On March 25, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan signed a decree to implement the nationwide 'Clean Air' project aimed at improving atmospheric air quality. The decree outlines comprehensive measures for the period 2026–2030, focusing on addressing environmental issues, particularly in the capital city of Tashkent, as reported by the 'Legal Information' Telegram channel.
The Special Commission of the Committee for the Development of Competition and Consumer Protection has initiated proceedings against propane importers for restricting supply and unjustifiably raising prices in exchange trades. The violations were recorded in November-December 2025 and January 2026, a period when shortages of natural gas led to restrictions on methane refueling, causing a sharp increase in demand for propane and gasoline.
Operative department staff of the Tashkent Customs Administration have thwarted an attempt to illegally import a large batch of medical equipment from China. The market value of the seized batch is estimated at 1.4 billion Uzbek soums, significantly exceeding the amount declared in official documents.
The government of Uzbekistan plans to accelerate the development of environmental education, science, and awareness under the "Eco-Culture" project. According to a presidential decree dated March 25, 14 "green" technical colleges will be established in each region of the republic by 2026–2027. This initiative aims to address challenges such as a shortage of specialists meeting international standards in ecology and environmental protection, low levels of environmental consciousness and sustainable habits among the population, and a deficit of personnel capable of implementing innovations and climate technologies in practice.
Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov presented the country's achievements in digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) at the international Digital Qazaqstan 2026 forum in Chimkent. He emphasized that optimizing state governance and consolidating data has not only saved significant funds but also enabled the start of building a powerful computing base for AI development.
Uzbekistan is bracing for heavy rainfall in the coming days, which could trigger mudflows and flooding in several regions. According to Uzhydromet, adverse weather conditions are forecast for March 31 and from April 2 to 6, posing significant risks to mountainous and foothill areas.
According to a decree issued by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on March 25, 2024, starting from May 1, 2026, monthly "Car-Free Day" and "Car-Free Week" campaigns will be held on the 10th and 25th of each month. During these events, state civil servants are strictly prohibited from using official vehicles. If these dates fall on working days, drivers' salaries will be fully maintained.
In accordance with a presidential decree titled "On Additional Measures for the Sustainable Provision of Agricultural Products to the Population in the Autumn-Winter Period," adopted on March 25, 2026, a series of new benefits and preferences have been established in Uzbekistan to support greenhouse farming. These measures aim to ensure a stable supply of food products to the population during the winter and autumn seasons.
Uzbekistan is introducing a new mechanism that abolishes customs duties on imported raw materials and components for finished goods production, with Value Added Tax (VAT) to be paid only when the finished product is sold. This initiative was officially announced on March 28 during a meeting with entrepreneurs from the food and confectionery industries.
In the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, the 'Media Week' commenced on March 30, marking the largest educational and practical event of the year in the country's information sphere. Participants are set to engage in trainings, masterclasses, and open dialogues with leading experts, aimed at enhancing professional skills across various media disciplines.
Uzbekistan Issues Mudflow and Flood Warning for 8 Regions Amid Expected Rainfall
Uzbekistan has announced its cotton harvest plans for 2024, but recent issues and climate change may impact the outcomes. The country's leadership plans to reduce cotton cultivation areas to 1.1 million hectares, which would be the lowest figure in the past decade.