France and Italy Form Coalition to Replace UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon
The crisis of traditional international security institutions in the Middle East has compelled leading European powers to seek fundamentally new formats of military-political presence to stabilize the Arab-Israeli conflict zone. France and Italy have initiated the creation of a multinational coalition designed to replace the current UN peacekeeping contingent in Lebanon. Following talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the new structure would focus on a post-peacekeeping settlement and strengthening the sovereignty of the Lebanese armed forces. The initiative will be executed in close coordination with the European Union and the United Nations.
Uzbekistan
To the press and media workers
A specialist at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation has been named a "Model Talented Young Employee."
As part of the Government Quality Award program, Akbarkhon Sobirkhonov, Head of the Office for Supporting Youth Innovative Initiatives at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, was awarded the title of "Model Talented Young Employee." This recognition reflects not only his impressive quantitative performance but also his systematic, innovative approach to supporting youth initiatives and developing the engineering and startup movements in the country.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Secures $12 Billion in Agreements from Brussels
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, during an official visit to Brussels, held a round of high-level negotiations with the EU leadership, including António Costa, Ursula von der Leyen, and European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič. The primary practical outcome of the visit was the signing of a package of commercial agreements and memoranda worth over $12 billion, confirming the transition of both parties from declarative intentions to large-scale industrial cooperation.
Ashraf Khodjaev Becomes Uzbekistan's First-Ever Ambassador to Ethiopia
Ashraf Khodjaev, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Qatar, has been officially appointed as the first-ever ambassador of the republic to Ethiopia in the history of bilateral relations, maintaining his residence in Doha. The diplomat has already presented his credentials to Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie. During the formal ceremony, the Ethiopian head of state expressed confidence in the progressive development of the partnership, while the Uzbek side reaffirmed its readiness to launch mutually beneficial trade and economic projects.
The President of Uzbekistan discussed expanding trade and economic cooperation with Oman
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received a delegation from the Sultanate of Oman, led by the country's Minister of Economy, Khamis bin Saif Al Jabri, who arrived in our country to participate in the Tashkent International Investment Forum.
The expansion of domestic private capital into the high-capacity markets of the Middle East is becoming deeply systematic due to the establishment of resilient interagency platforms designed to minimize logistical barriers and stimulate direct B2B contacts. On the sidelines of the Tashkent International Investment Forum (TMIF-2026), a strategic memorandum was signed between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and the Economic Council of Iraq, anchoring the official establishment of a joint Business Council.
The construction of Central Asia's largest ultra-modern aviation hub will elevate Uzbekistan's transport and logistics potential to a world-class transit level, ensuring the reception of all aircraft types under any weather conditions. On the sidelines of the fifth Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF-2026), Uzbekistan Airports JSC and the Saudi company Vision International Investment signed a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement for the construction and operation of the "New Tashkent" International Airport. The project, with an initial phase valued at approximately $3 billion, will be executed by a consortium of leading companies from Saudi Arabia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. Under the terms outlined by the Ministry of Transport, the new facility will be transferred to the private partner's management for a term of 35 years.
American Capital for Medicine and Mining: DFC to Finance Major AKFA GROUP Projects
The strategic partnership between Uzbek private business and American financial institutions is shifting into the practical phase of large-scale investment, unlocking new opportunities for integrating innovative technologies into the republic's social and industrial sectors. A high-level delegation from the United States of America, led by Ben Black, Chief Executive Officer of the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), visited the AKFA GROUP holding. The parties held detailed negotiations focused on expanding bilateral commercial interaction and directly attracting major American investments into the company's key infrastructure projects.
Amazon Leo to Erase Digital Borders in Uzbekistan’s Regions
The signing of a large-scale agreement between the American corporation Amazon Leo and the joint venture UZ-SAT LLC initiates a new era in the development of the domestic telecommunications infrastructure and guarantees ubiquitous access to advanced digital services. The strategic document, finalized on the sidelines of the fifth Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF 2026), aims to deploy high-speed broadband satellite internet services across the entire territory of the republic. This partnership is set to become a key driver for the growth of the country's digital economy.
Uzbek Sabre Fencers Bring Home Team Bronze from India
The steady consolidation of the domestic fencing school’s standing on the international stage was reaffirmed not only by new medals at a prestigious continental tournament but also by high acclaim from the refereeing expert community. The women’s sabre team of Uzbekistan secured bronze medals in the team event at the Asian Fencing Championships being held in India. The national quartet, consisting of Zainab Dayibekova, Gulistan Perdibayeva, Fernanda Herrera, and Ayakoz Jumamuratova, successfully advanced to the semifinal stage of the tournament, where they conceded after a hard-fought match against the highly decorated South Korean team, anchoring their spot on the third step of the podium.
Siberian Wellness — 30 Years on the International Market!
Davron Abdullaev, the Founder and Publisher of the Bright Uzbekistan international magazine, met with Tatyana Gorokhovskaya, the President of the Siberian Wellness international company.