China's Xi, Russia's Putin praise ties at Beijing talks, with energy in focus
China and Russia's leaders lauded on Wednesday the progress in their strategic ties, as they met in Beijing...
Uzbekistan is positioning itself to export goods worth up to $650 million to Iraq and Syria in 2026, while strengthening transport corridors through the Caucasus region, including enhanced ties with Azerbaijan and wider transit opportunities.
Business opportunities in Iraq and Syria are expanding, with Uzbekistan’s exported goods, especially electrical equipment and construction materials, expected to reach $500 million in Iraq and $100–150 million in Syria next year. Iraq alone imports around $93 billion worth of goods annually, making it a significant destination for expanded Uzbek shipments.
Routes through Erbil in northern Iraq serve as strategic logistics hubs that facilitate distribution not only across Iraq but also into neighbouring Syria and beyond to the Middle East. Truck deliveries to Baghdad take roughly 10 working days and cost about $3,300, while routes to Damascus are approximately 20 days at about $4,500.
Uzbekistan is also developing transport connections that link Central Asia with the South Caucasus and Middle East, including corridors involving Azerbaijan. Trade between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan has been growing strongly, with mutual turnover exceeding $472 million in January–October 2025, about 2.4 times higher than 2024.
In late December, Uzbek and regional business delegations agreed on cooperation measures, including simplified customs procedures and participation in a trade exhibition in Baghdad in February. A Uzbekistan–Erbil business council was also established to coordinate trade and investment between the two regions.
Visits from Iraqi and Syrian business representatives to Uzbekistan are expected in early 2026, along with a proposed business forum to deepen commercial ties and facilitate B2B meetings.
Officials say that by combining export strategies with stronger transport networks through the Caucasus and improved diplomatic and logistic cooperation, Uzbekistan hopes to unlock new markets and significantly expand its presence across the Middle East and beyond.
The World Urban Forum (WUF13) continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 18 May, addressing the global housing crisis. The day’s agenda includes the official opening press conference, the WUF13 Urban Expo opening and a ministerial dialogue on the Nairobi Declaration to advance Africa's urban agenda.
United Nations World Urban Forum 13 continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 19 May with sessions and roundtable discussions focused on strengthening dialogue and advancing cooperation in urban development. Organisers say there are nearly 3 billion people globally who face some form of housing inadequacy.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he had paused a planned attack on Iran after appeals from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, allowing negotiations to continue over a possible deal to end the conflict.
A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck China’s Guangxi region early on Monday, killing two people and forcing more than 7,000 residents in Liuzhou to evacuate as rescue efforts continued.
Azerbaijan and Georgia have agreed to resume daily passenger train services on the Baku-Tbilisi-Baku route from 26 May, 2026, marking a major step in restoring regional rail connectivity after services were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
China and Russia's leaders lauded on Wednesday the progress in their strategic ties, as they met in Beijing for summit talks where Moscow is expected to push for stronger energy links.
An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is probably linked to 136 deaths, the Central African nation’s Health Minister has said.
Samsung Electronics' union plans for 48,000 workers to walk off the job on Thursday (21 May) after efforts to clinch a deal on bonus payments fell through, threatening the health of South Korea's economy and the global supply of semiconductors.
Russia is considering the possibility of joint projects with the United States and China, Kirill Dmitriev, Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, (Russia's sovereign wealth fund), was quoted as saying by state media on Wednesday.
Investigators have discovered what officials described as “anti-Islamic writings” inside a vehicle connected to the two teenagers accused of carrying out the deadly shooting at a mosque in San Diego, according to a U.S. Department of Justice official familiar with the case.
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