Detail of the Tillakori Medrese in Samarkand, an Islamic university from the 17th century. The building was long used as a mosque.

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is the geographical centre of Central Asia and with around 36 million inhabitants also its most populous country, playing a key role for the region’s economic development and its security, which makes it an important partner country for Germany in terms of development cooperation.

Uzbekistan gained independence in 1991. The most important political powers are concentrated in the hands of the president. Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been head of state since 2016.

With his ambitious course of reform he is pursuing the goal of turning Uzbekistan into an open market economy and is focusing more on regional and international cooperation.

German development cooperation with Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is the only country in Central Asia where Germany has a programme of bilateral official development cooperation. These activities are tied in with the cooperation activities of the European Union and are aligned with the Asia Strategy of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

German-Uzbek development cooperation focuses on four core areas which are in accord with the development policy objectives of the new German government:

Peaceful and inclusive societies | Area of intervention: good governance
Sustainable economic development, training and employment | Areas of intervention: technical and vocational education and training, private sector and financial sector development
Climate and energy, just transition⁠ | Area of intervention: sustainable urban development
Health, social protection and population dynamics | Area of intervention: health, pandemics and One Health⁠

Topics which are also a main focus of the BMZ’s cross-border regional activities in Central Asia are: water, climate and energy, use of natural resources, trade, vocational training and health.

At government negotiations in October 2024, a commitment for up to 176 million euros for the years 2024 and 2025 was made to Uzbekistan, with 152 million euros being allocated to Financial Cooperation projects and 24 million euros to Technical Cooperation projects. With this support, Germany is strengthening the course of reforms embarked upon by the Uzbek government and contributing towards solidifying the progress already achieved in terms of modernising the country.

The aim of the cooperation in this core area is to modernise Uzbekistan’s public administration sector and strengthen its efficiency and responsiveness to citizens, and enhance the transparency of the public sector. On behalf of the German Development Ministry, GIZ⁠ is advising the Uzbek government on developing and implementing reform plans that meet the principles of good governance⁠ and on designing appropriate training courses for staff in the public sector.

One focus of German-Uzbek cooperation is on strengthening local and regional economic development, especially in the areas of agriculture, tourism and handicrafts. The reforms aimed at liberalising the Uzbek economy are having some first effects.

The goal of development cooperation in the core area “Climate and energy” is to bring about tangible improvements in the lives of the population in Uzbekistan in keeping with a just transition. One focus is on municipal water supply and sanitation.

Mother and child ward in the hospital in Almalik, Uzbekistan

The BMZ is assisting the Uzbek government in implementing its national health strategy and reforming its social protection system. The aim, among other things, is to provide comprehensive access to health services for all people in Uzbekistan in a system that discriminates against no-one.