The correct answer is Only 1 and 3. In News • Uzbekistan officially became a shareholder of the New Development Bank (NDB) on June 5, 2026, marking a significant milestone as the first Central Asian representative. Explanation & Key Takeaways: • Statement 1 is correct: Uzbekistan has now become the 10th member of the NDB and the first country from Central Asia to join the institution. Its membership became effective after fulfilling requirements and ratifying the NDB Articles of Agreement. • Statements 2 is incorrect, and Statement 3 is correct: The New Development Bank was established in 2015 by the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) to support infrastructure and sustainable development. Related Concepts: • Uzbekistan's economy recorded an average annual growth of more than 6.7 per cent between 2023 and 2025. • Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the law for the country's accession on May 21, 2026. • The NDB membership now includes founding members (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and admitted members like Egypt, the UAE, Bangladesh, Algeria, and Uzbekistan. Important Notes: • The bank intends to focus on energy, water management, transport, municipal infrastructure, and social infrastructure projects in Uzbekistan starting later in 2026. • A key strength of the NDB is its ability to provide financing in national currencies and its efficiency in project preparation and implementation.