Uzbekistan's public debt grew to $48.32 billion (27% of GDP) in April–June 2026. Infographic: structure, currencies, creditors and sectors.

Russian biopharmaceutical company PROMOMED has established PROMOMED-PHARMA in Tashkent to expand local operations and pharmaceutical supplies.

Uzbekistan’s average population density reached 85.8 people per square kilometer as of 1 July 2026, up 1.5 from a year earlier.

A driver in Kashkadarya was sentenced to 15 days of administrative arrest after ignoring traffic police, hitting a patrol car and fleeing.

Uzbekneftegaz and Schlumberger discussed expanding cooperation in digitalization, artificial intelligence and field management technologies.

Thirty new Zongtong buses have started operating on two routes in Termiz ahead of Uzbekistan’s 35th Independence Day.

A Russian psychologist says first-graders should focus on adapting to school, handling difficulties and maintaining interest in learning rather than grades.

Uzbekistan and South Korea reviewed two joint R&D projects in Tashkent, focusing on research results and future technology cooperation.

Construction has begun on an electric bus plant in Ferghana region with Chinese companies Xiang Yang Tenglong Automobile and GIG Investments.

Uzbekistan is positioning itself as a Central Asian financial hub as the Silk Road Finance & Technology Forum brings over 6,000 participants.

Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency has proposed criminal penalties of up to 15 years for organizing illegal migration under draft amendments.

A Jizzakh city tax inspector was detained after allegedly demanding 9 million soums from an entrepreneur to help write off tax debt.

Three cars collided on the Tashkent-Nurafshan highway in Tashkent region on 24 August, with a fire reported after the crash.

Uzbekistan’s digital-finance story is entering a more interesting phase. The country is no longer starting from a blank sheet of paper. It already has an instant-payment system, domestic card infrastructure, QR payments and a rapidly expanding agenda around fintech, Open Banking and account-to-account services.

Bukhara-based Leaders Group Team generated US$1.43 million in US export revenues during the first half of 2026, Uzbekistan's Digital Technologies Ministry said.

Uzbek, Azerbaijani first ladies visit Islamic Civilization Center

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev reviewed New Tashkent’s master plan, infrastructure and development plans.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received the highest state orders of their respective countries.

Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan discussed deeper strategic ties, new joint projects and plans to raise bilateral trade to US$1 billion.

Uzbekistan has launched the Uzbekistan Music Heritage project to preserve and promote the country’s musical heritage through modern technology.

Uzbekistan’s public debt reached US$48.32 billion in Q2 2026, rising US$1.33 billion from the previous quarter, Finance Ministry data show.

Uzbekistan aims to secure an investment-grade credit rating and complete its accession to the WTO while continuing market reforms.

Large enterprises in Uzbekistan produced 75.2 trillion soums of food products in January-June 2026, up 12% from a year earlier.

Uzbekistan’s Business Ombudsman has launched a project allowing entrepreneurs to submit business-related questions to qualified specialists.

Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan will allow citizens to combine work periods in both countries when determining pension eligibility under a new agreement.

Uzbekistan will play Iran in a friendly match on 24 September at the Istiklol stadium in Ferghana during the FIFA international window.

Uzbekistan’s Humo and Gorgona AI will study agentic payment infrastructure, including mandates, authorization, transaction limits and agent identification.

Uzbekistan has launched a US$40,000 competition for solutions to restore degraded and saline land in two districts of Karakalpakstan.

Uzbekistan received 21,000 visitors from Italy in January-July 2026, with about 95.7% arriving for travel purposes, official data shows.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has gifted Donald Trump traditional Uzbek ayvans planned for installation in Washington’s West Potomac Park.

Lieutenant Colonel Bakhtiyor Inokov has been appointed head of the Internal Affairs Department of Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya region.

A new “green wave” traffic system on Shota Rustaveli Street has cut travel time between Southern Station and Grand Mir Hotel by about 30%.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Bahauddin Naqshband mausoleum in Bukhara on the second day of the Uzbek-Azerbaijani summit.

Over 50 Uzbek teachers completed a joint artificial intelligence training program at HKUST (Guangzhou) with New Uzbekistan University.

Kazakhstan's KMG PetroChem met diplomats in Tashkent to discuss joint petrochemical projects in Karshi and broader industrial ties with Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan launched the Azerbaijan Park project in New Tashkent, following the launch of a Uzbekistan Park in Baku.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called Ilham Aliyev’s state visit historic and highlighted the Treaty of Eternal Friendship.

More transport services will operate in Tashkent region’s Bostanlyk district on weekends and holidays to serve mountain tourist destinations.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the Kuksaroy residence before high-level talks in Tashkent.

Uzbekistan won six medals and finished third in the team standings after the individual events at the junior world judo championships in Ecuador.

Azerbaijani companies plan projects in mining, energy, agriculture, tourism, construction, finance and other sectors across Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan has presented Raqamli mahalla, Aqlli mahalla and Mahalla AI platforms to improve services and data-driven work at the mahalla level.

Uzbekistan imported 421,918 tonnes of potatoes worth US$34 million from 11 countries in January-June 2026, official data show.

Loans to micro, small and medium-sized businesses in Uzbekistan rose 19% to 90.3 trillion soums in January-July 2026.

Uzbekistan plans to attract US$1 billion in fintech investment by 2030 as it develops a regional financial technology hub.

Uzbekistan’s Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliyev visited Bukhara’s historic monuments, including the Ark Fortress and Poi Kalon.

Iranian entrepreneurs explored investment opportunities in Ferghana region and signed a cooperation memorandum following talks with regional officials.

Uzbekistan’s privatization proceeds reached 77.6 trillion soums in 2020–2025, up sharply from 1.1 trillion soums in the previous decade.

Kyrgyz airline Aero Nomad has launched twice-weekly regular flights between Tashkent and Bishkek using Airbus A320 aircraft.

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Bukhara as part of his state visit to Uzbekistan, where he was welcomed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Uzbekistan’s Tax Committee has upgraded its “Suspicious Cases” service to help businesses detect and correct digital labeling discrepancies.

The number of vehicles registered to individuals in Uzbekistan reached 4.98 million as of 1 July 2026, up 1.6% from April.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discussed trade, industrial cooperation, investment and transport links.

The Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan will announce a global calligraphy contest on 26 August 2026 to create a unified World Quran.

Uzbek and Azerbaijani first ladies Ziroat Mirziyoyeva and Mehriban Aliyeva visited the Ahun Guzar showroom featuring local craft and design brands.

Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan presidents opened a new Nizami Pedagogical University campus in New Tashkent with educational and research facilities.

Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan signed a Treaty of Eternal Friendship and a package of bilateral documents covering trade, investment, culture and tourism.

Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan launched new joint projects in banking, construction materials, education, tourism, housing, mining and horticulture.

Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan rose 26-fold over a decade to US$795 million in 2025, officials said at a Tashkent forum.

Uzbekistan’s U-17 team will play Uruguay and Spain in friendly matches in Spain as part of its preparations for the U-17 World Cup.