Tashkent, Uzbekistan, May 2026 — Uzbekistan is taking important steps to strengthen its response to cybercrime and digital violence affecting young people through a specialized Training of Trainers (ToT) which was held from 4 to 8 May 2026.
Cybercrime cases grew from 863 in 2019 to 59,000 in 2024, with 46,000 cases registered in 2025 —a 68-fold increase over five years. Cybercrime now represents 44.4% of all reported crimes, up from 6.2% in 2023. Cybercrime and digital violence are increasingly impacting youth aged 14 to 30 in Uzbekistan, with a rise in online fraud, cyberbullying, harassment, grooming, sextortion, and harmful online content. These evolving threats require comprehensive, prevention-oriented responses that empower institutions and communities alike.
In response, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is implementing the joint programme “Strengthening resilience of youth to cybercrime and digital violence in Uzbekistan,” funded by the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security. The programme aims to promote digital literacy, enhance online safety, and support the development of a secure and inclusive digital environment for young people.
As part of this initiative, a five-day Training of Trainers course was conducted in close cooperation with the UNODC Regional Centre for Combating Cybercrime in Doha (UNR3C), with support from the UNODC Regional Office for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan and the expertise from the UNODC Global Programme on Cybercrime.
The course brought together 23 officers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Law Enforcement Academy of the Republic of Uzbekistan. With women representing half of the participants, the training highlighted a strong commitment to inclusive and gender-responsive capacity-building.
Participants were equipped not only with technical knowledge on cybercrime prevention, but also with practical skills to design, deliver and replicate training programmes within their respective institutions. The course emphasized interactive learning, teamwork and real-world application, enabling participants to develop tailored prevention strategies that can be implemented at the institutional level.
“This training was a valuable and enriching experience,” said Sabina Kakhramonova, Inspector of the Crime Prevention Department of the Department for Coordination of Activities of the Sergeli District MIA, as a participant of the course. “It allowed me to deepen my knowledge in cybercrime prevention and to develop practical skills for conducting training activities within my institution. The professional organization, international expertise and interactive approach made it especially effective.”
She added that the knowledge and strategies developed during the training would contribute to strengthening national efforts to prevent cybercrime.
Highlighting the need for continued capacity development, Mr. Erkinjon Marupov, Associate Professor and Head of the Information Technology Cycle of the Institute for Advanced Studies of the MIA, emphasized the importance of expanding specialized training for instructors. “Further courses on cybercrime investigation, OSINT, darknet investigations, digital forensics, and crimes against women and girls committed using ICT would significantly enhance the capacity of law enforcement and criminal justice professionals,” he noted.
By strengthening the skills of national trainers, the initiative contributes to building a sustainable system for knowledge transfer and institutional development. It supports Uzbekistan’s broader efforts to foster digital literacy, promote safe online behaviour, and ensure that young people can live free from fear in the digital space.
This activity reflects UNODC’s continued commitment to supporting Uzbekistan through people-centred, comprehensive and prevention-oriented responses to cybercrime, while expanding youth involvement and outreach through impactful and sustainable capacity-building initiatives.
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