AGP Executive Report

Regional Ties: Perlis and Uzbekistan’s Tashkent Region are exploring cooperation in tourism and agriculture, including kenaf cultivation, after talks with Governor Zoyir Mirzayev. Strategic Partnership: Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan agreed to establish a high-level council, strengthening ties discussed by their presidents at the Awaza summit. Tourism: Chinese visitors to Uzbekistan have increased 3.5-fold since reciprocal visa-free travel began, bringing more holidaymakers to Silk Road cities such as Bukhara. Reserves: Uzbekistan’s gold and foreign-exchange reserves fell by $5.54 billion in September. Public Safety: A 17-year-old Uzbek girl who reported abuse and attempted forced marriage in Türkiye has returned home with consular assistance and is receiving support. Swimming: Tashkent’s World Cup meet delivered world records for South Africa’s Pieter Coetzé in the 50m backstroke and Russia’s Egor Kornev in the 50m butterfly.

Swimming: South Africa’s Pieter Coetzé set a 50m backstroke world record of 22.09 seconds at the World Cup in Tashkent, lowering the previous mark by 0.02 seconds. Reserves: Uzbekistan’s gold and foreign-currency reserves fell $5.54 billion in September to $66.58 billion, largely due to a drop in gold prices, even as the country’s physical gold holdings increased. Government: Erkinjon Turdimov was named first deputy prime minister and minister of education and science, with responsibility for coordinating education, science and healthcare. Regional ties: At the Avaza summit, Central Asian leaders and Azerbaijan backed stronger East–West and North–South links; Uzbekistan also agreed with regional neighbours on water and reservoir operations for 2026–27. Trade and travel: Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are seeking closer industrial and trade cooperation, while Air Arabia is exploring direct flights to Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Pakistan’s Al-Ghazi Tractors also entered Uzbekistan with an initial shipment of 18 tractors and a technology partnership.

Government: Erkinjon Turdimov has been appointed Uzbekistan’s first deputy prime minister and minister of education and science. He will also coordinate healthcare, with oversight assigned to Presidential Administration head Saida Mirziyoyeva. Swimming: Tashkent’s World Aquatics World Cup brought a world record for South Africa’s Pieter Coetzé, who won the 50m backstroke in 22.09 seconds. Canadian Taylor Ruck added a silver medal. Regional Ties: Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are seeking closer trade and industrial cooperation, including in agriculture, food processing, textiles and logistics. At the CIS summit in Turkmenistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev urged smoother trade and backed 2029 as the bloc’s Year of Transport Connectivity; Uzbekistan is due to chair the CIS in 2027. Central Asian states also agreed on water withdrawals and reservoir operations for 2026–27, though country quotas remain unpublished. Solar Power: Uzbekistan’s $20 million home solar program has equipped 1,580 households and 334 public institutions, with another 1,197 homes expected to receive systems by May 2027.

Regional Diplomacy: At the first Central Asia–Azerbaijan summit in expanded C6 format, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called for joint manufacturing, green energy, water cooperation and regional investment. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan also agreed to establish a High-Level Strategic Partnership Council, strengthening cooperation in trade, energy, transport, agriculture and water management. Neighbourly Ties: Uzbek and Kyrgyz parliamentarians met to expand political, economic and cultural links, with an inter-parliamentary commission expected to advance cooperation. Travel Alert: From November 1, Uzbek citizens visiting Egypt will need advance visas and trips arranged through authorized tour operators. Travelers under 40 must go with close family; families need at least $5,000 in cash, while solo travelers over 40 must carry $3,000. Football: South Korea beat Uzbekistan 2–0 in an international friendly.

Regional Summit: At the Avaza meeting, Azerbaijan joined the Central Asian leaders’ consultative format as a full participant. Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called for joint industrial projects, shared digital services and stronger transport and trade links. World Cup in Tashkent: Australian Cameron McEvoy set a World Cup record in the 50m freestyle, while the Netherlands’ Marrit Steenbergen broke the European record in the 100m individual medley. Ireland’s Mona McSharry took bronze in the 200m breaststroke. Accountability: An OCCRP and RFE/RL investigation alleges former senior security official Otabek Umarov acquired UAE citizenship while in office, despite rules barring dual citizenship for his role. Dok-1 Max: Families affected by the poisoning scandal are still owed most of the 78 billion soums in court-ordered compensation, more than two years after the verdict. Airline Apology: Centrum Air apologized after a passenger was removed from a flight following a dispute over his request to be addressed in Uzbek; the airline said it would cover his extra travel costs.

Tourism: Uzbekistan plans to upgrade nine historic caves and a salt mine with visitor routes, safety measures and digital guides, supporting its goal of attracting 20 million foreign tourists by 2030. Regional Water: Central Asian states agreed on water distribution and reservoir operations for the 2026–27 non-growing season, as ministers called for stronger cooperation on the Amu Darya and Syr Darya. Diplomacy: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Turkmenistan for regional and CIS summits, with bilateral talks also expected. Economy: The World Bank projects Uzbekistan’s economy will grow 7.9% in 2026, driven by domestic demand, wages, tourism and investment, while warning that energy costs remain a pressure. Food Security: FAO Director-General QU Dongyu presented Mirziyoyev with the organization’s Agricola Medal, citing progress on hunger and agricultural challenges. Press Freedom: Blogger Sirojiddin Adilov was sentenced to four years in prison; rights advocates raised concerns about alleged trial irregularities and possible retaliation for his reporting.

Investment: Wildberries has agreed to build a 67-hectare logistics hub in Tashkent region, with construction due to start this month. The project is expected to create 7,500 jobs and help Uzbek producers reach overseas markets. Mining ties: Algeria’s mines minister visited Uzbekistan for talks on investment, geological exploration and technical cooperation, with both sides laying the groundwork for future agreements. Political scrutiny: An investigative report alleges that Otabek Umarov, the president’s son-in-law and a senior security official at the time, obtained UAE citizenship in 2023; he left the post in 2024. Security: Uzbek officials seized 39 kilograms of hashish and 9.5 kilograms of opium hidden in a truck arriving from Afghanistan. Authorities have also stepped up health checks following reports of a possible plague case in Russia, though the WHO says no case has been confirmed there. Trade and reserves: Tashkent will host a China-Uzbekistan trade exhibition on October 14–16. Bilateral trade reached $11.3 billion in January–July. Uzbekistan’s central bank added eight tonnes of gold in August, bringing its purchases this year to nearly 50 tonnes.

Health Watch: WHO and ECDC are monitoring a suspected pneumonic plague death in Russia’s Irkutsk region, as countries including Central Asian neighbors tighten checks and quarantine rules; Uzbekistan has raised alerts for relevant services amid reports of hospital screenings and contact monitoring. Economy & Trade: The World Bank projects Uzbekistan’s GDP growth at 7.9% in 2026, the strongest in Europe and Central Asia, supported by investment and remittances; separate data also shows central banks, including Uzbekistan’s, kept buying gold at a steady pace. Finance & Integration: Octobank is showcasing Uzbekistan’s push for deeper global banking links at Sibos Miami 2026, focusing on correspondent banking and cross-border payments. Sports (Uzbekistan in the spotlight): South Korea beat Uzbekistan 2-0 in a friendly, with Son Heung-min scoring his record 59th goal; Uzbekistan also hosts the 2026 World Cup second stop in Tashkent with psych sheets released. Culture & Youth: MrBeast will visit Tashkent on Oct. 9 for a free fan meet as part of Uzbekistan’s creative economy and youth digital initiatives.

Trade & Connectivity: A World Bank-backed assessment says the Trans-Caspian “Middle Corridor” could quadruple Asia-Europe freight by 2040, but warns that border delays and fragmented paperwork still block the full payoff—calling for big investment and better coordination. Uzbekistan Diplomacy & Agriculture: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met FAO chief Qu Dongyu, agreed a new five-year partnership, and received FAO’s top Agricola Medal as Uzbekistan pushes digital and climate-smart farming. Archaeology & Heritage: An Uzbekistan–US expedition at Bukhara’s Shahristan site uncovered Samanid-era stucco panel fragments with Kufic inscriptions, now moving into restoration. Public Health Watch: Reports of a Siberian plague-lab worker’s death triggered quarantines and cross-border health checks; Russia says it’s “unknown pneumonia” and no plague spread, while the US urges more transparency. Regional Security: Azerbaijan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan took part in the “Eternal Brotherhood – V” special forces drill, focusing on interoperability and counter-terror tactics. Sports & Culture: Uzbekistan’s chess spotlight continues after the Samarkand Olympiad, while South Korea’s Son Heung-min set a scoring record in a friendly vs Uzbekistan. Tourism Push: Uzbekistan targets raising tourism’s GDP share to 7% and boosting foreign arrivals, with new complexes planned across key cities.

Uzbekistan’s Reform Push: Reuters reports TBC Bank’s CEO says Uzbekistan’s post-reform shift is making the country more investable, with digital payments replacing cash and talk of a possible Uzbekistan IPO drawing international attention. Regional Health Alert: After a suspected plague-linked death in Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan tightened border sanitary checks, and Uzbekistan stepped up preventive measures, as officials say the case is still unconfirmed but contacts were isolated. Trade & Connectivity: Uzbekistan and Oman explored cooperation in critical minerals and mining investment during business meetings in Oman, while regional rail plans continue to link Central Asia with Pakistan via Afghanistan. Business & Travel: Uzbekistan’s visitor numbers rose 37% in early 2026, and travel coverage highlights easier logistics and more flight options for independent trips. Culture & Sports: Uzbekistan is listed among films nominated for South Korea’s Busan International Film Festival, and chess coverage spotlights Indian players’ resilience at the Samarkand Olympiad in Uzbekistan.

Public Health Alert: Uzbekistan has introduced preventive measures after a suspected pneumonic plague case in Russia’s Siberia, where a 28-year-old lab worker died and nearly 200 contacts were placed under observation; neighboring states also tightened border checks. Regional Connectivity: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and the UAE signed a memorandum to jointly study a rail corridor linking Central Asia to Pakistan’s seaports via Afghanistan, aiming to boost freight and trade. Infrastructure & Energy: Uzbekistan’s air and gas sector continues to expand, with reports of projects to modernize gas distribution and new gas infrastructure support, while regional partners push major transport and logistics upgrades. Digital Resilience: Beeline Uzbekistan’s Bukhara backup data centre received Tier-3 design certification to strengthen network reliability. Diplomacy: President Mirziyoyev congratulated Tajik counterpart Rahmon on his birthday, highlighting growing cooperation in transport, energy, agriculture and water management. Crime & Justice: A Russian court sentenced an Uzbek citizen to 7.5 years for violently attacking his 17-year-old daughter, including pushing her from a fourth-floor window.

Regional Sports & Uzbekistan’s Place at Nagoya 2026: The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games wrapped up in Japan with China topping the medal table (169 gold, 341 total). Japan finished second (83 gold), South Korea third (39 gold), and India fourth (21 gold, 85 total). Uzbekistan also ended with 21 gold and 70 total medals, matching the gold figure but trailing on overall podiums. Central Asia Connectivity: A China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project continues to build local skills and partnerships, with stories from workers on the ground. New Rail Corridor Plan: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the UAE signed an MoU to develop a Central Asia–South Asia railway corridor linking through Afghanistan to Pakistan’s seaports. Afghanistan Talks: Uzbekistan is set to join the next Moscow Format consultations on Afghanistan in Russia, alongside regional states including Pakistan and the Taliban. Health & Justice Link: India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant met Uzbekistan’s Supreme Court chair to discuss judicial cooperation, including AI and digital tools.

Asian Games Wrap: The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games officially closed as China topped the medal table with 169 golds and 341 medals, followed by Japan (83 gold) and South Korea (39 gold); Uzbekistan finished with 21 golds and 70 medals, matching India’s gold count but trailing on total medals, while the next edition is set for Doha in 2030. Uzbek-India Judicial Ties: In Tashkent, India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant met Uzbekistan’s Supreme Court chair Robakhon Makhmudova, discussing judicial cooperation plus AI and digital tools for courts. Regional Diplomacy on Afghanistan: Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi traveled to Moscow for the next “Moscow Format” talks on Afghanistan, with senior officials from multiple countries including Uzbekistan expected. Water & Regional Security: Uzbekistan’s water leadership stressed that Central Asia’s water security requires cooperation across borders, not unilateral action. Transport Connectivity: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the UAE signed an MoU to study a new railway corridor through Afghanistan to Pakistan’s seaports, aiming to boost trade and logistics. Sports Spotlight: Uzbekistan’s presence also showed up in China’s Asian Games football bronze playoff, where China beat Uzbekistan 4-3 on penalties.

Health Watch: Uzbekistan has stepped up sanitary and epidemiological readiness after reports of a suspected plague case in Russia’s Irkutsk region, with specialists monitoring contacts and lab results and urging people not to spread unverified information. Education Reform: President Mirziyoyev signed a decree merging the preschool/school education and higher education ministries into a single Ministry of Education and Science, aiming for one continuous system from early learning to universities and stronger public accountability. Regional Security: Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan held the “Power of Unity-2026” drills in Azerbaijan, rehearsing drone and electronic warfare, border incidents and sea operations with more than 3,500 troops. Sports & Diplomacy: Uzbekistan’s presence at major events continues—from Asian Games medal races to international tennis—while Uzbekistan’s education and health policies stay in focus at home.

Public Health: Uzbekistan has boosted sanitary and epidemiological readiness after reports of a suspected plague case in Russia’s Irkutsk region, with Uzbek specialists monitoring the situation via Russian authorities and the WHO while contacts are under observation. Sports—Asian Games: The Asian Games medal race keeps shifting: China leads the tally with 169 golds, while India finishes Day 14 on 85 medals and is set to end fourth, with Uzbekistan close behind on 21 golds. Uzbek Athletes in Global Sport: Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova knocked Canada’s Leylah Fernandez out of the China Open in Beijing, winning 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. Uzbekistan in the Spotlight: A Uzbekistan referee was cited by Philippine boxer Carlo Paalam as a factor in his split-decision loss in the men’s 55kg boxing final at the Asian Games. Aviation & Trade: Tashkent-based cargo airline My Freighter says it will add four freighters by end-2026 and target 50 aircraft by 2030, building a dedicated cargo terminal at Tashkent Airport.

Uzbekistan–Denmark Ties: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met Denmark’s FM Lars Løkke Rasmussen, agreeing to strengthen the legal and institutional framework for cooperation as trade has surged and Danish firms work in mining, chemicals, food, agriculture, water and more. Tourism Push: Uzbekistan plans to develop 30 new tourist zones by 2030, with a new tourism infrastructure project office set up to apply international expertise and coordinate transport, hotels and recreation. Regional Connectivity: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the UAE signed an MoC to study a new railway route through Afghanistan and Pakistan to reach seaports, aiming to boost trade and transit. Tech & Startups: Astana Hub signed deals with IT Park Uzbekistan and others to run joint forums, B2B meetings and AI-focused labs, helping startups expand internationally. Sports Spotlight (Uzbek links): At the Asian Games, India’s Day 15 schedule includes wrestling and archery medal chances, with Uzbekistan athletes featuring in key bouts and matchups.