AGP Executive Report

Labor and Social Policy: Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan discussed job creation, family businesses, poverty reduction and workers’ rights, though no specific agreement was announced. Regional Energy: Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said construction of the $4.2 billion Kambar-Ata-1 hydropower project, shared with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, could start in 2027 or 2028. India Ties: Uzbek and Indian foreign ministers met in Baku, stressing timely delivery of existing agreements; the countries also agreed to deepen counterterrorism cooperation through intelligence sharing and training. Investment: Oman is leading a planned $500 million fund for Central Asia and the Caucasus, targeting sectors including logistics, renewable energy, mining and healthcare. Education Oversight: Uzbekistan plans annual psychological assessments for teachers and students. U.S. Engagement: Marco Rubio’s Samarkand visit advanced Washington’s focus on investment, critical minerals, transport links and regional security, but turning announced commitments into lasting projects remains a challenge.

India Ties: Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov and India’s S. Jaishankar met in Baku, stressing that agreements reached by their leaders should be implemented on time. U.S. Engagement: Marco Rubio’s Samarkand visit put investment, critical minerals and transport corridors at the center of renewed U.S. ties with Central Asia; reports cite a $12 billion package of planned projects with Uzbekistan. Language Policy: Rubio’s remark that Russian is no longer an official language in Uzbekistan prompted debate, while President Shavkat Mirziyoyev underscored the need to strengthen Uzbek in public life and state institutions. Domestic Policy: Uzbekistan is introducing annual psychological assessments for teachers and students, a new requirement with implications for schools nationwide. Regional Security: Uzbekistan has taken over the chairmanship of the SCO Heads of Government Council, while Russian troops joined Uzbek forces for drills near the Afghan border.

Language and Identity: Marco Rubio’s remark that Russian is no longer an official language in Uzbekistan sparked debate, as President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stressed the role of Uzbek in public life. Education Policy: A presidential decree requires annual psychological assessments for teachers and students, with AI-assisted analysis and a phased rollout beginning this school year. Regional Diplomacy: Uzbekistan’s foreign minister joined counterparts in Batumi on Oct. 23 to discuss trade, energy and transport links, including routes connecting Central Asia to the Black Sea. Security: Uzbekistan and Russia began joint military drills near the Afghan border amid regional concern over threats from Afghanistan. US Ties: Uzbekistan and the United States announced 54 agreements worth $12 billion during Rubio’s recent visit. SCO Leadership: Uzbekistan has taken over the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Heads of Government Council. Parliamentary Relations: Uzbek lawmakers and an OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation discussed human rights, labor conditions and migration.

Education Policy: Uzbekistan will introduce annual psychological assessments for students and teachers, starting with preschools and schools in 2026–27. The presidential decree calls for AI-assisted analysis and safeguards for personal data. Parliamentary Ties: Uzbekistan’s parliamentary speaker and an OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation discussed cooperation, including human rights, labor conditions and migration. Children’s Welfare: The Samarkand summit adopted a declaration urging stronger child protection and access to essential services, with participating countries pledging greater investment. Regional Cooperation: Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan agreed to share expertise and expand digital services for vulnerable groups. Investment: At a meeting with investors in Kashkadarya, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev cited 161 projects worth more than $6 billion and discussed prospects for the Akba gold deposit. Language Debate: Marco Rubio’s remark that Russian is no longer an official language in Uzbekistan sparked debate over language status and national identity.

Regional Diplomacy: Uzbekistan’s foreign minister Bakhtiyor Saidov is due in Batumi on October 23 for talks with Georgia and five Central Asian counterparts, as the region seeks closer ties. Children’s Policy: Samarkand hosted a two-day global summit on child wellbeing, bringing representatives from more than 100 countries together to discuss health, education and social protection. Urban Development: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed plans for New Karshi, a proposed city in Kashkadarya designed to grow to one million residents and accommodate regional government offices. U.S. Partnership: Uzbekistan announced 54 agreements worth a potential $12 billion during Marco Rubio’s Central Asia visit, covering sectors including energy, technology and critical minerals. Parliamentary Ties: Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan agreed to deepen legislative cooperation and expand collaboration in education, healthcare, tourism and culture. Language Policy: Uzbekistan has signed a law to introduce a revised Latin alphabet in April 2027.

Children’s Welfare: Samarkand’s two-day global summit brought delegates from more than 100 countries to discuss child health, education and social protection. Uzbekistan’s First Lady Ziroat Mirziyoyeva will chair a new international network focused on care for children with cancer and other serious illnesses. U.S. Ties: Marco Rubio’s Central Asia visit produced a package of 54 Uzbekistan-U.S. agreements and proposals valued at about $12 billion. The total is conditional on implementation, and published details do not show how individual project values add up. Regional Security: Uzbekistan has taken over the chairmanship of the SCO Heads of Government Council, as it stresses Afghanistan’s integration as key to regional stability. Russian and Uzbek forces have also begun joint military drills near the Afghan border. Language Policy: A signed law sets out a revised Uzbek Latin alphabet, due to be introduced in April 2027. Digital and Energy Investment: Officials discussed expanding telecom infrastructure with Veon and cloud services with Google; Tashkent Region also signed a cooperation memorandum with U.S. firm PowerScape Global on coal processing projects.

Script Reform: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a law revising Uzbekistan’s Latin alphabet, with the new 28-letter-and-apostrophe system due to take effect on April 22, 2027. Existing documents and currency remain valid. Children’s Policy: A Samarkand summit on child well-being brought regional and international officials together; Kyrgyzstan’s First Lady said funding for pediatric oncology had risen 200-fold, while Uzbekistan highlighted state-funded rehabilitation centers for children. Regional Dialogue: Uzbek experts joined China-Central Asia discussions in Bishkek on trade, transport links, digital government and AI. Security: Russia and Uzbekistan began joint military exercises near the Afghan border. U.S. Ties: During Marco Rubio’s visit, Uzbekistan announced 54 agreements worth $12 billion, spanning trade and investment.

Alphabet Reform: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a law changing four Uzbek Latin-script letters to simplify digital use. Textbooks will shift gradually from 2027, with the transition across all grades due by 2031; existing documents and currency remain valid. U.S. Ties: Uzbekistan joined the Artemis Accords as the 77th signatory, adding space cooperation to a growing partnership with Washington. During Marco Rubio’s visit, the two sides announced 54 agreements worth $12 billion, while Central Asian and U.S. officials outlined a shared agenda at the C5+1 meeting. Regional Diplomacy: Uzbekistan took over the chairmanship of the SCO Heads of Government Council and reiterated that lasting regional stability depends on Afghanistan’s gradual integration. Education Policy: New rules require annual psychological assessments for children, students and educators, starting in kindergartens and schools in 2026–27 and extending to universities the following year. Children’s Health: Samarkand is hosting an international summit on children’s well-being and a pediatric oncology congress, bringing officials and specialists together to discuss care, education and social protection.

SCO Leadership: Uzbekistan has taken over the one-year chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Council of Heads of Government, adding to its incoming CIS chairmanship in 2027. The Dushanbe meeting also produced a joint communiqué and economic cooperation roadmap. Military Ties: Uzbek and Russian forces began the Hamkorlik-2026 exercises in Termez, running through October 27 and focused on combatting simulated armed groups and retaking positions. US Partnership: During Marco Rubio’s Samarkand visit, Uzbekistan announced 54 agreements and proposed projects worth $12 billion, spanning energy, critical minerals, aviation, finance and technology. China Connectivity: Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit concluded with a pledge to advance the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, a flagship regional project. Recruitment Concerns: Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters says nearly 46,000 foreign nationals from 151 countries have signed contracts with Russia’s military since the invasion began; it says Uzbekistan is among the countries with the highest numbers.

U.S. Partnership: Marco Rubio’s Samarkand visit produced 54 business agreements worth $12 billion, spanning industry, transport, energy, minerals and technology. Uzbekistan also joined the Artemis Accords on space exploration. Russian Recruitment: Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters says Russia has recruited nearly 46,000 foreign nationals from 151 countries, with the largest numbers from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Belarus; it estimates about 1,800 foreigners are signing up monthly. Regional Diplomacy: SCO governments meeting in Dushanbe adopted a trade and economic cooperation roadmap for 2026–30, with regional connectivity and easier trade among the priorities. Preschool Shortage: Officials are considering selling around ten state kindergarten properties as Tashkent faces a shortfall of 65,000 preschool places; the proposed sales would require the sites to remain kindergartens.

U.S.–Uzbekistan Ties: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Secretary of State Marco Rubio used Monday’s Samarkand meetings to advance economic cooperation. Uzbekistan says 54 agreements and initiatives worth nearly $12 billion were announced, spanning aviation, rail, critical minerals, finance, technology and agriculture; project details and timelines have not yet been released. C5+1 Agenda: Washington pledged to strengthen critical-mineral supply chains, expand Central Asian transport links and train thousands of technology professionals, as nearly 300 U.S. firms explored regional opportunities. Uzbekistan also signed the Artemis Accords, opening a new channel for space cooperation. Regional Partnerships: Mirziyoyev met Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev to discuss trade, investment and the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, and Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov to review growing trade and freight links.

U.S.–Uzbekistan Ties: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Samarkand as Uzbekistan and U.S. companies announced 54 agreements worth a reported $12 billion, spanning transport, energy, critical minerals, finance and technology. Rubio said Washington wants to be a “strong partner” in Central Asia, bringing nearly 300 U.S. businesses to the regional talks. Regional Cooperation: At the C5+1 meeting, U.S. and Central Asian officials discussed trade, transport links, security and cooperation against terrorism and cross-border crime. Rubio also said President Trump may visit Uzbekistan. Space Diplomacy: Uzbekistan became the 77th country to sign the Artemis Accords, opening new scope for cooperation with NASA and other space agencies. Law and Justice: Uzbekistan has introduced life imprisonment for sexual violence against children, a major change to penalties for these crimes.

US-Central Asia Ties: Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Samarkand for C5+1 talks with the five Central Asian countries, leading a delegation of more than 200 business leaders. The agenda includes trade, investment, critical minerals and regional security. Infrastructure: L&T has begun design and other preparatory work for New Tashkent International Airport, a major project in Uzbekistan’s transport strategy. China Ties: During Premier Li Qiang’s visit, Uzbekistan and China signed cooperation documents on trade, education, customs, health and other areas; Li also backed the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. Law: Uzbekistan has introduced life imprisonment for sexual abuse of children under 14. Energy: A proposed $5 billion Central Asia Gas Ring, discussed at a Tashkent forum, could link all five regional states and expand options for gas supply.

US-Central Asia Ties: Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Samarkand ahead of Monday’s C5+1 talks with the five Central Asian foreign ministers. More than 200 US business leaders are accompanying him as Washington seeks to expand trade, investment and security cooperation. China Partnership: During Premier Li Qiang’s visit, China and Uzbekistan pledged to deepen trade and investment, advance the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and expand cooperation in energy, agriculture and AI. Child Protection: A law signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev allows life imprisonment for rape and certain other violent sexual crimes against children under 14, abolishes time limits for prosecuting the most serious offenses and guarantees free legal aid for child victims. Energy Policy: Mirziyoyev says Uzbekistan plans to pursue a second and third nuclear power plant to strengthen electricity supplies and lower prices; details on partners, locations and costs have not been announced.

US-Central Asia: Secretary of State Marco Rubio is heading to Uzbekistan for C5+1 talks in Samarkand, accompanied by a delegation of 200 business leaders. Washington is seeking stronger commercial and security ties in a resource-rich region where it aims to expand its role. China Ties: Premier Li Qiang met President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov in Tashkent, pledging deeper cooperation in trade, investment, energy, minerals, AI and agriculture. Li also backed high-quality implementation of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. Banking: Uzbekistan’s commercial-bank loan portfolio grew 7.4% to 648.9 trillion soums (about $53.8 billion) by September 1. Microloans grew faster, up 20.7%, lifting their share of total lending to 10.3%.

China Ties: Premier Li Qiang arrived in Tashkent and held talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov. Beijing offered to expand imports and investment, align development plans and advance the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway. US Engagement: Secretary of State Marco Rubio is due in Samarkand for C5+1 talks with Central Asian foreign ministers, accompanied by more than 200 US businesses, as Washington seeks trade, investment and security cooperation. Uyghur rights groups are urging him to raise concerns about pressure on Uyghur communities in the region. Development Projects: Uzbekistan signed an IsDB deal to expand farmers’ access to modern machinery, explored transport, energy and water projects with AIIB, and agreed with Malaysian partners to develop semiconductor skills. Legal Reform: Uzbekistan has introduced life imprisonment for the rape of children under 14.