Uzbekistan Joins IEC Standards Race: Uzbekistan will become a full International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) member from Jan. 1, 2027, moving beyond affiliate status and helping shape global rules in IT, AI, cybersecurity, electrical engineering, energy efficiency and renewables. Regional Tech & Industry Push: Tashkent will host the 17th Central Asian International Textile Machinery Exhibition (CAITME 2026) alongside “Global Textile Days,” bringing 250 companies from 17 countries to showcase advanced textile tech. Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Business Link: The 4th Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan Interregional Forum is set for Aug. 22 in Tashkent, aiming to boost trade, investment and joint projects across sectors from IT and logistics to energy and healthcare. Space-Agriculture Science Tie-Up: Uzbekistan and China are expanding scientific cooperation, including the joint hyperspectral satellite “Samarkand-2028” for agriculture, environmental monitoring and disaster response, with an Uzbek AI module for faster onboard data processing. Energy Grid Stress in Central Asia: Kazakhstan reported power outages on Aug. 14 tied to a sharp shift in electricity flow from the Central Asian system, underscoring regional grid coordination needs. Health & Tech Education Spotlight: Uzbekistan hosted the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) with strong regional participation, while a separate report highlights Uzbekistan’s high overweight/obesity rate (64% of adults in 2024), adding urgency to public health tech and prevention efforts.