Uzbek Economy Watch: Uzbekistan’s economy grew 8.5% in the first half of 2026, with services up 16.9% and construction up 13.8%, as investment hit about €24.6bn and exports about €12.7bn; President Mirziyoyev urged officials to squeeze more value from existing projects and target 9–10% growth to lift living standards. Rail Freight Crunch: Mirziyoyev ordered a 10-day plan to bring 10,000 idle freight wagons into Uzbekistan and pushed for $200m in World Bank railway financing to ease rolling-stock shortages. SCO Diplomacy: Deputy PM and FM Ishaq Dar joined SCO foreign ministers in Cholpon-Ata, urging the bloc to press Afghanistan’s Taliban to honor counter-terrorism commitments, warning terrorism from Afghan soil remains a major threat. Regional Deals: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan announced 80 joint projects worth $1.8bn and signed commercial documents worth over KZT80bn, while leaders also exchanged birthday congratulations and discussed trade, transport and cultural ties. Payments Disruption: Korona Pay suspended Russia-to-Kazakhstan and Russia-to-Georgia transfers, leaving Russia-to-Uzbekistan, Türkiye, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan as the remaining supported routes. Sports & Culture: Uzbekistan-linked cultural cooperation continued as Uzbek scholars visited Azerbaijan’s National Library, while Uzbekistan also appears in Asian Games football draws and in Uzbekistan-hosted youth weightlifting plans.