Beeline Uzbekistan has been named the winner of the ESG Awards 2026 in the «Inclusive Growth & Education Empowerment» category for its Beeline Academy initiative and received a Certificate of Appreciation in the «Responsible Production & Sustainable Supply Chains» category for its Less In, Same Out project.
The awards were presented at the first ESG Award Ceremony & ESG Review Report Presentation, held as part of the fifth anniversary of the Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF). The ceremony was organised by the Foreign Investors Council under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (FIC) together with the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, within the framework of the ESG & Circular Economy FIC Working Group.
The event brought together FIC member companies implementing projects with measurable environmental and social impact and also served as a platform for presenting the annual ESG Review Report.
Beeline Uzbekistan submitted two projects for the award and both received high recognition from the expert jury.
The winner in the «Inclusive Growth & Education Empowerment» category was Beeline Academy — the company’s educational initiative aimed at developing digital skills among teachers and introducing artificial intelligence technologies into the education system. As part of the award-winning project, around 1,000 computer science teachers from all regions of Uzbekistan completed training on the practical use of AI technologies in the educational process and received professional development certificates.
The Less In, Same Out project, recognised with a Certificate of Appreciation, focuses on improving the energy efficiency of Beeline Uzbekistan’s telecommunications infrastructure. As part of the initiative, the company replaced traditional lead-acid batteries with modern lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) batteries at more than 1,500 base stations across the country. This has enabled annual energy savings of 16.8 GWh, improved network reliability and increased resource efficiency.
The company was represented at the ceremony by Beeline Uzbekistan CEO Evgeniy Nastradin and VEON Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu.
“Beeline Uzbekistan’s ESG award recognises our AI1440 vision in action. Training teachers to use AI in the classroom is a perfect example of our vision of AI as augmented, not artificial, intelligence: not to replace teachers but to help them become better versions of themselves and to be the best teachers they can be for their students. I am also pleased that our continued work on energy efficiency across our network was recognised, as we continue to invest where it creates lasting value for Uzbekistan,” said Kaan Terzioglu, Chief Executive Officer of VEON Group.
«For us, ESG is not only about environmental responsibility and corporate governance; above all, it is about people and the opportunities we create for their growth and development. Beeline Academy’s victory at the ESG Awards 2026 for training 1,000 teachers in the practical application of artificial intelligence confirms that investing in human capital means investing in the future of Uzbekistan’s digital economy. By strengthening educators’ skills and competencies, we help ensure that technology serves society and creates new opportunities for the next generation,»said Evgeniy Nastradin, CEO of Beeline Uzbekistan.
Beeline Academy has been implemented since 2023. As part of the program, modern computer laboratories and a lesson recording studio were established at Tashkent International University of Education (TIUE). In 2024–2025, more than 1,300 teachers and students completed free training programs in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital technologies.
Currently, a new educational course on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity is being delivered for another 1,000 teachers from across the country. Taking into account the current enrollment, the total number of educators who have completed or are currently undergoing training within Beeline Academy will reach nearly 2,300 people.
Beeline Uzbekistan’s consistent work in sustainable development has also received recognition at other international and national platforms. In 2025, the company became a winner at the Employer Brand Award & Summit EMBRAS in the «Innovation» category for implementing a digital HR document management system. In 2024, Beeline Uzbekistan was among the top three finalists of the international CIPS Excellence Awards in the «Outstanding Diversity and Inclusion Practices» category and in 2025 received a special award at the «Inson uchun» ceremony for its contribution to inclusive employment development.
The ESG Awards 2026 recognitions confirm Beeline Uzbekistan’s continued implementation of its sustainable development strategy, which combines investments in digital education, human capital development, infrastructure modernisation, and improved environmental efficiency of its telecommunications network.
About Beeline Uzbekistan
Beeline Uzbekistan (Unitel LLC) has provided digital operator services under the Beeline Uzbekistan brand since September 12, 2006. The company is one of the country’s largest taxpayers and has paid approximately $2.1 bn in taxes throughout its operations. Beeline Uzbekistan employs more than 2,000 people and has received Top Employer certification in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Beeline Uzbekistan is part of VEON Group. Since entering the Uzbek market in 2006, VEON has invested more than $1.6 bn in Uzbekistan’s telecommunications sector.
VEON is a digital operator providing connectivity services and digital products to more than 150 mln telecom users and 229 mln digital product users. Operating in five countries that are home to more than 6% of the world’s population, VEON uses technology to improve people’s lives, expand opportunities, and support economic growth. VEON shares are listed on NASDAQ. More information: https://www.veon.com
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