The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has approved a $200 million project aimed at modernizing transport infrastructure in Uzbekistan's Surkhandarya region. The initiative is expected to foster business development, create jobs, and improve regional connectivity.
The Association of Beverage and Juice Producers of Uzbekistan (UzBev) has called on the government to engage in dialogue regarding the implementation of the digital labeling (RM) system. The association highlights serious risks associated with the introduction of an aggregation stage, set for April 1, 2026, which involves tracking each individual bottle. In a statement, UzBev emphasized that while it fully supports the state's policy of digitalizing the economy and combating the shadow economy, the current model contains technical and economic contradictions that could lead to reduced production rates, decreased sales, and negative social consequences.
Uzbekistan's 2024 cotton harvest is showing significant growth, approaching historical highs, which highlights the effectiveness of ongoing agricultural reforms in the country. According to state statistics, cotton production this season is expected to exceed 3.5 million tons, an 8% increase compared to the previous year. This achievement is attributed to favorable climatic conditions, particularly in the Fergana Valley and Kashkadarya region, as well as the adoption of modern irrigation technologies.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan chaired a meeting focused on key issues of the country's economic development, investment attraction, and expansion of international cooperation. The event included government members, economic sector leaders, and foreign partners.
Uzbekistan has been awarded the prestigious title of "Migratory Species Champion Plus" at the opening of the 15th global environmental conference of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS COP15) in Campo Grande, Brazil. This recognition solidifies the republic's status as a world leader in protecting rare animals that cross international borders, with the international community highly commending Tashkent's contributions to conservation efforts.
Starting April 2026, Uzbekistan will enact a series of comprehensive reforms affecting daily life across key sectors such as finance, security, and tourism. Presidential decrees mandate a significant expansion of cashless payments, requiring transactions for government services, utility bills, and purchases of alcohol and tobacco to be conducted exclusively via bank cards or payment apps. Major deals, including real estate and car purchases (for vehicles under 10 years old), as well as goods and services exceeding 25 million soums, must now be made electronically, with escrow accounts introduced to enhance transaction security.
Uzbekistan has launched the mobile application “AvtoRaqam” to streamline the process of selecting and purchasing state license plates for vehicles. According to Zoyir Yo‘ldoshev, press secretary of the State Road Traffic Safety Service, the app is available for download via Google Play and App Store. This initiative aims to digitize and enhance transparency in the license plate selection process for car owners.
Acting Prosecutor of Tashkent City, Anvar Ormonov, reported on the criminogenic situation in the capital at a session of the Tashkent City Council of People's Deputies on February 18. According to his statement, 30.6 thousand crimes were registered in Tashkent in 2025, a 4.7% decrease compared to the previous year's figure of 32.1 thousand. However, despite the overall decline in crime numbers, the share of cybercrimes has risen significantly: more than half of all offenses—16.25 thousand—are crimes committed using information technology.
Uzbekistan has introduced a new system for obtaining state automobile license plates, with the launch of the mobile application AvtoRaqam. Through this app, users can now select and purchase license plates in real-time from available combinations. This system was implemented following the cancellation of plate sales through the commodity exchange, which previously included auctions for "beautiful" number combinations.
Under the leadership of the President of Uzbekistan, a presentation of priority nationwide projects in ecology and environmental protection for 2026–2030 was held. The presentation discussed comprehensive plans to improve the ecological situation and expand green areas in the country, with a particular focus on initiatives to create new botanical gardens and dendrological parks.
In Uzbekistan, 1,912 people were convicted in 2025 under Article 270 of the Criminal Code, which covers responsibility for cultivating prohibited crops. Official court statistics reveal a broad range of penalties applied, from fines to actual prison terms, with the majority of offenses occurring in several key regions of the country.
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on March 23 reviewed a presentation on priority nationwide projects in ecology and environmental protection for 2026–2030. These initiatives are aimed at improving air quality, expanding green areas in cities and regions, enhancing ecological education and culture, and strengthening the scientific and practical foundations for combating desertification.