AGP Executive Report

Drought Response: Kazakhstan is turning to cloud-seeding to fight severe water shortages in Turkestan, targeting about 9,110 sq km of cotton land; officials say the method could boost precipitation by 15–20% and bring an estimated $75 million a year in better harvests. Caspian Cleanup & Monitoring: Caspian Sea Action Week 2026 wrapped up in Kazakhstan on International Caspian Sea Day, featuring an international seminar on modern environmental monitoring, a coastline “Clean Challenge” marathon, and volunteer tree planting with youth from Uzbekistan and other Caspian states. Green Growth vs Air Pollution: A satellite-based study of 5,400+ cities found that in roughly 2,000 places, incomes rose while nitrogen dioxide fell—an encouraging sign that “green growth” can cut fossil-fuel pollution. Uzbekistan Environment Watch: Uzbekistan’s Sea Breeze Uzbekistan resort plan near Charvak Reservoir still lacks key documents for the environmental impact review, leaving the second stage of assessment incomplete. Wildlife Controversy: An expert says Uzbekistan’s recent releases of captive-bred Asian houbara bustards are not conservation-focused and may be tied to hunting concessions. Climate Pressure: July 2026 tied with July 2024 as the hottest month on record, underscoring intensifying heat risks across the region. Regional Cooperation: South Korea and Uzbekistan discussed stronger ties at a business roundtable, including critical minerals and AI—areas that can shape future environmental and resource management.

Climate Watch: July 2026 has tied with July 2024 as Earth’s hottest month on record, with NOAA reporting the global heat spike since 1850 and NASA/Copernicus also flagging extreme temperatures. Air Quality & Health: A satellite-based study of 5,400+ cities found that about 2,000 cities managed “green growth” by raising incomes while cutting nitrogen dioxide, a key smog-forming exhaust pollutant. Land Restoration: Uzbekistan is pushing landscape recovery under RESILAND Uzbekistan, aiming to restore 500,000 hectares of degraded land by 2030 as part of the Bonn Challenge and World Bank-backed regional efforts. Water & Nature Under Pressure: The $5 billion Sea Breeze resort on Charvak Reservoir still lacks key documents for the full environmental review, leaving uncertainty over impacts on one of Uzbekistan’s most popular recreation areas. Wildlife Controversy: An expert says Uzbekistan’s releases of over 2,000 captive-bred Asian houbara bustards are aimed at hunting concessions, not conservation, despite official claims of wildlife restoration. Community Resilience: ICBA and Uzbekistan’s innovation agency launched a one-month Farmers’ and Agro-Entrepreneurs Accelerator in Karakalpakstan to help 200 local producers build value-added products and market access, with a focus on women and youth.

Land Restoration Push: Uzbekistan is part of the Bonn Challenge drive, with RESILAND Uzbekistan targeting restoration of 500,000 hectares of degraded land by 2030, including sustainable forest management, better landscape monitoring, and new income options for local communities. Environmental Review Watch: The $5 billion Sea Breeze Uzbekistan resort near Charvak Reservoir still lacks key documents for the full state environmental review, raising fresh questions about impacts on one of the country’s most popular recreation areas. Wildlife Controversy: An expert says Uzbekistan’s recent releases of over 2,000 captive-bred Asian houbara bustards are tied to hunting concessions rather than conservation, despite official claims of wildlife restoration. Climate Reality Check: Kyrgyzstan’s climate is warming faster than the global average, with experts warning Central Asia’s hotter, drier extremes could intensify—an issue Uzbekistan shares across the region. Water Governance: Central Asian states approved steps toward automated water accounting for the Syrdarya basin and discussed reservoir limits for the 2026 growing season, aiming to improve transboundary water management.

Charvak Resort Scrutiny: Uzbekistan’s environmental review for the $5 billion Sea Breeze Uzbekistan resort is still stalled because authorities haven’t received the full technical documents needed for the impact assessment, even after land allocation and public hearings—raising fresh questions for the Charvak Reservoir area. Water Governance in Central Asia: Ministers approved steps toward automated water accounting for the Syrdarya basin and discussed reservoir limits for the 2026 growing season, with a working group due by September and continued focus on transboundary water balance. Uzbek Tech in Space: The Samarkand-2028 hyperspectral Earth-observation satellite has reached orbit, carrying an AI module developed by Uzbek engineers to process imagery in space for more precise environmental analysis. AI Push at Home: Uzbekistan says it has improved its Global AI Readiness ranking by 25 places to 62nd, aiming for top 50 by 2030, with plans for more AI projects and expanded computing infrastructure. Energy Output Update: Condor Energies reports a new Uzbekistan production milestone, averaging 17,925 boe/d over 24 hours after tying newly tested horizontal wells into production facilities. Desertification Awareness: The Silk Road Caravan reached Mongolia, spotlighting rangeland ecosystems and pastoral livelihoods ahead of COP17 under the UNCCD.

Water Security in Central Asia: Ministers from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan met to set 2026 reservoir limits for the Syrdarya and Amudarya basins and approved a draft plan to automate water accounting in the Syrdarya, with a working group due by September—aimed at steadier transboundary management and Aral Sea-saving tasks. Space for Environmental Monitoring: Uzbekistan’s AI module for hyperspectral Earth observation reached orbit aboard the Samarkand-2028 satellite, processing imagery in space to cut data loads and support more precise land and environmental analysis. Desertification & Rangelands: The UNCCD-backed “Silk Road Caravan” crossed into Mongolia, traveling through steppe and desert areas to meet herders and restoration projects ahead of COP17, spotlighting drought resilience and rangeland ecosystem protection. Climate Risk in the Caspian: A new study links the Caspian Sea’s rapid shrinkage to falling river inflows, including major losses from the Volga, warning that decades of withdrawals are pushing the sea toward collapse. Uzbekistan’s AI Push: President Mirziyoyev briefed progress on Uzbekistan’s AI ecosystem, including improved standing in the Global AI Readiness Index and plans for expanded computing and hundreds of new AI projects.

Uzbekistan Space for the Planet: Uzbekistan’s first space satellite, Samarkand-2028, has reached orbit with a hyperspectral mission and an onboard AI module built by Uzbek engineers, aimed at faster environmental and land monitoring for agriculture, water management, and emergency prevention. Water Security in Central Asia: Central Asian states approved a plan to automate Syrdarya water accounting and discussed reservoir limits for the 2026 growing season, with a working group to be set up by September. AI Push with Environmental Use: President Mirziyoyev briefed progress on Uzbekistan’s AI ecosystem, including new computing infrastructure and plans for hundreds of AI projects—supporting data-heavy monitoring needs. Glacier Risk Training: A regional summer school in Kyrgyzstan is training young specialists on glacier monitoring and data collection across the Inner Tien Shan, focusing on tools that can help reduce flood and mudflow risks. Desertification Focus: The “Meridians of Goodwill” volunteer forum will include environmental sessions, while the Silk Road Caravan is traveling through Mongolia to highlight rangeland ecosystems and drought resilience ahead of COP17.

Space & Environment Tech: Uzbekistan’s first space satellite, Samarkand-2028, has reached orbit with a hyperspectral mission and an Uzbek-built AI module that can process imagery in space—aimed at agriculture, environmental monitoring, water tracking, emergency prevention, and urban planning. Water & Aral Sea Cooperation: Central Asian states approved a plan to automate Syrdarya water accounting for the 2026 growing season and discussed reservoir limits for Syrdarya and Amudarya, with a working group set up by September. Climate & Land Degradation Awareness: The UNCCD-backed Silk Road Caravan entered Mongolia ahead of COP17, traveling through steppe and desert areas to spotlight rangeland restoration and how pastoral communities cope with drought. Water Monitoring Capacity: Uzbekhydrogeology specialists completed a Germany study tour to strengthen groundwater monitoring, digital hydrogeology data, and climate-resilient water management, with follow-up cooperation talks planned. Regional Transport (Eco-angle): Uzbekistan’s AI module aboard the Samarkand-2028 satellite and broader digital trade/eco-technology cooperation with the EAEU were highlighted alongside ongoing corridor development.

Uzbekistan–US Transport Deal: Uzbekistan and the United States are deepening cooperation across transport and logistics, aviation, digital tech and industry, with cargo flows showing rail as the main link (44,200 tons in 2025). Water Security in Central Asia: Ministers approved a draft plan to automate Syrdarya water accounting for the 2026 growing season, with a working group due by September, alongside work on water efficiency and Aral Sea-saving tasks. AI for Environment Monitoring: Uzbek engineers’ AI module has reached orbit aboard the Samarkand-2028 hyperspectral satellite, enabling in-orbit processing for more precise environmental analysis, including land and water monitoring. Space Tech for Agriculture: China launched two AI-powered hyperspectral satellites; Samarkand-2028 is set to support cotton cultivation and land-monitoring in Uzbekistan. Glacier Risk Training: An Issyk-Kul summer school is training young hydrology and glaciology specialists on glacier evolution data collection and monitoring tools, as Central Asia faces rising glacier retreat risks. Desertification Focus: Mongolia welcomed the Silk Road Caravan ahead of COP17, spotlighting rangeland ecosystems and drought resilience through field visits and land restoration learning. EAEU Digital & Eco-Tech Push: Uzbekistan’s PM says cooperation with the EAEU is expanding in digital trade, industrial ties, eco-technologies, labor mobility and tourism, with plans to align technical regulations.

Water Security in Central Asia: Central Asian states approved a plan to automate Syrdarya water accounting, debating reservoir limits for the 2026 growing season and setting up a working group by September, alongside steps under the World Bank-backed CAWEC water-efficiency push. AI for Environment Monitoring: Uzbekistan’s AI module reached orbit aboard the hyperspectral Samarkand-2028 satellite, enabling in-orbit processing to speed up environmental analysis for cotton cultivation, air-quality assessments, and other land-monitoring needs. Space Tech Boosts Agriculture: China launched two AI-powered hyperspectral satellites, with Samarkand-2028 aimed at Uzbekistan’s land and cotton monitoring and faster disaster-risk support. Glacier Knowledge for Resilience: A summer school at Issyk-Kul trains early-career specialists in glacier monitoring and data exchange for Inner Tien Shan research, focusing on practical tools for safer water and hazard forecasting. Rangelands Under Pressure: Mongolia’s Silk Road Caravan has entered ahead of COP17, touring steppe and desert sites to share solutions for rangeland restoration and drought resilience.

AI & Digital Governance: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev says Uzbekistan’s AI push is paying off, jumping 25 places in the Global AI Readiness Index to 62nd, with a goal of top-50 by 2030 and plans for $1.5B in AI software/services plus 200+ new AI projects. Space for Environment: Uzbekistan’s AI module has reached orbit aboard the hyperspectral Samarkand-2028 satellite, enabling onboard processing for faster, more targeted environmental analysis—aimed at uses like land monitoring, cotton and wheat mapping, air-quality assessment, and disaster risk support. Water & Climate Risk: A new study links Caspian Sea decline to sharply reduced river inflows, including major losses from the Volga, warning that decades of withdrawals are pushing the sea toward collapse. Glaciers & Skills: A summer school at Issyk-Kul trains young hydrology and glaciology specialists on glacier monitoring methods and data tools for climate-resilient water planning across the Tien Shan. Regional Integration: Uzbekistan’s EAEU talks highlight cooperation on digital trade, eco-technologies, labor mobility, tourism, and transport links—key for greener logistics and smarter resource management.

EAEU Cooperation Push: Uzbekistan’s PM Abdulla Aripov used the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Cholpon-Ata to propose new cooperation with the EAEU on digital trade, industrial ties, eco-technologies, labor mobility and tourism, with work underway on aligning technical rules and a Tashkent working-group meeting planned. Space for Environment: Uzbekistan’s hyperspectral Earth observation satellite Samarkand-2028 reached orbit, carrying an Uzbek-developed AI module that processes data onboard to speed environmental analysis—aimed at agriculture, air quality checks, water monitoring, disaster risk reduction and urban planning. Water Crisis Warning: A new study links Caspian Sea shrinkage to sharply reduced river inflows, highlighting major losses from the Volga and warning that long-term withdrawals are pushing the lake toward collapse. Water Monitoring Upgrade: Uzbekhydrogeology specialists completed a Germany study tour on groundwater monitoring and digital hydrogeology under an EU/GIZ water-energy-climate program, agreeing further cooperation with German research and water institutions. Glacier Knowledge Transfer: An international summer school at Issyk-Kul trains early-career specialists from Central Asia on glacier evolution data collection and modern monitoring tools, reflecting growing urgency as glacier retreat threatens water and safety. Disaster Readiness Diplomacy: Envoys from 16 countries visited Pakistan’s NDMA disaster response center, praising early warning and climate resilience methods that could inspire regional cooperation.

Caspian Sea Crisis: A new study links the Caspian’s sharp shrinkage to falling river inflows, especially reduced water from Russia’s Volga, warning that decades of withdrawals are pushing the sea toward collapse. Space for Environment: Uzbekistan’s Samarkand-2028 hyperspectral satellite has been launched with an onboard AI module built by Uzbek specialists, aiming to speed up cotton, wheat, air-quality and environmental monitoring. Water & Groundwater Skills: Uzbekhydrogeology specialists completed a Germany study tour focused on groundwater monitoring, digital data systems, and climate-resilient water management. Glacier Risk Training: A Central Asia summer school at Issyk-Kul is training young hydrology and glaciology professionals on glacier evolution monitoring tools and field methods. Sustainable Cotton Standards: BCI and Uzstandard signed an MoU to align Uzbekistan’s cotton production standards with international sustainability requirements. Regional Energy Talk: A forum at Issyk-Kul discussed modernizing Central Asia’s power system, including coordination between nuclear, hydropower and a common electricity market.

Space for Earth Monitoring: Uzbekistan’s first space satellite, Samarkand-2028, was launched from China’s Shandong coast alongside Lampung-1, with Uzbek specialists building an onboard AI module to process hyperspectral data in orbit—aimed at faster agriculture, air-quality, water and environmental monitoring, plus disaster risk reduction and urban planning. Water & Climate Skills: Uzbekhydrogeology specialists completed a Germany study tour on groundwater monitoring, digital hydrogeological data and climate-resilient water management under an EU/GIZ program, with follow-up cooperation agreed with German institutions. Glacier Safety Training: An international summer school at Issyk-Kul is training Central Asian early-career experts to collect and use data for modelling glacier change in the Inner Tien Shan, using field stations and equipment for weather, water levels and glacier measurements. Sustainable Cotton Standards: Uzbekistan and Better Cotton (BCI) are partnering to align national cotton standards with international sustainability requirements, including work toward a nationally owned cotton sustainability standard. RESILAND Uzbekistan: A workshop under the RESILAND landscape restoration project trained forestry enterprise leaders on a code of conduct to prevent harassment, violence and discrimination, tied to safer workplaces and community jobs.

Space for the farm: Uzbekistan’s Samarqand-2028 hyperspectral Earth-observation satellite was launched from China’s Shandong coast, with Uzbekcosmos building an onboard AI module to process data faster—aimed at mapping cotton and wheat, assessing air quality, and supporting water and disaster risk decisions. Clean cotton standards: BCI and Uzstandard signed up to align Uzbekistan’s cotton production rules with international sustainability requirements, with a goal of a nationally owned cotton standard benchmarked to BCI. Water and land pressures: A Chatham House report warns that the global textile boom—where Uzbekistan is part of the supply chain—carries hidden “water footprints,” raising risks as climate change and water scarcity intensify. RESILAND Uzbekistan: The forestry agency and RESILAND Uzbekistan ran a workshop on preventing sexual harassment and discrimination, with all 37 participating forestry enterprise directors signing a code of conduct. Regional energy integration: At Issyk-Kul’s Primakov Readings forum, Russia-Kyrgyz energy partners argued that Central Asia’s electricity market needs synchronized nuclear and hydropower development. Desert-to-sky warning: A locust swarm darkened skies in Dagestan, highlighting how fast-moving pests can devastate crops across Central Asia.

Space & Environment: Uzbekistan launched its first remote sensing satellite, “Samarqand-2028,” built with China’s STAR.VISION, with an Uzbekcosmos-developed onboard AI module to process hyperspectral data directly—aimed at agriculture, environmental protection, natural resource monitoring, water management, disaster risk reduction, and urban planning. Water & Standards: Uzbekistan is moving to cut water stress and align cotton production with sustainability rules: BCI and Uzstandard partnered to integrate BCI Principles & Criteria into national cotton standards, supporting a nationally-owned cotton sustainability benchmark. Inclusive Green Jobs: Under the RESILAND Uzbekistan landscape restoration effort, forestry enterprises signed a code of conduct to prevent sexual harassment, violence, and discrimination, tied to community job creation and safer workplaces. Rail & Nature Safeguards: Kyrgyzstan says construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway is slightly ahead of schedule, with routes planned to avoid protected areas and tunnels used to reduce impacts on nature. Higher Education Push: Uzbekistan’s higher education sector is rapidly expanding and internationalising, with more programmes updated to global curricula and growing foreign partnerships—supporting future research capacity for environmental work.

Water & Agriculture: Uzbekistan says it has achieved a major reduction in freshwater withdrawals, with UN-Water highlighting progress under SDG 6 efforts and national targets aimed at water-saving irrigation and more efficient field management. Cotton Sustainability: BCI and Uzstandard have partnered to align Uzbekistan’s cotton standards with international sustainability requirements, including integrating BCI’s Principles & Criteria and paving the way for a nationally owned cotton sustainability standard. RESILAND Uzbekistan (Safeguarding): The RESILAND Uzbekistan project, with the Forestry Agency, trained forestry leaders on a Code of Conduct to prevent sexual harassment, violence and discrimination; all 37 covered enterprise directors signed the code, tied to job-creation plans for local communities. Environment in Infrastructure: Kyrgyzstan says environmental protection is being built into the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, with routes planned to avoid protected natural areas and tunnels used to reduce impacts. Space for Environment Monitoring: Uzbek engineers are developing an onboard AI module for the Samarqand-2028 Earth observation satellite, aimed at monitoring agriculture and the environment via hyperspectral imaging. UNESCO Nature & Culture: UNESCO added 25 new World Heritage Sites in 2026, including Tashkent Modernist Architecture (Uzbekistan) and natural listings such as Kazakhstan’s Rock Mosques and Associated Sacred Sites of Mangystau.