Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has initiated comprehensive measures to environmentally upgrade its transport system under a presidential decree. As part of this program, starting from August 1 of this year, individuals and legal entities who surrender old vehicles will receive compensation for part of the interest rate on auto loans when purchasing new transport. This "trade-in" program aims to incentivize the population to switch to environmentally friendly vehicles and phase out old, polluting transport means.

Uzbekistan will introduce new mandatory environmental requirements for construction sites starting June 1, though these rules will not apply to individual residential housing construction. According to a presidential decree, all construction sites must be equipped with background monitoring stations, with data integrated into a unified geoinformation database of the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change.

Uzbekistan's Minister of Water Resources, Shavkat Khamraev, gave an extensive interview to Kun.uz, addressing issues of water scarcity, conservation and rational use in agriculture, projects in the Aral Sea region, the construction of the Qosh Tepa Canal in Afghanistan, the Rogun Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP), and other topics. The minister noted that the problem is not the canal project itself, but how much water neighboring countries will withdraw in the future.

A digital management system is planned for implementation at the used car and auto parts market in the Sergeli district of Tashkent. This was announced by the press service of the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan. The project is being carried out as part of an initiative to create a "Digital Automobile Market" system. Technical specifications for its implementation are currently being developed. Prospects for digitalization were discussed during a visit by committee representatives to the market.

Starting April 1, 2026, Uzbekistan will implement significant changes to its legal framework, including a shift in the working schedule of state hospitals. According to a presidential decree dated November 9, 2025, state medical institutions will transition to a five-day workweek. This move aims to optimize the workload of medical staff and improve service quality. To ensure uninterrupted medical assistance during holidays and weekends, a duty system will be introduced, which authorities claim will not restrict public access to healthcare. Additionally, employees of state medical facilities will receive annual bonuses equivalent to the minimum wage from the Material Incentive Fund on the occasion of "Medical Workers' Day."

The government of Uzbekistan, as part of the nationwide "Clean Air" project, is implementing a series of restrictions for the public sector. The reform of the transport system will begin with the personal example of officials – starting May 1, 2026, "car-free days" are officially established in the capital.

The Committee on Family and Women's Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan has proposed a series of legislative amendments aimed at strengthening family relations and reducing divorce rates. According to a draft law published for public discussion on March 26, the reconciliation period granted by courts under Article 40 of the Family Code will be extended from the current six months to one year. This change is designed to provide families with more time to resolve mutual disagreements.

Uzbekistan has put forward a new draft law for public discussion aimed at overhauling family legislation. The proposal includes extending the mandatory reconciliation period for divorcing couples from six months to one year. This change is designed to allow for a more thorough examination of family conflicts and increase the chances of preserving marriages, addressing concerns that current practices often lead to formalized divorces without adequate mediation.

Uzbekistan's 2024 cotton harvest has achieved a record yield, marking a significant success for the country's primary agricultural product. According to state statistics, the harvest increased by 15% compared to the previous year, a result attributed to agricultural reforms and the adoption of modern technologies. Sustainable practices, such as water conservation and the use of organic fertilizers in cotton cultivation, have also contributed positively.

In the Sergeli district of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, officers from the State Security Service, in collaboration with internal affairs agencies, have shut down a drug manufacturing laboratory. During the operation, potent substances and precursors with a total value exceeding 4.5 billion Uzbek soums were confiscated.

A new decree by Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev aims to refine funding mechanisms for the sports sector and broadly engage business entities. According to Resolution No. PP-107 dated March 24, 2026, the main tasks are defined as implementing modern financing methods, expanding alternative sources, and improving the efficiency of allocated funds, which is purportedly intended to stimulate private sector involvement in sports development, though its effectiveness in addressing systemic challenges remains to be seen.

A dispute has erupted at the 'Kislorod' residential complex in Tashkent's Yakkasaroy district, where one apartment owner has appropriated part of the roof—common property—to conduct additional construction. This has sparked protests from other residents, as altering shared roof space legally requires consent from at least 51% of property owners. Residents emphasize that no voting or meetings were held on the matter, and their approval was never sought.