Uzbek Digital Payments: Uzbekistan is moving toward Apple Pay and Google Pay, with technical preparations underway and talks with the companies expected in September, after March legal updates on personal data transfers. Market Digitization: The government approved an E-bozor platform to digitize markets and shopping complexes, including vendor registration with tax authorities and QR payments for market parking, with a pilot due Oct. 1 and full rollout by March 1, 2027. Green Uzbekistan: Mirziyoyev approved a 2026–2030 desertification fight plan and the Green Samarkand initiative, including reforestation across 1.27mn hectares and new green belts and a “green wall.” AI for Development: The ITU launched the AI for Good Lab initiative, building on Uzbekistan-linked sandbox work, to help countries develop local AI datasets, compute capacity, and policy foundations. Industrial AI Link-Up: A Belt and Road industrial AI training program in Shanghai included Uzbekistan participants, covering AI-enabled manufacturing and intelligent energy systems. Energy Transition Push: Sinopec Engineering is doing FEED for Central Asia’s first large-scale integrated SAF complex in Uzbekistan, targeting biomass-based SAF and e-SAF production. Bilateral Trade Boost: Uzbekistan and Belarus agreed to raise trade to $2bn, with new industrial cooperation plans and roadmap documents. Space for Data: China plans a 1,000+ satellite remote-sensing constellation for Central Asia, with data processed in China and limited access for partners. Archaeology in Surkhandarya: Researchers reported a Hellenistic military camp at Iskandar Tepa, using ground-penetrating radar and excavations to map a temporary Greco-Bactrian-era fortification.