120 foreign trips in one year: Education officials’ 2025 travel bill hits UZS 3.3 billion

According to the ministry’s report, UZS 2.447 billion – nearly 75% of the total expenditure – was used to fund 120 foreign trips to 24 different countries. On average, each international mission cost the ministry approximately UZS 20.4 million. France emerged as the top destination for officials, accounting for 15 separate trips at a total cost of UZS 427 million. Other frequently visited nations included China, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines.

Individual spending was equally significant. Azim Abdulkhaev, Head of the International Relations Department at the MPSE, received UZS 230.8 million for travel to 12 countries. In some instances, single high-profile missions saw costs soar; for example, a visit to London by Khilola Umarova – former minister – cost UZS 7.7 million, while her subsequent travels to the United States and Brazil reached approximately UZS 70 million and UZS 85 million, respectively. The ministry clarified that these international expenses were covered by extra-budgetary funds.

Domestically, ministry staff conducted 383 trips within Uzbekistan, costing a total of UZS 875.8 million. These local visits were funded by both the state budget and extra-budgetary sources. While the Samarkand region was the most visited domestic destination with 105 trips, the Kashkadarya region saw the least activity, receiving only 14 official visits during the year.