State Honors for Culture: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed decrees awarding posthumous and lifetime state honors to major cultural, arts, and literary figures, including film director Abbasov Shukhrat, actors Gani Azamov and Khamza Umarov, and writers and poets recognized for strengthening Uzbekistan’s spiritual sphere. Reading Culture Push: Uzbekistan will launch an annual national reading promotion movement from 2026, with an online competition on kitobxonlikharakati.uz followed by regional and national stages, plus cash prizes for top students. Digital Tourism with AI: Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee met Beijing International Studies University (BISU) to explore an AI-driven “Smart Tourism Data System” using big data and machine learning, aiming to build a similar platform for Uzbekistan’s tourism sector. Digital Skills for Green Economy: Tashkent hosted talks on shifting to a green economy through education and TVET reforms, aligning curricula and labor-market skills with climate priorities. Green Economy Skills: Ferghana region’s Japan talks in Tokyo focused on IT/AI cooperation and agricultural export projects, alongside JICA-backed infrastructure and ecology collaboration. Eid al-Adha Messages: Mirziyoyev and other regional leaders sent Eid al-Adha congratulations, highlighting unity, charity, and Uzbekistan’s growing efforts to promote Islamic heritage. World Cup Outside the Stadium: FIFA World Cup 2026 fan culture is set to spill into neighborhoods, with watch parties and festivals planned beyond stadium gates. Uzbek AI Adoption Snapshot: Microsoft’s report puts generative AI use in Uzbekistan at 7.2% of working-age people in Q1 2026, showing growth but still a wide gap versus global leaders.