Uzbekistan increased fines for violating animal care regulations in cities and settlements, as well as for officials failing to take measures to capture stray animals. Additionally, fines and confiscation have been introduced for keeping wild animals prohibited for private ownership.
Uzbekistan will allocate $154.15 million in preferential loans to encourage installation of solar panels and water heaters. Under this program, at least 50% of available rooftop space on homes and businesses will be designated for solar equipment, energy minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov announced.
More than 4,900 officials in Uzbekistan were brought to criminal responsibility in 2024, 37.2% more than in 2023. The damage their actions caused is estimated at $278.5 million, 2.3 times more than in the previous year.
The International University of Turkic States will open in Tashkent. It is expected to offer programs in engineering, construction, logistics, IT, healthcare, agriculture, food industry, economics and social sciences.
Uzbekistan will build 7,000 km of transmission networks to integrate new power plants and energy storage facilities, ensuring regional energy balance. If one region faces a power shortage, additional capacity will be available elsewhere. The project will attract $4 billion in investments.
Uzbekistan’s population surpassed 37.5 million as of end of 2024, marking a 2% increase over the previous year. Birth rates declined for the first time since 2017, dropping by 3.7%. The number of marriages in 2024 reached a decade low.
Uzbekistan Airways changed its flight routes to Europe following a recommendation from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. The airline now bypasses Russian airspace via Azerbaijan and Turkey, extending flight times by 30 to 40 minutes, the company chairperson said.
President of Uzbekistan congratulated Alexandr Lukashenko on his victory in the presidential election in Belarus. The message stated that the “high voter turnout and election results confirmed the strong trust of Belarusian people in the incumbent president”.
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov visited Amirsoy ski resort in Tashken region, where he met with president of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. They discussed cooperation and agreed to jointly promote resort and recreation projects. Japarov expressed admiration for the resort’s high standards.
President of Uzbekistan stressed the importance of gradually transitioning new apartment buildings to green energy. Developers who sign contracts to supply energy from solar stations to new constructions may be exempt from profit tax and eligible for lower-interest loans.
In 2024, 9,364 traffic accidents were officially registered in Uzbekistan, resulting in 8,901 injuries and 2,203 fatalities.
In 2024, remittances to Uzbekistan surged by nearly 30%, reaching $14.8 billion. While transfers from Russia increased by 29%, its share in total inflows continued to decline. Meanwhile, transfers from the US rose by 35%, from the UK nearly doubled and from South Korea grew 1.6 times.
The Central Bank of Uzbekistan said it would keep its key interest rate at 13.5% per annum to ensure medium-term price stability.
The first EU-Central Asia summit will be held in Samarkand in April. It was postponed from 2024 to 2025 due to the formation of a new EU government last year.
Uzbekistan and Russia signed a cooperation plan between their defense ministries for 2025 and a strategic military partnership program for 2026−2030.
VEON AdTech and the Uzbekistan Volunteer Association have launched a web platform for the UzAlert search and rescue team. The new website will improve the organization of search operations and attract more concerned citizens to participate.
Timur Kapadze was named new head coach of Uzbekistan’s national football team, succeeding Srečko Katanec, who stepped down due to health reasons. The Football Association highlighted Kapadze’s coaching talent, responsibility, authority among team members and constant pursuit of high goals.
More than 1.35 million Uzbekistanis are currently working abroad — 34% less than a year ago. In Russia, which is still top destination, the figure fell 1.7 times. Organized recruitment attracted 4 times more workers than in 2023, expanding to Croatia, Belgium, Slovakia, Serbia, Montenegro and Qatar.
President of Uzbekistan sent condolences to president of Türkiye following the loss of lives in a fire at a ski resort in Bolu province. According to latest data, 66 people died and 51 others were injured. No Uzbekistani citizens are among the victims or injured.
Kazakhstan imposed a six-month restriction on potato exports following a surge in shipments, particularly to Uzbekistan, which drove up prices sharply. Over the past 11 months, Uzbekistan accounted for nearly 75% of Kazakhstan’s total potato exports.
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