The Azerbaijani state company AzerGold is preparing for a new stage of cooperation in the field of geological surveys in Uzbekistan.
The Azerbaijani state company AzerGold is preparing for a new stage of cooperation in the field of geological surveys in Uzbekistan.
According to the State Information Agency of Azerbaijan, AZERTAC, the Azerbaijani state company 'AzerGold' is preparing documents to establish a tripartite joint venture aimed at implementing geological exploration projects in Uzbekistan. Expected participants in the project include 'AzerGold', the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Investment Company, and 'Uzbekgeologikidiruv'.
According to Zakir Ibragimov, head of the board of 'AzerGold', in the initial stage, the parties will engage in analyzing existing geological data and assessing the prospects for developing deposits. After that, further directions for cooperation will be determined.
This initiative is a continuation of a previously signed agreement between 'AzerGold' and the Ministry of Mining and Geology of Uzbekistan regarding the joint development of gold deposits in Uzbekistan. In June, several documents were signed in Tashkent between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan with the participation of heads of government, including an agreement on the joint development of a gold deposit involving 'AzerGold'.
Ibragimov noted that entering foreign markets is one of the strategically important directions for 'AzerGold'. The company views Central Asian and African countries as promising regions for implementing new mining projects.
The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan discussed issues related to handling citizens' appeals and finding solutions to problems causing concern among the population.
The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Amambai Orimbaev, as well as the head of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan's People's Reception Center, Farrukh Omonov. The main subject of discussion was organizational matters.
Nilufar Reimbayevna Allabergeneva was appointed as the deputy head of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan's People's Reception Center in the Republic of Karakalpakstan. Previously, N. Allabergeneva held the position of Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Karakalpakstan for Public Relations and Legal Information.
During the session, issues concerning the handling of citizens' appeals and problems worrying the population were also reviewed.
The head coach of the national team, Fabio Cannavaro, emphasized at a press conference that the match against Congo will be different. He praised Congo as a wonderful, experienced, and physically well-built team, but stated that they must strive to win against them. Cannavaro stressed the importance of playing against high-level opponents for the team's growth, so tomorrow's match will serve their development. The head coach noted the good performance of goalkeeper Yusupov and announced that he is trying to give opportunities to everyone. They expect tomorrow's match to be freer compared to previous games, as they played against very strong opponents in the last two tournaments. Eldor Shumurodov, meanwhile, said that their main goals are to please the public and achieve the first victory, emphasizing that defense should not be forgotten.
In recent years, the decentralization of state governance in Uzbekistan and the direct delivery of services to mahallas, as well as decision-making at the lowest level of society based on the principle of 'human dignity,' have become the main directions of systemic reforms.
The mahalla is no longer just a self-governing body; it has become a unique institution of civil society responsible for solving social problems of the population, supporting entrepreneurship, and defining the moral and legal environment of the region.
It is necessary to recognize the decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted in December 2023, titled 'On measures to fundamentally enhance the role of the Mahalla institution in society and ensure its functioning as the first link in solving people's problems,' and the resolution 'On launching the activities of the Association of Uzbek Mahallas and taking additional measures to improve the governance system in mahallas' as an important step in perfecting the mahalla system.
Based on these documents, the previous 'mahalla council' composition was expanded, leading to the emergence of the 'mahalla seven-member' institution with the inclusion of a tax inspector and a social worker. This change is a profound renewal not only in number but also in substance.
Currently, the deputy mayor under the head of the mahalla, youth leaders, women activists, prevention and tax inspectors, and social workers work as a single team. This system allows for the coordination of areas such as social protection, poverty reduction, employment provision, and encouragement of economic activity based on the 'one-window' principle. At the same time, a legal and organizational basis has been created for state services to be provided to the population in an even easier, faster, and more convenient form.
As part of the ongoing reforms, 2026 has been declared the 'Year of Developing the Mahalla and Advancing Society.' Within this year's State Program, the practice of appointing 'seven-member' members from the local population or nearby areas in 500 mahallas is increasing the popular nature of the system. Furthermore, strict rules regarding the exemption of employees from unnecessary meetings and assignments are serving to increase the efficiency of their activities.
Today, the mahalla is a technologically equipped area. The 'Digital Mahalla' electronic platform integrates all links, from the mahalla head to the deputy mayor, into a single system. Through this platform, the population can submit their appeals online and monitor their execution in real-time. This system reduces bureaucracy while creating the possibility of objectively evaluating employee performance based on key performance indicators (KPIs), which increases the responsibility of each employee.
According to data from the Association of Uzbek Mahallas, many activities were carried out in 2025 in 8,992 mahallas with over 55 thousand 'seven-member' employees and nearly 1 million participants. In the scope of these activities, 2,090 (23%) mahallas were turned into unemployment-free areas. Additionally, poverty decreased sharply in 1,435 (16%) mahallas, and the crime rate was lowered and a safe environment was created in 4,388 (49%) mahallas.
It should be specifically emphasized that the work carried out to ensure the employment and social rehabilitation of 428 thousand migrants returning from abroad demonstrates what an important social force the mahalla is.
Another strategic direction of the reforms is the financial independence of the mahallas. Based on the presidential decree, 15% of the funds collected from property and land taxes will be directed to funds for solving the socio-economic problems of the mahalla directly. Increasing transparency in the use of mahalla funds and fully delegating decision-making authority to mahalla councils is set as a priority task in the 2026 Reforms Program.
