The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have jointly launched an initiative aimed at strengthening the resilience of young people in Uzbekistan against the rising threats of cybercrime and digital violence.
Backed by the UN Trust Fund for Human Security, the programme titled “Strengthening Resilience of Youth to Cybercrime and Digital Violence in Uzbekistan” was formally introduced at a launch event in Tashkent on April 30. The gathering brought together government representatives, UN officials, youth organizations, civil society, and academia to mark the beginning of this comprehensive effort.
The initiative focuses on empowering young people, aged 14 to 30, with digital literacy, critical thinking skills, and awareness to prevent and respond to online threats such as cyberbullying, grooming, sextortion, hate content, and digital fraud. It also aims to enhance institutional responses to the cybercrime surge, which has seen a nearly 17-fold increase in Uzbekistan over the past four years.
“Cybercrime and digital violence are not abstract concepts; they are realities that can have profound and lasting negative impacts,” said Sabine Machl, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan. “This project directly addresses this urgent need.”
Oliver Stolpe, UNODC’s Regional Representative for Central Asia, underscored the initiative’s alignment with the new UN Convention against Cybercrime, adding that it:
“is a crucial step in strengthening Uzbekistan's capacity to protect its youth from the growing threats of cybercrime and digital violence.”
In Uzbekistan, cybersecurity threats have grown alarmingly, with the Cybersecurity Center reporting 12mn cyberattacks in 2024 — a rise from the previous year.
According to Oliver Stolpe, online fraud alone surged by 34%, with young people being disproportionately affected. He cited a global cybersecurity forum survey of over 40,000 parents and children across 24 countries, revealing that 72% of children had already encountered at least one cyber threat.
In Uzbekistan specifically, cases involving online fraud, illegal gambling, and harassment among youth aged 14 to 30 rose from 20,000 in 2022 to 30,000 in 2023 — a significant increase that likely continued into 2024.
“That’s a very significant increase, and of course, the latest numbers are probably not any better,” Stolpe added.
The programme’s approach is built on four key pillars:
- Raising awareness and skills through educational materials and training sessions;
- Strengthening institutions, including technical support for law enforcement;
- Promoting digital citizenship with advocacy for ethical online behavior;
- Building partnerships across sectors to sustain long-term community solutions.
“It can undermine their fundamental human rights, hinder educational and professional development, and negatively impact mental and emotional health,” Akiko Fujii, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan, voiced.
The programme, running from February 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026, is being implemented by UNODC’s Regional Office for Central Asia (ROCA) and UNDP Uzbekistan, in collaboration with Uzbekistan’s Cybersecurity Centre and the Ministry of Pre-School and School Education. With a total budget of $341,100, it prioritizes outreach to vulnerable youth groups including girls, persons with disabilities, and NEET (not in education, employment, or training) youth.
Key initiatives include the creation of a Youth Cybercrime Prevention Centre, training for law enforcement, and interactive educational tools like UNODC’s “Zorbs and Online Zoo”, as well as video lessons for older students. The programme also plans community engagement events such as a Social Ideathon to promote digital literacy among girls, Model UN simulations to explore cybercrime themes, and Training of Trainers for educators and justice officials.
Over 2,000 students are expected to benefit directly, with broader outreach through tools like the “Cyber 102” Telegram bot, already followed by more than 113,000 users.
To ensure long-term sustainability, a Programme Steering Committee comprised of UN and national stakeholders will oversee implementation and alignment with Uzbekistan’s national digital and human development goals.
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