekistan to discuss stronger cooperation and regional issues. Travel: Egypt has postponed tighter entry rules for Uzbek citizens until March 1, 2027; current procedures remain in force until then. Football: Neftchi Fergana lost 2-1 to Al-Ittihad in the AFC Champions League Elite after Youssef En-Nesyri scored a late free-kick winner. Al-Ittihad’s coach praised Neftchi as a strong opponent. Investment: Uzbekistan unveiled a $12 billion package of 54 agreements and proposed projects with U.S. companies, spanning sectors including mining, energy, transport and technology. Regional ties: Tashkent protested to Iran over diplomatic social media posts describing Samarkand’s heritage as Persian. Heritage: Archaeologists found rock paintings and evidence of a Bronze Age settlement in the Nurota Mountains. Regional investment: Oman is leading plans for a $500 million fund for Central Asia and the Caucasus, with Uzbekistan among its target markets.

Trade and Investment: A new Central Asia and Caucasus private-equity fund is being formed with Uzbekistan’s Reconstruction and Development Fund among its partners, aiming to channel long-term capital into regional businesses. Energy: COSCO SHIPPING completed delivery of more than 170,000 cubic metres of equipment for a 1,600-megawatt power plant in Surkhandarya, coordinating shipments across three transport corridors. U.S. Ties: Uzbekistan and the United States announced 54 agreements valued at about $12 billion during Marco Rubio’s Samarkand visit; the package spans investment, energy, critical minerals and technology, though the full list and status of the agreements remain unclear. Sport: Uzbekistan’s para-athletes finished third at the Asian Para Games with 45 gold, 49 silver and 51 bronze medals. Tashkent also hosted the Asian Table Tennis Championships, where China’s Chen Yi won the women’s singles title. Humanitarian Aid: UNICEF is routing supplies to Afghanistan through its Termez hub, including nutrition products for children facing a severe malnutrition crisis.

Para-Sport: Uzbekistan finished third at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games, winning 45 gold, 49 silver and 51 bronze medals. Afghanistan Aid: UNICEF is sending therapeutic food and medicines through its logistics hub in Termez, as millions of Afghan children face malnutrition. Regional Cooperation: Uzbekistan joined Turkic states in signing a charter to strengthen cooperation among national audit institutions. Tourism: Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan presented a joint Silk Road tour in Berlin, linking Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva with Baku, Shamakhi and Sheki. Security: India and Uzbekistan agreed to deepen counterterrorism cooperation, including information sharing and efforts to prevent terrorist financing. Trade: WTO members welcomed Uzbekistan’s economic reforms as the country advances its accession bid.

Asian Para Games: Uzbekistan finished third in Aichi-Nagoya with 145 medals, including 45 golds, its strongest showing among Asia’s leading teams. U-15 Football: Uzbekistan opened the FIFA youth tournament in Azerbaijan with a 4-1 loss to Ghana. UFC: Uzbek flyweight Ramazan Temirov was stopped in the first round by Britain’s Lone’er Kavanagh in Abu Dhabi. India Ties: Uzbekistan and India discussed bilateral relations and agreed to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation. Language Policy: A new law sets out a revised Latin alphabet, due to take effect in April 2027. Children’s Wellbeing: A Samarkand summit adopted a declaration urging greater investment in children’s wellbeing. U.S. Engagement: Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Samarkand visit brought a large American business delegation, with talks focused on investment, critical minerals, transport and regional security.

Para Games: Uzbekistan finished third at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games with 145 medals, including 45 gold, its strongest showing in the standings. Diplomacy: Uzbekistan and India reaffirmed counter-terrorism cooperation in New Delhi, while their foreign ministers met in Baku and called for timely delivery of existing agreements. Youth Football: Uzbekistan’s U-15 team opened its FIFA tournament in Azerbaijan with a 4-1 loss to Ghana. Tashkent Sports: The Asian Table Tennis Union awarded Bangkok the 2027 championships at its annual meeting in Tashkent. Education: A new International Fashion Academy in Tashkent is set to begin classes in the 2026–27 academic year, training specialists in design and light industry. Children’s Welfare: A Samarkand summit adopted a declaration urging greater investment in children’s wellbeing. US Ties: Washington’s C5+1 meeting in Samarkand spotlighted investment, critical minerals and transport links, with reports of $12 billion in deals.

Security Cooperation: Uzbekistan and India pledged to deepen counterterrorism work after their 10th joint working group meeting, focusing on information-sharing, terrorist financing and online radicalisation. Education Policy: A new decree requires annual psychological assessments for students and teachers, with AI used to analyse results; the rollout begins in preschools and schools in 2026–27. Para Games: Uzbekistan finished third overall at the Asian Para Games with 45 gold medals. Its para-athletes won 64 medals in athletics, including 20 gold. Regional Links: Uzbekistan joined Georgia and other Central Asian states in Batumi to discuss trade, energy and transport corridors linking the region with the Black Sea. Women at Work: A national study found unpaid household duties sharply limit women’s employment prospects: more than 12 extra hours of housework a week cuts the likelihood of employment by 75.4%.

Security Ties: Uzbekistan and India agreed to deepen counterterrorism cooperation at a meeting in New Delhi, including through information sharing, capacity building and efforts against terrorist financing and online radicalisation. Education: A presidential decree requires students and teachers to undergo psychological assessments at least once each academic year. The rollout begins in preschools and schools in 2026–27, with AI used to analyse results and safeguards required for personal data. Children’s Wellbeing: A Samarkand summit of representatives from more than 100 countries adopted a declaration calling for stronger social protection and better coordination of services for children. Agriculture and Water: Uzbekistan has harvested 4.63 million tonnes of raw cotton, 3% above target, but a recent study estimates that 37% of irrigation water is lost in transit. Investment: The Uzbekistan Fund for Reconstruction and Development is among partners establishing a new Central Asia and Caucasus investment fund to back regional companies.

Regional Diplomacy: Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov is meeting counterparts from five Central Asian countries in Batumi, Georgia, as the region seeks closer ties. Security Cooperation: India and Uzbekistan agreed to deepen counter-terrorism work through information-sharing, training and agency exchanges. Urban Development: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed plans for New Karshi, a proposed city in Kashkadarya designed to eventually house one million people. Children’s Health: Samarkand is set to pilot a proposed $100 million World Bank healthcare program, linking funding to improvements in clinic readiness and services. Sport: Uzbekistan ranked third with 127 medals at the Asian Para Games, while Tashkent hosted the Asian Table Tennis Championships.