This week in Uzbekistan
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will skip Moscow's Victory Day parade this year, opting instead to focus on domestic remembrance, marking a notable shift from previous years. In other news, a Turkish citizen was extradited from Peru to Uzbekistan on fraud charges following joint efforts. Uzbekistan also features in the international chess world, as FIDE opened bidding for the 2026 World Chess Championship match involving Javokhir Sindarov.
About Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan, a pivotal crossroads of the ancient Silk Road, captivates with its rich Islamic heritage, vibrant culture, and breathtaking architectural marvels. While the country has seen some liberalization under recent leadership, its media landscape remains largely state-controlled, influencing the scope and nature of news coverage. This Central Asian nation offers a unique blend of historical grandeur and evolving modern dynamics.
Visiting Uzbekistan
Media landscape
Media in Uzbekistan is predominantly state-controlled, with some recent efforts towards liberalization, though fundamental press restrictions persist. Online platforms are gaining traction, offering alternative sources of information.
Be aware that most traditional media outlets are state-affiliated, so seek out diverse online sources and international reporting for a broader perspective.
Sources we track 1
Uzbekistan appoints first ambassador to Ethiopia
- Uzbekistan appointed its first ambassador to Ethiopia, Ashraf Khodjaev, who will be based in Doha. - Khodjaev presented his credentials to Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie, expressing Uzbekisโฆ
Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan exchange border land plots
- Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have exchanged border land plots as part of a demarcation process, transferring two settlements with around 2,500 residents to Kyrgyzstan. - Kyrgyzstan will grant citizenshโฆ
Javokhir Sindarov defeats Magnus Carlsen at World Rapid Team Championship
- The Uzbekistan national team finished 8th at the FIDE World Team Rapid Championship in Hong Kong. - A highlight was Javokhir Sindarov's victory over former world champion Magnus Carlsen. - Uzbekistaโฆ
Robakhon Mahmudova appointed new chair of Supreme Court of Uzbekistan
- Robakhon Mahmudova has been appointed the new chair of the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan. - She was proposed for the role by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and elected by the Senate on June 18. - Mahmudโฆ
Uzbekistan, United States Launch Joint Investment Platform
- Uzbekistan and the United States have launched a joint investment platform to foster strategic projects. - The platform targets key sectors including energy, infrastructure, critical minerals, logisโฆ
Uzbekistan proposes creating special economic zone for US companies
- Uzbekistan has proposed establishing a special economic zone specifically for U.S. companies. - This zone aims to serve as a hub for American investment, technology, and manufacturing in Central Asiโฆ
Partial IPO of Uzbekistan Airways planned by year-end
- Uzbekistan Airways is planning a partial Initial Public Offering (IPO) by the end of the year. - The airline aims to sell 15-20% of its shares to improve its value and operations. - The move is partโฆ
Japan to provide Uzbekistan nearly $230 million for energy-efficiency projects
- Japan will provide Uzbekistan with two loans totaling approximately $230 million to support energy-efficiency projects in public buildings and the industrial sector. - The funding includes $136 millโฆ
"Without supporters, football dies": Uzbekistan fan club prepares for World Cup
- Members of the Uzbekistan national football fan club traveled to the United States to support their team at the 2026 World Cup. - The fan club, founded in 2007, has prepared songs and chants, includโฆ
World Cup 2026: Mexico City buzzes with global football fervor
- The FIFA World Cup atmosphere in Mexico City is vibrant, with fans from around the world gathering for the tournament. - An encounter at Atlanta airport highlighted the unifying spirit of football, โฆ
Sindarov Returns to Tournaments: Uzbekistan National Team to Compete at World Championships in Hong Kong
- Uzbekistan's Javokhir Sindarov will compete in the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship in Hong Kong. - Sindarov, a rising star and winner of the 2026 Candidates Tournament, recently aโฆ
Tashkent Investment Forum Poised to Be Largest Ever, Drawing Over 8,300 Participants
- The 5th Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF) is set to be the largest ever, with over 8,300 participants registered, including more than 3,400 foreign delegates from 100 countries. - The fโฆ
President of Uzbekistan sends birthday congratulations to US president
- Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent birthday wishes to US President Donald Trump on his 80th birthday. - Mirziyoyev highlighted Trump's role in growing US international standing and promoโฆ
Law grants right to strike for first time in Uzbekistan
- Uzbekistan has enacted a new law granting the right to strike for the first time, effective September 12. - The legislation defines a strike as a voluntary, collective refusal to work to protect empโฆ
US deports 24 more Uzbek citizens on charter flight
- A charter flight carrying 24 deported citizens of Uzbekistan arrived in Tashkent from the United States. - The US embassy expressed gratitude to Uzbekistan for its cooperation in facilitating the reโฆ
Uzbekistan Seeks Explanation from US Over Football Team's Security Screening
- Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry is seeking an explanation from U.S. authorities regarding security screenings of its national football team. - The ministry stated that such procedures should not detraโฆ
Uzbekistan to establish Air Force Combat Command
- Uzbekistan will establish an Air Force Combat Command to strengthen its air defense and military aviation capabilities. - The move is part of a presidential decree aimed at enhancing precision-guideโฆ
Uzbekistan issues travel advice for fans attending 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry issued travel recommendations for fans attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada. - Fans are urged to review visa and immigration rules, comply wiโฆ
Six killed, five injured in gas filling station explosion in Kashkadarya region
- An explosion at a liquefied gas cylinder filling station in Uzbekistan's Kashkadarya region killed six people and injured five. - The incident occurred on June 8, with emergency services responding โฆ
Uzbekistan Lifts One-Vehicle-Per-Year Import Limit for Personal Use
- Uzbekistan has removed a restriction limiting individuals and companies to importing only one vehicle per year for personal use. - The rule, in place since 2017, was lifted by a presidential decree โฆ
Mobiuz Mobile Operator Privatization Valued at $351 Million
- Uzbekistan has completed the international privatization of its 100% state stake in the mobile operator Mobiuz for $351 million. - A US-led consortium, McKim and Company and JVR Enterprises LLC, wonโฆ
โTo promote creative freedomโ: Uzbekistan to eliminate cinematography commission and film councils
- Uzbekistan plans to abolish its cinematography commission and film councils to foster creative freedom. - President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced measures to boost the film industry, including tax exโฆ
Uzbekistan resumes gold exports after six-month pause
- Uzbekistan resumed gold exports in April after a six-month hiatus, shipping $1.504 billion worth of the precious metal. - The country's foreign trade deficit widened significantly in the first four โฆ
Op-Ed. Environmental sustainability is not only about protecting nature
- Uzbekistan is emerging as a hub for environmental dialogue and solutions, hosting the GEF Assembly and ECO EXPO Central Asia. - The UNDP and GEF have partnered with Uzbekistan for over three decadesโฆ
Tashkent signs $3.5 billion in agreements with Chinese companies for drainage, BRT, renovation projects
- Tashkent has signed agreements worth over $3.5 billion with Chinese companies for infrastructure development, including drainage, public transport, and urban renovation. - Projects will be financed โฆ
Uzbekistan to Raise Tax Threshold for Small Businesses to Nearly $417,000
- Uzbekistan will raise the threshold for small businesses to be subject to VAT and corporate income tax from 1 billion to 5 billion soums ($83,400 to $417,000) starting June 1, 2026. - The move aims โฆ
Uzbekistan's Tashkent-Samarkand Toll Road Construction to Start in July After Chinese Firm Wins Tender
- Construction of Uzbekistan's Tashkent-Samarkand toll highway, a 282 km project, is set to begin in July after a Chinese company won the tender. - The new highway aims to significantly reduce travel โฆ
Eurasian Development Bank opens Uzbekistan office, plans $1.5 billion investment by 2031
- The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has opened a representative office in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. - The bank plans to invest up to $1.5 billion in Uzbekistan by 2031, with initial agreements includingโฆ
JAC Motors Launches First Plant in Uzbekistan, Begins M3 Minivan Production
- JAC Motors has opened its first production plant in Uzbekistan, located in Tashkent. - The plant, a joint venture with a local investment company, will initially assemble the JAC M3 minivan and planโฆ
Nearly 600 kg of Drugs Seized at Uzbekistanโs Border with Afghanistan
- Uzbekistan border guards and customs officers seized nearly 600 kg of drugs smuggled from Afghanistan. - The narcotics, including 593 kg of hashish and 3 kg of opium, were found hidden inside the liโฆ
Central Asia Moves Toward Common Energy Market Amid Growing Demand and Climate Concerns
- Central Asian countries are moving towards a common energy market following a major 2022 blackout that highlighted the risks of fragmented cooperation. - Growing electricity demand, projected to neaโฆ
Uzbekistan Gifts Grand Mosque to Kazakhstan in Turkestan
- Uzbekistan gifted a newly constructed mosque complex to Kazakhstan during a presidential visit to Turkestan. - The mosque complex spans over 7 hectares and can accommodate more than 5,000 worshipperโฆ
Uzbekistan's Sindarov Faces World Champion Gukesh in Poland Chess Tournament
- Uzbekistan's Javokhir Sindarov participated in the Super Rapid & Blitz Poland chess tournament, a stage of the 2023 Grand Chess Tour. - Sindarov tied for 7th-9th place, earning $9,000, with his partโฆ
Uzbekistan President to Skip Moscow's Victory Day Parade, Focus on Domestic Remembrance
- Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will not attend the May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow, a departure from previous years where Central Asian leaders were present. - Instead, Mirziyoyev willโฆ
Turkish citizen extradited from Peru to Uzbekistan on fraud charges
- A Turkish citizen wanted by Uzbekistan for large-scale fraud has been extradited from Peru. - The extradition was a result of joint efforts by Interpol offices in Tashkent and Lima, with support froโฆ
FIDE Opens Bidding for Youngest Ever World Chess Championship Match
- The FIDE has initiated the bidding process for the 2026 World Chess Championship match between Dommaraju Gukesh and Javokhir Sindarov. - The match is tentatively scheduled for November 23 to Decembeโฆ
Uzbekistan to Relocate Government Agencies to Single Administrative Centers
- Uzbekistan plans to consolidate government agencies into single administrative centers in 26 districts and cities. - The initiative aims to save energy resources, reduce costs, and free up space forโฆ
174 meningitis cases recorded in Uzbekistan since start of year, majority among children
- Uzbekistan has recorded 174 cases of meningococcal infection from January to March, with 168 cases involving children under 14. - Cases saw a 14% decrease in April compared to March, and authoritiesโฆ
Uzbekistan Assures Sufficient Fuel Reserves Amid Global Price Hikes
- Uzbekistan's state oil and gas company Uzbekneftegaz assures sufficient fuel reserves despite moderate price increases. - Global oil price hikes, driven by geopolitical tensions, have impacted the dโฆ
Op-ed: Aral Sea Region Cannot Heal Until Its People Do
- A health-focused recovery plan for the Aral Sea region must prioritize the well-being of its inhabitants. - Women and children disproportionately suffer from health issues linked to environmental deโฆ
Uzbekistan declares month-long livestock sanitation campaign over foot-and-mouth disease risk
- Uzbekistan has launched a month-long livestock sanitation campaign due to the risk of foot-and-mouth disease. - No cases have been confirmed in Uzbekistan, but videos of symptomatic animals have emeโฆ
Aiming for Seoulโs level โ Tashkent hokim on $1 billion fund, new economic strategy
- Tashkent's mayor, Shavkat Umurzakov, outlined a new economic strategy aiming to accelerate growth by leveraging internal reserves and benchmarking against global megacities like Seoul. - The city plโฆ
Tashkent welcomes Javokhir Sindarov after historic Candidates Tournament triumph
- Javokhir Sindarov received a ceremonial welcome in Tashkent on April 17, becoming the first Uzbek player to win the Candidates Tournament. - Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and other officials highligโฆ
Uzbekistan seeks former plant head via Interpol for embezzlement
- Former head of Uzbek Metallurgical Plant, Dilshod Akhmedov, has been declared wanted through Interpol. - Akhmedov is accused of embezzlement or misappropriation under Uzbek law and was previously a โฆ
IMF Raises Uzbekistan's Economic Growth Forecast for 2026
- The International Monetary Fund has raised Uzbekistan's GDP growth forecast for 2026 to 6.8%, up from 6.2% previously. - Inflation expectations have worsened due to global oil prices, with the forecโฆ