Eurasian Integration Push: Uzbekistan is stepping up cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union, with Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov backing work on digital trade, industrial ties, eco-technologies, labor mobility and tourism, plus a roadmap to align technical regulations and a joint project portfolio with the Eurasian Development Bank. EAEU Meeting in Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov hosted the EAEU heads of government in Cholpon-Ata, where Uzbekistan joined as an observer and the agenda covered trade, industrial cooperation, food security and digitalization of freight rail and corridors. Customs Digitization for Trade: Belarus and Uzbekistan discussed measures to double bilateral trade, focusing on using electronic systems for certifying goods’ origin and mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operator programs to cut customs friction. Regional Export Drive: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan agreed to jointly target reconstruction-driven demand in Syria and Iraq, with business delegations planned for Aleppo and Erbil alongside the expansion of Uzbekistan’s trade house operations. Energy Pressure in Summer: Central Asia’s power demand is spiking—Uzbekistan hit a record electricity load in mid-July—highlighting that demand growth is now stressing networks, not just winter supply. Fuel Supply Risk: A Russia-linked fuel squeeze is spilling into Central Asia as import restrictions and refinery disruptions reduce the “backup” supply channel, raising concerns for gasoline and diesel availability. Uzbekistan–Kyrgyzstan Fuel Talks: Kyrgyzstan is considering buying up to 20,000 tons of fuel per month from Uzbekistan as it searches for alternatives amid declining Russian purchasing opportunities. Trade Snapshot: In H1 2026, Uzbekistan’s top partners were China ($9.5bn), Russia ($7.0bn) and Kazakhstan ($2.8bn), underscoring where trade policy and logistics upgrades may pay off first.