The 'Qovun Sayli' Festival Unites Centuries-Old Agricultural Traditions, National Values, and Modern Tourism

Eyewitness accounts

Powerful flashes, illuminating the sky, were captured on dashcam footage, surveillance cameras, and specialized meteorological instruments. Witnesses on social media reported that a loud rumble followed the passage of the meteor. Some claimed the body burned dark yellow, leaving a purple trail, and then a trail resembling black smoke. In some places, the loud noise disturbed birds and livestock.

Expert comments

Steve Win Harris, head of 'Fireballs Aotearoa', an organization that monitors meteors and meteorites, also witnessed this event. According to him, the most notable aspect was that people heard a strong sound wave generated by the movement of the meteor. This may indicate that the body was moving relatively low in the atmosphere.

Potential risks and statistics

Specialists do not rule out the possibility of individual fragments of the meteor falling to the ground. Therefore, 'Fireballs Aotearoa' has urged the public to pay attention to unusual black stones and report any findings immediately. According to available data, only 10 meteorite sightings have been registered in New Zealand over the past 150 years. Due to the country's low population density and abundance of mountains and forests, many meteorites have yet to be discovered.

Context of Regional Security

Gavharshodbegim Kholmatova, a postgraduate student at Tashkent State University in Oriental Studies, emphasizes that this approach is not a random decision but a logical continuation of the regional security landscape formed over the past two years. Specifically, at the 'Central Asia – China' summit held in Oston in 2025, terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, cybersecurity, and issues related to Afghanistan were identified as priority tasks. Today's initiative is aimed precisely at translating these agreements into practical action.

Security as the Basis of the Economy

China is beginning to view security not only as a military sphere but also as something organically linked to the stable operation of economic development, transport corridors, energy, and digital infrastructure. Thus, a secure environment is considered a key condition for implementing major economic projects in the country. Ensuring the stability of transport routes within the Belt and Road Initiative holds particular strategic importance for Beijing.

Cooperation in Central Asia

The China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan railway line occupies a special place in this process. The uninterrupted operation of this project is directly linked to political stability and security in the region. Therefore, Beijing seeks to strengthen cooperation between law enforcement agencies, border services, and security systems. China links the threat of terrorism, separatism, and extremism to its national security. In this regard, Beijing intends to expand intelligence sharing with Central Asian states, conduct joint exercises, and strengthen partnership in combating transnational crime and cybercrime. This approach aligns with the 'Global Security Initiative' promoted by Beijing, according to which security should be ensured based on common interests, rather than state rivalry.

Institutional Changes in the SCO

China's initiative to deepen security cooperation with Uzbekistan and Belarus is closely related to institutional changes observed in the activities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The structure, initially created to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism, is now transforming into a multifunctional platform covering political, economic, and defense aspects. The SCO Summit in Tianjin in 2025 marked an important stage in these changes. A plan for the organization's development until 2035 was adopted at the summit, where priority areas, including transport, energy, digital economy, artificial intelligence, ecology, and global governance, were defined alongside security. This demonstrates the shift in the SCO's activities from traditional issues to a broader range of topics.

Summit Outcomes and Opportunities for Uzbekistan

One of the most important outcomes of the event was the decision to establish four new security centers: for combating threats, information security, transnational organized crime, and drug abuse. These institutions will help expand the capabilities of member states to respond promptly to modern threats. This initiative opens up several practical opportunities for Uzbekistan: expanding information exchange, conducting joint operations, and creating conditions for the effective use of modern technologies in combating terrorism, religious extremism, and transnational crime. Cooperation becomes particularly relevant in light of the problems associated with Afghanistan.

Emphasis was also placed on ensuring the security of transport and logistics flows. As a participant in the China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan railway project, the Republic of Uzbekistan aims to become a major transit hub. Consequently, the stability of transport infrastructure plays a decisive role in increasing the country's investment attractiveness and attracting new logistics projects. Cybersecurity cooperation also requires special attention, as protecting the state information system, financial infrastructure, and critical communication networks is a priority task in the context of developing the digital economy. In this context, the Information Security Center established under the SCO will undoubtedly strengthen practical interaction. Furthermore, any security cooperation must be carried out in full compliance with Uzbekistan's multi-vector foreign policy, sovereignty, and national interests, which remains the main criterion for implementing this initiative.

Opening of the New Prison Building

In line with these goals, a new, modern building of the Central Investigative Prison, under the jurisdiction of the Department of Penal Execution of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, has been commissioned. The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Lieutenant General Aziz Toshpulatov, heads of state bodies for the protection of rights and legality, representatives of the Ministry of Digital Technologies, as well as members of LLC "Unicon.uz" and public representatives.

Attendees at the Opening

The event was attended by the Chairman of the Supreme Court Robakhon Mahmudov, Prosecutor General Nigmatulla Yuldoshev, Minister of Justice Akbar Toshkulov, Minister of Emergency Situations Azizbek Ikromov, representative of the Ombudsman of the Supreme Council for Human Rights Feruza Eshmatova, representative of the Ombudsman of the Supreme Council for Children's Rights Surayyo Rahmonova, representatives of the Bar Association, and other responsible officials who familiarized themselves with the capabilities created in the institution.

Significance of the Institution

It was particularly emphasized that this institution is an important step towards fulfilling the tasks set by the head of state, preserving human value, and operating in accordance with international law norms. The main function of the Central Investigative Prison is to detain individuals under investigation until a judicial decision is made in accordance with legislative requirements. Therefore, all conditions, security measures, and legal guarantees here have been carefully considered.

Improving Conditions and Digitalization

The commissioning of this modern facility, which fully complies with international standards, has allowed for the resolution of several existing problems. For example, the conditions for lawyers and investigators have been radically improved: the number of lawyer rooms has increased from 19 to 50, and investigative rooms from 6 to 25. Furthermore, in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and the Bar Association, the "E-advokat" platform has been launched, allowing lawyers to schedule meetings with protected persons online.

In the traditional system, the right to defense was provided for 70–80 people per day, but thanks to the digital platform, this figure has increased to more than 150–200 people with 19 rooms. After the commissioning of 50 new rooms, it will be possible to organize meetings with lawyers for 500–600 people daily. The number of online courtrooms has been increased from 4 to 11, expanding the possibilities for remote conducting of investigative and judicial processes. Additionally, every institution now has the capability to provide notary services online.

Social and Technical Innovations

The number of rooms for short visits with relatives of inmates has increased from 14 to 36, which has helped reduce tension and satisfy legitimate public demands. The integration of the "E-Mahkum" platform and the intelligent monitoring platform "Qal'a" into a unified information space has facilitated information exchange with 25 organizations, including electronic document exchange with courts and investigative bodies. The control system in the institution is fully automated; separate entrances and exits are provided for citizens, staff, and lawyers, completely eliminating the problem of daily queues. 55 cells have been allocated and equipped for minors and women with children in the investigative prisons in accordance with international standards.

For the convenience of relatives of persons in places of deprivation of liberty, the sending of parcels, banners, and flowers through an online store has been introduced into practice. In the new building, constructed according to international requirements, special attention has been paid to security and transparency. All rooms and passages are equipped with high-resolution video surveillance cameras and connected to a single centralized monitoring system, which strengthens the openness and security of the institution's operation. Guests were thoroughly presented with the mechanisms of operation of polling stations established on the territory of the institution, as well as the "Raqamli do'kon," "M-billing," and "Videouchrashuv" systems designed to meet the needs of inmates. These innovative solutions contribute to ensuring the legitimate rights of inmates, maintaining contact with their loved ones, and transitioning the service provision process to a modern format.