$95 million of Gulnara Karimova's confiscated assets returned to Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has recovered $95 million from the first tranche of Gulnara Karimova's $131 million in frozen assets from Switzerland. This was announced by Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Otabek Fazilkarimov at a press conference in Almalyk.

These illicit funds confiscated in Switzerland are being directed toward the development of healthcare and education in Uzbekistan on the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

On August 16, 2022, a relevant agreement was signed between Uzbekistan and Switzerland. Under this agreement, a special "Ishonch" trust fund was established within the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund, with cooperation between Uzbekistan, Switzerland, and the UN. A Strategic Committee and Civil Society Advisory Board were formed to manage the fund.

Under the first tranche, $131 million was agreed to be returned. Specifically, 5,841 units of modern medical equipment of 23 types were purchased for 230 perinatal centers in Uzbekistan. It is planned to procure an additional 1,400 medical devices with the saved funds.

"Additionally, over 11,000 medical workers received training with support from UN organizations. Twenty-nine national protocols and guidelines for maternity institutions were updated according to international standards," stated the official release.

Education sector initiatives via the "Ishonch" fund are being executed in two main directions.

"The first is expanding digital education opportunities and information technology. The second direction includes international collaborations aimed at improving school sanitation and hygiene, modernizing heating systems, and enhancing community participation in school management," the report noted.

The ministry expressed gratitude to all international organizations contributing to the effective use of confiscated funds for the benefit of the Uzbek population.

The project's primary goal is to cover more than 600,000 women and newborns within 30 months and improve the survival rate of low-birth-weight infants from the current 75% to 90%. $43.2 million of Karimova's confiscated funds is allocated for this initiative.

Recall that the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Uzbekistan Vision 2030 was established in the summer of 2022 to return Gulnara Karimova's criminal assets from Switzerland to Uzbekistan. According to the restitution agreement between Uzbekistan and Switzerland, these funds will be directed toward social sectors, notably healthcare and education, under the supervision of Switzerland and the UN fund. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!