Uzbekistan has begun preparations to launch its first artificial satellite and train its first astronaut, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced, describing the move as a major milestone in the country’s scientific and technological development.
Speaking during his annual address to parliament, Mirziyoyev said the initiative marked the first time independent Uzbekistan had embarked on a space programme.
“Today I would like to announce another important piece of news,” he said.
“For the first time in the history of independent Uzbekistan, we have begun work on launching an artificial satellite and preparing the first Uzbek astronaut. This will provide a powerful impetus for the country’s scientific and technological development and raise national progress to a new level.”
The announcement comes as part of a broader push to strengthen Uzbekistan’s digital and innovation capacity.
The president said four data centres would open next year in Tashkent, Bukhara, Fergana and the Tashkent region.
He also announced plans to establish two supercomputers and artificial intelligence laboratories at 15 universities, supporting more than 100 AI projects across sectors including medicine, transport, agriculture, geology, finance and public security.
A new Digital Technologies Centre will be created to support young talent, enabling students and researchers to develop projects in areas such as quantum technologies, drones and robotics.
Mukhiddin Ibragimov, deputy director of Uzcosmos, said the president’s remarks signalled a long-term shift in national ambition.
“The statement about launching our first satellite and sending the first Uzbek astronaut to space is a turning point,” he said.
“It shapes our ambitions for the next five to ten years and reflects a growing belief in the role of space in technological development. If a country wants to develop, it must rely on technology, and space can be a powerful source of inspiration for young people.”
Uzbekistan’s move into space reflects a wider strategy to use science and technology as drivers of economic growth, positioning the country as an emerging participant in global space and innovation efforts.
Voters in Myanmar began casting ballots on Sunday in a general election organised by the ruling military government, the first since a 2021 coup plung...
Uzbekistan has begun preparations to launch its first artificial satellite and train its first astronaut, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced, desc...
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck offshore near Taiwan’s north-eastern county of Yilan late on Saturday, shaking buildings across the island, includ...
China has connected the world’s largest offshore solar power project to its national grid, marking a significant step in the country’s push to exp...
The U.S. on Saturday welcomed the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, which ended weeks of deadly border clashes, and called on both countries to...
Historic border agreements in 2025 brought renewed hopes of stability to the Fergana Valley, easing long-running tensions between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
U.S. President Donald Trump has invited the leaders of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to attend the G20 summit set to be hosted in Miami next year.
Uzbekistan is exploring potential cooperation with The Walt Disney Company on creative and tourism projects, including a long-term proposal to build a Disneyland-style theme park, following talks in Tashkent.
Uzbekistan and Japan have agreed a cooperation portfolio worth more than $12 billion in bid to advance economic, educational and regional ties.
New York placed the state under emergency measures on Friday as a powerful winter storm brought the heaviest snowfall since 2022, disrupting travel across the north-east of the United States.
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck offshore near Taiwan’s north-eastern county of Yilan late on Saturday, shaking buildings across the island, including in the capital Taipei, authorities said.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in the United States ahead of talks with President Donald Trump aimed at ending the war, as Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles at Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine overnight on Saturday, killing at least two people and injuring more than 40.
Iran is engaged in a “comprehensive war” with the United States, Israel, and Europe, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on Saturday.
Israel became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent state on Friday, drawing strong condemnation from Somalia and regional and international organisations.
Azerbaijan is strengthening its role in international energy projects through foreign investment, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said on Thursday, describing the energy sector as a central pillar of the country’s economic diplomacy.
The move is intended to combine digital innovation and long-term infrastructure planning with further modernise urban mobility while strengthening the country’s position as a key transit hub across Eurasia.
Foreign aid and its political implications are at the centre of public debate in Georgia with mayor of Tbilisi Kakha Kaladze echoing U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's stance on USAID.
Jeyhun Bayramov expressed concerns regarding the Russian Investigative Committee’s decision to close the criminal case related to the AZAL airplane crash.
Iran has rolled out a test vending of imported premium at market price in Tehran to address the country's domestic petroleum consumption deficit.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment