Nuclear Energy Push: Uzbekistan and Russia have officially started construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant unit, with leaders joining a ceremony via video link and the IAEA present; regulators also issued a construction license for an RITM-200N unit, while officials set the project’s base cost ceiling at about US$9.5 billion and say safety will follow modern international standards. AI & Jobs: At SPIEF, Uzbekistan’s digital technologies minister said the AI strategy is human-centric, aiming to create jobs and bring remote work into the country, supported by rapid growth around IT Park and startups. Urban Tech & Mobility: Uzbekistan extended a zero recycling fee for imported buses (including electric and trolleybuses) until end-2027 and plans a more digital, validator-based fare system from Sept 2026; separately, the government is moving disabled parking permits fully online via a social card system. Industry & Skills: Ferghana plans new chemical projects after visits to the Chirchiq Chemical Industrial Technopark, while the region and Germany are expanding vocational training cooperation through modern centers and labor-market-aligned programs. Environment & Biodiversity: Central Asian countries agreed to jointly preserve the snow leopard and strengthen mountain ecosystem management through a GEF-backed regional vision for the next funding cycle. Regional Connectivity: Uzbekistan used SPIEF to argue Central Asia is becoming an independent growth hub, calling for tighter digital, payment, and production infrastructure links.