Thousands of military personnel from Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan, along with other nations attending as observers, including Iran, took part in the "Power of Unity, 2026" military exercise for the first time, in the Hojavend district of Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.
Almost 400 teams from more than 190 countries competed over 11 rounds. Germany took bronze, while Hungary, France and Spain also finished in the top 10, alongside Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Traditional workshops in Uzbekistan are teaching younger generations the skills behind woodcarving, embroidery and ceramics, while adapting their work to contemporary tastes and new opportunities.
Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of Uzbekistan's Presidential Administration, used her UN address to focus on regional cooperation, Afghanistan and reform of the organisation. She also covered domestic reforms, AI, human rights and environmental challenges.
From advanced sorting in Sharjah to new waste infrastructure in Uzbekistan, efforts to recover materials and generate energy are changing what happens to rubbish.
The Tashkent International Financial Centre will operate under a separate legal framework as officials seek closer links with British counterparts. The wider push also includes international listings and efforts to attract more private capital.