Kazakhstan has applied to join the EU's next Horizon Europe program as it seeks to build a knowledge-based economy with research and AI, while the Astana International Financial Centre has attracted more than 5,800 companies and $307mn in European equity investment.

Kazakhstan has offered the European Union access to 21 of the bloc's 34 critical raw materials, while leaders also discussed visa facilitation measures as bilateral trade surpassed $45bn in 2025.

Uzbekistan has strengthened anti-corruption legislation by restricting early release for major bribery offenders, expanding accountability measures, and introducing a national electronic registry of individuals convicted of corruption-related crimes.

Turkiye has completed domestic ratification of the OTS Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, making it the third member state to approve the framework for regional digital trade, with entry into force pending approval by Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan exceeded $1bn in 2025, rising 19% year-on-year, as the two countries reaffirmed plans to expand economic cooperation and increase bilateral trade to $2bn by 2030.

Kazakhstan and the European Union are nearing completion of visa facilitation and readmission agreements following talks in Brussels, while discussions also focused on trade, investment, transport connectivity, and the EU's evolving border management system.

Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan completed a border land exchange that transferred the villages of Chungara and Toshtepa to Kyrgyzstan, affecting around 2,500 residents and including a 236-hectare swap to support construction of a new highway in Batken region.

A Brussels conference with over 100 participants from Kazakhstan, the EU, financial institutions, and logistics companies focused on expanding the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route through infrastructure upgrades, higher capacity, and closer integration with the EU Global Gateway initiative.

Uzbekistan's Namangan Flower Festival has entered Guinness World Records after residents planted more than 29mn flower seedlings by hand, while attracting 800,000 foreign visitors and generating UZS 300bn ($24.6mn) in additional income.

Uzbekistan will raise pensions, social benefits, wages, stipends, and the basic calculation value by 7% starting July and September 2026 under a presidential decree signed on June 23.

Uzbekistan unveiled new initiatives to advance maqam art, including plans for a World Maqam Center, International Maqam Academy, digital archive, cultural tourism route, and research fund, during the Third International Maqam Art Forum attended by 250 representatives from more than 80 countries.

Uzbekistan's Navbahor Football Academy has been placed under the management of Ajax for three years, introducing the Dutch club's youth development model as the country seeks to nurture future football talent and strengthen its presence on the international stage.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal secured a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan in their second FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage match, with the Central Asian side now looking to regroup ahead of a decisive final-round encounter against DR Congo.

More than 30 young participants from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan gathered in Fergana for a cross-border initiative aimed at promoting dialogue, cooperation, and youth participation within the broader Fergana Peace Process.

Namangan has secured $3bn worth of investment agreements, aims to attract $5bn in foreign investment this year and increase exports to $1.2bn, as authorities unveiled new plans covering digital governance, industrial development, employment, infrastructure and agriculture.

The European Union has launched a new Connectivity Agenda Platform and signed agreements expected to mobilize up to €2bn ($2.3bn) for transport, border, and trade infrastructure projects, while officials say trade along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor could increase fivefold over the next 15 years.