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The 2025 FIA Awards ceremony took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on December 12. From Formula One to karting, endurance racing and rally raid, champions across every discipline were recognised for their achievements over a fiercely competitive season.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who was just re-elected for his second term, welcomed guests to the and praised a year defined by close battles, rising talent and record participation across global competitions.

World Rally

Sebastien Ogier hailed the 2025 campaign as his «strongest» in the World Rally Championship and is «super proud» to match Sebastien Loeb’s record of nine...

On December 11, Saida Mirziyoyeva, First Assistant to the President of Uzbekistan, met Pope Leo XIV during a session of the Sheikh Zayed Award for Human Fraternity jury.

The discussion focused on key priorities of the award, which aims to strengthen intercultural and interfaith understanding globally.

Mirziyoyeva highlighted that in Uzbekistan, followers of different religions, including Catholics, live in an atmosphere of harmony and tolerance — values that the award seeks to promote internationally.

Both sides confirmed their commitment to collaborate on projects designed to build trust and advance humanitarian principles around the world.

Max Verstappen will miss the 2025 FIA Awards and Gala in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, after falling ill. The Red Bull Racing driver had been scheduled to receive the trophy for finishing second in the drivers’ championship.

The Dutchman has attended the gala for the past four years to collect his World Drivers’ Championship trophies. This season, however, he fell short of the title despite a strong comeback.

Verstappen did secure victory in the season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. But with Lando Norris finishing third in that race, Verstappen ended the season two points behind the British...

Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been re-elected as president of the FIA, the world motorsport governing body, and will serve a second four-year term until 2029. The 64-year-old Emirati, a former rally driver, first took office in December 2021, succeeding Jean Todt. His re-election took place unopposed at the FIA’s annual general assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Ben Sulayem expressed his gratitude to FIA members: «Thank you to all our FIA Members for voting in remarkable numbers and placing your trust in me once again. We have overcome many obstacles but here today, together, we are...

Jack Doohan experienced a challenging three days at Suzuka during Super Formula’s post-season test, with incidents on each day restricting his overall mileage. The Kondo Racing driver went off again at Degner Curve on Friday morning but rejoined the session for the final half hour to record a best lap of 1m38.350s. He finished ninth among the 14 rookies running on Friday and 26th in the combined classification.

Jack Doohan se estrelló por tercera vez en 3 días, casi en el mismo lugar cada vez.

La experiencia japonesa se convierte en una pesadilla para el australiano...

Uzbekistan’s new system of electronic prescriptions came into force on 12 December, but the rollout has led to confusion in the capital as residents struggle to purchase basic medicines. The updates include a revised prescription list that now requires medical authorisation for drugs such as paracetamol, nimesil, aspirin and viagra.

Despite the introduction, many in Tashkent say they have been unable to buy prescribed medicines at all, noting that only vitamins and dietary supplements remain available without restriction. Kursiv Uzbekistan has requested clarification from the Ministry of Health, although no official response had been provided at the time of...

McLaren F1 team has arrived in Tashkent. CEO Zak Brown, team principal Andrea Stella along with other staff and racing drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris were greeted at the airport. Lando Norris will receive his championship trophy today at FIA Awards Ceremony.

The drivers are accompanied by their girlfriends Lily Zneimer (Piastri) and Margarida Corseiro (Norris).

The team was greeted at Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport by officials...

The Board of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan has decided to maintain the key policy rate at 14% per annum, effective from December 11.

The regulator cited the need to control inflation and minimise inflationary risks as the main reason for keeping rates steady. Annual inflation fell to 7.5% in November, supported by a slowdown in core inflation to 6.3%. The stabilising effect of a stronger exchange rate and moderate import prices also helped contain the rise in non-food goods.

The Central Bank expects inflation to reach 7.3% by the end of 2025 and around 6.5% by the...

Uzbekistan has achieved a major cultural milestone with the inscription of the Karakalpak kobyz, a traditional musical instrument, and the yurt on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The decision was made during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee held in New Delhi, according to Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of the Presidential Administration.

Mirziyoyeva highlighted that the recognition reflects the value of Uzbekistan’s national traditions and the strength of its spiritual heritage.

She said, «This is a victory for our entire culture. We continue to move forward, carefully preserving what makes us unique.»

Mirziyoyeva also...

Uzbekistan’s Minister of Energy, Jurabek Mirzamahmudov, told deputies in the lower chamber of parliament that Tashkent is engaged in discussions with Washington regarding the assets of Russian oil company Lukoil in Uzbekistan.

He added that US authorities have sent a letter extending the deadline for the sale of Lukoil’s foreign assets to mid-January next year. Mirzamahmudov expressed hope that a solution could be reached that serves Uzbekistan’s interests while adhering to international law. Talks are ongoing with legal experts and American officials.

Lukoil, which operates on around ten gas fields in Uzbekistan and built the Kandym gas...

Uzbekistan plans to relax non-tariff procedures for businesses in an effort to make official car imports through legal entities more affordable, according to a presidential decree on expanding cashless payments.

Officials expect the move to reduce the volume of vehicle imports registered under individuals, a practice that has become an informal workaround in recent years.

Between January and September this year, Uzbekistan purchased more than 56,300 vehicles from overseas, an annual increase of about 1,900 units. By early October the value of car imports had reached $807.3 mln.

China accounted for the overwhelming majority of deliveries with around...

Ferrari Formula One driver Charles Leclerc has arrived in Tashkent, drawing considerable attention as one of the sport’s most recognisable figures.

The Monegasque racer was greeted at Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport by officials from Uzbekistan’s National Olympic Committee. Leclerc arrived with his fiancee Alexandra Saint Mleux.

Women entrepreneurs have demonstrated better loan repayment rates than their male counterparts, according to Francis Malige, Managing Director of the EBRD’s Financial Institutions Business Group. Speaking at the EBRD Women in Business Regional Conference on December 10, Malige challenged traditional risk assessments, stating:

«Women pay back their loans better than men. They are more serious entrepreneurs.»

He noted that this data is driving banks to view lending to women as a commercial opportunity rather than a high-risk endeavor.

Challenging Collateral Requirements

Malige referenced the programme’s initial implementation in Turkey to illustrate the shift...

Disproportionate family responsibilities and “life events” can reduce business activity for women entrepreneurs by nearly 30%, according to Zsuzsanna Hargitai, Managing Director for SME Finance and Development at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Speaking at the Unlocking Women’s Potential plenary session, Hargitai argued that marriage, motherhood, and other care duties continue to limit women’s economic opportunities, stating that investment in care infrastructure must be a priority for institutions serious about equal opportunity.

The Economic Cost of Care

Hargitai highlighted the stark contrast in how personal milestones affect male and female business owners. «Things in life only...

A recent photograph showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin carpooling drew attention during a US congressional discussion on India-US relations.

“This poster is worth a thousand words,” said US Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove, highlighting the image while sharply criticising the Trump administration’s policies towards India.

“Trump’s policies towards India can only be described as cutting our nose to spite our face. Being a coercive partner has a cost. And this poster is worth a thousand words,” Dove said, adding, “You do not get a Nobel Peace Prize by driving US strategic partners...

Arsenal have reportedly refused Viktor Gyokeres permission to travel to Sweden to give evidence in a court case involving his agent. The striker, who joined the club in a major summer move, had been called as a witness in a defamation lawsuit set to be heard in 2026.

His representative, Hasan Cetinkaya, is taking legal action against Swedish outlets Expressen and Fotboll Sthlm after reports alleged he and his agency, HCM Sports Management, had links to criminal groups. Cetinkaya has rejected the claims and is pursuing the case through the Stockholm courts, where Gyokeres was expected to testify.

Uzbekistan remains the most dynamic market for international hotel chains in Central Asia. From 2020 to 2025, the number of branded hotel rooms in the country grew by 272%, a pace unmatched by any other nation in the region, according to CMWP Uzbekistan.

Strong growth in Uzbekistan’s hotel market

In 2025 alone, 682 new branded hotel rooms opened, including Swissôtel Tashkent, Wyndham Garden Tashkent Airport, Ramada Encore by Wyndham Zomin, and J.W. Marriott Hotel Tashkent, which became the country’s second Luxury-level property.

By the end of 2025, Uzbekistan had a total of 4,473 international hotel rooms, placing it...

Uzbekistan is set to export food products worth $3.2 bn by the end of 2025, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said at a meeting with agricultural workers at the Kuksaroy residence.

Food exports have risen 37% since the start of the year, with Uzbekistan expanding its reach to 83 countries. The country ranks third globally for dried plums and apricots, seventh for peaches and raisins, and eighth for cherries, the president noted.

This year, Uzbek farmers harvested 3.4 mln tonnes of fruit, 2 mln tonnes of grapes, 19.5 mln tonnes of vegetables, melons and potatoes, and 1 mln tonnes of legumes...

President Donald Trump has unveiled a new programme offering fast-tracked US visas to wealthy foreigners willing to pay at least $1 mln (£750,000).

The so-called Trump Gold Card is designed to give buyers «a direct path to Citizenship for all qualified and vetted people. SO EXCITING! Our Great American Companies can finally keep their invaluable Talent,» Trump wrote on social media.

The scheme targets individuals who can demonstrate they will provide a «substantial benefit» to the United States, according to the official website. It promises US residency in «record time» for a $1 mln...

The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) is creating a platform to attract investors from Gulf countries to projects in Central Asia, according to the bank’s press service.

The initiative will target sectors such as logistics and water management, while agriculture and renewable energy are also expected to draw interest. Islamic finance is expanding in Central Asia, with the market projected to reach $6.3 bn by 2033.

To support this effort, EDB has opened a representative office in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) financial centre. The platform will offer investors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ready-made investment solutions for Central...

Hamkorbank will receive a $70 mln loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Uzbekistan.

SMEs account for around half of the country’s GDP and provide jobs for roughly 80% of the population. Supporting this sector is a key priority for the EBRD. As of December 2025, the bank has invested more than $6.5 bn across 193 projects in Uzbekistan. According to the State Statistics Committee, by early November 2025, there were 395,700 active small and micro enterprises, down 1.6% compared with the previous year.

In the third quarter...

Tourists from dozens of countries, including the UK, could soon have to provide a five-year history of their social media activity before entering the United States. The proposal would affect travellers eligible for the 90-day visa-free Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) programme and comes as part of the Trump administration’s wider push to tighten border security.

President Donald Trump, who returned to the White House in January, stressed that the measures are intended to protect national security.

Asked whether the plan might reduce tourism, he said he was not concerned, adding, «We just want...

The European Union has allocated €7 mln to support Uzbekistan’s Agriculture Development Strategy for 2020–2030. The announcement was made by EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan Toivo Klaar during a meeting with Agriculture Minister Ibrohim Abdurahmonov.

This grant forms part of a broader EU support package for the country’s agricultural sector, which will total €20 mln. The EU previously provided €6 mln in 2023 and plans to release the remaining €7 mln in 2026, provided that reforms progress as agreed and key targets are met.

«To ensure strong investment, sustainability and a more competitive export sector, both...

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has announced that China will supply Uzbekistan with 50 agricultural drones next year. Speaking at a meeting with farmers, he said every region will open at least two mobile drone units to provide services to local producers.

The president added that the drones’ carrying capacity will rise from 100 kg to 250 kg as part of the sector’s modernisation.

«I am pleased to see more of our farmers and clusters adopting digital technologies and artificial intelligence in their operations and achieving high yields with low costs,» he said.

Mirziyoyev noted that...