News

Uzbekistan’s National Agency for Prospective Projects (NAPP) has approved a new regulation on penalties for lottery organisers and betting operators. The document, endorsed by the Ministry of Justice, will come into force in three months and introduces a detailed framework for calculating fines based on the severity and duration of violations.

Penalties will be imposed following inspections, player complaints or registry findings. The frequency of violations, impact on users’ finances and past enforcement outcomes will be taken into account. Half of the collected fines will go to the state budget, with the remainder allocated to NAPP’s own accounts.

Final...

The Government of Uzbekistan has issued an official statement in response to the statement of the UN Human Rights Council’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concerning the criminal prosecution of Gulnara Karimova.

Government expressed concern that the opinion was based solely on information provided by one source, while Uzbekistan’s official response was disregarded due to procedural deadlines.

The statement criticises what it describes as a lack of objectivity and impartiality, noting that such an approach undermines the fundamental principles expected of UN mechanisms. Uzbekistan reaffirmed its openness to international cooperation but insisted on engagement rooted in mutual respect...

On July 7, representatives from Hungary and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport held talks focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in international road transport. The discussions aimed to improve logistics efficiency and support growing trade flows between the two countries.

Key topics included increasing the quota of transport permits for 2025 to boost the volume of international and transit cargo traffic. Both sides explored the possibility of issuing permits by category — such as transit, bilateral and by cargo destination — to streamline and clarify the allocation process.

The parties also discussed the integration of Uzbekistan’s national transport information systems with...

Kazakhstan’s national grid operator KEGOC has officially become a shareholder in the newly established Green Corridor Alliance, a joint venture aimed at promoting green energy development and regional integration.

The company now holds a 33.33% stake in the alliance, registered on July 2, 2025 in Baku. The two other founding members are Azerbaijan’s Azerenergy and Uzbekistan’s National Electric Grids.

A trilateral push for green energy

The Green Corridor Alliance stems from a strategic partnership agreement signed by the presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan at COP29 in Baku in November 2024. The initiative targets joint efforts in renewable energy generation and transmission.

KEGOC said the new entity will develop renewable energy...

On July 8, in Dushanbe, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov delivered a public statement following talks with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, marking a historic moment in bilateral relations between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The two leaders announced the completion of the border delimitation process, which Japarov described as one of the most fundamental and truly important achievements in the history of their diplomatic ties.

«Thanks to political will and determination, we have completed the process of delimiting the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border,» said Japarov. «This is a breakthrough not only for our countries and peoples but for the...

Tajikistan began detaining and deporting Afghan refugees. Authorities gave individuals just 15 days to leave the country. Even those with valid residence permits are affected.

Daily Detentions Without Warning

Security officers are conducting daily raids. Dozens of Afghan men are taken from worksites without informing their families. Most are still awaiting immigration decisions. Some are in the resettlement process to Canada. Forced deportations place their lives and legal status at risk.

Human rights groups warn that sudden removals may violate international protection norms.

Rising Regional Pressure on Afghan Refugees

The wave of...

On July 8, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received Alexander Dyukov, Chairman of the Management Board of Gazprom Neft, to review prospects for expanding cooperation in the oil and gas sector. The talks focused on the implementation of a detailed roadmap aimed at deepening strategic partnership with the Russian energy giant.

The discussions centred on new joint efforts, including geological exploration, the development of complex hydrocarbon fields, and the digital transformation of the industry. Training programmes for highly skilled professionals were also highlighted as a priority area for future collaboration.

Gazprom Neft, a subsidiary of Russia’s Gazprom, has a...

Uzbekistan backed a UN resolution that criticises the Taliban’s policies in Afghanistan. The resolution targets restrictions on women and girls.

The document was adopted on July 8. It received support from 116 countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

The resolution demands the lifting of bans on female education, employment, and participation in public life. It also calls for the protection of human rights and freedom of speech.

UN members urged the Taliban to ensure unhindered humanitarian aid and create an inclusive government. They also called for stronger action against extremism and illegal drug production.

The United States voted against the resolution. Russia, China, India and Iran abstained.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Russia says the International Criminal...

The Russian Federation has ratified a renewed protocol on oil and petroleum product trade with Kazakhstan, simplifying procedures and extending the agreement’s duration. President Vladimir Putin signed the relevant law on July 7, according to the official legal information portal.

The updated protocol, originally signed in Astana on November 27, 2024, maintains the arrangement for mutual oil and fuel trade without export duties or other equivalent taxes. As before, supplies are registered through customs as if they were being exported outside the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), even though they are traded within the bloc.

A key amendment makes the...

Kyrgyzstan saw the fastest per capita GDP growth in Central Asia. Income per person rose by 85% from 2022 to 2024, according to economist Mirkhomil Kholboev. If the trend continues, Kyrgyzstan may surpass Uzbekistan in average income by 2027.

What fuels this surge

Kholboev says regional tensions created favourable conditions for Kyrgyzstan’s economy. It grew by 9% annually — the highest in the region. In the same period, per capita growth was 49% in Tajikistan, 42% in Kazakhstan, and 37% in Uzbekistan.

2025 growth gains speed

In Q1 2025, Kyrgyzstan’s economy expanded by 13.1%. The IMF expects 6.8% growth for the year. But the government targets 8%, driven by large...

Russia says the International Criminal Court (ICC) showed no interest in Afghanistan until recently. Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev claims this shift came only after Moscow recognised the Taliban.

He accused the ICC of practising “justice after the fact”. Moreover, he said the court had ignored war crimes by Western forces in Afghanistan.

“Entire villages, schools, and hospitals were destroyed. Women and children were killed. But no warrants were issued,” Kosachev wrote on Telegram.

He noted that even minor attempts to investigate U.S. troops led nowhere. Kosachev called the ICC’s actions “a case of double standards”.

ICC Issues Arrest...

On July 8, 2025, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that it has issued arrest warrants for two senior Taliban officials, citing grave human rights abuses in Afghanistan since August 2021.

The individuals named are Haibatullah Akhundzada, the Supreme Leader of the Taliban, and Abdul Hakim Haqqani, the Taliban’s Chief Justice. Both are accused of leading a policy of gender-based and political persecution that resulted in widespread crimes against civilians.

The Chamber concluded there are reasonable grounds to believe that the two officials directly ordered, encouraged or facilitated crimes against humanity. These include persecution on...

June 2025 has come to a close, marking the start of summer with weather that was both unusually hot and extremely dry across much of Uzbekistan, Uzhydromet reports. Temperatures exceeded the seasonal average by 1 to 2°C in most areas, and in some parts of Tashkent region the anomaly reached 2.2–2.5°C.

Only the northwest of the country experienced temperatures close to the climatic norm. Meanwhile, the central and eastern regions recorded one of the five warmest Junes since the beginning of systematic observations.

Throughout most of the month, daytime highs ranged from 33 to 38°C, while in the hottest...

On July 8, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a telephone conversation with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to discuss the ongoing development of bilateral ties. The two leaders reviewed current priorities for strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance between Uzbekistan and Russia.

Particular focus was placed on implementing agreements reached at the highest level, especially those relating to trade and economic cooperation. The presidents emphasised the need to expand trade turnover and push forward joint industrial projects in key sectors. They also highlighted the importance of fostering regional partnerships, cultural exchange and education initiatives.

In...

Uzbekistan’s lower house of parliament approved a bill requiring HIV testing for citizens returning from abroad and for incoming foreign workers. The law passed its third reading and now awaits Senate review.

Who Will Be Tested

The rule targets Uzbek citizens aged 18 to 60 who have spent more than 90 days overseas. Foreign nationals and stateless persons residing in Uzbekistan must also take the test. It applies to all foreigners entering the country for work.

Who Will Pay for HIV Testing

Testing for Uzbek nationals will be free and funded by the state. Foreign citizens must...

On July 4 in Rome, Uzbekistan was unanimously elected to the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for the 2028–2029 term — the first such achievement in the country’s history, MFA of Uzbekistan reports.

The FAO Council is composed of 49 member states, elected for up to three years with balanced geographical representation. It plays a critical role in reviewing FAO’s budget and programmes, and in making key recommendations and decisions for the organisation’s Conference.

Uzbekistan’s election reflects growing international recognition of the country’s reforms in agriculture and food security under the leadership...

From August 1, 2025, the United States will impose a 25% tariff on all goods imported from Kazakhstan, according to an official letter sent by President Donald Trump to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The White House released the text of the letter, which states that the new tariff will apply to all Kazakh products, regardless of existing sectoral or industry-specific duties. This decision follows years of dialogue between the two nations on trade issues.

«It is my honour to send you this letter, as it reflects the strength of our trade relations and the fact that...

At the BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro on 6–7 July 2025, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan were officially welcomed as partner countries of the BRICS group. The announcement was part of a broader declaration by the bloc, which reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the Global South and reforming global governance to better reflect contemporary realities.

The inclusion of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, alongside countries such as Belarus, Bolivia, Nigeria and Vietnam, marks a notable expansion of BRICS’ outreach to emerging economies. While not full members, these nations are expected to contribute to the group’s broader strategic aims — including a...

Uzbekistan is set to introduce a new approach to rice farming in 2026, shifting away from traditional flood irrigation by piloting drip irrigation methods in six regions, lex.uz reports. As part of a broader strategy to conserve resources and modernise agriculture, the project will test more sustainable and climate-resilient practices.

The initiative will be rolled out in Karakalpakstan, and the Khorezm, Bukhara, Namangan, Syrdarya and Surkhandarya regions, where pilot plots of at least 10 hectares will be established. Main goal is to reduce water usage, increase yields and improve crop resilience under changing climate conditions.

Drip irrigation, which delivers...

Kazakhstan will start producing paper from hemp for official documents. The material will be used for passports, ID cards and other secure papers, the Ministry of Agriculture announced.

Production has not started yet. The investor is still choosing land and technology. But the government says the process is already underway.

The hemp will be grown in North Kazakhstan. Only approved varieties with low THC will be used. This means the crop will not have any drug-related effects and will meet legal standards.

The project targets exports. But the paper will also be used inside Kazakhstan — including for printing...

Uzbekistan could lose up to $5 bn annually by 2050 due to the growing impact of climate change. The findings come from a national report published in June 2024. The study was prepared by the Ministry of Ecology of Uzbekistan and the State Center for Climate Change.

Which sectors are most at risk

The agriculture sector alone could suffer up to $2.7 bn in yearly losses. Other vulnerable sectors include water supply, energy, infrastructure, and public health. Without adaptation, total losses could reach 3% of Uzbekistan’s GDP every year.

Why are the risks increasing

The report points to two key threats: rising...

On July 7, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a progress report on the ongoing reforms in Jizzakh region, focusing on the implementation of development plans and the resolution of pressing local issues.

The session followed a presidential decree issued on December 31 last year, aimed at accelerating the region’s socio-economic development. The decree outlined key goals for 2025, including attracting $2 bn in investment, raising exports to $285 mn and securing employment for 168,000 people.

Over the first six months of the year, 200 projects have already been implemented across industry, services and agriculture in the region, with total investment...

Uzbekistan’s trade with EAEU countries reached $7.2 bn from January to May 2025. The data comes from the State Statistics Agency.

In the first two months of the year, the EAEU accounted for 23.6% of Uzbekistan’s total foreign trade.

Russia Leads Among EAEU Partners

From January to February, trade turnover with EAEU countries reached $2.56 bn. Exports amounted to $882.4 mln. Imports stood at $1.67 bn.

Russia remained Uzbekistan’s key partner. Trade volume reached $1.62 bn, with $1.07 bn coming from Russian imports.

EAEU Enables Free Trade Zone

The EAEU includes Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. The union operates as a single economic area.

It ensures free...

Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan have officially submitted a joint bid to host the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup, UFA reports. FIFA has begun reviewing potential host candidates for the tournament, and the bid reflects growing ambitions among Turkic states to play a larger role on the international football stage.

The national football associations of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan noted the progress both countries have made in recent years, including major reforms in the sport, infrastructure improvements and a stronger international presence. The joint application expresses confidence in their ability to host the tournament at the highest standard.

Both nations are now...