Uzbekistan’s Experience and New Steps in the Fight against Corruption

Nurullo RASULOV

Corruption is not just a legal offense; it is also a moral decline of society. It reduces the efficiency of public administration, causes significant damage to the economy, and undermines citizens’ trust in the state. Uzbekistan, in its fight against this scourge, is taking firm steps by harmonizing international experience with its own national model.

The fight against corruption is given a special place in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), set to be achieved by 2030. In particular, Goal 16 – “Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions” – aims to ensure transparency, reduce corruption, and strengthen the rule of law in society. Additionally, Goal 17 – “Partnerships for the Goals” – establishes mechanisms for countries to exchange experiences and support each other in the fight against corruption. Uzbekistan actively taking part in the implementation of these goals and is following a clear strategic roadmap based on both national and international cooperation.

On March 5 of this year, an expanded meeting of the National Council on Combating Corruption was held under the chair of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. As highlighted during the meeting, fighting corruption remains one of the top priorities in Uzbekistan’s ongoing reforms. Without eliminating this plague, true development cannot be achieved. Today, the global economy loses around 3 trillion dollars per year due to corruption, demonstrating the seriousness of this issue.

Uzbekistan has established a strong legal framework to combat corruption. Special laws have been adopted, and a dedicated Anti-Corruption Agency has been created. Relevant committees are functioning within both chambers of Parliament. Furthermore, a system of open public discussions on corruption has been introduced. In the past, discussing this topic was rather difficult, but today, critical articles and investigative reports on corruption are being published, with special attention paid to strengthening public oversight. As a result, Uzbekistan’s position in international rankings has improved by 138 places, making it the leading country in Central Asia in this regard.

The public procurement sector is also a key focus area in the fight against corruption, as conflicts of interest, excessive spending, and collusive bidding are most frequently observed in this domain. Therefore, by the end of 2025, all public procurement processes will be fully transitioned to an electronic format. Additionally, an AI-based monitoring system will be introduced to prevent purchases at inflated prices, effectively eliminating major sources of corruption.

The issue of human resources was also identified as crucial in combating corruption. A system will be introduced to select professional and honest personnel for public service, providing them with “integrity vaccination”, regular training, and ethical education. Traditional evaluation methods will be abandoned in favour of modern IT-based assessment systems that measure practical knowledge and achievements. Moreover, young people who have demonstrated real problem-solving abilities in local communities will be recommended for leadership positions.

Another critical step in fighting corruption is the creation of a system for public disclosure of income and assets of civil servants and officials. In this regard, Uzbekistan plans to submit a new Law on Income and Asset Declarations for public discussion by April 1, 2025. This law will make it mandatory for civil servants to disclose their income and property, and allow public scrutiny of their legitimacy.

In this context, the experience of the United Kingdom is particularly noteworthy. In the UK, the system of declaring income and assets of officials is highly transparent and well-regulated. Every Member of Parliament is required to register all income sources, property, gifts, and donations in a special public register. This information is made publicly accessible through online platforms.

In the UK, this system is not just a formality, but also an effective working mechanism. For example, every newly elected MP is required to declare all financial interests within 28 days of taking office. This covers not only the official salary but also any additional income, business activities, major gifts, campaign donations, foreign trip expenses, and even financial interests of close family members related to Parliament. All this data is permanently published on Parliament’s official website, ensuring easy public access.

The UK’s experience demonstrates that transparency and public oversight are among the most effective tools in combating corruption. These practical approaches could undoubtedly be beneficial for Uzbekistan as it develops its own national system. In particular, creating a register of interests, publishing declarations on an online platform, and providing wide access for civil society and the media could become some of the most important steps in strengthening public oversight.

In conclusion, the fight against corruption in Uzbekistan is no longer just a one-time campaign; it has become an integral part of state policy. This is a continuous process that must be carried out jointly by the state and society. Its success depends entirely on ensuring openness, transparency, and the rule of law.

Nurullo RASULOV
International Relations Journalist Uzbekistan