Uzbekistan

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan reviewed a presentation on proposals to improve the system for training engineering personnel for agriculture and water management on March 10. The meeting highlighted that in several fields, scientific knowledge is gradually becoming detached from practical application. Specifically, during the implementation of major projects in agriculture and water management, scientific justifications and the potential of researchers are not always fully utilized, leading to some projects failing to achieve expected outcomes.

A new appointment has been made in the Tashkent city administration. Azizxon Shovkatov has been appointed as the Deputy Mayor of Tashkent for Tourism, Culture, and Mass Communications. This decision is part of the government's efforts to develop the capital's cultural and tourism sectors, reflecting a push to enhance management in these areas amid ongoing urban development initiatives.

The Uzbek government is implementing key measures to combat cybercrime and bolster data security, as outlined in a presidential decree signed on March 10. The decree approves a national cybersecurity strategy for 2026–2030, setting a comprehensive plan to protect the country's digital infrastructure and prevent cyberattacks. This move comes in response to growing vulnerabilities highlighted by recent incidents, including cyberattacks on state institutions in January, which have raised concerns about data protection in an increasingly digitized society.

Films by Uzbek directors became a notable highlight at the XIII International Young Cinema Forum "UmuT" in Bishkek. The forum, held from March 4 to 7, gathered young filmmakers from various countries across the region. Works by Uzbek authors attracted attention from both the jury and audiences in the competitive and non-competitive programs.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting in the Kashkadarya region to discuss the effectiveness of ongoing reforms and future priority tasks. The meeting reviewed the region's economic indicators: last year, gross regional product grew by 6.8%, industry by 7.2%, the service sector by 13.6%, and agriculture by 4.3%. From 2017 to 2025, per capita GRP increased 3.2-fold to 26.9 million soums, while unemployment and poverty rates decreased to 4.9% and 6.5%, respectively.

The Kvarts glass products plant, which was returned to state ownership in February 2025 after a failed privatization, ended 2025 with a net profit. According to last year's results, the enterprise's net profit amounted to 1.3 billion Uzbek soums. In comparison, the plant recorded a loss of 142 billion soums in 2024 and 21.7 billion soums in 2023, marking a significant turnaround in its financial performance.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan was presented with a detailed report on the progress of tasks set for the oil and gas industry. The meeting focused on analyzing the implementation of priority goals established on January 30, which include enhancing the efficiency of JSC "Uzbekneftgaz," increasing hydrocarbon reserves, and developing the sector based on modern technologies.

Uzbekistan has implemented a 'blacklist' mechanism targeting individuals found guilty of threats, psychological, or physical violence against women and children. The decree, which took effect on March 4, aims to enhance protection for vulnerable groups and prevent domestic abuse. Authorities claim this measure will strengthen safety guarantees and reduce the incidence of violence, though its practical impact remains to be seen.

Uzbekistan has officially commenced the voting phase for the first season of the "Initiative Budget" program for 2026. According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, this process will run until March 20 at 23:59, with results from the traditional voting to be announced on March 21—coinciding with the Navruz holiday. An additional phase to identify supplementary winning projects will take place from March 21 to 31.

Tashkent is planning to establish new public parks covering approximately 140 hectares, with a requirement that at least 30% of construction areas be allocated to green zones. This was announced by Sherzod Kudbiyev, Chairman of the National Committee for Sustainable Development of Urbanization and the Housing Market, during a press conference on March 5. He stated that such requirements are being reinforced at the level of higher regulatory documents, including presidential decrees and Cabinet of Ministers resolutions.

Uzbekistan's 2024 cotton harvest is showing significant progress, approaching historical highs in the country's agricultural output. According to state statistics, the volume of cotton collected so far has increased by 8% compared to the same period last year, indicating positive outcomes from ongoing reforms in the agricultural sector.

The Tax Committee of Uzbekistan conducted inspections at 78 trading facilities in Tashkent over two months as part of measures to reduce the shadow economy. According to the committee's press service, during the raids, 2,068 citizens who previously worked in markets and shopping complexes without employment contracts were officially registered.