The first project of the 'Ishonch' Trust Fund, which manages funds returned to Uzbekistan under the restitution of assets of Gulnara Karimova, daughter of former President Islam Karimov, has been completed. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
The project 'Every Mother and Child Lives and Thrives: Reducing Maternal and Child Mortality in Perinatal Centers of Uzbekistan' was launched in September 2023 and became the first program financed by the 'Ishonch' fund under the restitution agreement between Uzbekistan and Switzerland. It was implemented in cooperation with UNICEF, UNFPA, and the World Health Organization (WHO).
An event dedicated to the completion of the joint program on maternal and perinatal care took place on June 25. It was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Embassy of Switzerland in Uzbekistan, UN agencies, and international partner organizations.
A total of $43.5 million was allocated to develop the maternal and child health protection system, improve the quality of perinatal services, and strengthen the material and technical base of medical institutions.
Under the program, 231 perinatal facilities across the country were equipped with modern medical equipment. In particular, incubators, ventilators, anesthesia systems, and other modern medical equipment worth over $31 million were purchased and delivered to regional perinatal centers.
According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, more than 80,000 medical workers received advanced training in modern perinatal care, management of complicated pregnancies, care for premature infants, and laboratory diagnostics.
The project also developed or updated 49 clinical protocols for providing medical care to mothers and newborns.
In addition, information campaigns promoting the importance of regular medical monitoring during pregnancy reached nearly 20 million citizens. As a result, almost 4 million people gained expanded access to quality maternal and perinatal services.
According to monitoring results, the share of preventable maternal deaths decreased from 77.3% in 2022 to 62.8%, a drop of 14.5 percentage points. The survival rate of newborns with very low birth weight improved by nearly 13% since the start of the program.
Alongside training medical personnel, the project implemented systemic measures to strengthen laboratory services, introduce anti-corruption mechanisms, and achieve full coverage of pregnant women with medical supervision.
UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan, Rehina Castillio, emphasized that this program is a practical result of cooperation between the government of Uzbekistan, the Swiss government, civil society, and UN agencies. According to her, the introduction of modern equipment and advanced clinical approaches in hundreds of perinatal facilities has significantly expanded access to quality care for every mother and newborn.
Swiss Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Constantin Obolensky, stated that the return of illegally acquired assets and their use based on transparency and accountability is one of Switzerland's priorities. He noted that the 'Ishonch' fund, established in cooperation with the Uzbek government and the UN, can serve as an example of how returned funds can improve the quality of life of the population.
Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance, Otabek Fazilkarimov, noted that the return of illegally acquired assets and their effective use are important for developing human capital and supporting social reforms.
The 'Ishonch' fund was established to manage funds returned to Uzbekistan under the restitution of Gulnara Karimova's assets. In August 2022, Uzbekistan and Switzerland signed the first agreement on the return of assets worth about $131 million, finally confiscated in Switzerland in connection with a criminal case against Karimova. These funds are to be used through a UN trust fund for the benefit of the population of Uzbekistan.
In February 2025, the parties signed another agreement — on the return of about $182 million. According to the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, the total amount of funds returned for the benefit of the population of Uzbekistan has reached $313 million.
All projects are financed only after approval by the fund's management committee. Detailed reports and information are published on the official website of the 'Ishonch' fund.
The total value of assets belonging to Gulnara Karimova and the criminal group she led in France, the United States, Latvia, and other countries is estimated at about $1.4 billion or 15 trillion soums. Deputy Minister of Justice Muzraf Ikromov noted in 2022 that this amount could build 1,400 schools.
Source: www.gazeta.uz