News about Uzbekistan: events, facts and developments on tafs uz.
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On October 28, 2026, it became known that Ozod Hamidkhodjayev, a journalist, commentator for the O‘zbekiston 24 TV channel and its former head, had died. The news was announced by the Journalists' Association of Uzbekistan.
Otabek YusupovThe decree was signed by Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev on October 27. The measure is aimed at protecting local orchardists and selling the 2026 harvest. Uzbekistan is among the main apple suppliers to the Kyrgyz market.
Otabek YusupovMahmud Usmon, presented as a former partner and chairman of the Islamic finance council of IMAN Holding, alleged violations in the use of investors' funds and a shortfall of about $20 million. The company explained this figure as a combination of three different indicators and announced reforms: a change in operational management, the creation of a Sharia Council, and the engagement of independent auditors.
Aziz KarimovEconomist Otabek Bakirov and tax consultant Murod Mukhammadjonov told Kun.uz that the proposal for mandatory digital labeling of vegetable oil is not backed by calculations, and the existing labeling system is still experiencing glitches.
Otabek YusupovThe National Statistics Committee published demographic data for January–September 2026: the number of deaths fell by 8.8 thousand compared with last year and reached its lowest level in five years. At the same time, the birth rate also declined — by 26 thousand children.
Sevara AzamovaThe Department of State Revenue for the Turkistan Region of Kazakhstan announced the introduction, from November 9, 2026, of a guarantee fee of 20 MRP (86,500 tenge) for international freight carriers booking an electronic queue at the Kazygurt, B. Konysbayev and Atameken checkpoints. If the carrier arrives on time, the fee is refunded in full; after two consecutive no-shows within 90 days, it goes to the budget.
Javlon TursunovThailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports is preparing a proposal for 15-day visa-free entry for citizens of Uzbekistan, Colombia and Mexico. It will be submitted to the Visa Policy Committee meeting on November 9. The initiative is a response to visa issuance delays following the abolition of the 60-day visa-free regime in September, which caused a sharp drop in tourist flows from Uzbekistan.
Otabek YusupovFrom January to September 2026, prosecutor's offices received 299,649 appeals, and the rights of 55,898 citizens were restored. Most complaints concerned investigations by internal affairs bodies, social payments and enforcement of court decisions, including alimony. In some areas, the number of appeals increased compared with last year.
Otabek YusupovOn October 27, 2026, Apple Pay became available in Uzbekistan, as announced by the head of the Presidential Administration, Saida Mirziyoyeva. The service has been launched in test mode and supports Visa and Mastercard cards from eight banks, including Uzum, Orient Finans Bank, and TBC Bank. National Uzcard and HUMO cards cannot yet be added to the wallet, despite the Central Bank's statements about work on integration. In parallel, Google Pay has started working for Android devices.
Otabek YusupovAccording to the National Statistics Committee, the average wage for January–September 2026 was 7.27 million soums (+18% year on year), while the median, published for the first time, was 4.17 million soums for January–August. This means that half of workers earn less than this amount.
Aziz KarimovThe Central Bank of Uzbekistan set the exchange rates for October 28: the dollar rose by 57.02 soums to 11,918.98, the euro to 13,283.70, and the ruble to 148.04 soums. This is a continuation of the growth that followed the rate increase the day before.
Sevara AzamovaAccording to the National Statistics Committee, from January to September 2026, 91,142 people arrived in Tashkent and 65,072 left. The capital's migration increase amounted to 26,070 people — almost all of it driven by internal relocations. At the same time, the country's overall migration balance was negative: minus 4,284 people.
Otabek YusupovVisa announced the launch of Apple Pay and Google Pay support for its cards in Uzbekistan. Cardholders can add their cards to Wallet or Google Wallet and pay for purchases with a smartphone or watch in stores, on public transport and online. Payments are confirmed via Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode, and card details are protected through tokenization.
Aziz KarimovStarting October 27, Android and Wear OS users in Uzbekistan can pay for purchases via Google Wallet. So far, the service supports cards from nine banks — mostly Visa and Mastercard. Money is deducted directly from the linked card, not from a separate balance.
Otabek YusupovKhafiza Yusupova, a cardiologist at the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Cardiology, has received an official invitation to join the Education and Professional Development Committee of the ESC for the term from September 2026 to August 2028. According to publicly available ESC data, Uzbekistan had not previously been represented on this committee. Khafiza Yusupova, a cardiologist at the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Cardiology, has received an official invitation to join the Education and Professional Development Committee of the ESC for a term from September 2026 to August 2028. According to publicly available ESC data, no representatives of Uzbekistan had previously served on this committee.
Aziz KarimovUzhydromet has published its forecast for Wednesday, October 28: Tashkent, Karakalpakstan, Khorezm and three regions of the Ferghana Valley will remain without precipitation, while rain is possible in places in Bukhara, Navoi, Samarkand, Jizzakh, Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya regions. In high mountain areas, precipitation may turn into snow.
Sevara AzamovaThe President announced a package of measures for medical workers: allowances of up to 50 million soums for specialists returning from foreign clinics, an increase in allowances in remote regions from 2 to 4.5 million soums, 50 billion soums for partial mortgage repayment, and one-time payments. The system will start with 26 specialized centers.
Shahnoza ErgashevaOn October 26, Baku hosted the international conference 'Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan: Shared Historical Heritage, Islamic Civilization and Modern Scientific Cooperation'. As part of the event, the Center of Islamic Civilization and the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan signed a memorandum on joint research.
Shahnoza Ergasheva
