A team of European Union officials conducted a monitoring visit in Uzbekistan from 14 to 20 March 2025 to review Uzbekistan’s progress in the implementation of 27 UN conventions applicable under the Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance under the EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP+).
**23 March 2025.** This second EU monitoring mission engaged with representatives of the government, civil society, the social partners, UN agencies, international partners, and EU Member States. The monitoring mission also visited Bukhara to meet local civil society representatives, with a special focus on labour rights, and the prevention of torture and ill-treatment in detention centres.
The discussions emphasised the importance of a more open and independent civil society in Uzbekistan, freedom of expression and media, the independence of the judiciary, fight against corruption, and measures to combat gender based violence, including domestic violence against women. The mission paid particular attention to and noted concerns about continued NGO registration challenges undermining their freedom of association, freedom of expression and media, concerns over continued use of torture and ill-treatment in places of detention, Trade Unions practices. The mission took good note of efforts made to implement anti-discrimination policies affecting women and people with disabilities. The monitoring team also examined labour conditions in key sectors including construction, agriculture sector (cotton, silk among others) and the informal economy. While challenges remain, EU officials welcomed Uzbekistan’s plans to combat corruption, planned improvements on labour rights to allow the right to strike, and encouraged maintaining the significant progress towards the full elimination of forced and child labour in the cotton harvest. At the conclusion of the mission, the monitoring team discussed with government representatives their preliminary conclusions and recommendations.
The EU monitoring team consisted of EU officials and experts from DG Trade, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, and the European External Action Service. When Uzbekistan applied for EU GSP+ access it committed to ensure effective implementation of 27 United Nations international conventions. These conventions cover human and labour rights, environmental protection and climate change, as well as good governance, including anti-corruption and drug control.
During the closing session of the mission, the EU Ambassador Toivo Klaar said,
> “_The effective implementation of international commitments forms the basis of Uzbekistan’s privileged access to the EU market. This second monitoring mission confirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment in this regard and was the opportunity to discuss in-depth the issues of concern. The monitoring and engagement with the government of Uzbekistan will be the subject of a report to the European Parliament and the Council of European Union which will be prepared soon_.”
The EU’s GSP+ scheme is a unilateral trade tool that removes import duties from products coming into the EU from countries considered vulnerable due to a lack of export diversification and insufficient integration within the international trading system. The scheme aims to support poverty reduction, sustainable development, and the rule of law. For more information on GSP: [https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/development-and-sustainability/generalised-scheme-preferences\_en](https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/development-and-sustainability/generalised-scheme-preferences_en) . For more information on Uzbekistan and GSP+, see [https://gsphub.eu/country-info/Uzbekistan](https://gsphub.eu/country-info/Uzbekistan)