Uzbekistan Local Politics - The Times Of Central Asia

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Border

Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan Reach Border Agreement After Years of Negotiations

After nearly two decades of discussions, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan have officially determined the junction point of their shared borders. Kamchibek Tashiyev, head of the Kyrgyz National Security Committee, presented the final border demarcation to Kyrgyz lawmakers, AKIpress reported. On March 19, Tashiyev stated that trilateral negotiations on this issue had been ongoing since 2007. Government delegations from the three countries held six meetings before reaching an agreement. The dispute over the exact location of the border junction remained unresolved until a March 2025 meeting in Dushanbe, where representatives of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan finalized the demarcation. During the meeting, Tashiyev displayed a map marking the agreed border point in blue. He noted that Uzbekistan had previously suggested a location marked in green, while Tajikistan proposed a spot marked in red. Accepting these alternative proposals would have left key roads outside Kyrgyzstan's territory. Under the final agreement, Kyrgyzstan retains approximately 100 hectares of land, which, although uninhabited, includes an important road. This breakthrough follows a March 13 border agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, aimed at ending long-standing tensions that had made their shared border the most volatile in Central Asia for over a decade. The deal was underscored by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon’s first visit to Bishkek in nearly 12 years, highlighting its importance. As part of the agreement, the two countries also agreed to reopen the Kairagach (Leilek district) and Kyzyl-Bel (Batken district) border checkpoints, which had been closed for nearly four years. Both checkpoints resumed operations on March 13.

China

Uzbekistan Denies Claims of Land Sales to China

Recent social media claims alleging that “China is taking over Uzbekistan” and that “most of the country’s land has been sold to the Chinese” have sparked widespread debate. In response, Ilzat Qosimov, Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade, issued a statement via the ministry’s official Facebook page, firmly rejecting these allegations. Economic Cooperation, Not Land Sales “Attracting foreign investment is a crucial factor for Uzbekistan’s sustainable economic growth. Global competition for capital is intensifying, and our country remains committed to maintaining an open and equal investment environment,” Qosimov stated. He emphasized that while China is one of Uzbekistan’s largest investors, all foreign investors operate under the same legal framework. Uzbekistan maintains investment partnerships with numerous countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, Russia, France, Germany, South Korea, and Japan. According to official figures, Chinese investment in Uzbekistan is primarily concentrated in industry (62%), the fuel and energy sector (11%), and agriculture (4%). The majority of investments are in manufacturing, not agriculture or land acquisition. One notable example is the textile industry, where Uzbekistan has over 7,600 textile enterprises, but only 57 involve Chinese capital. Additionally, Uzbekistan exports textile products to China through multiple trading houses. Legal Restrictions on Foreign Land Ownership Despite persistent rumors, only 4% of Chinese investment in Uzbekistan goes into agriculture. Foreign investors cannot purchase land, it can only be leased for a maximum of 25 years through open auctions. For example, the Lihua Group, a Chinese company engaged in cotton cultivation and seed production in the Kashkadarya and Tashkent regions, operates on non-irrigated, low-yield lands, applying modern technologies to boost productivity. Chinese investments have also played a role in Uzbekistan’s industrial and technological advancement. The BYD automobile plant in Jizzakh, a key project, has created 1,500 jobs, with most positions held by Uzbeks. In 2024, an additional 200 Uzbek specialists are set to receive training at BYD facilities in China. Meanwhile, over 20 energy projects worth $9 billion are being implemented with Chinese involvement, with the majority of workers being Uzbek specialists. Government Rebuttal and Legal Framework On March 6, 2024, Uzbekistan’s Cadastral Agency issued an official statement dismissing rumors of land sales. According to Article 17 of the Land Code, foreign individuals and entities can only lease land, not own it. Additionally, the Law on the Privatization of Non-Agricultural Land Plots explicitly prohibits foreign citizens and businesses from participating in privatization. The agency further clarified that even Uzbek citizens cannot privatize agricultural land, and it categorically rejected the claims of land sales to foreigners as false. Authorities have urged the public to rely on verified information and to refrain from spreading misleading reports.

Corruption

Uzbekistan Ratchets Up Drive Against “Evil” of Corruption

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced a major shakeup of Uzbekistan’s campaign against corruption on Wednesday, ordering the dismissal of the heads of anti-corruption bodies in 117 ministries and departments and saying many officials had fostered mistrust by failing to deliver clean government as promised. Mirziyoyev, who took office in 2016, described corruption as an obstacle to Uzbekistan’s efforts to reform its economy. He said that, while there had been progress toward transparency, virtually every sector in the nation, including the media, schoolteachers, non-governmental groups and neighborhood authorities, should mobilize alongside the state to fight the scourge. “Corruption is such an evil that it undermines people's trust in the state, the Constitution and laws, and becomes a serious threat to sustainable development and security,” Mirziyoyev said at a meeting of the National Anti-Corruption Council, which was established in 2020 to lead efforts to curb graft. International groups that study corruption have long said that autocratic tendencies, opaque bureaucracy and weak justice systems in Central Asia make it hard for those countries to get a comprehensive grip on the problem and hold the powerful – regardless of their political allegiances - to account for any wrongdoing. Even so, Kazakhstan has taken some notable steps, expanding its outreach to other countries in an effort to recover stolen assets and considering the establishment of a public register of officials convicted of corruption-related offenses. Uzbekistan has similarly made advances, while falling short on enforcement and other pledges. A 2024 report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development noted that prosecution of corruption offenses in Uzbekistan “is generally ensured, but more efforts should be directed at countering high-level corruption;” that there is no specialized legislation related to the protection of whistleblowers; and that while Uzbekistan has a business ombudsman institution, “companies do not report cases of corruption for fear of negative repercussions from the state.” Mirziyoyev’s remarks, which included scathing criticism of the alleged passivity of some officials, appeared designed to give new momentum to the kind of openness that his government deems essential to a successful, diversified economy. “The Prime Minister was instructed to dismiss the heads of the "internal anti-corruption control" structures in 117 ministries and departments and replace them with honest, dedicated and professional personnel, and to set clear tasks for them,” Sherzod Asadov, the presidential press secretary, said in an account of the meeting that he posted on Facebook. Ministers will directly employ regional compliance officers and “take political responsibility and personally answer for corruption in the entire system,” according to the account. Uzbekistan’s Minister of Emergency Situations, Abdulla Kuldashev, was recently fired because of fire safety bureaucracy and legal violations, the president said. He also expressed frustration that he had to personally instruct measures against wasteful spending in investment and healthcare programs last year, resulting in the saving of several hundred million dollars. "But why should these works begin after the president gives an order?" he said. One measure that Uzbekistan previously introduced is an index that rates the openness of...

Nuclear Power

Powering the Future: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Race to Tackle Energy Crises with Nuclear Plans

Kazakhstan has officially designated the site for its first nuclear power plant (NPP), while Uzbekistan has also identified a location and announced plans to establish an international consortium. Despite severe power shortages in densely populated regions, concrete timelines for construction remain unclear. Kazakhstan Finalizes NPP Site Selection On February 25, Kazakhstan formally approved the construction site for its first NPP. A decree signed by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov designated the Zhambyl district in the Almaty region as the site for the facility. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reiterated in January 2025 that Kazakhstan would likely require multiple nuclear power plants, and urged the government to accelerate the construction process. International Consortium Considered for Construction Kazakhstan has yet to finalize its choice of technology and contractor. In 2024, Tokayev stated that multiple foreign companies should collaborate on the project through an international consortium. Tokayev emphasized the need for cutting-edge technology from global players. Several companies and technologies are currently under consideration, including: CNNC (China) - HPR-1000 reactor Rosatom (Russia) - VVER-1200 reactor KHNP (South Korea) - APR-1000, APR-1400 reactors EDF (France) - EPR1200 reactor. Political analyst Gaziz Abishev noted that the selection of locations and contractors reflects Kazakhstan’s multi-vector foreign policy. Abishev suggested that Kazakhstan could ultimately build three NPPs, potentially awarding contracts to Rosatom, a Chinese-French consortium, and a South Korean firm. While Rosatom remains the frontrunner, only preliminary agreements with Russia have been reported so far. Urgency Amidst a Growing Energy Deficit Kazakhstan faces an urgent need to begin NPP construction due to its increasing electricity shortfall. In 2024, electricity consumption reached 120.6 billion kWh, while production stood at 118.3 billion kWh, resulting in a 2.4 billion kWh deficit. By 2025, the deficit is projected to rise to 3.3 billion kWh. The situation is particularly dire in southern Kazakhstan, where demand far exceeds supply. The region consumes 27.7 billion kWh but produces only 15.3 billion kWh, creating a 12.4 billion kWh deficit. As a result, Kazakhstan is heavily reliant on Russian electricity imports. Aging infrastructure exacerbates the crisis. In the winters of 2023-2024, power plant failures left residents in the towns of Ridder and Ekibastuz without heat during extreme subzero temperatures. The government reports that 66% of CHPP equipment is worn out, with five major plants, in Uralsk, Stepnogorsk, Taraz, Kyzylorda, and Kentau, operating with over 80% wear and tear. The average age of CHPPs in Kazakhstan is 61 years, with 76% of plants exceeding 50 years of operation. Experts argue that Kazakhstan cannot achieve energy independence without nuclear power. The energy deficit will continue to grow, particularly in Almaty, the country’s largest city, which is at risk of blackouts and rolling outages. Uzbekistan Moves Forward with Its First NPP Uzbekistan is also advancing its nuclear energy plans. The first NPP will be built in the Jizzakh region, approximately 1,000 km from Kazakhstan’s planned plant. In May 2024, Uzatom signed a contract with Atomstroyexport, a division of Rosatom, for the construction of a 330 MW low-capacity nuclear plant consisting of six...

Legacy

Karimova and Nazarbayeva: Power, Prison, and Privilege – The Diverging Fates of Central Asia’s First Daughters

The lives of the eldest daughters of Kazakhstan’s first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, and Uzbekistan’s first president, Islam Karimov, share striking similarities. Both once wielded immense influence in their respective countries, yet their destinies took drastically different turns. Amid a flurry of media reports after Uzbekistan and Switzerland signed an agreement to return funds appropriated by Karimova, some recent articles have compared the trajectories of the two women. While Nazarbayev allowed his daughter, Dariga, to maintain her wealth and political standing, Karimov took decisive action against his daughter, Gulnara, stripping her of power and ensuring she faced legal consequences. The Rise and Fall of Gulnara Karimova Once a high-profile public figure, Gulnara Karimova built a vast business empire, pursued a career in fashion career, and even dabbled in pop music under the name ‘Googoosha.’ A former UN envoy and self-styled 'Princess of Uzbekistan,' - "From her desire for self-expression came her poems. From her poems came the music. Meet Googoosha.....poet, mezzo soprano, designer and exotic Uzbekistan beauty," read Karimova's X account and since removed official website. "A robber baron… a greedy, power-hungry individual who uses her father to crush business people or anyone else who stands in her way… She remains the single most hated person in the country," asserted a leaked U.S. diplomatic cable. With her political ambitions becoming increasingly apparent, alarming Uzbekistan’s leadership, however, the authorities closely monitored her activities and reported them to her father. By 2014, Karimova had fallen from grace. Placed under house arrest, images of her detention were leaked to the media. After Islam Karimov’s death in 2016, legal proceedings against her intensified. In 2017, she was sentenced to nine years in prison on corruption charges. The Uzbek Supreme Court later extended her sentence to 13 years and four months, with the term officially calculated from August 21, 2015. Karimova's financial empire also crumbled. In 2020, the Swiss authorities froze her assets, valued at 800 million Swiss francs (approximately $880 million at the time). Uzbekistan recovered $131 million from these funds, and in February 2024, Uzbekistan and Switzerland signed an agreement to repatriate an additional $182 million. The funds, originally seized by the Swiss authorities in 2012 as part of a corruption case against Karimova, will be transferred to Uzbekistan through the UN Uzbekistan Vision 2030 Fund. Dariga Nazarbayeva: From Power to Uncertainty Unlike Karimova, Dariga Nazarbayeva remained a central political figure in Kazakhstan for years. Nazarbayeva held several high-ranking positions, including deputy prime minister and chair of the Senate. In 2019, when Nazarbayev stepped down, she was just one step away from the presidency. Following the political turmoil in Kazakhstan in January 2022, Nazarbayeva disappeared from public life. While her current whereabouts remain unclear, she is frequently linked to luxurious properties in London and the UAE. A British court recently reviewed a case involving her London properties, which were initially seized as “unjustified wealth.” However, she and her family successfully proved that the assets were acquired legally. The protests that erupted on January 2,...

Intellectual Property Rights

Uzbekistan Strengthens Intellectual Property Protection

Uzbekistan is taking significant steps to enhance intellectual property (IP) protection with a new draft law, which was approved in its first reading by the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis on February 18. The proposed legislation introduces amendments to multiple legal codes, strengthening penalties for copyright violations and industrial property rights infringements. Key changes include: Increased fines for copyright infringement Administrative penalties for violating rights to selection achievements Confiscation of items used in patent-related offenses Expanded judicial powers to inspect and seize counterfeit goods Stricter criminal liability for intellectual property violations Criminal penalties for unauthorized use of trademarks, software, and inventions Mandatory destruction of counterfeit goods at the offender’s expense The law aims to curb counterfeit production, attract foreign investment, and support Uzbekistan’s efforts to join the World Trade Organization. Under Uzbekistan’s Copyright Law, intellectual property rights apply to works by Uzbek citizens, residents, and those first published in the country. Currently, fines for copyright violations range from UZS 375,000 (USD 28.95) to UZS 1.87 million (USD 144.36) for individuals and up to UZS 3.75 million (USD 289.48) for officials. Additionally, the Code of Administrative Responsibility imposes various fines for violations of personal non-property rights related to intellectual property. In neighboring Kazakhstan, copyright or related rights violations under the Criminal Code carry a minimum fine of KZT 295,360 (USD 588.17) as of 2024. More severe offenses can result in imprisonment for three to six years.