Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — JICA, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, has been a significant partner in the development of Central Asian countries, particularly Uzbekistan, for several decades.

JICA’s involvement in Uzbekistan is characterized by both financial support and human capacity development initiatives. The agency has committed nearly $4 billion to various projects in Uzbekistan, reflecting its deep commitment to the nation’s progress.

Today, we have the honor of speaking with Ms. Sachiko Imoto, Senior Vice President of JICA, to gain insights into the agency’s operations in Uzbekistan and what the future may hold for this enduring partnership.

Could you provide an overview of JICA’s operations and key initiatives in Uzbekistan and Central Asia overall?

Since the independence of Central Asian countries, JICA has been very active in the region, with Uzbekistan being the first country where we established an office. Our presence here is vital for fostering a strong network with key counterparts in the Uzbek government, civil society, and the private sector. Maintaining a local office allows us to engage in continuous dialogue with our counterparts, not only in Uzbekistan but also in other Central Asian countries like Tajikistan.

We’ve been working in Uzbekistan for over 30 years, and since the beginning of our cooperation, we’ve extended support amounting to 551.8 billion yen, which is equivalent to 3.7 billion US dollars. This is a substantial amount, and it highlights the importance of our collaboration with Uzbekistan. A significant part of our work focuses on building human connections between the people of Uzbekistan and Japan. For instance, we’ve received approximately 2,800 Uzbekistani trainees for short-term and long-term training programs in Japan. Additionally, we’ve dispatched 1,200 Japanese experts to work on the ground with their Uzbek counterparts.

We also have a volunteer program that operates at the grassroots level, particularly in partnership with civil society and frontline social services. So far, 300 volunteers have been involved in these efforts. Uzbekistan is a central focus for us in this region, and we are very pleased with the progress we’ve made.

In the power sector, for example, we’ve supported power generation and energy efficiency projects. To date, we’ve initiated seven projects in this sector, and once completed, our support will contribute to 23% of the total power generation capacity in Uzbekistan. We take great pride in these achievements, which have been made possible through close collaboration with our Uzbek partners.

Why has JICA chosen to cooperate in Central Asia, particularly in Uzbekistan? What key factors influenced this decision?

Japan is a resource-limited island nation, so establishing strong economic and trade relationships with neighboring countries is crucial. Stability and prosperity globally are essential for Japan’s economic interests. Central Asia, as a strategic region at the heart of the Eurasian continent, plays a significant role in regional stability and connectivity.

Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan, are seen as strategic partners for Japan due to their potential for economic growth and stability. Uzbekistan, in particular, stands out because of its large population and its proactive stance on market reforms. The country has demonstrated a strong will for economic and democratic development, making it a promising partner for Japan.

Uzbekistan’s stability and foundational strengths make it an ideal environment for extensive cooperation. Unlike some other countries in the region, Uzbekistan offers a broader scope for JICA’s various assistance schemes, including sovereign loans, private sector investments, technical cooperation, grant assistance, and volunteer programs. This allows us to provide a comprehensive range of support, tailored to the specific needs and opportunities within Uzbekistan.

How does JICA determine the priority areas for development assistance in Uzbekistan? What criteria are used to select specific projects?

For us, ownership of Uzbekistan is crucial. We maintain close dialogue with our counterparts, including various ministries, to ensure our strategies align with Uzbekistan’s development policies. We also engage in discussions with other partners, including multilateral donors.

We analyze the country’s current situation to identify its most pressing needs for sustainable development. Based on this analysis and dialogue, we determine the key areas where we should focus our efforts and make agreements with the Uzbek government. It is important that the priorities of the Uzbek government align with the areas we aim to address.

In Uzbekistan, we have identified several key pillars for collaboration where we can leverage Japan’s strengths and add value to Uzbekistan’s development. These include enhancing industrial competitiveness and job creation, improving social services, advancing the energy sector, promoting green transformation and environmental management, and strengthening governance and democratic institutions. We have been actively engaged in these areas and will continue to focus on them.

Can you provide examples of successful projects JICA has implemented in Uzbekistan and their impact on local communities?

One notable project is the Uzbekistan Japan Center, which has been instrumental in providing business management training and cultural exchanges. This center serves as a hub for interactions between Uzbek and Japanese business communities, offering Japanese language courses and various cultural events. It has significantly impacted Uzbekistan’s business landscape by fostering skilled entrepreneurs. Notable examples include Murad Building and Sapphire Coffee Chain, whose founders are graduates of our business development courses.

Another successful initiative is our scholarship program for Uzbek bureaucrats, which has been running for over 20 years. More than 400 Uzbek scholars have completed their master’s or doctoral studies at Japanese universities. These graduates now serve as capable bureaucrats in Uzbekistan, enhancing policy-making and implementation.

In the power sector, our projects are set to account for 23% of Uzbekistan’s total power generation capacity, which is vital for the country’s economic activities. These projects highlight our commitment to contributing positively to Uzbekistan’s development.

These examples underscore the positive impact of JICA’s projects on local communities and the broader national development goals of Uzbekistan. We are proud of these achievements and look forward to continuing our collaboration to address new challenges and opportunities.

What role does JICA play in supporting sustainable development and environmental conservation in Uzbekistan?

JICA also has a sustainability policy. We are very committed to supporting the transition to carbon neutrality, promoting sustainability in economies, and addressing social impacts.

We are particularly focused on supporting the energy transition in Uzbekistan. Currently, we are working in the energy saving sector, improving energy efficiency in both public and private areas. Additionally, we promote research and development in hydrogen utilization, with Japanese and Uzbek universities collaborating on this research.

We also plan to introduce a system of energy efficiency auditors. We have a similar system in Japan that has proven effective in promoting energy efficiency across various sectors. We aim to implement this system in Uzbekistan.

Furthermore, we support investments in transforming various energy-efficient equipment at factory and industrial levels to enhance energy efficiency within these facilities. These are the primary areas of our work. We are also eager to collaborate on renewable energy projects, particularly with the private sector, to further support Uzbekistan’s transition to carbon neutrality.

How does JICA collaborate with other international organizations and local stakeholders in Uzbekistan to achieve development goals?

No single agency can achieve long-lasting impacts on its own. Therefore, it is crucial for us to work with other partners, including multilateral and bilateral donors and civil societies. We aim to complement each other’s efforts and create synergies.

For example, in the education and health sectors, we engage continuously with the central government and other agencies such as the UN and USAID. We have periodic consultations, and JICA focuses on promoting inclusive education for early childhood, while USAID works on inclusive education at the primary level. This collaboration ensures that the Uzbek government can implement consistent policies from early childhood through primary education.

Additionally, JICA has extended budget support to Uzbekistan this year. We recently signed a loan agreement to provide this support in partnership with the World Bank. The World Bank and JICA have agreed on a joint action plan to guide the Uzbek government in reforming economic and public policies, aligning our support with that of the World Bank.

We have also worked with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on rehabilitating irrigation pumping stations. Such collaborations are essential for achieving significant success and impact, and we strive to work with all our partners to this end.

How does JICA’s approach to development assistance in Uzbekistan differ from other countries in the region?

While there are many commonalities among Central Asian countries, Uzbekistan stands out due to its capabilities and project implementation potential. Specifically, Uzbekistan has access to international finance markets, including sovereign loans from various multilateral institutions. This allows JICA to offer a comprehensive range of assistance to Uzbekistan, from grassroots-level support with volunteers to high-level policy dialogues and budget support.

JICA’s extensive support in Uzbekistan enables us to provide integrated solutions that create long-lasting impacts and drive reforms. Uzbekistan serves as a prominent example of JICA’s ability to support a country’s development effectively, highlighting its leading role in the region.

What are the key objectives for JICA’s partnership with Uzbekistan over the next five years?

We are particularly focused on three key areas: green transformation, strengthening resilience, and improving connectivity and human resource development. We recognize that these areas are crucial for Uzbekistan’s progress and aim to enhance our cooperation in these fields.

In the area of green transformation and resilience, we plan to introduce an energy conservation auditor system and support the implementation of new energy-efficient equipment in the service sectors. We are also engaged in renewable energy development and research and development in hydrogen utilization, among other activities.

Regarding connectivity, we are working on developing road networks and customs clearance systems both within Uzbekistan and in collaboration with neighboring countries. This includes efforts to improve logistics and promote transnational projects such as "one village, one project" to boost local economic activities.

In human resource development, our focus has expanded beyond government sectors to include private sector workers. We are initiating a new project aimed at enhancing the skills of workers through their experiences in Japan. Additionally, we are working to improve primary education quality and promote engineering talent at the university and vocational levels.

These three pillars—skilled workers, engineering talents, and basic education—will be central to our activities over the next five years.

Is there any issue or aspect of JICA’s work in Uzbekistan that you feel has not been covered in our discussion and would like to address?

JICA’s work is multifaceted and diverse, encompassing a range of activities from high-level budget support to grassroots volunteer work. For example, we extend budget support to the Ministry of Finance, amounting to approximately 250 million US dollars, while simultaneously deploying volunteers who work closely with local communities on the ground.

Our activities span from grassroots levels, such as working with primary schools and local health centers, to high-level government capacity building. The complexity and diversity of our work can be challenging to grasp in a brief discussion. Therefore, I encourage people to stay informed about our activities through our social media channels, such as Facebook and Instagram, and our published articles in the media.

JICA operates with a philosophy called “Gemba,” which means engaging directly with local realities. We are committed to understanding and addressing the actual needs of the people on the ground. It is important for the local community to remain interested in our efforts and to follow our updates to fully appreciate the scope and impact of our work. We value the relationships we build through our cooperation and look forward to continued engagement with the people of Uzbekistan.