Uzbekistan

▪️ Sherzod Kudbiyev, Chairman of the National Committee for Sustainable Development of Urbanization and Housing Market, has commented on social media discussions regarding his expensive watch. The controversy began after the accessory was seen at a meeting, with bloggers and users identifying it as a luxury model (allegedly a Vacheron Constantin Overseas or Breguet Marine), estimating its value at $50,000.

In Uzbekistan, the self-ban service on personal loans is gaining widespread adoption. Since its introduction in June 2025, over 2.2 million citizens have utilized the option to quickly prohibit loans under their name by April 2026. The highest activity is observed among the 26–35 age group, with the number of registrations increasing fivefold in the first quarter of the year. This indicates that the service is perceived not merely as a digital novelty but as a tool for protection against fraud risks and potential personal data issues.

Uzbekistan, Tashkent – Podrobno.uz. Sherzod Kudbiyev, Chairman of the National Committee for Urbanization and Sustainable Housing Market Development, commented on the heated discussions in social media sparked by his appearance at a presidential video conference wearing an expensive watch. Users' attention was drawn to the accessory, with some estimating its value at tens of thousands of dollars.

In Uzbekistan, from April 20 to 25, 2026, a series of large-scale meetings and open dialogues will be held with the participation of representatives from the Presidential Administration, Minister of Culture Ozodbek Nazarbekov, and leaders of key ministries and agencies. The event will serve as a unique platform for direct communication between the authorities and the creative community, aiming to deeply reform the culture and arts sector.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan has made significant statements regarding the development of the country's economy and the fight against corruption. According to his remarks, new measures will be implemented to enhance the efficiency of state bodies, attract investments, and improve the business environment.

Uzbekistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baxtiyor Saidov, announced that Rwanda has become the 167th country to establish diplomatic relations with Uzbekistan. This historic event took place within the framework of a diplomatic forum in Antalya, Turkey, where the formal initiation of ties between the two nations was marked.

The Los Angeles Lakers secured a 107-98 victory over the Houston Rockets in the opening game of their NBA first-round playoff series. This significant win came despite the absence of the Lakers’ top scorers, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, due to injuries, as well as the Rockets’ star Kevin Durant being scratched from the starting lineup.

Mahallas (neighborhood communities) in the Tashkent region are undergoing a comprehensive transformation, evolving from small sewing workshops to flourishing family vineyards into modern centers of economic growth. A Podrobno.uz correspondent, during a visit to the region, observed how these traditional self-governance bodies are maintaining their role as a crucial link between the state and individual families while adapting to contemporary development needs.

The cotton harvesting season in Uzbekistan has concluded, with official data indicating a yield of 3.5 million tonnes of cotton nationwide. This figure represents a 5% increase compared to last year's results, highlighting the impact of agricultural reforms in the country.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission has recommended that Uzbekistan reconsider plans to maintain systemically important state-owned commercial banks (SOCBs) as development banks performing state functions. The organization's specialists warned that this approach could lead to increased risks to financial stability and higher budget expenditures, potentially harming the country's economy.

Two separate corruption crimes related to the illegal registration of land plots by officials from cadastral services and their accomplices have been uncovered in the Kashkadarya region of Uzbekistan. As a result of operational measures conducted by the State Security Council and the Department under the Prosecutor General's Office, these individuals were detained, and criminal cases have been initiated based on the incidents.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan has issued a decree, numbered UP-62 and dated April 16, 2026, introducing a new compensation payment to support the families of military personnel killed during combat operations in Afghanistan. The decree amends several regulatory legal acts as part of efforts to expand state social assistance to vulnerable population groups.