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The pavilion Garden of the Past and Future, showcasing contemporary Uzbek design, will make its debut at the London Design Biennale on June 5. Visitors will be able to explore suzani works by Madina Kasimbayeva, as well as furniture pieces by Tigran Erdman and Timur Parmanov, among others.

The pavilion is organised by Uzbekistan’s DNA Strategic Communications Agency, with the design developed by NAAW Studio from Almaty.

«The pavilion draws inspiration from the magnificent gardens that surrounded Samarkand during the reign of Amir Temur,» DNA said in a statement.

The agency also...

International ratings agency S&P Global Ratings has revised Uzbekistan’s sovereign credit rating outlook from stable to positive, while affirming the long- and short-term foreign and local currency ratings at ‘BB-/B’.

The outlook upgrade reflects the country’s robust economic growth, progress on structural reforms, including energy tariff adjustments, and the government’s commitment to fiscal consolidation.

«We expect ongoing reforms and favourable gold prices to support exports, budget revenues, and overall macroeconomic stability,» the agency stated.

Key Factors Behind Upgrade

Tajikistan’s lower house of parliament has ratified the agreement on the demarcation of the border junction with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, TASS reports.

The presidents of the three countries signed the document in late March this year during a meeting in Khujand. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon described the deal as historic.

TASS noted that during the Soviet era, the borders between the three republics were administrative and never formally legalised.

Following the collapse of the USSR, unresolved border issues sparked recurring tensions. The most recent clash between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 2022 claimed the lives of over 100 people on both sides.

Uzbekistan-based company Nosirxon-Muslim plans to invest in a new plastic granule production facility in Kyrgyzstan, according to the Kyrgyz Republic’s Trade Mission in Uzbekistan.

The plant will use local polyethylene waste as its primary raw material. The recycled granules will be used to manufacture composite panels.

Nosirxon-Muslim currently produces aluminium and composite panels under the Trade, Alu-Magnit, and Yasar brands. These panels are used for façade and interior finishes, public infrastructure, and advertising structures.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that China is ready to invest in cotton fibre processing plants in Surkhandarya.

Mobile technologies will add $270 bn to Eurasia’s economy by 2030. The forecast comes from GSMA’s Mobile Economy Eurasia 2025 report released this week in Tashkent. The report highlights rising smartphone adoption, 5G growth, and AI’s role in public services.

GSMA M360 Eurasia took place on May 21-22 in Tashkent, its first time in Uzbekistan.
The event gathered telecom operators, ministers, and innovators to discuss digital inclusion and infrastructure.

The summit was co-hosted by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Digital Technologies and Beeline Uzbekistan, part of VEON. Talks focused on improving regional connectivity and supporting languages often left out of AI models.

The GSMA M360 Eurasia summit, held in Uzbekistan’s Tashkent on May 21–22, gathered telecom operators, policymakers, and tech leaders from across the region. Kursiv Uzbekistan spoke with Kaan Terzioğlu, VEON Group CEO about why Uzbekistan was chosen to host the summit, how taxation impacts investment, and which technologies will define the region’s future.

Uzbekistan’s digital policy gains global recognition

— Why was Tashkent selected as the host city for M360 Eurasia this year, and what does it represent in terms of the region’s ambitions and future?

— Tashkent was selected because of the country’s clear commitment to...

Uzbekistan will introduce a new healthcare delivery model and digitise the sector under a presidential decree signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Ministry of Justice reports.

The digital transformation aims to reduce the workload on medical personnel by 30% and significantly cut the use of paper-based documentation.

Authorities also plan to increase the share of family doctors in providing healthcare to 70% across the country.

The new model will roll out in pilot districts from July 1, 2025, with full implementation scheduled in Samarkand region from January 2026.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that the country adopted a...

Uzbekistan produced just over 15 bn cubic metres of natural gas from January to April 2025, according to data from the State Statistics Committee. This marks a drop from the same period in 2024, when output exceeded 15.3 bn cubic metres.

While domestic production declined, Uzbekistan ramped up its fuel exports. As of early May this year, gas exports rose by 85%, reaching $199.7 mln. China accounted for the majority of this volume, purchasing $143 mln worth of gas.

Meanwhile, the country cut back on gas imports. Over the past year, import volumes fell to $150.5 mln.

Earlier...

For the first time in Central Asia, GSMA’s flagship summit — M360 Eurasia — is taking place in Uzbekistan’s Tashkent on May 21–22. The annual conference gathers global leaders in telecoms, technology, and government to discuss the region’s digital future.

On the sidelines of the event, Kursiv Uzbekistan spoke with Vivek Badrinath, Director General and Member of the GSMA Board, about why Uzbekistan was chosen as host and what the region needs to accelerate its digital transformation.

— Why was Tashkent selected as the host city for M360 Eurasia this year, and what does it represent in terms...

The Centre for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) has released its analysis of regional business activity in Uzbekistan for April 2025, highlighting significant growth across key economic indicators. The Data from the Central Bank, Tax Committee, Customs Committee and the Uzbek Republican Commodity Exchange (UzEx) indicate that recent reforms foster a solid foundation for enhanced business and investment activities.

📈 Tax Revenues Surge by 18.7%

In April, Uzbekistan’s tax revenues increased by 18.7% compared to last year. Notable regional increases include:

Tashkent has opened its doors to the GSMA M360 Eurasia 2025 summit, uniting leaders from telecom, tech, policy, and finance. Held on May 21, the event marks a major milestone for Uzbekistan as it positions itself as a digital hub for the region.

Organised in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Technologies and hosted by Beeline Uzbekistan, the summit gathers global stakeholders to address key issues shaping the future of mobile connectivity and innovation in Eurasia.

Kursiv Uzbekistan attended the opening day and presents the key highlights.

Regional Priorities: Bridging Gaps and Driving Growth

The summit launched with...

Uzbekistan has tightened penalties for human trafficking by introducing new amendments to the country’s Criminal Code, the government announced.

Under the updated law, trafficking involving forged documents is now punishable by 5 to 10 years in prison, an increase from the previous maximum of 8 years. If the crime results in the death of a victim, the penalty rises to up to 15 years of imprisonment.

The Legislative Chamber approved the stricter sentencing measures in September 2024.

Earlier this year, several Uzbek nationals were rescued from forced labour in Myanmar. They had been lured with promises of high-paying...

As of May 2025, 7 mln residents of Uzbekistan speak Russian, making it the country’s most widely spoken foreign language. The figure was announced at the Tochka Rosta (Growth Point) tech forum at IT Park Uzbekistan.

The share of Russian-speaking citizens in Uzbekistan has reached 18.5% of the population.

English ranks second, spoken by 5 mln people, while Turkish holds third place with 1 mln speakers.

Other notable foreign languages in Uzbekistan include:

Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that Russia detained a citizen of Uzbekistan who was...

The World Bank has approved a $200 mln concessional loan to Uzbekistan to modernise the country’s irrigation and drainage systems. The Uzbek government will provide an additional $23.2 mln from the state budget.

The project will be implemented across five regions: Karakalpakstan, Bukhara, Kashkadarya, Namangan and Surkhandarya. Planned work includes concreting irrigation canals, upgrading pumping stations, and introducing modern water management systems.

As a result, the quality of irrigation services will improve on 232,000 hectares of agricultural land. More than 180,000 users, including 80,000 women, will gain more reliable access to water.

The initiative is expected to save around...

China has announced plans to allocate an additional $500 mln to the World Health Organisation (WHO), positioning itself as its largest financial contributor, replacing the United States, Reuters reports.

The funding is planned over five years and includes an increase in annual membership contributions and voluntary donations for specific WHO projects. The disbursement and use of the funds will still require coordination and approval.

Until recently, the U.S. was the top sponsor of the WHO. However, in January 2025, President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of the U.S. from the organisation, with official membership set to expire in early...

South Korea has granted $3.8 mln to support the development of Uzbekistan’s statistical system through 2028, according to the country’s National Statistics Committee (UzStat).

The funding will be used to implement innovative digital technologies and international data collection and processing standards. One key initiative includes developing a computerised system for conducting interviews with respondents and integrating administrative data sources.

In addition, the grant will cover the procurement of new equipment and support international training programs for Uzbek statistical staff.

Kursiv Uzbekistan reports that Uzbekistan ranked 12th in the international Open Data Inventory (ODIN) ranking.

Uztemiryulkonteyner JSC has launched a new logistics route for cargo shipments from China to Uzbekistan, in cooperation with China’s Vostosun Group UC.

The new route was discussed on May 20 during a meeting between Mirziyod Mirkhamidov, head of Uztemiryulkonteyner, and Gao Wei Hua, CEO of Vostosun Group UC.

According to the plan, goods from China will be shipped by sea to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas and transported by rail through Iran and Turkmenistan to Uzbekistan.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Uztemiryulkonteyner sent its first freight train from India to Kazakhstan via a newly established corridor.

Uzbekistan plans to introduce a 30-day visa-free regime for U.S. citizens, according to a new presidential decree signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The country will also simplify entry for Azerbaijan, Russia and Kazakhstan citizens, who will be allowed to enter Uzbekistan using either a passport or ID card. Teenagers under 16 will be permitted entry using a “kinder passport”.

The decree also outlines plans to facilitate visa procedures for Uzbek nationals entering the United States, with negotiations to be led by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Boosting Tourism from Key Regions

Regional authorities across Uzbekistan will be responsible...

Uzbekistan exported natural gas worth $199.7 mln in the first four months of 2025, an 85% increase year-on-year, according to the National Statistics Committee.

The bulk of these exports went to China, with data from the General Administration of Customs of China showing that $143 mln worth of Uzbek gas was purchased by Beijing between January and April.

At the same time, Uzbekistan significantly reduced gas imports, which fell by 65.2% over the year to $150.5 mln.

In late April, it was reported that Tashkent had not yet signed a contract for importing Russian gas. The potential supply...

On the eve of the Termez dialogue on the connection between Central and South Asia, themed as “Building a common space of peace, friendship, and prosperity” (Termez, May 19–21, 2025), an interview was held with the Ambassador of Afghanistan to Uzbekistan, His Excellency, Abdul Gaffor Therawi.

The conversation was conducted by Mirshohid Aslanov, Director of the Center for Progressive Reforms, and Otabek Akramov, Expert at the Center.

Today, many believe that Afghanistan is going through a unique phase in its history. How would you describe the overall mood in Afghan society at the moment? What changes have taken place...

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has carried out the first charter flight under its newly launched Homecoming program, which offers voluntary repatriation for undocumented migrants.

The flight from Houston transported 64 migrants to Honduras and Colombia. All participants chose to return home voluntarily.

Launched in early May, the Homecoming initiative allows migrants to register their departure using the CBP Home mobile app. Each individual receives $1,000 in financial assistance and retains the possibility of legally returning to the United States.

DHS officials view voluntary return as safer and more humane than standard deportation. According to the...

Dubai and Tashkent, May 20, 2025:  VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), a global digital operator («VEON» and together with its subsidiaries, the «Group»), announces that its digital operator Beeline Uzbekistan celebrated the opening of its new headquarters in the Tashkent IT Park on May 20th. The new Beeline Uzbekistan headquarters in IT Park will be home to Beeline Uzbekistan’s employee base of around 2,000, including the operator’s digital services teams, VEON AdTech and Beelab (the developer of Beeline Uzbekistan’s fintech platform Beepul), as well as tower operator National Tower Infrastructure LLC. 

IT Park houses Uzbekistan’s leading technology, digital and communications companies and...

The World Bank (WB) will provide Uzbekistan with a concessional loan of $35 mln to support the country’s digital transformation, according to the financial institution’s press service.

In addition, the Uzbek government will contribute $5.7 mln in co-financing.

The funds will support a national project to improve citizens’ and businesses’ access to geospatial data.

According to the World Bank, Uzbekistan’s rapid urbanisation has increased pressure on land resources and public services, making it harder to access accurate geospatial information.

The project will be implemented under the supervision of the Cadastral Agency and will include two core components.

A new...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and his wife arrived in Hungary for an official visit, according to the head of state’s press service.

At the Budapest airport, the presidential couple was received by Hungarian Minister of Economic Development Márton Nagy.

The Uzbek leader is scheduled to meet with the Hungarian government and business community representatives during the visit. He will also participate in the informal summit of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), taking place on May 21.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Uzbekistan and Hungary have reached a defence cooperation agreement.