Gulnara Karimova’s confiscated funds to be directed to renovation of rural schools in Uzbekistan

Under the auspices of the United Nations, the Fund will allocate $20 million to the project “Modelling Climate Resilience and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Schools.” The project will officially launch on October 1, 2025. The Fund was established to monitor the restitution of assets confiscated from Gulnara Karimova in Switzerland.

The project envisions the renovation of at least 45 rural schools across Uzbekistan, ensuring access to safe water, modern sanitation, reliable heating systems, and clean energy. It also aims to reduce energy consumption in schools by 30 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent.

According to the Fund, the initiative will directly improve the daily learning conditions of 31,500 children – particularly adolescent girls, who will benefit from gender-sensitive facilities. This will help reduce absenteeism. To ensure the sustainability of project outcomes, 2,700 teachers and staff will be trained in climate resilience, gender-sensitive approaches, and community engagement.

Switzerland’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan Konstantin Obolensky commented on the initiative: “Switzerland is proud to see restitution resources being transformed into visible, corruption-resistant investments that directly benefit the Uzbek people. With this project, we are ensuring that 31,500 children will learn in healthier, safer, and more dignified environments – a true symbol of restitution serving development.”

UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan Sabine Machl added: “This project shows the UN Country Team’s commitment to turning restitution funds into lasting improvements for children and families in Uzbekistan. By combining clean water, modern sanitation, and climate resilience with transparency and community oversight, we are not only investing in schools, but also in trust, equity, and the future of every child.”

In April this year, Uzbekistan received the first tranche of assets frozen in Switzerland belonging to Gulnara Karimova – $95 million out of $131 million.