International Olympiad in Informatics IOI 2026 kicks off in Tashkent

The 38th International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI 2026) has kicked off in Tashkent, marking the first time the competition is being held in Uzbekistan. IT Park Uzbekistan is a partner of one of the world’s largest competitive programming contests for school students.

From August 9 to 16, the Olympiad brings together 386 students from more than 97 countries, including the United States, China, Germany, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Including accompanying delegations, guests, and members of international committees, the total number of participants exceeds 900. 

Held annually since 1989, IOI is one of the world’s leading international competitive programming contests for school students. Participants will compete in two five-hour rounds focused on solving algorithmic problems. The program also includes seminars, workshops, and tours of Tashkent.

Uzbekistan was awarded the right to host IOI in 2023 following a decision by the IOI General Assembly. In 2025, during the closing ceremony of the Olympiad in Bolivia, Uzbekistan officially received the IOI flag. At the same competition, the national team achieved its best-ever result, winning one silver and one bronze medal.

Sherzod Shermatov, Minister of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, emphasized that hosting IOI 2026 is the result of years of consistent work to develop IT education, support talented youth, and build a modern digital ecosystem. He noted that the national team’s recent achievements also demonstrate the impact of systematic efforts to develop human capital and train young specialists.

He also stressed that the Olympiad is viewed not as a standalone international event, but as part of the broader Digital Uzbekistan 2030 strategy.

“The earlier a young talent encounters the highest global standards, the faster a new generation of specialists capable of competing in the global market emerges. This August, Tashkent will become a place where 386 of the brightest young minds from around the world will see Uzbekistan as we see it – an open, ambitious, and rapidly developing technology-driven country,” Sherzod Shermatov noted.

As the host country, Uzbekistan is represented by two teams comprising eight participants.

The first team includes Jakhongirshokh Avazkhonov, Timur Kadirbergenov, Jakhonali Khaydaraliyev, and Ulugbek Rakhmatullayev. The second team includes Sardor Salimov, Khumoyun Abduraupov, Ulugbek Kamalov, and Ravshan Rakhmiddinov.

The participants represent the Namangan and Navoi regions, the Republic of Karakalpakstan, and Tashkent. They study at Presidential Schools, the Muhammad al-Khwarizmi School, Westminster Lyceum, and the TUIT Academic Lyceum.

The national team has been preparing since November 2025. During this period, nine training camps were held, including international camps in Romania and Kazakhstan. Coaches from Romania, Poland, and Kazakhstan were involved in the preparation process, along with a psychologist with 18 years of professional experience.

Ulugbek Rakhmatullayev, a member of Uzbekistan’s national team and bronze medalist at IOI 2025, noted that the team had undergone extensive preparation and aims to achieve the strongest possible result at the competition. According to him, hosting the Olympiad in Tashkent gives participants an opportunity not only to compete with some of the world’s strongest school students, but also to introduce international delegations to Uzbekistan.

“It is a great honor for us to represent Uzbekistan at the International Olympiad in Informatics. We have been preparing for this competition for a long time and will do our very best to succeed,” said Ulugbek Rakhmatullayev. 

Hosting IOI 2026 is part of the Digital Uzbekistan 2030 strategy and the country’s broader efforts to develop IT education and train young specialists. As a partner of the Olympiad, IT Park Uzbekistan supports the development of young tech talent and encourages greater interest in programming and STEM disciplines. 

The Olympiad is organized in Uzbekistan by the Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In 2027, IOI will be hosted by Germany.