Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan's crypto asset market has officially exceeded $2 billion in turnover, transitioning from an experimental phase to a period of active growth. Representatives from the National Agency for Perspective Projects (NAPP) announced this during their annual review presentation, calling on professional communities and media to abandon the term "cryptocurrency" to avoid distorting the legal status of these assets as property rights.

Tashkent is emerging as an international hub for backgammon – the Asian Grand Prix 2026 international tournament is being held here from March 23 to 29. The event has attracted hundreds of players from around the world, becoming one of the largest gatherings in this intellectual sport.

Samarkand has officially cemented its status as the largest center of Islamic education in Central Asia. On March 19, 2026, the Imam Al-Bukhari memorial complex reopened its doors after a fundamental reconstruction. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called this object the most important spiritual heritage of the entire region. A Podrobno.uz correspondent, as part of a press tour organized with the support of the Tourism Committee, captured the grandeur of the new architecture and the first steps of pilgrims at the renewed shrine.

Uzbekistan is reviving the popular nationwide '10,000 Steps' initiative aimed at strengthening public health and enhancing ecological culture. This project forms part of a comprehensive environmental protection strategy for 2026–2030, presented to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on March 23.

Tashkent is set to establish a National Dendrological Park spanning 108 hectares, which will become the capital's largest scientific and recreational green space. The project, presented to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, aims to radically improve the urban microclimate and create a natural laboratory for studying climate change.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan was briefed on March 23 on priority nationwide projects in ecology and environmental protection for 2026–2030, where it was announced that the country plans to establish 2 new botanical and 16 dendrological gardens. This initiative falls under the "Green Space" concept and aims to study, preserve, and display local and foreign plants, as well as introduce tree and shrub species to protect biodiversity, though the feasibility and funding of such an ambitious plan remain uncertain.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan announced on March 23, during a presentation on priority nationwide projects in ecology and environmental protection for 2026–2030, a plan to relocate greenhouses from Tashkent city and Tashkent Region to areas with favorable climatic conditions. This measure was discussed as a key component of the "Clean Air" project.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on priority nationwide environmental and ecological protection projects for 2026–2030 on March 23. The presentation covered initiatives aimed at improving air quality, expanding green zones in cities and regions, enhancing environmental education and culture, and strengthening scientific and practical foundations for combating desertification.

The World Bank has approved a $200 million allocation to Uzbekistan for modernizing transport infrastructure and implementing comprehensive reforms in the sector, as reported by the bank's press service in Uzbekistan. The funds are designated for reconstructing a 91-kilometer section of the regional M41 highway in Surkhandarya Region, which connects Uzbekistan with Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Afghanistan.

At a meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, key measures under the "Taza Hava" (Clean Air) project were discussed to address environmental challenges. The session included a presentation of priority national projects in ecology and environmental protection for the years 2026–2030.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan reviewed a comprehensive ecological development strategy for the country spanning 2026–2030 on March 23. The program covers key areas: from improving air quality in megacities to establishing a national network of botanical gardens and training personnel in the green economy sector. The strategy aims to address environmental issues and promote sustainable development, though its implementation may face challenges due to the scale and cost of the projects.

The construction of Uzbekistan's first nuclear power plant in the Jizzakh Region is poised to become a key factor in achieving the republic's energy independence. According to a report by Deputy Presidential Advisor Rakhim Khakimov, prepared for the 34th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Russia, the commissioning of the facility will allow for annual savings of approximately 3.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas.