Core Insights - VEON Ltd. announced that Beeline Uzbekistan will partner with GSMA and the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan to host GSMA M360 Eurasia 2026 in Samarkand on May 20–21, 2026, marking the event's return to Uzbekistan for the second consecutive year [1][2] Group 1: Event Significance - The return of M360 Eurasia to Uzbekistan highlights the country's status as a regional digital hub and aligns with its Digital Uzbekistan 2030 strategy, aiming to foster modern digital cooperation, innovation, and investment [2] - Hosting the event in Samarkand, a historical crossroads of Eurasian exchange, emphasizes the government's ambition to position Uzbekistan as a platform for digital collaboration [2] Group 2: Statements from Officials - Sherzod Shermatov, Minister of Digital Technologies, expressed that hosting M360 Eurasia in Samarkand reflects Uzbekistan's commitment to building a modern digital economy and the importance of partnerships with the mobile industry for economic growth [3] - Kaan Terzioglu, Beeline Uzbekistan Chairman and VEON Group CEO, noted that Central Asia is becoming a focal point for AI-driven digital development, and the event will showcase the region's potential [3] - John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA Ltd., stated that the event's location in Samarkand supports digital transformation and cross-regional collaboration, making it an ideal venue for advancing innovation and connectivity [3] Group 3: About the Companies - VEON is a digital operator serving nearly 150 million connectivity users and 140 million digital users across five countries, focusing on technology-driven services that promote economic growth [4] - Beeline Uzbekistan serves 7.7 million customers with mobile connectivity and has 7.9 million total monthly active users across its digital services, contributing to the software and IT ecosystem in Uzbekistan [5]