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During the opening of the 9th meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Board of Governors in Samarkand, President Jin Liqun emphasised the importance of enhancing connectivity within Asia and between Asia and other parts of the world.

He underlined that improving connectivity within Asia and between Asia and the rest of the world is crucial for the region’s development. Central Asia is an excellent example of how connectivity can positively transform local communities. The region’s history as a trading hub for over 2,500 years further emphasises the significance of investing in cross-border projects to foster economic growth and...

Uzbekistan aims to raise its GDP to $160 billion, announced President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during a meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Samarkand. “Our GDP has doubled, surpassing $100 billion for the first time. We intend to increase this number to $160 billion within the next five years,” he stated.

As Mirziyoyev emphasizes, the primary objective of Uzbekistan’s reforms is to elevate the country to a state with above-average incomes. According to the head of state, the fact that Uzbekistan was chosen as the host country signifies the cooperation between AIIB and...

According to Runze Yu, a representative of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Bank is interested in developing infrastructure for electric vehicles in Uzbekistan.

Yu emphasized that the AIIB is actively encouraging women to be involved in projects within our country.

During the AIIB Board of Governors meeting in Samarkand, it was emphasised that including indicators related to the percentage of women in management among employees and beneficiaries is essential for assessing project outcomes.

The AIIB has invested over $3 billion in Uzbekistan and intends to invest another $2.6 billion by 2027.

With the Bank’s support, projects in...

According to the EDB Board Chairman Nikolay Podguzov, the bank plans to invest in Kambar-Ata HPP.

The bank is ready to assist the project as part of efforts to develop Central Asia’s water and energy infrastructure. The EDB’s funding commitments for managing energy and water resources in the region are approaching $1 billion.

Podguzov referred to the Kambar-Ata HPP as the largest investment project in Kyrgyzstan and an example of interstate cooperation in the energy sector. Previously, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan had agreed to collaborate on the construction and operation of the power plant, which is estimated to...

The Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov and his Portuguese counterpart Paulo Rangel signed an agreement on economic cooperation, as reported in the Telegram Channel of the Head of the Uzbek Minister.

According to Saidov, the signed document will help strengthen trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.

Tashkent and Lisbon established diplomatic relations on 12 August 1992.

In mid-May 2024, the parties discussed the possibility of attracting Portuguese investments in our country. Following the meeting, the parties agreed to organise a visit of Portuguese businesses to Uzbekistan.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that the European Union will...

The 20th Non-Aligned Movement Summit is scheduled to take place in Uzbekistan. According to the Republic’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, the country is aiming to lead the Movement from 2027 to 2029.

‘We are honoured to announce a historic milestone – Uzbekistan’s plans to host the 20th Summit and lead the Movement for 2027-2029 with a focus on key priorities such as energy security, sustainable development and strengthening global trade systems, Saidov wrote in his Telegram channel.

He added that the Movement’s participants will be able to cope with the challenges of the time together.

This statement was made...

The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has instructed developers to incorporate landscaping and infrastructure construction, as reported by the press office of the head of the state.

During a recent meeting focused on developing the construction industry, the president emphasised the need for integrated construction practices that consider environmental and demographic challenges.

Developers will also need to create green zones, parking spaces, schools, sports facilities and some specific buildings.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated that the construction work volume has reached nearly $100 billion over the past seven years. He highlighted the importance of focusing on improving the quality and culture...

Uzbekistan’s athlete Khusunboy Matrasulov secured the silver medal at the World Youth Weightlifting Championships, according to the Uzbek National Olympic Committee (NOC).

Matrasulov competed in the 73kg weight class. He lifted 148kg in the snatch.

He finished fifth in the snatch and fourth overall.

The World Youth Weightlifting Championships are taking place in León, Spain.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reported that Khorezm weightlifters became the best in Uzbekistan

Air Samarkand has launched a new scheduled flight from Tashkent to Al Ain, UAE. According to the air company’s press release, the first flight, operated by an Airbus A321 aircraft, took place on September 22.

The airplane offers 12 business class and 182 economy class seats. The flights are operated in partnership with Rotana Jet and easybooking.uz.

The flights should be operated on Sundays. Air Samarkand also plans to expand its destinations to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Tickets are available at easybooking.uz.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reported that a bus to Khujand started running from Almalyk bus station once a...

According to the Afghan Foreign Ministry, the Taliban’s new ambassador to Uzbekistan, Abdul Ghafar Bahr, has arrived in Tashkent, as reported by TOLOnews.

He was met by Charge d’Affaires Magfurrula Shahab and former Uzbek Ambassador to Afghanistan Yodgorhuja Shadmanov.

Tashkent decided to initiate the arrival of the Afghan diplomat in mid-August 2024. Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, during a meeting with representatives of the Taliban government, expressed willingness to accept the ambassador of the Islamic Emirate.

China and the United Arab Emirates have also received ambassadors from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan but have not yet taken steps...

The British Fashion Council will feature clothing brands from Uzbekistan in its events, according to the Dunyo news agency.

Uzbek Ambassador to the UK, Ravshan Usmanov, and the Council’s deputy head, David Leigh-Pemberton, reached an agreement on this.

Usmanov reassured his British colleagues about the potential of Uzbekistan’s textile industry. He also invited council representatives to attend a conference on the creative economy in Uzbekistan in early October.

The British Fashion Council was established in 1983 to support British designers in the global market and coordinate London Fashion Week.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reported about the Face of Uzbekistan...

Uzbekistan’s men’s team won a bronze medal at the 45th World Chess Olympiad, the country’s National Olympic Committee reported.

The Indian men’s team won the Olympic gold medal, while the American chess players took home the silver. The Uzbek women’s team finished in 12th place.

Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Nodira Nodirjonova secured silver medals, while Shamsiddin Vokhidov clinched the gold in their individual matches.

The committee highlighted Uzbekistan’s consecutive Olympic medal victories, noting that the national team had previously secured the championship title two years ago.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reported on the meeting between the Uzbekistan and China...

Senators in the Oliy Majlis have approved a bill to enhance the protection of women and children from domestic violence, as reported by the press service of the upper house of parliament.

The bill introduces liability for committing violence against a child into the criminal and administrative codes.

The document also establishes a procedure for seeking reconciliation in cases of domestic violence during court proceedings. Such documents can be submitted to the court at almost any point during the hearing.

During the Senate session, it was noted that the approved bill was developed with the World Bank’s recommendation in...

The French version of the Top Gear car show comes in Uzbekistan, as reported by the Tourism Committee said.

For this purpose, Chairman of the Committee Umid Shadiev met with BBC Studios France Executive Producer Jack Thomas-Richard in Paris.

The French delegation’s visit to Uzbekistan is scheduled for late September. They will discuss the detailed filming process.

The Top Gear TV show has been on since 1977. In 2002, it was restarted with a new cast of presenters. The French version of Top Gear has been aired since 2015.

Kurusiv, Uzbekistan, also reported that a Japanese TV show...

According to Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki, Afghanistan’s ambassador to Uzbekistan will arrive in Tashkent on September 28.

“Some other countries have also expressed a willingness to accept our diplomatic presence at the ambassadorial level. We hope to introduce more diplomatic representatives this year,” Muttaki said.

The appointment of an ambassador to Uzbekistan was announced at the end of August this year. Abdullah Gafar Tirawi has been appointed as the ambassador.

At a meeting with Taliban government representatives, Uzbek Prime Minister Abdullah Aripov announced that Uzbekistan had approved the establishment of a diplomatic mission in Afghanistan.

Kursiv...

Malaysia’s Meraque Group plans to invest 20 million ringgit (about $5 million) to establish a factory and develop an agricultural drone ecosystem in Uzbekistan, according to the Uzbek Ministry of Agriculture.

The factory should employ approximately 1,000 people, and the drones it manufactures will have the capacity to service 100,000 hectares of farmland. Meraque aims to secure an additional 30 million ringgit ($7 million) in funding to unite the entire drone industry into a unified digital ecosystem.

Drones are used to monitor farmland. Equipped with cameras and sensors, these drones gather information about plant conditions and the area...

Three airlines have commenced operations at Navoi Airport: Latvian SmartLynx Airlines, British Titan Airways and Uzbek FlyKhiva.

They initiated regular cargo flights. Titan Airways conducted its inaugural flight on September 12, operating on the Chongqing—Navoi—London route with a layover in Navoi. These flights will run four times a week using Airbus A330 aircraft.

On September 17, Latvian SmartLynx Airlines started its flights via Navoi, connecting Bulgaria and Bangladesh using Airbus A321 aircraft. Seven charter flights are scheduled to operate from September 16 to 27.

On September 18, Uzbekistan-based FlyKhiva commenced operations, initiating flights from China to Belgium with a...

Uzbekistan and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have signed an agreement to train specialists at the Republican Oncology Center, as reported by the Ministry of Health press service.

The document was signed in Vienna by Asilbek Khudayarov, the acting head of the Health Ministry, and Rafael Grossi, the head of the IAEA, during a regular session of the agency.

Grossi stated that the project would introduce modern methods for diagnosing and treating oncologic diseases. He also expressed his willingness to expand cooperation with Tashkent further.

Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that in late August, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited...

Uzbekistan’s enterprises can supply agricultural machinery and chemical fertilisers to the Philippines. The foreign partner is interested in such cooperation, as reported by Dunyo News Agency.

The day before, the foreign ministries of Uzbekistan and the Philippines held a new round of negotiations in Tashkent. The discussions covered economic, political, and cultural issues.

During the negotiations, the Philippines expressed interest in importing fertilisers and machinery from Uzbekistan. The two countries also agreed to enhance the legal framework for cooperation.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reported that 300 rice varieties resistant to drought and soil salinity were brought to Uzbekistan from...

Uzbekistan supports the UN General Assembly resolution that demands Israel to withdraw its troops from the occupied Palestinian territories, as reported by the UN news agency.

The document states that Israel must end the occupation within 12 months, and sanctions may be imposed if it fails to comply with the resolution.

The resolution proposed by Palestine and supported by numerous countries received 124 affirmative votes, while 43 countries abstained and 14 opposed, including the United States and Israel. The document also emphasises the necessity to halt the construction of Israeli settlements and return the occupied lands.

The resolution is...

IT Park and Kazakhstan’s Astana Hub are teaming up to create a shared ecosystem to support startups and promote Central Asian developments in international markets, as reported by the technocluster’s press service.

The technoparks will exchange their expertise in attracting venture capital funding and participating in global events under the joint brand of Central Asian Innovation Hubs.

IT Park CEO Farkhod Ibragimov and Astana Hub head Magzhan Madiev signed a memorandum during ICTWeek 2024 in Tashkent.

The unified brand aims to enhance technoparks’ recognition and highlight their regional identity. In the upcoming months, Central Asian Innovation Hubs will showcase...

IAEA General Director Rafael Grossi plans to visit Uzbekistan, as reported by the press service of the Atomic Energy Agency of Uzbekistan.

The Agency’s director, Azim Akhmedkhadzhaev, met with Grossi in Vienna on September 17 to discuss joint activities with the IAEA to promote nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors.

According to the report, the visit dates have not been specified.

The plans for the construction of the Jizzak Nuclear Power Plant were established in August of this year.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reported that the first Nuclear Power Plant is to be founded in Uzbekistan.

According to the UN E-Government Survey Report 2024, Uzbekistan is ranked 63rd in the E-Government Development Index (EGDI).

This marks an improvement in the country’s position by six places compared to the 2022 indicators. It is the first time Uzbekistan has entered the group of countries with a Very High EGDI index.

Kazakhstan is ranked 24th in this rating, while Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are ranked 78th and 123rd, respectively. The UN Department of Social and Economic Affairs (UNDESA) prepared the report.

The report indicates a global upward trend in the development of digital government, accompanied by increased investments in...

Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Karomiddin Gadoev, recently met with representatives of the authorities of the local state of Kedah.

According to reports from Dunyo news agency, the parties have agreed to initiate charter flights between Tashkent and Langkawi Island. These flights are expected to operate during the tourist season to facilitate an increased flow of tourists between the two countries.

The state authorities have also agreed to establish direct trade and economic relations with Uzbekistan. Kedah state, covering an area of 9.5 thousand square meters, is situated in the northern region of Malaysia and is home to 2.2 million...