ALIN Legislative News
from Tashkent State University of Law
UZBEKISTAN: Recent Legal Developments and Major
Reforms (2023-2025)
1. Constitutional Reform of 2023
On April 30, 2023, Uzbekistan held a referendum on adopting a new
Constitution, which received over 90% approval from voters. The new
Constitution came into force on May 1, 2023, and became the most significant
reform of the Basic Law in three decades, affecting 65% of the existing
document. The proposed new constitution represents the bedrock of President
Mirziyoyev's stated vision of a 'New Uzbekistan' that is a sovereign,
democratic, legal, social, and secular state with a republican form of
government [1].
2. "Uzbekistan-2030" Development
Strategy
The "Uzbekistan-2030" Strategy was approved to ensure the will of
the people to build a free and prosperous, strong New Uzbekistan, create
opportunities for every citizen to develop their potential, raise a healthy,
educated and spiritually developed generation, form a strong economy that has
become an important link in global production, as well as guarantee justice,
the rule of law, security and stability [2]. The
strategy aims to achieve upper middle-income nation status by the end of the
decade, through a radical reform programme designed to liberalise the economy,
attract foreign investment, dramatically expand the country's technological
capacity and strategic infrastructure, and reduce regulatory burdens on
businesses [3].
3. Artificial Intelligence Development Strategy
Until 2030
On October 14, 2024, President of Uzbekistan approved Resolution No. RP-358
"On the approval of the Strategy for the Development of Artificial
Intelligence Technologies until 2030". The Strategy defines measures to
increase the share of AI-based software products and services, expand technical
infrastructure and improve human resources [4]. The plan
aims to increase the volume of AI-based software products and services to USD
1.5 billion, establish 10 scientific laboratories, and ensure Uzbekistan's entry
into the top 50 countries according to the Government AI Readiness Index [5].
4. Presidential Decrees on AI Implementation in
the Judicial System (UP-140 and UP-141)
On August 21, 2025, two important presidential decrees were adopted: UP-140
"On additional measures to increase access to justice through the
introduction of artificial intelligence technologies in the activities of
courts" and UP-141 "On measures to radically improve the system of
training highly qualified personnel in the field of justice" [6]. The decree
provides for online calculation and payment of court fees, the opportunity to
use artificial intelligence to predict the likely outcome of the trial before
filing lawsuits, and automatic generation of judicial documents by the system [7].
5. Unified Portal of Interactive Public Services
(MyGov)
As of October 2024, more than 60% of public services are provided through
the "My.gov.uz" portal, with the number of services on this platform
reaching 675. This year, the number of users of the e-government mobile
application exceeded 2.5 million [8]. Starting
July 1, 2025, Uzbekistan introduced digital identity verification for domestic
air travel, allowing passengers to present electronic versions of their
passport, national ID card, or driver's license through the MyGov government
services app [9].
6. E-SUD Electronic Judicial System
In 2014, USAID introduced the E-SUD electronic court system, a digital
network to submit and process court cases to improve court management. It has
since been successfully installed in all 89 of Uzbekistan's civil courts. The
system replaced paper-based bureaucracy, and resulted in more transparent and
efficient court proceedings [10]. By the end
of 2025, it is scheduled to establish electronic data exchange between the
Supreme Court and investigative bodies, develop a mobile application for
tracking and paying fines, and from January 1, 2026, a module providing legal
assistance to citizens will be launched on the interactive portal my.sud.uz [11].
7. National Anti-Corruption Strategy
On June 7, 2024, the Anti-Corruption Agency of Uzbekistan and the UNODC
Regional Office in Central Asia signed an Action Plan for the joint
implementation of anti-corruption initiatives for 2024-2025 [12]. In October
2025, the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis adopted in its second reading
a draft law requiring candidates for the posts of ministers and hokims to
present and defend an anti-corruption plan when their candidacies are
considered [13].
8. Criminalization of Domestic Violence
In 2023, amendments criminalizing domestic violence were adopted in
Uzbekistan. UNDP, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice, released two
studies: "Analysis of Judicial Practice on Domestic Violence
Offences" and "Analysis of Judicial Practice on Domestic Violence
Cases" [14].
9. Reform of Criminal and Criminal Procedure
Legislation
From January 1, 2024, laws amending the Economic Procedural Code and Civil
Procedure Code came into force, eliminating the procedure where cases were sent
back to first-instance courts for retrial by appellate and cassation courts [15]. In the
"Uzbekistan-2030" Strategy, the task of reducing the practice of
imprisonment from 30% to 20% was strengthened as the main criterion for reforms
in the judicial system [16].
10. Liberalization of Punishments and Pardon
System
In 2017-2024, a total of 7128 convicts were pardoned by the relevant
decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 219 of them were
foreign citizens and 377 were women. Additionally, 25 prisoners were admitted
to prestigious national higher educational institutions in 2021-2023 [17].
11. Progress Toward World Trade Organization
(WTO) Accession
Uzbekistan has strengthened the Anti-Monopoly Committee, enacted a Law on
Competition, streamlined the investment process, and stepped-up World Trade
Organization (WTO) accession discussions. Investors saw noticeable improvements in the business environment [18].
12. Digital Transformation and International
Rankings
According to the United Nations E-Government Survey 2024, Uzbekistan moved
up six positions and, for the first time, entered the group of countries with a
"very high" E-Government Development Index (EGDI) [19]. Uzbekistan
aims to become a Central Asian IT hub by 2030, with AI contributing around $1.1
billion to its economy [20].
13. Public Procurement System Reform
From March 1, 2024, 16 licenses and permits were revoked to streamline
administrative processes. Legal entities can benefit from reduced fines for
violations if settled within specified time frames [21].
14. National Artificial Intelligence Language
Model Development
Uzbekistan launched the development of a national artificial intelligence
language model as part of the Strategy for the Development of Artificial
Intelligence Technologies through 2030, approved in October 2024, which will
reinforce digital sovereignty, preserve cultural identity, and boost AI
integration [22].
15. "One Million Uzbek Coders" Program
Within the "One Million Uzbek Coders" educational project, 1.2
million young people have been trained. The number of IT centers in the country
exceeded 300, and over 500 new IT companies were created in 2023 [23].
REFERENCES
[1] Ismailova, G. (2023, April 29). Uzbekistan's Proposed Constitutional
Overhaul: Charting a Course Toward Liberal Values in Central Asia. ConstitutionNet.
https://constitutionnet.org/news/uzbekistans-proposed-constitutional-overhaul
[2] Government of Uzbekistan. (n.d.). "Uzbekistan - 2030"
strategy. https://gov.uz/en/pages/2030_strategy
[3] Investment Promotion Agency. (2023). Uzbekistan Strategy 2030.
The Asia Today.
https://theasiatoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Uzbekistan-Strategy-2030.pdf
[4] Government of Uzbekistan. (2024). Artificial intelligence.
https://gov.uz/en/digital/activity_page/sun-iy-intellekt
[5] UzDaily. (2024). Uzbekistan adopts AI technology development
strategy.
https://www.uzdaily.uz/en/uzbekistan-adopts-ai-technology-development-strategy/
[6] YUZ.uz. (2025, August 21). A new structure of the Presidential
Administration has been approved in Uzbekistan.
https://yuz.uz/en/news/v-uzbekistane-utverjdena-novaya-struktura-administratsii-prezidenta
[7] Gazeta.uz. (2025, August 23). Uzbekistan to introduce Digital Court
system and cut paperwork in courts.
https://www.gazeta.uz/en/2025/08/23/courts/
[8] Uzbekistan Permanent Mission. (2024, November 26). Digital
transformation of Uzbekistan promotes regional integration in Central Asia.
https://www.uzbekistan.org.ua/en/news/7390-digital-transformation-of-uzbekistan-promotes-regional-integration-in-central-asia.html
[9] ID Tech Wire. (2025, July 2). Uzbekistan Rolls Out Digital ID for
Domestic Flights, Expanding Digital Identity Push. https://idtechwire.com/uzbekistan-rolls-out-digital-id-for-domestic-flights-expanding-digital-identity-push/
[10] USAID. (2021, December 14). E-Justice System in Uzbekistan Proves
Its Worth Amid COVID-19. Medium.
https://medium.com/usaid-2030/e-justice-system-in-uzbekistan-proves-its-worth-amid-covid-19-d0ffb2928765
[11] Zamin.uz. (2025, September 30). Reforms through artificial
intelligence are being rapidly implemented in the judicial system.
https://zamin.uz/en/uzbekistan/162120-reforms-through-artificial-intelligence-are-being-rapidly-implemented-in-the-judicial-system.html
[12] UNODC. (2024, June 7). UNODC and the Anti-Corruption Agency of
Uzbekistan have signed an Action Plan for joint activities aimed at countering
corruption in the country. https://www.unodc.org/roca/en/NEWS/news_2024/june/unodc-and-the-anti-corruption-agency-of-uzbekistan-have-signed-an-action-plan-for-joint-activities-aimed-at-countering-corruption-in-the-country-.html
[13] Gazeta.uz. (2025, October 10). Candidates for ministers and hokims
to be required to defend anti-corruption plans.
https://www.gazeta.uz/en/2025/10/10/law/
[14] UNDP Uzbekistan. (2025, March 5). From Legislation to Impact:
Strengthening the Legal Response to Gender-Based Violence in Uzbekistan.
https://www.undp.org/uzbekistan/press-releases/legislation-impact-strengthening-legal-response-gender-based-violence-uzbekistan
[15] JURIST. (2024, January 9). Uzbekistan dispatch: new laws come into
force with a new year.
https://www.jurist.org/news/2024/01/uzbekistan-dispatch-new-laws-come-into-force-with-a-new-year/
[16] Embassy of Uzbekistan in the UK. (n.d.). New reforms in the
judicial and legal system of Uzbekistan. https://www.uzembassy.uk/news/1182
[17] Embassy of Uzbekistan in the UK. (n.d.). New reforms in the judicial
and legal system of Uzbekistan. https://www.uzembassy.uk/news/1182
[18] International Monetary Fund. (2024, July 11). Enhancing Governance
and Combating Corruption. IMF Staff Country Reports, 2024(211).
https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/002/2024/211/article-A002-en.xml
[19] Uzbekistan Permanent Mission. (2024, November 26). Digital
transformation of Uzbekistan promotes regional integration in Central Asia.
https://www.uzbekistan.org.ua/en/news/7390-digital-transformation-of-uzbekistan-promotes-regional-integration-in-central-asia.html
[20] Oxford Insights. (2025, March 27). Harnessing AI for development:
Uzbekistan's progress towards becoming a regional IT hub.
https://oxfordinsights.com/insights/harnessing-ai-for-development-uzbekistans-progress-towards-becoming-a-regional-it-hub/
[21] Daryo. (2024, February 27). Uzbekistan announces legislative
reforms effective March 1, 2024.
https://daryo.uz/en/2024/02/27/uzbekistan-announces-legislative-reforms-effective-march-1-2024
[22] Kun.uz. (2025, August 6). Uzbekistan to develop national AI
language model to preserve cultural identity and ensure digital sovereignty.
https://www.kun.uz/en/news/2025/08/06/uzbekistan-to-develop-national-ai-language-model-to-preserve-cultural-identity-and-ensure-digital-sovereignty
[23] The Asia Today. (2024, November 26). Digital transformation of
Uzbekistan promotes regional integration in Central Asia.
https://theasiatoday.org/news/digital-transformation-of-uzbekistan-promotes-regional-integration-in-central-asia/
Written by the Department of
Cyber Law, Tashkent State University of Law, under the guidance of Prof. Said
Gulyamov, Head of Department and Professor of Cyber Law.
Prepared for the 21st ALIN
General Meeting and International Conference, November 27-29, 2025, National
University of Laos.
Sources include official
government publications, international organizations' reports, and legal
databases available at: https://lex.uz/en/ and https://gov.uz/en/