The Cotton Campaign hosted the first-ever, high-level delegation of Uzbek government officials to join its annual strategy meeting on February 4 at a pivotal time for reform to end forced labor in Uzbekistan, the coalition said in a statement.

The senior officials of the Tashkent State Agrarian University (TSAU) and the University of Mississippi have agreed to implement programs of academic and expert exchange, conducting scientific research in fish farming, forestry, cotton growing, fruit and vegetable growing, and water management.

Uzbekistan delegation led by Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov, attending the Munich Security Conference, met with the UK Minister of Defense Gavin Williamson Friday, the Foreign Ministry of Uzbekistan said.

According to the organizing committee, about 130 foreign experts confirmed participation in the International Conference “Central Asian Connectivity: Challenges and New Opportunities”, to be held February 19-20. They represent 36 countries, 9 international and regional organizations, 71 research institutes, 18 government bodies and parliaments.

Ikhtiyor Abdullayev, 53, fired on February 11, has now been made object of a criminal investigation, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Uzbek service, Ozodlik reported. The broadcaster has cited three anonymous sources close to the government as saying a dozen people working under Abdullayev have been arrested.

The Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant  will visit Uzbekistan in April. He will be the first U.S. governor ever to visit Uzbekistan, the Foreign Ministry said.

Islam Karimov Jr., the grandson of the late President Islam Karimov and Gulnara Karimova's son, posted an address to the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on his Instagram page stating about the pressure being exerted on his mother. 

The Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Abdulaziz, participating in the Munich Security Conference, met with the President of Afghanistan, Muhammad Ashraf Ghani, the Foreign Ministry said.

The draft presidential decree for opening of two new universities has been posted on the portal of discussion of drafts legal acts.

Bahodirjon Sidikov, by the Government resolution, has been appointed chairman of Uzbekneftgaz, the Ministry of Justice said in a statement.

The Interior Ministry has proposed to significantly cut fines for violation of the rules of stay in Uzbekistan.  The ministry proposed to modify the article 225 of the Administrative Responsibility Code and to introduce a new wording for the violation of the rules of stay: “living on invalid documents or visas (in the current version there is no word “visa”), failure to comply with the established procedure of movement or choice of place of residence, overstay, as well as non-compliance with the rules of transit".

Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov will attend the 2019 Munich Security Conference. "The Uzbekistan delegation headed by Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov will visit Germany on February 13-16, 2019 to attend the Munich Security Conference 2019 and will hold a number of bilateral meetings in Munich" - the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Tashkent Metallurgical Plant (TMP) will be commissioned in December 2019, the company said in a statement. MetProm group of companies has been selected as the general contractor for the 286 million euros project.

The State Assets Management Agency announced the call for submission of bids for the sale of the Uzbekistan Hotel in the center of Tashkent.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev by his decree has appointed the citizen of the Korea Republic Lee Dong-wook as Deputy Minister of Health/Advisor to the Deputy PM in charge of social development, the Uzbek Ministry of Health said.

Boeing reached an agreement with Uzbekistan Airways to provide services that will enable the airline to more efficiently and effectively maintain its 787-8 Dreamliner fleet through the Boeing Landing Gear Exchange program, the Boeing company said in a statement.

The Tashkent branch of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) will open in September and will offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees, the Foreign Ministry said.

The United States will help Uzbekistan to draft the new Labour Code and introduce the national qualification system, the Uzbek Ministry of Labor said.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has approved the Atomic Energy Development Concept for 2019-2029. According to the concept, the nuclear power plant construction project will be implemented in three phases.

Ikhtiyor Abdullaev left the post of the chairman of the State Security Service of Uzbekistan due to health reasons, a source in the government told The Tashkent Times.