Caspian Environment: Turkmenistan marked Caspian Sea Day with an Awaza conference on protecting the Caspian ecosystem under the Tehran Convention, bringing together Caspian states including Uzbekistan and EU bodies to push regional cooperation. Uzbek Auto Market: Uzbekistan sold 210,837 cars in Jan.–July 2026, down 3.6% year on year, with July sales up month on month but sharply lower versus last year; Chinese brands’ share rose to 17.8%. Oil & Gas Stability: President Mirziyoyev reviewed steps to keep Uzbekistan’s oil and gas market stable and prevent unjustified price hikes, including commissioning plans for new gas wells. Business-Policy Dialogue: A review highlights how Uzbekistan’s five-year “dialogue with entrepreneurs” has shifted from removing individual barriers to changing rules across taxation, lending, land access, exports, digital services, and investor protection. Digital Payments (Regional): VEON’s Banglalink received Bangladesh Bank approval for Mukto Pay, with VEON noting financial services growth and active users across Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Trade & Logistics: Etihad launched its inaugural Tashkent cargo service via Abu Dhabi, aiming to boost Uzbekistan’s airfreight connectivity for high-value goods. Migration Pressure: Russia’s migrant-labor restrictions are biting: Central Asian arrivals fell in H1 2026, with Uzbekistan down 13.2% to 1.1 million workers.