Uzbekistan

The application season is now beginning: foreign universities are opening admissions, deadlines for fall intake are approaching, and the IELTS certificate remains a key requirement. For admission, a score of IELTS 6.5–7.0 is typically required, with 6.5 being the minimum threshold for most programs and 7.0 or higher considered competitive, especially for top UK universities that demand 7.5 and above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each section.

Uzbekistan plans to establish a National Medical Center for Mental Health and 14 regional branches starting from January 1, 2027, based on the Tashkent branch of the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center for Mental Health. These measures are outlined in a draft presidential decree "On Measures to Transform the System of Providing Narcological and Psychiatric Care to the Population."

Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) may face further delays, according to chief negotiator Azizbek Urunov. He stated that some countries are prolonging the review of Uzbekistan's documents, which could shift the planned completion date of March 2026. Urunov also highlighted that agreements have been reached on transition periods of 3 to 8 years for sensitive sectors, emphasizing the need to protect domestic markets while avoiding protectionism.

A state tender worth 710 million Uzbek soums (approximately $710,000) for developing an online video-conferencing platform to help persons with disabilities access government services in Uzbekistan has come under suspicion of corruption. The Agency for Combating Corruption conducted an investigation, uncovering signs of affiliation between the winning bidder and the reserve winner, raising concerns about potential irregularities in the procurement process.

▪️ Uzbekistan has amended its civil and experimental aviation flight rules, eliminating the requirement for air traffic controllers to undergo daily pre-shift medical examinations. The changes, registered by the Ministry of Justice, aim to align national aviation regulations with international standards and modern industry demands.

According to Uzbekistan's Hydrometeorological Service (Uzhydromet), on March 12, air quality deteriorated sharply across much of the country, including the capital Tashkent. A combination of weak winds, high humidity, and nocturnal cooling of the ground layer led to the formation of dense haze and fog.

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has announced a series of new initiatives for governance and economic development during a recent engagement. He purportedly stated that reforms are ongoing in the country, but numerous challenges persist, including bureaucracy and the fight against corruption.

Uzbekistan has announced a record cotton harvest for 2023, with over 3.5 million tons collected, marking an 8% increase from the previous year. This achievement highlights the progress of agricultural reforms aimed at boosting efficiency and diversifying production in the sector.

Federico Valverde scored the first hat-trick of his career as Real Madrid secured a 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday. The result leaves the Premier League side with a daunting challenge in the return leg, having been outplayed at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Uzbekistan has achieved a record cotton harvest in 2024, exceeding 4 million tons, marking the highest yield in the country's history. This outcome highlights the effectiveness of government policies aimed at modernizing agriculture and diversifying cotton production.

In the capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, the construction of a new metro line has officially commenced. This line is designed to connect the southern and northern parts of the city, aiming to enhance the transportation system and reduce passenger congestion. The project is part of broader efforts to modernize urban infrastructure in the region.

Uzbekistan has commenced the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects aimed at fundamentally transforming transport logistics between the capital and key regions of the country. Asliddin Isayev, Director of the Avtoyulinvest agency, revealed in an interview with O’zbekiston 24 TV channel that the new Tashkent-Samarkand highway is designed to alleviate congestion on the existing road, which sees a daily traffic flow of 55,000–60,000 vehicles. The project includes 12 interchanges and full digitalization with an intelligent transport system, reducing travel time to 2–2.5 hours. Major Chinese companies from the global top 100 have shown interest in financing.