AGP Executive Report

AI & Health Tech: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev briefed progress on Uzbekistan’s AI push, aiming for top-50 status in the Global AI Readiness Index by 2030, with plans for more computing capacity and 200+ new AI projects—an effort that could later feed into smarter health services. Food Safety & Trade: Kyrgyzstan returned nearly 25 tons of onions imported from Uzbekistan after inspections found missing mandatory phytosanitary labeling under Eurasian Economic Union rules, keeping plant health protections tight. Public Health Context: Uzbekistan’s inflation eased to 6.4% in July (from 8.9% a year earlier), with food price declines driven by seasonal fruit and vegetable changes—relevant for household nutrition costs. Cybersecurity for Health: Kaspersky flagged new Windows backdoors (OctLurk and SilkLurk) in a cyber-espionage campaign that also targeted healthcare and research bodies across the region, including Uzbekistan. Bilateral Health Links: India and Uzbekistan renewed cooperation during Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov’s New Delhi visit, with talks explicitly covering healthcare and education alongside trade and critical minerals. Regional Prosperity & Services: Kyrgyzstan ranked 87th in the Legatum Prosperity Index, with its strongest scores including healthcare and education—useful context for Central Asia’s health system capacity.

Uzbek-India Health & Pharma Talks: Uzbekistan’s FM Bakhtiyor Saidov’s New Delhi visit reaffirmed the strategic partnership, with both sides highlighting cooperation in healthcare and pharmaceuticals alongside energy, trade and education. Trade for Medicines: India’s Piyush Goyal urged doubling bilateral trade in three years and pointed to opportunities in affordable medicines, medical devices, diagnostics and telemedicine. Inflation & Food Prices: Uzbekistan’s annual inflation held at 6.4% in July, with monthly prices down 0.1%, driven largely by seasonal fruit and vegetable declines—good news for household food costs. Cybersecurity for Health Institutions: Kaspersky reported new Windows backdoors (OctLurk/SilkLurk) targeting government and public bodies across the region, including healthcare and research organizations. Plant Health Check: Kyrgyzstan returned nearly 25 tons of onions imported from Uzbekistan after inspections found missing required phytosanitary labeling, tightening controls that can affect food supply chains.

Food Safety & Trade: Kyrgyzstan returned nearly 25 tons of onions imported from Uzbekistan after inspections found the cargo lacked mandatory phytosanitary labeling required under Eurasian Economic Union rules, making the shipment illegal and sending it back. Cybersecurity for Health & Public Services: Kaspersky flagged new Windows backdoors (OctLurk and SilkLurk) used in cyber-espionage campaigns targeting government and public institutions across Central Asia, including healthcare and research bodies, since January 2025. Macroeconomy & Living Costs: Uzbekistan’s annual inflation held steady at 6.4% in July (down from 8.9% a year earlier), with food and non-alcoholic beverages driving the monthly decline. Uzbekistan–India Health-Adjacent Cooperation: Uzbekistan’s foreign minister visit to New Delhi highlighted expanding ties in healthcare, education, and digital tech alongside mining and rare-earth plans, while India also signaled support for Uzbekistan’s NAM chairship. Bilateral Trade Push: India and Uzbekistan agreed to work toward doubling trade to $2B, with talks also pointing to pharma and healthcare modernization opportunities.

Uzbek–India Health & Pharma Links: During Uzbek FM Bakhtiyor Saidov’s New Delhi visit (2–5 Aug), both sides reviewed their strategic partnership and flagged expansion into healthcare and pharmaceuticals alongside energy, trade, and education. India’s Piyush Goyal also urged closer cooperation in affordable medicines, medical devices, diagnostics, and training as part of plans to double bilateral trade in three years. Cybersecurity for Health Institutions: Kaspersky reported new Windows backdoors (OctLurk/SilkLurk) targeting government and public bodies across Central Asia, including healthcare and research organizations, raising concerns about digital safety for medical services. Inflation Watch: Uzbekistan’s annual inflation held at 6.4% in July, with food prices easing on seasonal fruit and vegetable changes—good news for household nutrition costs. Regional Health Context: The Legatum Prosperity Index ranked Uzbekistan 94th (and Kyrgyzstan 87th), with healthcare and living conditions among the indicators highlighted.

Cybersecurity & Health Sector Risk: Kaspersky says new Windows backdoors, OctLurk and SilkLurk, have targeted government and public institutions across Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and others since Jan 2025, including healthcare and research bodies—raising concerns about data and service disruption. Inflation & Daily Health Costs: Uzbekistan’s annual inflation held at 6.4% in July (down from 8.9% a year earlier), with food prices easing on seasonal fruit and vegetable changes—good news for household nutrition budgets. Uzbekistan–India Health & Pharma Links: India and Uzbekistan used high-level talks and a business forum to push deeper cooperation in mining and also health-related areas like pharmaceuticals and healthcare, with calls to double trade to $2–3B in three years. Trade & Investment Momentum: Uzbekistan and India agreed to expand investment and trade, including possible free-trade talks, while Uzbekistan’s foreign minister met India’s leadership and discussed critical minerals and education. Regional Prosperity Snapshot: Kyrgyzstan ranked 87th in the Legatum Prosperity Index, with healthcare and living conditions highlighted—useful context for Central Asia’s health and wellbeing landscape.

Uzbekistan–India health & pharma push: During Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov’s visit to New Delhi, India and Uzbekistan reviewed their strategic partnership and flagged deeper cooperation in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, alongside critical minerals and mining. Trade-for-investment momentum: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged businesses to double bilateral trade to about $3B in three years, pointing to opportunities in pharma, medical devices, diagnostics, telemedicine, and training, while Uzbekistan’s side invited Indian investment in mining and rare-earth processing. Policy-to-people links: President Droupadi Murmu told the Uzbek delegation that cooperation could expand in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and IT, echoing the broader push to connect investment with social sectors. Regional context for health systems: A Legatum Prosperity Index update ranked Kyrgyzstan 87th with strengths noted in healthcare and living conditions, while Uzbekistan sat at 94th, underscoring the competitive pressure for better health outcomes across Central Asia. Tech for care (regional): A regional report highlights how AI tools are being built for healthcare and education across Central Asia, including Uzbekistan-focused efforts.

Uzbek-India Health & Pharma Push: During Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov’s visit to India, both sides reviewed their strategic partnership with health already on the agenda and signaled deeper cooperation in pharmaceuticals and healthcare, alongside mining and rare earths. Trade for Health Supply Chains: At the India-Uzbekistan Business Forum, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged businesses to double bilateral trade in three years and highlighted opportunities that directly touch health—affordable medicines, medical devices, diagnostics, telemedicine, and training—as part of broader co-investment and co-manufacturing plans. People-to-people Training: India also pointed to ongoing capacity-building, including ITEC training and scholarships benefiting thousands of Uzbek officials, professionals, and students, reinforcing the skills pipeline for sectors like healthcare. Regional Health Benchmarking: Kyrgyzstan’s ranking in the Legatum Prosperity Index put a spotlight on healthcare and living conditions across Central Asia, with Uzbekistan placed lower than Kazakhstan—useful context for regional health system comparisons.

India–Uzbekistan Health & Pharma Link-Up: During Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov’s New Delhi visit, leaders reviewed the strategic partnership and flagged expansion in healthcare and pharmaceuticals alongside energy, infrastructure, defence, and education. Trade Push With Medtech Angle: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged India and Uzbekistan to double bilateral trade to about $2B in the near term and $3B within three years, pointing to cooperation in pharma, healthcare, diagnostics, telemedicine, and training. Rare Earths, Mining, and Public Health Risks: President Droupadi Murmu and Uzbek officials emphasized rare earth minerals and mining cooperation—areas that can also shape future health policy through environmental and occupational safety planning. Kyrgyzstan Well-Being Snapshot (Regional Context): Kyrgyzstan ranked 87th in the Legatum Prosperity Index, with strengths in healthcare and living conditions—useful context for Central Asia’s broader health and social development race.

India–Uzbekistan Health-Adjacent Deals: India’s President Murmu and Uzbekistan’s FM Saidov met in New Delhi, with rare earth minerals, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and information technology flagged as key cooperation areas—alongside existing links in healthcare and education. Trade Push With Pharma/Healthcare Angle: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged both sides to double bilateral trade to about $3B in three years, pointing to opportunities in pharma, healthcare, medical devices, diagnostics, and telemedicine—and inviting co-investment and co-manufacturing. Strategic Partnership Review: Jaishankar and Saidov held a detailed stocktake of the strategic partnership covering energy, infrastructure, defence, education, and healthcare, while also discussing regional challenges. Regional Context for Health Systems: A Legatum Prosperity Index snapshot put Kyrgyzstan at 87th overall, with relatively strong healthcare and living-conditions indicators—while Uzbekistan ranked 94th, underscoring room for health-system improvements across Central Asia.

Uzbek-India healthcare & pharma push: During a high-level visit in New Delhi, Uzbekistan’s FM Bakhtiyor Saidov met President Droupadi Murmu as both sides flagged cooperation in pharmaceuticals and broader health-related sectors, while India’s Jaishankar also backed Uzbekistan’s NAM chairship. Trade that could shape health supply chains: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged India and Uzbekistan to double bilateral trade in three years, pointing to opportunities in pharma, medical devices, and healthcare, alongside mining and rare earths that can affect industrial inputs. Investment call for critical minerals with downstream health links: Uzbekistan invited Indian firms to invest in mining and rare earths, targeting $2B trade with India next year—relevant for future manufacturing capacity, including health-sector materials. Regional health support: Uzbekistan provided $200,000 in medical and non-medical equipment to Afghanistan’s Abu Ali Sina Balkhi Hospital in Balkh, aiming to ease equipment shortages. Workplace safety reminder: A fatal accident at HD Hyundai’s yard in South Korea involved an Uzbek national, underscoring ongoing risks for workers tied to international supply chains.

Uzbekistan–India Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov arrived in New Delhi for a four-day visit, with meetings planned with India’s president and external affairs minister and a focus on trade, investment, energy, and security. Healthcare Cooperation: Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia’s health leadership discussed expanding medical-sector projects, including digital health, doctor training, and quality improvements aligned with international standards. Medical Aid to Afghanistan: Uzbekistan provided $200,000 in medical and non-medical equipment to Abu Ali Sina Balkhi Hospital in Afghanistan’s Balkh province, aiming to ease shortages and strengthen services. Regional Wellness Infrastructure: First ladies visited Kyrgyzstan’s “Altyn Balalyk” Health and Rehabilitation Center for children, while a new Issyk-Kul resort complex highlighted health and recreation as part of tourism development. Pharma Quality Watch: India reported enforcement action against about 90% of inspected high-risk pharmaceutical facilities under a quality drive after global scrutiny of Indian-made medicines, including cases linked to Uzbekistan. Cybersecurity Alert: New backdoors (OctLurk/SilkLurk) were reported targeting government and healthcare-related organizations across Central Asia, including Uzbekistan.

Medical Aid & Supply Resilience: Uzbekistan provided $200,000 in medical and non-medical equipment to Abu Ali Sina Balkhi Hospital in Afghanistan’s Balkh, including beds, wheelchairs, and refrigerators, as shortages and funding gaps keep straining Afghan healthcare. Cross-Border Health Cooperation: Uzbekistan’s health ministry ties with Saudi Arabia also moved forward in Tashkent, with talks on digital health, pharma regulation, training healthcare professionals, and plans for a multispecialty hospital. Food & Livestock Safety: Balkh slaughterhouse exports of mutton to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have ramped up, with officials citing daily processing and health inspections, alongside reminders that sick or underweight animals are not allowed for slaughter. Healthcare Workforce & Child Rehab: Azerbaijan’s First Lady visited Kyrgyzstan’s “Altyn Balalyk” Health and Rehabilitation Center in Cholpon-Ata, highlighting large-scale pediatric rehabilitation services for children with disabilities. Pharma Quality Watch: India reported enforcement action against about 90% of high-risk inspected pharmaceutical facilities under a quality drive, after global scrutiny tied Indian-made medicines to serious outcomes in multiple countries including Uzbekistan. Cybersecurity for Health Systems: Central Asian government networks, including healthcare bodies, were targeted by new backdoors (OctLurk/SilkLurk), raising concerns about data theft and remote control of infected systems.

Medical Cooperation: Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia’s health ministries discussed expanding healthcare ties, digital transformation, pharma regulation, doctor training, and plans for a multispecialty hospital in Uzbekistan. Food Safety & Trade: Balkh’s state slaughterhouse says mutton exports to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have resumed and are now shipping about 1,000 sheep daily after health inspections, with veterinarians stressing rules against sick or underweight animals. Healthcare Aid: Afghanistan’s Taliban health ministry says Uzbekistan provided $200,000 in medical and non-medical equipment to Abu Ali Sina Balkhi Hospital to ease shortages. Pharma Oversight: India’s regulator reported enforcement against about 90% of high-risk pharmaceutical facilities after risk-based inspections, citing global scrutiny that has included cases linked to Uzbekistan. Cybersecurity for Health Systems: A new wave of Central Asia government cyberattacks is linked to backdoors (OctLurk/SilkLurk) that can target healthcare and other public institutions. One Health Reporting Training: CAREC opened applications for a One Health media training in Bishkek, focused on how animal, human, and environmental health connect.

Medical Aid: Afghanistan’s Taliban health ministry says Uzbekistan delivered $200,000 in medical and non-medical equipment to Abu Ali Sina Balkhi Hospital in Balkh, including patient beds, wheelchairs and refrigerators, aiming to ease shortages and improve services. Healthcare Diplomacy: Uzbekistan’s president met Saudi Arabia’s health minister in Tashkent to expand cooperation on digital health, pharma regulation, training, and plans for a multispecialty hospital, with new agreements signed. Pharma Quality Pressure: India’s drug regulator reported enforcement actions against about 90% of high-risk pharmaceutical facilities after risk-based inspections, following global scrutiny of Indian-made medicines linked to child deaths in multiple countries including Uzbekistan. Cybersecurity for Health: Kaspersky warns of new backdoors (OctLurk and SilkLurk) used in attacks on Central Asian government networks, including healthcare organizations, with capabilities like keylogging, password theft and remote access. One Health Reporting Training: CAREC opened applications for a “One Health” media training in Bishkek (Sept 10) and a regional conference (Sept 14–15), focused on how climate, animals and people connect to disease spread.

Regional Health Diplomacy: Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev urged “long-term solutions” for Central Asia’s shared risks, calling for stronger regional institutions, digital services, and joint programs in key development areas. Healthcare Cooperation: Mirziyoyev also met Saudi Arabia’s Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel in Tashkent to expand cooperation on digital transformation, pharma regulation, training, and plans for a multispecialty hospital. Child Rehabilitation Spotlight: Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited Kyrgyzstan’s “Altyn Balalyk” Health and Rehabilitation Center in Cholpon-Ata, which serves thousands of children each summer and provides year-round rehabilitation for children with disabilities. Pharma Quality Pressure: India reported enforcement against about 90% of inspected high-risk pharmaceutical facilities under a quality drive, after global scrutiny of Indian-made medicines linked to child deaths in multiple countries including Uzbekistan. Cybersecurity for Health Systems: Kaspersky warned of new backdoors (OctLurk/SilkLurk) targeting government networks across Central Asia, including healthcare organizations, with tools capable of keylogging, password theft, and remote control. One Health Media Training: CAREC opened applications for a “One Health” journalism training in Bishkek, focused on how human, animal, and environmental health connect.

Healthcare Diplomacy: Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met Saudi Arabia’s Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel in Tashkent, discussing digital health, pharma regulation, training for doctors, and plans for a multispecialty hospital—plus new agreements under the 2022 health cooperation memo. Rehab & Child Health: Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited the “Altyn Balalyk” Health and Rehabilitation Center in Cholpon-Ata, a 800-bed facility serving thousands of children in summer and providing year-round rehabilitation for children with disabilities. Wellness Tourism & Sports: A new five-star Baku Resort & Spa opened on Issyk-Kul’s shores, with health and recreation positioned as core pillars; leaders also attended the inauguration of the Issyk-Kul Golf Resort complex, linking sports infrastructure with public health and year-round tourism. Cybersecurity for Health Systems: Central Asian government networks—including healthcare bodies—were targeted by custom backdoors (OctLurk and SilkLurk) that can keylog, steal passwords, and remotely control infected computers. Pharma Quality Oversight: India reported enforcement action against about 90% of high-risk pharmaceutical facilities after global scrutiny of Indian-made cough syrups linked to child deaths in multiple countries, including Uzbekistan. One Health Media Training: CAREC opened applications for journalists to learn the “One Health” approach and cover disease links across people, animals, and the environment in Bishkek this September.