AGP Executive Report

Uzbekistan at World Cup: The Uzbek MFA has issued travel guidance for fans heading to the U.S. and Mexico for the June 11–July 19 tournament, urging strict compliance with entry rules, carrying original documents, using official transport, and contacting Uzbekistan’s missions in emergencies. World Cup logistics in the U.S.: Uzbekistan’s first World Cup base camp is set in Atlanta, with the team using the Atlanta United training facility as a venue-specific training site. Group K focus: Portugal’s pre-tournament test vs Nigeria is framed as tactical preparation for Group K, where Portugal also face Uzbekistan and DR Congo. Tourism momentum: Uzbekistan is reported to have jumped into the world’s top 10 for tourism growth, with a 37% rise in international arrivals in Q1 2026. Parliament diplomacy: Uzbekistan’s National Assembly appointed new Parliamentary Friendship Group directives, including a designated Uzbekistan friendship group president. Regional security debate: Experts question the practical value of foreign military bases in Central Asia, arguing their role has become less effective amid shifting security realities. Ukraine-Russia diplomatic signal: At SPIEF, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin was informed about Zelensky’s June 4 open letter proposing direct talks and a ceasefire during negotiations, while declining to detail any response.

Uzbek–U.S. Economic Push: Uzbekistan’s Presidential Administration head Saida Mirziyoyeva met U.S. Deputy Commerce Secretary David Vogel to deepen trade and investment ties, with a focus on turning interest into concrete deals and jobs via the American-Uzbek Business and Investment Council. Parliamentary Oversight: A Senate member urged Karakalpakstan’s cabinet to fix decade-old drainage failures in Sarishungil mahalla, where wastewater intrusion has left standing water and damaged homes. Investment Pipeline: Uzbekistan’s Tashkent International Investment Forum 2026 (June 16–18) is set to draw 8,000 participants from 99 countries, with sector pitches across energy, transport, pharma, digital and AI. Road Safety Update: Tashkent region cut speed limits on the Tashkent–Andijan A373 highway segment (passenger cars to 80 km/h; heavy trucks to 50 km/h). Labor Rights Reform: The Oliy Majlis expanded the Labor Code’s anti-discrimination grounds to include skin color and political views, aligning with ILO Convention 111. Finance Signal: Fitch upgraded the outlook on seven state banks to Positive, linking it to improved sovereign support capacity. Digital Infrastructure: Uzbekistan and ZTE discussed expanding data centers, including power, cooling, and cybersecurity, with a joint working group planned. Environment & Water: At the GEF Assembly in Samarkand, Central Asia launched the Central Asia Water and Land Nexus Programme to tackle shrinking rivers, degraded soils, and rising temperatures.

World Cup Entry Friction: Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, U.S. visa and border checks have triggered fresh backlash, with reports of denials and long interrogations affecting teams and officials, including a Somali referee barred from entry and claims of uneven scrutiny for visiting squads. Uzbekistan in the Spotlight: Uzbekistan’s national team reportedly faced intensive screening on arrival in New York for a friendly against the Netherlands, while the broader dispute has drawn criticism from public figures and immigration advocates. Diplomacy at SPIEF: Separately, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Vladimir Putin was informed about a new open letter from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky proposing a meeting and a ceasefire during talks, with the issue expected to surface around Putin’s SPIEF appearance alongside regional leaders including Uzbekistan’s Mirziyoyev. Central Asia Policy Moves: Uzbekistan is also pushing domestic reforms and partnerships—signing a U.S. trade MOU as bilateral commerce tops $1B, deepening AI/cybersecurity cooperation talks, and drafting a 2027–2033 social protection strategy with the World Bank and UNICEF. Environment & Housing: Uzbekistan approved Zero Energy Building standards by 2040, while Tashkent’s rental market held at $550 but saw a 21% drop in available listings.

Uzbekistan–Russia Nuclear Push: At SPIEF, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin was informed about Zelensky’s June 4 open letter proposing direct talks and a ceasefire during negotiations, while Putin’s schedule included a plenary with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev—amid ongoing high-level momentum around Uzbekistan’s first nuclear power plant. World Cup Politics & Access: As the 2026 World Cup nears kickoff, reports say U.S. authorities subjected Uzbekistan and Senegal teams to intrusive airport searches using narcotics dogs and metal detectors, and also denied entry to a Somali referee—fueling criticism over hosting obligations and FIFA’s enforcement. Tashkent Investment Agenda: Uzbekistan is set to host the V Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF-2026) June 16, positioning Tashkent as a Central Asian investment rule-setter and deal hub. Regional Diplomacy: Pakistan and Uzbekistan discussed expanding media, film, and cultural cooperation, including joint productions and digital collaboration. Local Governance/Infrastructure: A reshuffle in Tashkent region appointments was reported, alongside calls for major upgrades to urban systems like drainage. Trade & Industry: Uzbek raisins reportedly entered Senegal for the first time, signaling export diversification into West Africa.

World Cup Warmups: France closed its final pre-tournament friendly with a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland, highlighted by Michael Olise’s hat trick, as teams enter the last tune-up phase ahead of the June 11 kickoff. Uzbekistan on the Pitch: Uzbekistan’s World Cup preparations included a Netherlands–Uzbekistan friendly in New York, while the Netherlands confirmed Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber will miss the tournament due to a groin injury. Public Safety: Uzbekistan’s emergency services reported a deadly LPG station explosion in Kashkadarya: six killed and five injured, with a government commission launched to investigate. Energy & Industry: President Mirziyoyev reviewed major copper projects, including phases tied to Almalyk’s $2.7bn concentrator plant, and also reviewed defence-sector reforms and military aviation training upgrades. Nuclear Policy: Uzbekistan began construction of its first nuclear power plant, with the project cost set at $9.5bn and regulators and partners reaffirming support. Finance Regulation: The Central Bank published draft rules for Islamic banking licensing and governance ahead of the June 29 start date for the Islamic finance law. Regional Connectivity: A new phase for the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway was officially commissioned, boosting freight capacity and reinforcing Eurasian “Middle Corridor” logistics. Local Governance: Tashkent Region announced a reshuffle of deputy governors and mayors, including changes in Nurafshan and Almalyk leadership.

Uzbekistan–Nuclear Push: Russia and Uzbekistan have formally kicked off construction of Uzbekistan’s first nuclear power plant, with Vladimir Putin and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev launching the project in St. Petersburg via video link; the deal is framed as a major energy and industrial step for Central Asia. Aviation & Policy: IATA’s chief economist warned that aviation disruptions from the Iran war won’t “snap back” to pre-crisis patterns, citing lasting route and revenue damage—an issue with direct relevance for Uzbekistan’s connectivity planning. Social Protection Reform: An Uzbekistan delegation studied Finland’s best practices in social welfare, inclusive education, legal services, and digital public services, aiming to modernize state institutions and improve support for vulnerable groups. Construction Regulation: Uzbekistan plans to simplify construction services from 1 July and is moving toward a risk-scoring approach for developers, signaling tighter, more predictable governance for building projects. Central Asia Trade Links: Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee’s business mission to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan delivered 96 agreements worth $1.65bn, with a “hub-to-hub” push in finance, innovation, tech, and aviation. World Cup Context for Uzbekistan: With Uzbekistan set for its World Cup debut in Group K (Portugal, Colombia, DR Congo), coverage highlights the tournament’s expanded 48-team format and Uzbekistan’s matchups as fans gear up for the June 11 start.

Nuclear Energy & Russia-Uzbek Ties: Uzbekistan has officially started construction of its first nuclear power plant, with Mirziyoyev and Putin authorizing the first unit at the Farish site in Jizzakh; the milestone includes first concrete for a hybrid small modular reactor project led by Rosatom, under IAEA supervision and framed as a long-term engineering and technology upgrade. Governance & Public Services: From 1 July, Uzbekistan will simplify construction services via “one application, one payment” connection procedures and consolidate urban planning assignments; a draft “risk analysis” points system for developers is also out for public discussion, aiming to categorize firms by risk using permits, violations, complaints, and other open information. Civic Accountability: A Presidential Reception Office inspection found widespread missed deadlines in handling citizens’ appeals—1,070 overdue cases across 41 bodies—leading to disciplinary actions and dismissals. Economy & Finance: Uzbekistan’s international reserves fell to $70.58bn as of 1 June, with gold and foreign currency components down; factoring services surged 75% year-on-year in Q1 2026 to 2.3tn soums. Digital Diplomacy: Uzbekistan and Russia agreed to expand digital cooperation, including AI, data centres, e-government, e-signatures, and cross-border data exchange; a Hong Kong delegation also visited IT Park Uzbekistan to discuss innovation and tech ties. Law Enforcement: Uzbekistan extradited a fraud suspect from Türkiye under a 4+4 cooperation mechanism, accusing her of unlicensed recruitment and misleading job promises abroad. Aviation & Climate Policy: At IATA’s AGM in Rio, officials warned airline profits may halve in 2026 due to Middle East-driven fuel shocks; IATA also launched a CORSIA alliance to expand eligible carbon unit supply, while noting sustainable aviation fuel still covers under 1% of jet fuel use. International Spotlight: Uzbekistan’s World Cup debut is highlighted as part of the expanded 48-team tournament, with Group K featuring Portugal, DR Congo, and Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan Nuclear Launch: Uzbekistan has started construction on its first nuclear power plant, with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Russia’s Vladimir Putin giving the order via video link; the project is estimated at about $9.5bn and is being aligned with IAEA standards. Aviation Policy Push: IATA is urging Uzbekistan to adopt a national airport master plan and a unified aviation strategy, warning that rapid growth in passenger and cargo traffic needs stronger planning, plus tighter safety requirements for airlines. Regional Security Cooperation: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi signed agreements with Russia to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking, while talks with Uzbekistan and others focused on law-enforcement cooperation and security threats linked to Afghanistan. Diplomatic Engagement: Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos met Uzbekistan’s Bakhtiyor Saidov in Tashkent, pledging to expand trade, investment, transport, and logistics ties. Local Enforcement: Namangan authorities found a Chevrolet Lacetti tied to 376 unpaid traffic violations and 330m soums in arrears, moving to recover the debt. Environment Finance: Uzbekistan hosted the Eighth GEF Assembly, with leaders stressing faster delivery of climate and nature finance to meet 2030 goals.

Nuclear Power Push: Uzbekistan has officially started construction of its first civilian nuclear power plant, with a launch ceremony linking a central construction site to St. Petersburg as President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Vladimir Putin ordered work on the first unit; the project is pegged at about $9.5 billion and will follow International Atomic Energy Agency standards. Housing & Construction Oversight: Mirziyoyev signed a decree tightening rules on multi-family apartment safety, banning layout/structural changes in buildings older than 50 years and shifting more warranty liability onto contractors, with penalties tied to corporate ratings. Inflation Watch: Uzbekistan’s annual consumer price inflation slowed to 5.5% in May 2026 (from 8.7% a year earlier), with monthly prices up 0.2%. Vehicle Import Rules: Uzbekistan lifted a cap that limited individuals and firms to one vehicle compliance certificate per year, effective June 5, easing fleet and corporate import hurdles. Regional Diplomacy: In Tashkent under the C5+1 framework, Central Asian culture ministers and the U.S. discussed heritage protection, museum and expert exchanges, and digitalization of cultural sites. Security Cooperation: Pakistan and Russia signed accords to curb illegal immigration and narcotics trafficking, expanding law-enforcement coordination across the region.

Nuclear Power Rollout: Uzbekistan has begun construction of its first nuclear power plant in the Jizzakh region, with a ceremony linked to St. Petersburg and IAEA chief Rafael Grossi; the project is pegged at about $9.5 billion, includes both small and large reactor capacity on the same site, and is described as aligned with IAEA standards. Diplomacy & Regional Ties: Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee visited Tashkent and met President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and PM Abdulla Aripov, concluding 35 deals across trade, finance, technology and aviation, while pushing Hong Kong as a “super connector” for Uzbekistan’s modernization. C5+1 Culture Track: Central Asian culture ministers and the US met in Tashkent under C5+1, agreeing to expand cooperation on heritage protection, museum and research partnerships, professional exchanges, and digitization of historical sites. Security Cooperation: Pakistan’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi signed agreements with Russia on curbing illegal immigration and narcotics trafficking during an SCO meeting in Bishkek, and discussed Afghanistan-linked security concerns with Tajikistan and law-enforcement cooperation with Uzbekistan and others. World Stage Shock: St. Petersburg reported a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack, with authorities urging residents to stay indoors; no casualties or infrastructure damage were reported. Local Governance: Tashkent’s mayoral office says modernizing the city’s drainage system will require about $400 million investment.

Nuclear Power Rollout: Uzbekistan moved a step closer to its first nuclear build as the regulator issued a construction license for an RITM-200N unit and IAEA chief Rafael Grossi pledged support for the integrated plant, with the project’s first concrete already poured and the site work under way. Budget & Financing: The integrated plant’s base cost ceiling was put at $9.5 billion, with Uzbekistan aiming for 85–90% of funding via external loans and leaving room for a Russian export loan if terms are concessional. Digital & Social Policy: The Ministry of Justice proposed digitizing disability parking permits, replacing visible signs and some certificate requirements with verification through a social card system. AI Jobs Agenda: At SPIEF, Digital Technologies Minister Sherzod Shermatov said Uzbekistan’s AI strategy is “human-centric,” focused on creating jobs and bringing remote work home. Education & Regional Development: ADB-backed plans in Samarkand would build or renovate nearly 100 kindergartens under public-private partnership, while Ferghana and German vocational providers discussed new training centers tied to labor-market needs. Diplomacy & Europe: Belgium decided to open an embassy in Tashkent, signaling a higher level of political and practical engagement. Environment Finance: At the GEF Assembly in Samarkand, officials stressed that environmental funding remains essential despite budget pressure, as Uzbekistan and partners push regional climate and biodiversity priorities.

Nuclear Power Launch: Russia and Uzbekistan have started construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant, with Presidents Vladimir Putin and Shavkat Mirziyoyev overseeing the move via video link and the IAEA in the loop as safety oversight is emphasized. Election Monitoring: The CIS Interparliamentary Assembly (IPA CIS) is sending international observers for short-term monitoring of Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary vote, including visits to the electoral commission, courts, and polling stations. Regional Diplomacy: Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos begins a Central Asia tour that includes Uzbekistan, after meetings in Kazakhstan, with attention on trade, education, and regional security. Governance & Justice: An investigator and lawyer were detained in a Namangan bribery case tied to alleged demands to close a criminal matter. Energy & Industry: Uzbekistan’s nuclear project is framed as a major step toward meeting rising electricity demand, combining large units and small modular reactors under Rosatom. Sports & Public Life: Uzbekistan’s debut at the 2026 World Cup is driving a surge in football interest at home, while Uzbekistan is also set to face the Netherlands in a friendly ahead of the tournament.

Logistics & Investment: Oman’s Asyad Group has closed a deal to buy a controlling stake in key Uzbek logistics platforms, including Tashkent-linked freight gateways ULS and HLC, aiming to deepen cargo links between China, Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia. Governance & Anti-Corruption: Uzbekistan’s State Security Service detained an investigator and a lawyer in Namangan over alleged bribery—$40,000 demanded to end prosecution, with arrests made during the payment handover. Visa Policy & Regional Ties: Hong Kong and Uzbekistan moved toward a mutual 30-day visa-free arrangement after exchanging official notes, with implementation details now being negotiated. Environmental Governance: Uzbekistan marked a major milestone by completing the first full digitized mapping of state forest boundaries across 79 enterprises, supported by the World Bank’s RESILAND project. Public Health & Regional Cooperation: Central Asian health and environment ministries reviewed progress on One Health pandemic preparedness under the Pandemic Fund, preparing a regional report for submission by July 31. Legal Tech & Reform: Uzbekistan showcased its approach to regulating technology and digital transformation at the Eurasian Legal Congress in Yekaterinburg, highlighting reforms to modernize the legal framework. Trade & Connectivity Diplomacy: Afghanistan used the Termez Dialogue to push expanded transit cooperation with Uzbekistan, calling for removal of barriers and clearer mechanisms for commercial trade.

Ukraine-Russia Tensions: Ukrainian drones struck energy and military sites in Saint Petersburg as the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum opened, with Zelensky calling it “fair response” and warning of more; Russia said it will retaliate “systemically,” while the airport faced overnight disruptions. Uzbekistan’s Global Positioning: Fitch upgraded Uzbekistan’s sovereign outlook to “positive” (affirming “BB”), citing reforms, fiscal and monetary steps, and rising reserves—while Uzbekistan’s leadership framed it as investor confidence. Visa & Connectivity: Uzbekistan and Hong Kong moved toward mutual visa-free travel for up to 30 days, following diplomatic notes and aimed at boosting tourism, business, and people-to-people ties. Regional Trade & Transit: Afghanistan and Uzbekistan discussed expanding transit and trade cooperation, focusing on logistics, customs facilitation, and easing obstacles for Afghan exporters. Eurasian Security Diplomacy: CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev said CIS-SCO cooperation—now with SCO observer status at CIS—strengthens security across Eurasia, with Tashkent hosting the remarks. Gender & Anti-Corruption: A UNDP study with Uzbekistan’s anti-corruption agency found only 22.5% of men believe women can be competent leaders, arguing for gender-sensitive anti-corruption policy. World Cup Politics & Health: Spain’s mayor canceled DR Congo’s pre-World Cup friendly over Ebola fears, adding uncertainty to Congo’s preparations.

World Cup Warm-Up Shock: Algeria stunned the Netherlands 1-0 in Rotterdam as Feyenoord winger Anis Hadj Moussa scored late, handing the Dutch a rough send-off before they play Uzbekistan in New York. Tashkent Governance: City authorities rolled out stricter environmental and safety rules for roughly 1,700 active construction sites, requiring dust control, site fencing, “project passports,” and tighter monitoring. Competition & Consumer Protection: Uzbekistan’s competition watchdog opened cases worth over 8 billion soums, citing violations including bypassing exchange-based trading and alleged price manipulation at “Uzbekkumir.” Migration & Fraud Crackdown: Police dismantled job-scam networks across six regions that promised South Korea work, swindling victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Diplomacy & Mobility: Uzbekistan and Hong Kong agreed to move toward a mutual 30-day visa-free arrangement, while Uzbekistan also discussed expanding ties with Kyrgyzstan. Regional Connectivity: Direct Yerevan–Tashkent flights resumed after decades as Shirak Avia launched weekly service. Economy & Finance: Fitch upgraded Uzbekistan’s outlook to Positive, and the EBRD forecast 6.5% growth for 2026. Energy & Investment: Uzbekistan’s renewable capacity reached 8 GW, while IFC committed up to US$10 million to a private equity fund targeting SMEs.

Culture & Arts Reform: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has launched a sweeping overhaul of Uzbekistan’s film industry and broader culture sector, aiming to end Soviet-style censorship and shift script/project review to professional experts; the decree also creates a state target fund “Investments in Creativity” with an annual budget of 200 billion soums plus major tax incentives for cultural businesses and foreign film companies. Regional Environment Diplomacy: Samarkand is hosting the 8th Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly and Eco Expo Central Asia 2026, with CAREC and partners pushing practical regional programs such as ecosystem restoration and water-land nexus work. Uzbekistan’s International Outreach: Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee visited Uzbekistan with a large business delegation to position the city as a “super-connector” for trade, finance, tech services, and tourism links across Central Asia. Public Health & Sports Governance: Spain’s mayor of La Línea de la Concepción cancelled a DR Congo pre-World Cup friendly against Chile due to Ebola-related health concerns, underscoring how local authorities can directly disrupt international sporting schedules. Global Security Context: Ukrainian drone strikes hit St Petersburg ahead of Putin’s “Russian Davos” forum, adding pressure to the Kremlin as international delegations arrive.