AGP Executive Report

Investment: Uzbekistan is opening state stakes in 84 companies, 1,242 properties and nearly 8,000 hectares of land—assets valued at almost 100 trillion soums—to investors in 2026–27. A new agreement will give Turkish businesses details of the sales, with a special investor session planned for December. Regional Trade: Afghan and Uzbek companies signed 18 memorandums worth $150 million in Kabul, covering sectors including construction and chemicals. Korea Ties: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung urged Uzbekistan’s Senate chair to help turn agreements on critical minerals and artificial intelligence into concrete results. Security: At an Astana summit on AI and terrorism, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev offered to host a regional office of the UN counterterrorism body in Uzbekistan. Healthcare: Life expectancy has risen to 75.4 years, and district hospitals are increasingly performing complex procedures such as open-heart surgery and stenting.

Business: Tashkent will host the “New Uzbekistan: At the Crossroads of Global Markets” forum on Nov. 30–Dec. 4, bringing Kuwaiti and other foreign companies together with Uzbek businesses to discuss trade, investment and training. Healthcare: Life expectancy has risen to 75.4 years from 73.8, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said, citing expanded funding and digital health services; nationwide state medical insurance is due by the end of 2026. Regional Trade: Uzbekistan and Afghanistan signed 18 business agreements worth more than $150 million, covering construction, chemicals and other sectors. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are also planning upgrades to expand freight flows: more than 243,000 vehicles crossed their Farap–Alat border posts in the first 10 months of 2026. Tourism: Uzbekistan received over 36,600 Japanese visitors in the first nine months of the year, nearly 50% more than a year earlier, supported by direct flights and promotion in Japan. Security: At the Astana summit, Uzbekistan offered to host a regional UN counterterrorism office.

Tourism: Uzbekistan welcomed more than 36,600 Japanese visitors in the first nine months of 2026, nearly 50% more than a year earlier. Direct flights, tourism promotions in Japan and tours for travel operators helped drive the increase. Regional Security: At the Aqaba Process summit in Astana, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed opening a regional UN Counter-Terrorism Office in Uzbekistan, with a focus on threats including the misuse of artificial intelligence. Investment: Fixed-capital investment rose 20.1% to UZS 584 trillion, according to figures reported for 2026. Sport: Tashkent hosted the World Sambo Championships from November 6 to 8, drawing competitors from 101 countries. Uzbekistan’s Nasaf also finished as the best third-placed team in the AFC Women’s Champions League group stage.

Security & Diplomacy: At the Aqaba Process summit in Astana, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed a regional UN counter-terrorism office in Uzbekistan to help countries tackle extremist content, terrorist financing and threats linked to artificial intelligence. Regional Cooperation: Uzbekistan joined Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in Bishkek talks on Afghanistan, including plans to expand trade, transport and humanitarian links while coordinating on security. Economy: Fixed-capital investment rose 20.1% to UZS 584 trillion, while Uzbekistan’s external debt reached $88 billion in 2025, up 24.7%, according to reports. Annual inflation eased to 6.5% in October. Public Safety: Reports say 18 people have died in suspected carbon-monoxide poisoning incidents in Uzbekistan. Sport: Tashkent is hosting the World Sambo Championships, where Bulgarian athletes claimed three medals; Uzbekistan also took bronze in the men’s combat-deployment event at the World Fire and Rescue Sport Championships in Baku.

AI Security: At the Aqaba Process summit in Astana, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev offered to host a regional UN counterterrorism office in Uzbekistan, as leaders discussed how militants could misuse artificial intelligence. Regional Cooperation: A first SCO Plus security dialogue in Samarkand brought together more than 180 officials to address terrorism, extremism and threats from digital technologies. Public Safety: Reports say 18 people died in suspected carbon monoxide poisonings in Uzbekistan, renewing concerns about household safety. Economy: Fixed-capital investment rose 20.1% to 584 trillion soums, while the World Bank put external debt at $88 billion; Uzbekistan also plans to list major state-owned companies on international exchanges by 2028. Agriculture: The 2026 cotton harvest topped five million tonnes, the largest since independence, and Mirziyoyev has set a higher yield target for next year.

Weightlifting: Uzbekistan’s Akbar Djuraev swept the men’s 110kg titles at the world championships, setting world records in the snatch and total with a 432kg lift. Regional Security: At an Aqaba Process summit in Astana, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev offered to host a Central Asian UN counterterrorism office, as leaders discussed militants’ use of AI. Travel Rules: A notice says Uzbekistan has temporarily restricted visas and entry for Nigerian citizens; officials have not publicly explained the move. Cotton and Industry: Uzbekistan reported a record harvest of more than five million tonnes, while the government plans to list five major state-owned companies—including Uzbekistan Airways and energy firms—on stock exchanges in 2027–28. Uranium: The country aims to double annual production to 15,000 tonnes by 2030. Public Safety: Eighteen people have died in suspected carbon monoxide poisonings in Uzbekistan.

Digital Infrastructure: Beeline Uzbekistan opened a $40 million data centre in Bukhara to strengthen service reliability. Officials also discussed cloud infrastructure and AI cooperation with Oracle. Regional Security: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Astana for an Aqaba Process meeting focused on AI security and preventing its use by terrorist groups. Economy: Uzbekistan’s external debt reached $88.03 billion at the end of 2025, up 24.7% in a year. The Central Bank also raised its inflation forecast to 7%. Public Safety: Eighteen people have died in suspected carbon monoxide poisonings in Uzbekistan. Chess: Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov is set to challenge reigning world champion Gukesh in Geneva from November 24 to December 12.

Regional Security: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Astana for an Aqaba Process meeting on regional security and preventing the misuse of artificial intelligence by terrorist groups. Public Safety: Eighteen people died in suspected carbon monoxide poisonings across Uzbekistan between October 25 and November 1; investigators cited unsafe boilers and faulty exhaust systems. Economy: Uzbekistan’s external debt reached $88.03 billion at the end of 2025, up 24.7% in a year. The Central Bank also raised its 2026 inflation forecast to 7%, citing higher heating and hot-water tariffs. Sports: Nasaf rallied from two goals down to beat Kuwait SC 3-2 in the AFC Champions League Two, while Tashkent prepares to host the World Sambo Championships, opening November 6. Transport: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan agreed to allow up to 60 weekly flights on the Almaty–Tashkent and Astana–Tashkent routes.

Economic Outlook: Oxford Business Group and Uzbekistan’s Agency for Strategic Development and Reforms will produce a 2026 report on the country’s economy, investment priorities and growth sectors. Transport Links: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan agreed to allow up to 60 weekly flights on each of the Almaty–Tashkent and Astana–Tashkent routes, and raise limits on other routes. Agriculture: The cotton harvest has topped 5 million tonnes for the first time since 1991, with picking still underway. Higher Education: 38 Uzbek universities made the QS Asia Rankings 2027; six placed in the top 500, led by TIIAME at 113th. Technology and Industry: South Korea won a $330,000 contract to help build Uzbekistan’s national address register, while Rosatom says its new lithium-processing technology could produce more than 8,500 tonnes of high-purity lithium carbonate annually. Culture: Bukhara will host the UNESCO Creative Cities Network’s 2027 annual conference, the first in Central Asia.

Culture: UNESCO has selected Bukhara to host Central Asia’s first Creative Cities Conference, highlighting Uzbekistan’s heritage and creative industries. Tourism: Visitors from Azerbaijan to Uzbekistan rose about 60% in the first nine months of 2026, helped by visa-free travel and more flights. Infrastructure: Uzbekistan completed a $171 million World Bank-backed power-grid project and is building a $300 million airport in Bukhara to expand capacity and support tourism. Investment: The country attracted $44.3 billion in foreign investment and loans in nine months; Jizzakh is also set to get a $140 million agro-industrial complex. Public Safety: Twenty members of a Kazakh youth football delegation received treatment in Tashkent after a suspected food-poisoning outbreak; eight remained hospitalized, and prosecutors opened an investigation. Regional Security: Samarkand is preparing to host the first SCO Plus expert dialogue on security, with talks expected to cover terrorism, extremism and emerging technologies.

Asian Cup Delay: The 2027 tournament has been pushed to December 2027–January 2028 amid regional conflict, leaving Uzbekistan without a major competition for months. Coach Fabio Cannavaro is weighing his future after the schedule change. Earthquake: A magnitude 5.2 quake in Kyrgyzstan was felt across Uzbekistan’s Andijan and Fergana regions; a series of further tremors struck near the border. Investment: Jizzakh is planning a $140 million agro-industrial complex, including oilseed processing, biofertilizer production and irrigation equipment. Regional Security: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan agreed to deepen cooperation against terrorism, cybercrime and other threats, signing a protocol and creating a joint expert group. Student Safeguards: India says it is engaging Uzbekistan over concerns about medical education and warns students against misleading agents and institutions that may not meet India’s requirements.

Digital Payments: Apple Pay and Google Pay have launched in Uzbekistan, widening payment options after changes to data rules opened the market to international services. Public Safety: Twelve people died in two carbon monoxide poisoning incidents in Fergana region; officials linked one family’s deaths to a faulty boiler and warned residents to stop using the model. Housing: A Tashkent court authorized the detention of Imarat Development head Marat Khamdamov in a fraud and abuse-of-authority investigation over delayed apartment handovers. Investment: Vietnam’s ROX Group is proposing $4.5 billion in four urban projects across Bukhara, Tashkent and Samarkand, with plans covering housing, business and tourism infrastructure. Education: India says it is engaging Uzbekistan to protect Indian students from exploitation and ensure medical programmes meet quality requirements, urging students to follow official advisories. Football: The AFC postponed the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia to December 2027 amid security and travel concerns, leaving Uzbekistan without the near-term tournament—and reportedly raising doubts about coach Fabio Cannavaro’s future. Regional Ties: Azerbaijan’s parliament approved an agreement with Uzbekistan to cooperate on pension provision.

Cybersecurity: Reports say hackers claim to have obtained personal records for as many as 27 million Uzbekistan residents; officials have not confirmed the breach. Tashkent’s parking operator also warned drivers about fake fine texts and urged them to check penalties only through its official app. Football: Al-Nassr beat Pakhtakor 6-2 in Tashkent, with João Félix scoring twice; Cristiano Ronaldo was rested. Financial Technology: Uzbekistan’s central bank met with Azerbaijan’s to share expertise on digital finance, payment systems and innovation. Regional Sport: The 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia has been postponed to December 2027 amid conflict-related security and travel concerns; Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov would otherwise have been among players called up. Youth Sport: Uzbek swimmer Muhammadismail Rahmonov won bronze in the 200m breaststroke at the Dakar Youth Olympics.

Football: Al-Nassr beat Tashkent’s Pakhtakor 6-2 in the AFC Champions League, with João Félix scoring twice; Cristiano Ronaldo was rested. Labour Migration: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called for a major overhaul of overseas job placement, including private agencies from 2027 and better recognition of work histories abroad. More than 1.1 million citizens have returned this year, while just 2,000 of 45,000 requests for skilled workers from Germany have been filled. Economy: Uzbekistan’s GDP grew 8.3% in the first three quarters, but remittance growth slowed: inflows topped $15 billion in nine months, up 2.9% in the third quarter. Infrastructure: Uzbekistan and Huawei discussed railway digitalisation and improved train-traffic management. Youth Sport: Swimmer Muhammadismail Rahmonov won bronze in the men’s 200-metre breaststroke at the Youth Olympic Games.

Football in Tashkent: Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Al Nassr’s AFC Champions League match against Pakhtakor on Monday. Coach Ange Postecoglou cited fixture pressure and travel in resting Ronaldo, Kingsley Coman and Mohamed Simakan; regional security concerns have also surrounded the competition. Regional ties: Turkic leaders pledged continued work for peace and stability in Afghanistan and backed the Afghan-Trans railway. The Organization of Turkic States’ investment fund has grown to $600 million. Economy: Uzbekistan’s GDP grew 8.3% in the first nine months of 2026, while the poverty rate fell from 5.8% to 3.6%, according to figures cited in recent reports. Sport: Tashkent will host the World SAMBO Championships from Nov. 6 to 8, with athletes from more than 90 countries expected.

Football: Pakhtakor hosts Al-Nassr in Tashkent on Monday in the AFC Champions League. Cristiano Ronaldo is among the stars rested for the trip. Diplomacy: Uzbekistan’s foreign minister praised Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace in a call that also covered preparations for the 2027 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. Business: The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector and Open Bank signed an agreement of intent for up to $10 million in Sharia-compliant financing for Uzbek businesses. Uzbekistan’s economy grew 8.3% in January–September, while the poverty rate fell to 3.6%. Connectivity: Centrum Air has opened direct Tashkent–Mattala flights to Sri Lanka. Regional ties: Uzbekistan’s Mirvokhid Azimov was named secretary-general of the Organization of Turkic States at its Ankara summit; Türkiye and Uzbekistan also agreed to pursue $5 billion in trade. Culture and sport: Archaeologists found rock carvings and Bronze Age settlement remains in the Nurata Mountains. Uzbek grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov is preparing to challenge India’s D. Gukesh for the world chess title. Tashkent: The capital ranked among the world’s most polluted cities on Sunday, with an air-quality reading near 200.