Book · July 020 citations reads 1,675 13 authors

International institutions and governments should:  

 
Critically but actively, engage with Uzbekistan to further the reforms and insist on an 
international human rights health check ahead of decisions whether to elect Uzbekistan to the 
UN Human Rights Council or be chosen to host the 2027 Asian Games. 

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Spotlight on Uzbekistan 
3 
 
Contents 
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
 
 
1.
 
Introducing Mirziyoyev’s Uzbekistan                                                                                                           4 
By Adam Hug 
 
2.
 
Economic reforms in Uzbekistan: Achievements, problems, perspectives                                        52 
By Yuliy Yusupov  
 
3.
 
The investment climate in Uzbekistan                                                                                                      61 
By Kate Mallinson  
 
4.
 
Corruption and reform in Uzbekistan: The elephant is still in the room                                            66 
By Professor Kristian Lasslett  
 
5.
 
Reversing brain drain is the key to Uzbekistan’s future                                                                        77 
By Navbahor Imamova 
 
6.
 
The perils of rebuilding Uzbekistan: The rise of glass and glitter                                                         84 
By Dilmira Matyakubova 
 
7.
 
Media landscape in Uzbekistan                                                                                                                  93 
By Nikita Makarenko  
 
8.
 
Challenges NGOs in Uzbekistan are still facing                                                                                        99 
By Dilmurad Yusupov 
 
9.
 
Rebranding Uzbek Cotton: An Opportunity for Lasting Reform                                                         109 
By Lynn Schweisfurth 
 
10.
 
Rehabilitation here and now: Pursuing transitional justice in Uzbekistan                                       115 
By Steve Swerdlow 
 
11.
 
Is President Shavkat Mirziyoyev a reformer or a follower of the Karimov dictatorship?              127 
By Nadejda Atayeva  
 
12.
 
Uzbekistan: on the brink of social explosion                                                                                         133 
By a Uzbekistan based human rights group 
 
13.
 
COVID-19: Actions taken in Uzbekistan                                                                                                  136 
By Eldor Tulyakov 
 
14.
 
The pursuit of an uneasy balance: post-Karimov Uzbekistan and the Great Powers                     146 
By Dr Luca Anceschi and Dr Vladimir Paramonov  
 
15.
 
Conclusion and recommendations: A road map for future reforms in Uzbekistan                        152 
By Adam Hug 
 

 
Acknowledgements                                                                                                                                    161 
Disclaimer: The views expressed in each essay in this publication are those of the individual authors alone and do not represent the views 
of The Foreign Policy Centre. The views expressed by each author do not represent agreement with the views expressed by other essay 
contributors or necessarily with the publication’s conclusions and recommendations drafted by the editor.  

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Spotlight on Uzbekistan 
4 
 
 
1. Introducing Mirziyoyev’s Uzbekistan 
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
 
By Adam Hug
1