Nuclear Energy Breakthrough: Uzbekistan and Russia officially kicked off construction of Uzbekistan’s first integrated nuclear power plant, with presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Vladimir Putin joining via video link as the first concrete was poured for the first unit in Jizzakh’s Forish district, with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi attending; the project combines SMR RITM-200N units with VVER-1000 reactors and is framed as a major step for energy security and high-tech industrial growth. Digital Environment Governance: Uzbekistan and Italy signed an AI-based environmental assessment cooperation deal to modernize environmental impact reviews using AI tools and a digital platform approach under the “Permitting 5.0” concept. Aral Sea & Biodiversity Cooperation: UNDP and Karakalpakstan signed a statement to strengthen Aral region environmental protection, focusing on biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, land and water management, and climate resilience. GEF Funding Push: At the Eighth GEF Assembly in Samarkand, leaders stressed that environmental finance can’t be optional, while the GEF council approved a new funding package for biodiversity and climate adaptation, including blended finance discussions aimed at closing major funding gaps. Cybersecurity Alert: Researchers reported the Silent Ransom Group’s “fast flux” infrastructure and shared details with the cybersecurity community as the FBI warns of ongoing attacks targeting sectors including legal services and healthcare. Heritage Restoration Milestone: Samarkand marked the first phase completion of Sher-Dor Madrasah façade restoration, supported by a U.S. cultural preservation roadmap and a $500,000 grant. Regional Tech & Telecom: GSMA M360 Eurasia 2026 in Samarkand brought senior leaders and companies to discuss AI, 5G, cybersecurity, data centers, and resilient digital infrastructure across Eurasia. Mobility Tech: VEON’s Kyivstar subsidiary Uklon agreed to acquire Ukraine’s electric scooter operator E-wings to expand into a multimodal mobility ecosystem. Regional Connectivity Diplomacy: The UN’s preventive diplomacy chief praised Uzbekistan’s Termez Dialogue on connectivity as a trust-building platform linking Central and South Asia.