Nuclear Power Milestone: Uzbekistan officially began construction of its first nuclear power plant, with Putin and Mirziyoyev authorizing the first unit via video link in Jizzakh; the project is led by Rosatom and framed as a long-term energy and engineering boost under IAEA supervision. Aviation Carbon Credits: IATA singled out Uzbekistan as a top supplier of CORSIA-eligible aviation carbon credits, praising progress on the administrative steps needed for Eligible Emissions Units. Air Industry Pressure: IATA warned that a backlog of 18,000 undelivered aircraft is still crippling airline capacity and raising costs, while also noting that crises in the region are leaving lasting impacts on travel patterns. Regional Business Links: Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee wrapped up a five-day Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan mission, delivering 96 cooperation deals worth over $1.65B and pushing “hub-to-hub” ties in finance, innovation, aviation, and trade. Construction Reform: Uzbekistan moves to simplify construction services from 1 July and introduce a risk scoring system for developers, aiming to cut permitting bottlenecks. World Cup Context (Uzbek angle): Uzbekistan faces the Netherlands in a key pre-tournament friendly in New York as the 2026 World Cup kicks off June 11 across the US, Canada, and Mexico.