Uzbek-Türkiye Economic Pivot: The Türkiye-Uzbekistan Business Forum in Tashkent (June 16, tied to the Tashkent Investment Forum) signaled a shift from cultural rhetoric to deal-making, with both sides highlighting Uzbekistan’s investor-friendly reforms and Türkiye’s growing role as a top investor. Muslim-Friendly Travel Push: Uzbekistan is looking to Malaysia’s halal tourism playbook, sending personnel to learn how to build a full “halal ecosystem” of hotels, restaurants, and services—plus tighter historical tourism offerings. Korea-Uzbekistan Partnership Deepens: A Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum brought lawmakers and business leaders together to expand cooperation beyond infrastructure into supply chains, advanced industries, and cultural exchange, pointing to the long-standing presence of ethnic Koreans in Uzbekistan. Issyk-Kul Forum, Humanism at the Center: Uzbekistan’s delegation joined the 40th-anniversary Issyk-Kul International Forum, where culture, science, and humanistic values were discussed by leaders, scholars, and artists from multiple countries. World Cup Culture & Identity: With Uzbekistan’s debut in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, coverage spotlighted how domestic club culture—from Pakhtakor’s memory to regional powerhouses like Nasaf and Navbahor—helped build the national team’s story. Sports Spotlight: Kazakhstan’s Zhussupov and Grafeyeva won gold at the World Boxing Cup in China, while Iran’s women’s karate team took top honors at the Asian Senior Karate Championships in Bali, with Uzbekistan named among the teams they beat.