Judicial Leadership: The Senate Council approved President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s proposal to replace Chief Justice Bakhtiyor Islomov with Robakhon Makhmudova, who was appointed Supreme Court Chair for a five-year term. Investment & Finance: The European Investment Bank opened a Central Asia regional office in Tashkent, signaling a €1bn pipeline focus on transport, green energy, water management, digital connectivity, and health supply chains. TIIF Follow-Through: At TIIF–2026, Uzbekistan’s Foreign Investors Council delivered 120 reform proposals to speed up regulation and modernize sectors including investment climate, tax/cadastral systems, banking, corporate governance, energy, and AI-driven digital growth. Bilateral Trade: Uzbekistan and Iraq launched a joint business council at TIIF to unlock cooperation in food, electrical engineering, and construction via direct B2B links. Regional Media & Tech: At the SCO media forum in Issyk-Kul, Uzbekistan pushed for a modern information space and stronger coordination against misinformation, deepfakes, and algorithm ethics. Digital Infrastructure: DataVolt secured up to $150m in non-recourse financing for a 12MW AI-ready green data center in Tashkent, tied to Digital Uzbekistan–2030 skills and ecosystem goals. Sports & Culture (local relevance): Uzbekistan’s State Conservatory held exams chaired by tar master Sahib Pashazade, highlighting cultural diplomacy through music.