AGP Executive Report

Uzbek Space Tech: Uzbekistan’s AI module has reached orbit aboard the hyperspectral Earth observation satellite Samarkand-2028, marking the first time Uzbek-developed onboard intelligence is deployed on a STAR.VISION mission; the system can process imagery in space to speed analysis and cut down data sent to ground. Regional Digital Trade & Industry: Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov outlined new EAEU cooperation priorities for Uzbekistan—digital trade, industrial projects, eco-technologies, labor mobility and tourism—plus work on aligning technical regulations and a new working-group meeting planned in Tashkent. International Informatics Boost: Bulgaria’s national informatics team visited INSAIT ahead of the 2026 International Olympiad in Informatics in Uzbekistan, with four students set to compete. Agriculture & Tech Transfer: Uzbekistan and Türkiye’s Seedling Producers Union discussed expanding nursery production know-how, including certified seedlings and in vitro lab experience, with a memorandum signed for scientific cooperation. Water & Climate Risk: A new study links falling Caspian Sea inflows to reduced river water from countries including the region’s Volga basin, raising alarms as withdrawals intensify. Cybersecurity Watch: Kaspersky reports two new Windows backdoors, OctLurk and SilkLurk, targeting government and public institutions across Central Asia, including Uzbekistan, since January 2025. Education & Talent Pipeline: Uzbekistan is set to host IOI 2026, with 386 students registered from 97 countries, turning Tashkent into a major global programming hub.

Uzbekistan–China Space Tech: Uzbekistan’s first space satellite, Samarkand-2028, has been launched from China and put into orbit, with Uzbekcosmos building an onboard AI module to process hyperspectral data directly in space—aimed at faster decisions for agriculture, water monitoring, environmental protection, and disaster risk. Uzbekistan–Turkey Agriculture R&D: The Deputy Minister of Agriculture met Türkiye’s Seedling Producers Union to discuss bringing Türkiye’s certified nursery system and modern in vitro labs to Uzbekistan, with a memorandum signed with the Mirzayev horticulture institute. Uzbekistan–Germany Water Science: Uzbekhydrogeology specialists completed a Germany study tour on groundwater monitoring, digital hydrogeology data, and climate-resilient water management, reaching follow-up cooperation plans with German partners. Uzbekistan–India Strategic Tech & Trade: Uzbekistan and India reaffirmed their strategic partnership during Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov’s New Delhi visit, with talks spanning digital technologies, energy, healthcare, education, connectivity, and regional security. Cybersecurity Watch: Kaspersky flagged new Windows backdoors (OctLurk and SilkLurk) in a cyber-espionage campaign targeting government and public institutions across Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Syria. AI in Space (Regional): China launched two AI-powered hyperspectral satellites (including a Uzbekistan-linked mission) that can analyze data onboard for quicker disaster guidance. STEM & Talent Pipeline: Uzbekistan will host IOI 2026 in Tashkent, with 386 students registered from 97 countries.

Space Tech: Uzbekistan’s first space satellite, Samarkand-2028, was launched from a sea platform off China’s Shandong coast, with Uzbekcosmos specialists building an onboard AI module to process hyperspectral data in orbit for faster land monitoring. AI in Orbit: The mission is part of a broader AI-powered remote sensing push, with the satellite aimed at agriculture, water resource monitoring, environmental tracking, disaster risk reduction, and urban planning. Science Capacity Building: Uzbekhydrogeology specialists completed a Germany study tour focused on groundwater monitoring, digital hydrogeological data, and climate-resilient water management, with follow-up cooperation talks with German research and water institutions. Education & Coding Talent: Uzbekistan is set to host IOI 2026 in Tashkent, with 386 students registered from 97 countries and preparations covering security, logistics, and technical infrastructure. Cybersecurity: Kaspersky reported new Windows backdoors (OctLurk and SilkLurk) targeting government and public institutions across Central Asia, including Uzbekistan, since 2025. Regional Tech Diplomacy: Uzbekistan’s foreign minister visit to India highlighted plans to expand trade, investment, energy, digital technologies, healthcare, education, connectivity, and defense cooperation.

AI in Space: China’s Smart Dragon-3 launched two AI-powered hyperspectral satellites, with one mission supporting Uzbekistan’s cotton monitoring and onboard AI processing for faster decisions. Uzbek Space Tech: Uzbekistan’s Samarqand-2028 hyperspectral satellite has been deployed, with Uzbekcosmos building the AI module to process data onboard and support agriculture, environment, and disaster-risk uses. Cybersecurity: Kaspersky warns of OctLurk and SilkLurk Windows backdoors targeting government and public institutions across Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan since 2025. Digital Economy: Uzbekistan is pushing an AI economy on top of its IT outsourcing base, using IT Park incentives and export growth to move from services to AI adoption. Education Reform: Uzbekistan is expanding higher education access and international accreditation, with credit-module system rollout and growing foreign-provider partnerships. Defense Cooperation: India and Uzbekistan held a sixth joint working group meeting on defence ties, focusing on counter-terrorism training, interoperability, and defence industry technology exchange. Trade & Minerals: India floated a possible free trade agreement with Uzbekistan as both eye deeper cooperation in copper and rare-earth processing. Regional Tech Industry: South Korea’s AHA plans a $20M Fergana plant for interactive boards, EV chargers, and medical equipment, with component localization via Chinese partners. Energy Integration: Russian nuclear tech is framed as essential for EAEU energy integration, tying regional power modernization to nuclear cooperation. Security/Policy Watch: Central Asia’s critical-minerals race highlights US-China competition, with Uzbekistan positioned in the wider supply chain push.

Space Tech: Uzbekistan has deployed its first remote sensing satellite, “Samarkand-2028,” built with China’s STAR.VISION and featuring an Uzbekcosmos-developed onboard AI module to process hyperspectral data directly in orbit—aimed at agriculture, environmental monitoring, water management, disaster risk reduction, and urban planning. AI & Regional Tech: A separate China-led mission launched from Shandong placed two AI-powered satellites into orbit to deliver intelligent remote sensing services to Uzbekistan and Indonesia, including faster disaster early-warning guidance. Industry & Electronics: South Korea’s AHA Co. will open a $20M manufacturing plant in Fergana in September to produce interactive electronic boards, EV chargers, and medical equipment, with plans to localize components and support IT/education projects. Trade & Minerals: India and Uzbekistan are pushing deeper ties—India floated a possible free trade agreement while both sides target higher trade (up to about $3B in three years) and cooperation in copper and rare-earth processing. Higher Education: Uzbekistan is rapidly internationalizing higher education, expanding institutions, updating programs to international standards, and increasing accreditation and foreign partnerships. Energy/Infrastructure: Incheon International Airport Corporation won rights for a new Tashkent airport under a PPP BTO model, with operations planned for decades starting after construction. Science & Education Spotlight: Uzbekistan’s higher education reforms and regional academic momentum continue alongside international competition wins and gold purchases by central banks, including Uzbekistan buying 9 tonnes of gold in June.

Space & Earth Observation: Uzbekistan’s Uzbekcosmos and China’s STAR.VISION Aerospace are advancing the Samarqand-2028 satellite, with Uzbek engineers building an onboard AI module to process hyperspectral data for agriculture and environmental monitoring, including potential national mapping for cotton and wheat. Uzbekistan–India Tech & Trade: Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov met India’s Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in New Delhi, pushing deeper parliamentary cooperation alongside trade, investment and emerging sectors. Business Forum Push: At the Uzbekistan–India Business Forum, both sides targeted raising bilateral trade to $2B, with focus on mining/rare earths, pharma, healthcare, textiles and IT. Infrastructure & Aviation: Incheon Airport Corporation won the Tashkent New Airport development and operations project via a PPP BTO model, with Korean consortium stakes and a 35-year operating term starting after construction. Science Education Wins: Qatar secured bronze at the IChO 2026 hosted in Tashkent, while Turkmen students won 6 gold and 3 silver at the IMC-2026 in Bulgaria. Regional Connectivity Idea: An Indian MP urged reopening the historic Attari–Wagah land route to CIS markets, highlighting trade potential for Uzbekistan–India sectors like cotton, pharma and engineering.

Uzbekistan–Serbia Diplomacy: In Belgrade, Serbian FM Marko Đurić met Uzbek Deputy FM Muzaffar Madrakhimov for the third round of bilateral political consultations, stressing momentum in economic cooperation and agreeing to hold a first session of a bilateral commission on trade, economic ties, and science/technical cooperation, with added focus on infrastructure and information & communication technologies. India–Uzbekistan Trade Push: In New Delhi, Uzbek FM Bakhtiyor Saidov met Indian leaders including President Droupadi Murmu and EAM S. Jaishankar as both sides reviewed their strategic partnership, with rare earths and mining high on the agenda; Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged businesses to double trade to $2B (and even $3B in some reports) over three years via co-investment, co-manufacturing, and possible free-trade talks, highlighting pharma, textiles/cotton, agriculture, IT, and digital infrastructure. Aviation Deal: Incheon International Airport Corporation won rights for a new Tashkent airport under a PPP BTO plan, with operations expected to start after a multi-year build and a 35-year concession. Science & Education: Qatar won bronze at the International Chemistry Olympiad hosted in Tashkent, while Uzbekistan-linked research and innovation themes also surfaced across regional cooperation coverage. Water & Industry Risk: A Chatham House report warns that “virtual water” embedded in global textiles—spanning cotton and dyeing—puts water-stressed countries including Uzbekistan at growing climate and supply-chain risk. Desert Tech Transfer: China’s desert-control know-how, including straw checkerboard methods, is being shared through a new China–Central Asia cooperation center, offering lessons relevant to Central Asian land restoration.

Science Education & Olympiads: Qatar won bronze at the International Chemistry Olympiad in Tashkent, with student Muath Sharif Al Hafnawi credited to advanced training and scholarship support. Critical Minerals & Industry Ties: India and Uzbekistan are pushing to deepen their strategic partnership around rare earths and mining, with President Droupadi Murmu highlighting cooperation potential in rare earth minerals, agriculture, pharma and IT during talks with Uzbek FM Bakhtiyor Saidov. Trade Acceleration: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged both sides to double bilateral trade to about $3B in three years, proposing co-investment, co-manufacturing and even a possible free trade agreement; Uzbekistan’s Laziz Kudratov invited Indian firms into mining, metallurgy and rare earths, targeting $2B trade next year. Nuclear Power Roadmap: Uzbekistan’s atomic energy chief says the first small modular reactor is planned for commissioning in 2029, with larger units later and the overall project completion in the mid-2030s. Digital Economy: Uzbekistan’s BirBir classifieds platform reported 150% year-on-year growth, surpassing 3 million installs and expanding nationwide across multiple categories.

Uzbek-India Strategic Push: Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov met India’s President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi, with both sides flagging rare earth minerals, mining, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and IT as priority areas for deeper cooperation. Trade Acceleration Talks: India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged firms to co-invest, co-manufacture and co-innovate, calling to double bilateral trade to about $3B within three years; Uzbekistan also invited Indian investment in mining and rare earths, targeting $2B trade next year. Mining & Rare Earths Pitch: Uzbekistan’s investment minister Laziz Kudratov told the India-Uzbekistan Business Forum that Indian technology and capital are sought for gold, copper, uranium, critical minerals and rare earth processing, including steel and deep copper processing. Desertification Tech Exchange: China highlighted desert-control know-how for global land restoration, including a straw “checkerboard” approach, and pointed to a China–Central Asia cooperation center in Ningxia for joint pilots. UNESCO for Uzbekistan’s Modernism: Tashkent Modernist Architecture was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, recognizing how 1960s–early 1990s modernist design was adapted to local tradition, climate and seismic risks. Water-Saving Progress: A UN-Water SDG 6 study notes Uzbekistan’s recent gains in reducing freshwater withdrawals, tied to national water-efficiency and irrigation modernization plans. Digital Commerce Growth: Uzbekistan’s BirBir classifieds platform reported 150% year-over-year growth, surpassing 3 million mobile installs and expanding nationwide categories. Tech for Industry & Standards: Uzbekistan’s Technical Regulation Agency offered Afghanistan’s power utility support, including staff training, equipment calibration, and mobile laboratory setup.

Customs & Trade Tech: Pakistan Customs joined a UNODC–WCO meeting in Tashkent to push secure, technology-driven trade facilitation, including mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs, AI-enabled risk management, and data analytics. Cross-border Logistics: China–Uzbekistan AEO mutual recognition went into effect, promising simplified customs checks and faster clearance for compliant firms, as trade between the two grows. Regional Rail Connectivity: Kyrgyz and Uzbek transport ministers inspected the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway works, focusing on tunnels, bridges, and deadline progress. Water & Farming Reality: New reporting highlights rising water risk and how irrigation access can become a nightly struggle for rural women farmers in Uzbekistan. UNESCO Science & Culture: Tashkent modernist architecture was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, recognizing how post-earthquake rebuilding blended international modernism with local traditions. Paleontology Breakthrough: A Gobi Desert fossil is reshaping the mammal evolution story by clarifying the long-debated placement of zhelestids. Energy Cooperation: Uzbekistan’s Technical Regulation Agency offered Afghanistan’s power utility support with staff training, equipment calibration, and mobile laboratories.

UNESCO Recognition: Tashkent’s “Modernist Architecture: Modernity and Tradition in Central Asia” has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, highlighting 1960s–early 1990s urban complexes shaped by earthquake-era rebuilding and local Uzbek design. Rail Connectivity: Kyrgyz and Uzbek transport ministers inspected construction on the “China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan” railway in Kyrgyzstan, focusing on tunnels, bridges, and schedule readiness. Regional Diplomacy: Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev wrapped up a Kyrgyzstan state visit and joined the Central Asia–Azerbaijan consultative meeting at Issyk-Kul, where leaders pushed a “Central Asia+” approach for trade, transport, digital services, and long-term risk adaptation. Korea Summit Prep: Senior officials in Astana finalized the draft “Seoul Declaration” for the first “Republic of Korea–Central Asia” summit and aligned flagship cooperation projects. Trade & Customs Tech: China–Uzbekistan Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) mutual recognition took effect, promising faster customs clearance for compliant exporters. Cybersecurity Watch: Kaspersky flagged suspected Chinese-speaking hackers using new backdoors (OctLurk, SilkLurk) targeting Central Asian government and research organizations. Energy & Standards: Uzbekistan joined an OGMP 2.0 methane reporting training under UzEMI, aimed at measurement-based reporting for oil and gas emissions. Sports Tech Showcase: F1H2O races kicked off on Lake Issyk-Kul, with regional presidents attending and Kyrgyzstan highlighting the high-altitude, high-tech event.

Afghanistan Power Support: Uzbekistan’s Technical Regulation Agency says it’s ready to help Da Afghanistan Breshna Shirkat upgrade electricity-sector standards, calibrate testing equipment, train staff, and set up mobile laboratories. Regional Integration & Tech Chains: At an informal Central Asia–Azerbaijan leaders meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Uzbekistan’s Shavkat Mirziyoyev pushed for a long-term cooperation “architecture,” linking trade, transport, digital services, and education/science/innovation with climate adaptation. Trade Numbers: Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover hit $41bn in H1 2026, up 7.4%, with exports at $15.9bn and imports at $25.1bn; China remains the top partner. Customs Efficiency: China–Uzbekistan Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) mutual recognition is now in force, promising simpler, faster customs clearance for compliant firms. Cybersecurity Alert: Kaspersky reports new government-targeting backdoors—OctLurk and SilkLurk—hitting Central Asian states and others since Jan 2025, with capabilities like keylogging, password theft, and remote command execution. Connectivity by Rail: Pakistan and Türkiye agreed to revive the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul freight corridor and deepen railway modernization, with knock-on interest for Central Asia links. Sports Tech Showcase: The F1H2O water racing stage kicked off on Issyk-Kul, with regional presidents attending and organizers highlighting the event’s high-tech nature.

Central Asia–Azerbaijan Summit: Leaders met in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, calling for stronger regional cooperation and a “sustainable architecture” for trade, transport, digital services, and climate adaptation, with Uzbekistan pushing integrated industrial and technological chains. Uzbekistan Trade Update: Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover hit $41bn in H1 2026 (+7.4%); exports were $15.9bn and imports $25.1bn, with growth driven by industrial modernization and demand for high-tech equipment. Customs Tech Boost: China–Uzbekistan Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) mutual recognition took effect, promising faster, simplified customs clearance for compliant firms and lower logistics costs. Water Motorsport Tech: Kyrgyzstan officially launched the UIM F1H2O World Championship races on Issyk-Kul, highlighting the event’s high-tech nature and altitude challenge. Rail Connectivity Talks: Pakistan and Türkiye agreed in principle to revive the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul freight corridor and expand railway modernization and technology transfer. Cybersecurity Warning: Kaspersky reports new backdoors (OctLurk, SilkLurk) targeting Central Asian government networks since 2025, capable of keylogging, password theft, and remote control. Biodiversity Spotlight: Turkmenistan’s flora is flagged as a major hotspot, with 450+ endemic vascular plant species concentrated in mountain microclimates.

Regional Resilience & Digital Development: Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev urged building a “sustainable architecture” for Central Asia+ cooperation, pushing long-term solutions, integrated industrial/technological chains, common digital services, and climate action. Cybersecurity Alert: Kaspersky reports suspected Chinese-speaking hackers using new backdoors (OctLurk, SilkLurk) to keylog, steal passwords, and take remote control of government and research systems across Central Asia, including Uzbekistan. Methane Reporting Upgrade: CAREC trained Uzbek stakeholders on OGMP 2.0 and measurement-based methane reporting for oil and gas, aiming for “Gold Standard” source-level verification. Rail Connectivity Push: Pakistan and Türkiye agreed in principle to revive the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul freight rail corridor as a permanent commercial trade route linking South Asia, Central Asia, and Europe. Diplomacy & Science Links: Uzbekistan’s FM Bakhtiyor Saidov heads to India for talks on trade, investment, and technology cooperation. Tech & Industry in Uzbekistan: Li Auto launched the All-New Li L9 in Tashkent, expanding its Uzbekistan retail and service ecosystem. UNESCO & Heritage Context: Coverage highlights Uzbekistan’s scientific legacy, including the Samarkand School of Mathematics and Astronomy, and broader UNESCO-linked modernism/heritage themes.

Cybersecurity: New backdoors dubbed OctLurk and SilkLurk have been used since Jan 2025 to keylog, steal browser passwords, and remotely control infected government computers across Central Asia, including Uzbekistan—showing how one breach can open a wider state network. Transport & Industry: Alstom says Kazakhstan has become a key Western/Central Asia rail manufacturing and engineering hub, with hundreds of electric locomotive sections delivered and plans to expand local component production as the Middle Corridor grows. Uzbekistan Economy: Uzbekistan’s real estate market picked up in June: transactions rose above 25,000, up 23% month-on-month, with the strongest growth in Bukhara, Navoi, and Samarkand. Automotive Tech: Li Auto officially launched the all-new Li L9 in Tashkent, expanding its Uzbekistan sales, service, and digital ecosystem with new retail and service centers. Education & Science: Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are moving to deepen cooperation in higher education and science, including university integration and joint initiatives. Sports-Tech: Kazakhstan’s “Games of the Future 2026” in Astana blends esports and physical sport with digital tech, featuring 800+ athletes and phygital disciplines.

Satellite & Security: A San Francisco satellite firm says it temporarily restricted access to ultra-high-definition imagery at the request of the Trump administration, citing “potential misuse” concerns during the Iran war. Critical Minerals Policy: A report argues the Trump era is shifting critical minerals strategy toward national security and military dominance, with access increasingly hardwired via bilateral trade and investment deals negotiated under secrecy and pressure. Uzbek–Kyrgyz Cooperation: Political analysts and leaders frame Mirziyoyev’s Kyrgyzstan visit as a move from tactical ties to a strategic partnership, highlighting transport corridors like the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, energy projects, and deeper humanitarian and educational links. Digital Sports in the Region: Kazakhstan’s Astana hosts the Games of the Future 2026, blending esports and physical competition with phygital disciplines and a major push for digitalization. Science & Heritage: New research in Science Advances suggests domesticated silkworm cultivation in southern Uzbekistan dates to around 2000 BCE, potentially rewriting the region’s sericulture timeline. One Health Media Training: CAREC opens applications for Central Asian journalists to learn how to cover “One Health” topics ahead of a Bishkek conference in September.