Renewables Push: Uzbekistan’s solar and wind output has jumped 28% year-on-year, topping 5 billion kWh since January and saving about 1.3bn cubic meters of gas while cutting millions of tons of emissions. Construction Decarbonization: The government has approved Zero Energy Building standards by 2040, with phased rules from 2026–27 and mandatory ZEB/NZEB requirements for new public buildings by 2031. Nuclear Build-Out: Work has started on Uzbekistan’s first nuclear power plant, with the project cost capped at $9.5bn and construction launched alongside Russia. Trade & Industry Deals: Uzbekistan and the US signed a trade MOU as bilateral commerce passed $1bn in 2025, with cooperation spanning energy, extractives, transport, agriculture and emerging tech. Digital & GovTech: A Tajik delegation studied Uzbekistan’s e-government and AI services in Tashkent, including digital identity, e-document exchange and biometric/cybersecurity platforms. Competition & Market Rules: TBC Bank Group’s planned OLX acquisition was cleared with strict conditions to prevent dominance and protect payment competition. Fraud Crackdown: Authorities in Fergana uncovered a Soliq Mobile tax cashback scheme using shell companies and fake invoices, targeting 211,584 citizens. Agriculture Security: Uzbekistan and Russia held talks to stabilize fruit and vegetable export supply chains and strengthen veterinary/phytosanitary cooperation. Energy Supply Reality: Russian gas deliveries to Uzbekistan rose 15% in 2025 to nearly 6.5 bcm as domestic production declines continue. Human Capital: Uzbekistan will roll out mandatory entrepreneurship courses in universities from 2026–27 and expand financing for student business projects to curb graduate unemployment.