AGP Executive Report

Asian Games 2026 — Uzbekistan in the spotlight: Day 8 in Aichi-Nagoya brings major medal chances for India, including squash gold matches (Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh) and a full athletics slate, while the overall medal table after Day 7 shows China leading, with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan both in the top five. Chess Olympiad — Uzbekistan’s mixed fortunes: In Samarkand, India’s men routed “Uzbekistan 2” 3.5–0.5 to stay in the gold hunt, while Uzbekistan’s other team also posted a strong win in the Olympiad standings. FIDE leadership — Central Asia makes history: Timur Turlov, a Kazakh businessman, was elected FIDE president in Samarkand, succeeding Arkady Dvorkovich amid sanctions-related controversy. Uzbekistan aviation — new capability: Uzbekistan received its first Embraer C-390 Millennium transport aircraft, becoming the first Central Asian operator. Regional development — energy and industry links: Azerbaijan launched a Textile Cluster production facility and a small hydropower plant, with the Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan Investment Fund among project backers.

Asian Games 2026: Day 8 in Aichi-Nagoya kept Uzbekistan in the spotlight via sport and the medal table. Kazakhstan’s Stella Sukhanova won bronze in women’s canoe single 500m, while Uzbekistan’s Arina Tanamitsheva took silver. Uzbekistan also featured in chess: the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand saw Uzbekistan return to sole first place after beating the USA 2½–1½, with Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Nodirbek Yakubboev delivering key wins. Uzbekistan in regional sport: Uzbekistan’s presence continued across events as South Korea added two kayak sprint silvers, with the men’s 500m winner Shakhriyor Makhkamov of Uzbekistan. Trade & economy: Uzbekistan’s ties and logistics ambitions also surfaced in reports on satellite connectivity deals and transport cooperation. Security: a Uzbek citizen, Davud Ansariy, was extradited from Georgia to the US on terrorism-financing charges. Energy & industry: SOCAR said it is considering exporting Uzbek diesel via its Kulevi terminal in Georgia. Health & society: Uzbekistan’s gymnast Oksana Chusovitina, 51, said she will try to qualify for the 2028 Olympics.

Uzbekistan–US Ties: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead a delegation of 100+ American companies to Samarkand in mid-October for C5+1 talks, focusing on trade, energy security and regional economic modernization. Satellite Connectivity: Uzbekistan’s Digital Technologies Ministry signed an agreement with APT Satellite to expand satellite communications and digital services, including broadband and broadcasting support. Security & Justice: A Uzbek citizen, Davud Ansariy, was extradited from Georgia to the US and will be arraigned in Brooklyn over alleged material support to ISIS and al-Nusrah Front. Defense Procurement: Embraer delivered Uzbekistan’s first C-390 Millennium transport aircraft to the Air Force in Brazil, with training and support included. Regional Diplomacy: Uzbekistan’s president sent condolences to Kazakhstan after a Caspian Sea tragedy during naval drills. Sports Spotlight (Uzbekistan in Asia Games): Uzbekistan’s Jonbibi Hukmova reached the women’s 400m final at the Asian Games, while Oksana Chusovitina made the vault final at age 51.

Uzbekistan in UN spotlight: Uzbekistan’s Saida Mirziyoyeva told the UN General Assembly that Afghanistan can’t be treated only as a security threat, urging hope and confidence for its multi-ethnic population. Regional security drills: Azerbaijan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan carried out simulated maritime rescue and counter-terror operations in the Caspian Sea under “Power of Unity – 2026,” including hostage rescue, mine clearing and first aid. Chess Olympiad (Samarkand): Nigeria bounced back in Round 8, beating Guyana in the men’s section and Lesotho in the women’s, as the tournament heads toward its Sept. 27 finish. Uzbekistan-linked sports headlines: At the Asian Games in Japan, India’s Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet won 10m air pistol mixed team gold with an Asian record 484.6, breaking a mark set earlier by Uzbekistan; meanwhile, India’s fencing teams suffered a double exit in the round of 16. Terror case: A Uzbekistan citizen accused of financing ISIS travel networks was extradited from Georgia to the US to face terrorism-related charges.

UN Diplomacy: Uzbekistan’s Saida Mirziyoyeva told the UN General Assembly that global problems can’t be solved alone and urged a UN focused on implementation, backing Security Council expansion and Tashkent’s 2035–36 non-permanent seat bid, while calling for a dialogue-led approach to Central Asia and a peace-first view of Afghanistan. Regional Security: Azerbaijan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan are running “Power of Unity–2026” drills in Azerbaijan, including helicopter airborne landings and precision strike scenarios with simulated terrorist targets. Central Asia Connectivity: A Russia-linked analysis says EAEU and SCO are formalizing cooperation via a 2027–2030 joint plan in Beijing, aiming to make trade more efficient across digital, customs, agro-industry, food security and green economy areas. Aviation & Investment: Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan launched 10 TRACECA-linked investment projects worth $389m, including SOCAR filling stations and an Azerbaijan Park in Tashkent’s New Tashkent development. Business & Tech: Uzbekistan Airways signed with Jiatai for JT220B Premium electric business seats for its A321neo fleet, with deliveries starting in 2028. Sports (Asian Games): India’s Seema Kumari won bronze in women’s 10,000m, while Satnam Singh and Salman Khan took historic rowing bronze in men’s double sculls; Japan also celebrated major table tennis and swimming breakthroughs.

China–Uzbekistan Cultural Ties: A documentary marking 10 years of the comprehensive strategic partnership, “Silk Road Youth: Uzbekistan,” premiered in Beijing on Sept 21, spotlighting cooperation in renewable energy and student exchanges. UNICEF Water Conservation Expansion: UNICEF says it’s ready to scale a water-saving “Water and Education” initiative from Turkistan, with plans to extend to Kazakhstan’s Caspian regions, using volunteers and university hubs to turn youth into a long-term conservation movement. Asian Games 2026 (Aichi-Nagoya): India’s Roshibina Devi won a second straight silver in women’s wushu sanda 60kg, while Satnam Singh and Salman Khan took bronze in men’s double sculls—India’s first medal in that event. Regional Security Drills: Azerbaijan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan held command-staff drills under “Power of Unity – 2026,” focusing on HQ operations and coordination. Diplomacy & People-to-People: Free Azerbaijani language courses will resume in Uzbekistan from Sept 30 at the Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijani Cultural Centre. Legal Update: Pakistan’s Islamabad High Court directed a citizen offloaded at the airport to appear before the FIA review committee.

Digital Economy: Uzbekistan is moving toward YouTube monetization after talks between presidential administration head Saida Mirziyeva and Google VP Karan Bhatia, with plans also discussed to expand Uzbek-language tools in Google Cloud Gemini and use BigQuery/Dataplex for data services. Connectivity & Telecom: Uztelecom says it will bring Amazon Leo satellite internet to Uzbekistan via UZ-SAT, and it has commissioned new data centres in Bukhara and Kokand under the UzCloud platform. Regional Security: Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Turkey have started trilateral drills in Azerbaijan under “Unity Force - 2026,” using drones, aviation and naval assets to boost joint readiness. Sports (Uzbek angle): Uzbekistan’s chess players will receive higher one-time payments for international tournament wins, up to $200,000 for top prizes at the World Chess Olympiad. Energy Cooperation: Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan continue talks on the Kambarata HPP-1 intergovernmental agreement, with progress on some issues but more work ahead.

Uzbekistan Energy Push: President Mirziyoyev reviewed medium- and long-term plans for the electricity sector, including grid upgrades and a new approach to managing energy investment projects based on forecast demand. Nuclear Cooperation: Uzbekistan signed a nuclear-safety agreement with the US covering licensing, inspections, emergency preparedness and training, while still aiming for Russia’s role in building the first plant. Middle Corridor Logistics: Tashkent is moving to set up logistics “lily pads” around the Caspian and Black Sea, including an Uzbek plan for warehousing and transport facilities at Georgia’s port of Poti, plus work to expand Caspian ports and connectivity. Sports in Uzbekistan: At the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, India’s Nihal Sarin was named Player of the Day despite a loss to Uzbekistan, while Cuba’s teams posted mixed results. Culture & Heritage: Archaeologists in Odirmon near Samarkand reported a possible Zoroastrian fire altar and an ossuary, with motifs expected to emerge as restoration continues.

Energy & Planning: Uzbekistan is moving to a new 2050 energy security strategy, with a five-year review cycle and a demand-first model for power and grid planning, plus clearer roles for forecasting, technical policy, market regulation, and land allocation. Transport & Infrastructure: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed progress on major transport and logistics projects, including funding and investor selection for toll roads and upgrades across key rail and road corridors, aiming to boost capacity and international access. Aviation Fuel Push: Allied Biofuels’ $6.1bn sustainable aviation fuel complex in Khorezm has entered engineering design, with a possible construction go-ahead expected in early 2027. Digital Connectivity: Amazon’s Leo satellite broadband has signed a distribution deal with Uztelecom to expand high-speed internet to remote areas, using a multi-tier terminal rollout. Air Navigation Cooperation: Uzbekistan’s Uzaeronavigation Centre and China’s ATMB signed an MoU in Beijing to cooperate on air traffic management, digitalization, training, and tech exchange. Regional Security: Uzbekistan joined Azerbaijan and Türkiye for the “Power of Unity – 2026” joint military exercise, starting with an official opening ceremony in Khojavend. Sports (Asian Games): India opened its gold account at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 as women’s cricket beat Sri Lanka by 147 runs; China leads the medal table after day three, with India in eighth. EU Sanctions Watch: EU talks are set to lift sanctions on Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, tied to broader political negotiations.

Tashkent International Financial Centre: Uzbekistan is moving to link its new Tashkent International Financial Centre with London’s City, using a special legal regime based on English common-law principles and an independent commercial court to attract foreign investment. Asian Games 2026 (Uzbekistan in focus): Day 4 in Aichi-Nagoya brings more medal chances for India, including women’s cricket and shooting, while Uzbekistan’s presence continues across events. Chess Olympiad (Samarkand): India’s chess title defence took a hit after a key loss to hosts Uzbekistan, with Nihal Sarin’s blunder on the third board proving decisive; India’s women, however, bounced back with a win over the USA. Cultural spotlight: Bukhara Biennial’s closing ceremony highlighted Uzbekistan’s heritage through art and gastronomy, including a collaborative kimchi performance at the Khoja Kalon Mosque. Security & society: A Muslim doctor’s car was set alight in a suspected targeted attack, leaving the family considering leaving the country.

Uzbekistan–Azerbaijan Connectivity: Uzbekistan is weighing participation in a railway linking Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan to Türkiye, aiming to reach Turkish ports Samsun and Istanbul and diversify export routes for textiles, chemicals and more. Transport & Air Links: Azerbaijan Airlines is expanding Central Asia flights, adding Shymkent, Atyrau and Aktobe, with Tashkent and Samarkand among Uzbekistan routes. Energy Push: Construction has started on a 1.5 GW wind power plant in Karakalpakstan with ACWA Power, targeted for commissioning in 2027. Car Market Shift: China now dominates Uzbekistan’s imported passenger cars, taking 95.7% of imports in Jan–Jul 2026, especially EVs. Security Drills: Uzbek servicemen arrived in Azerbaijan for the “Power of Unity – 2026” joint exercise. EU Sanctions Watch: EU diplomats are close to a deal that could delist Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov, tied to an extension of sanctions and a possible prisoner-release bargain. Courts: Former Tashkent tax chief Yunusjon Nasimjanov goes on trial over alleged embezzlement and abuse of authority. Tech Cooperation: Uzbekistan held talks with South Korea’s KT Corp on AI data centres and joint projects. Sports (Samarkand chess): India’s men’s team slipped after a loss to Uzbekistan at the Chess Olympiad, while Azerbaijan kept winning in the event.

World Summit in Samarkand: Uzbekistan will host the World Summit on Investing in Children’s Wellbeing on Oct 21-22, with 100+ countries and a focus on social protection, early childhood health, and support for families, including visits to local projects. Energy Corridor to EU: Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan signed a 2026-2028 roadmap in Baku to build a “Green Energy Corridor” routing Central Asian renewable power via Azerbaijan, Turkey and the Black Sea toward EU markets, alongside plans to expand Uzbekistan’s refining and SOCAR-linked retail. Trade & investment ties: A Tashkent Uzbekistan-Syria business forum advanced joint projects and set up a Joint Economic and Trade Committee, with exhibitions planned for 2027. Education benefit: From the 2026-27 academic year, Uzbekistan will offer a 30% tuition discount to children of teachers at state universities (with defined exclusions). Regional trade snapshot: Central Asia’s intra-regional trade grew 25.4% in Jan–Jul 2026 to $8.1bn, led by Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Crime update: An Uzbek national wanted internationally for embezzling loan funds causing about 5bn soums damage was detained in Türkiye and extradited to Uzbekistan. Sports—Asian Games: India’s boxing draws look tough for Lovlina and Narender as Asian Games action continues in Aichi-Nagoya.

Asian Games 2026 — India’s medal push: India opened Day 1 in Aichi-Nagoya with two shooting silvers as Elavenil Valarivan took women’s 10m air rifle individual silver and also won team silver; Suchika Tariyal secured a historic MMA medal after reaching the women’s traditional 60kg semifinals. Uzbekistan in the spotlight: Uzbekistan featured in multiple matchups, including women’s hockey where India routed Uzbekistan 19-0 with Deepika Sehrawat’s record eight goals. Sports schedule for Monday: Day 2 ramps up with men’s 10m air rifle finals and MMA semifinal action, plus team events like hockey, kabaddi and table tennis. Chess Olympiad — mixed fortunes: India’s men beat Holland 3-1 in Samarkand, while the women were shocked by Poland. Uzbekistan policy update: From the 2026–27 academic year, Uzbekistan will offer a 30% tuition discount to children of teachers at state universities, with eligibility checked via the Digital Government platform. Business ties: Tashkent hosted a Uzbekistan–Syria forum to advance joint investment projects, with a joint economic and trade committee and plans for exhibitions in 2027.

Asian Games 2026: India’s women’s hockey team roared out of the gate with a 19-0 demolition of Uzbekistan, led by Deepika’s eight goals, while Savita Punia earned her 320th cap. Sports Calendar (Uzbekistan ties): On Sep 20, India’s Day 2 at Aichi-Nagoya features medal chances in women’s 10m air rifle and teqball, plus hockey openers against Uzbekistan (women) and Indonesia (men). Chess Olympiad (Samarkand): India kept rolling in the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, winning 3-1 over Spain (men) and 3-1 over Mongolia (women), as accommodation issues earlier in the event continue to be discussed. Regional Football (CAFA): Kyrgyzstan’s women’s U-17 won the CAFA tournament in Tashkent, beating Tajikistan 2-0 in the final; Uzbekistan finished third. Energy/Industry (Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan): Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan pushed forward energy cooperation, including SOCAR’s plans for gas stations in Uzbekistan and accelerated exploration in Ustyurt.

Uzbekistan–Syria Ties: Uzbekistan and Syria signed an agreement to set up a Joint Economic and Trade Committee, with a 2026–2028 roadmap and a new business council to boost direct contacts. Turkic Culture: The Turkic Union of Composers was launched in Baku, backed by a Baku Declaration to create a long-term professional platform for composers and music institutions across Turkic countries. Pension Reform: Uzbekistan plans to add private and corporate pension funds alongside the current state system, with a presidential decree draft expected by end-2027 and gradual retirement-age and work-history changes. Energy & Infrastructure: A major A380 highway upgrade in Uzbekistan has started, with widening and modernization planned for completion by 2029; meanwhile, a $2.6bn wind power project is under way in the northwest. Sports (Regional Spotlight): The Asian Games opened in Japan with competitions already running; Sunday’s India schedule highlights teqball bronze matches, women’s 10m air rifle medal events, and hockey openers versus Uzbekistan and Indonesia. Math Rankings: A PISA 2025-based graphic puts China top in math, while Uzbekistan is excluded due to missing comparable scores.

Uzbekistan Development Push: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev launched 11 projects worth $592m and broke ground on 47 more initiatives totaling $7bn in Karakalpakstan, spanning energy, digital economy, industry, transport, healthcare and services, with expectations of 8,000 high-income jobs. Regional Security Cooperation: The OTS held its 5th meeting of Security Council Secretaries in Baku (Sept 16-18), with Uzbekistan’s Viktor Makhmudov among participants, focusing on threats in the Turkic region and AI capabilities for national security. Military Drills: “Power of Unity – 2026” will be staged in Azerbaijan with troops from Azerbaijan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan across three sites, including UAV and naval/aviation components to boost joint readiness. Trade & Logistics: Uzbek logistics firm Centrum Holding plans an IPO in London in 2027, with revenue near $1bn and major stakes in air cargo and passenger transport. Tashkent Sports Spotlight (Samarkand): At the 46th Chess Olympiad, India beat Italy 3-1 and women crushed Greece 3.5-0.5, while El Salvador pulled a major upset over Cuba. Security Tech: INTERPOL’s AI-backed “Operation Shams II” identified 126 suspected foreign terrorist fighters using facial images from online jihadist content, with Uzbekistan among participating countries.