Geology & Mining Cooperation: Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan signed heads of terms and a terms-of-reference agreement to set up a joint venture for geological exploration, involving AzerGold, Uzbekgeologorazvedka and an Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan investment vehicle, with talks also covering energy, transport, agriculture and environmental protection. Green Energy & Investment: Uzbekistan is drawing new-energy investors as the country moves away from gas, with ACWA Power pointing to a rapid surge in green deals since 2020. Urban Planning & Housing Rules: Uzbekistan will require all master plans to be registered in a unified electronic system; from Nov 1, 2026, unregistered plans can’t be used for construction or investment, and settlements must prepare 3–5 year implementation programs. Consumer Finance Oversight: New advertising rules for consumer loans and installment sales will force clear disclosure of the final total cost to individuals, with extra warnings for microloans. Public Safety & Seismic Preparedness: The Academy of Sciences urged people not to panic after UN warnings, saying seismic risks are mapped and reflected in construction standards. Pharma Production Growth: Uzbekistan’s pharmaceutical output exceeded UZS 2.3 trillion in Jan–May 2026, up 29.4% year-on-year. Agriculture Jobs & Labor: Foreigners are increasingly filling agriculture vacancies, with Uzbekistan among the listed nationalities working in the sector abroad. Environment & Climate Impact: Studies highlight the Aral Sea’s dried lakebed as a major carbon source, underscoring the need to track emissions from shrinking inland waters.