The United Nations has launched a programme in Uzbekistan aimed at strengthening youth resilience to cybercrime and digital violence. The move highlights growing concerns over the risks posed by the rapid digitalisation of society.

The initiative, a collaboration between the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was unveiled in Tashkent on April 30. It is backed by a $341,100 grant from the UN Trust Fund for Human Security. 

The 18-month programme will focus on educating young people, building institutional capacities and fostering cross-sectoral partnerships to mitigate the growing threat of online harms.

“This significant initiative marks a crucial step forward in our collective efforts to safeguard the well-being and future of Uzbekistan’s youth in the increasingly complex digital landscape,” said Sabine Machl, the UN resident coordinator in Uzbekistan. “Cybercrime and digital violence are not abstract concepts; they are realities that can have profound and lasting negative impacts.”

The event drew wide participation from Uzbek government officials, civil society, international organisations and young people.

The programme responds to a sharp rise in online criminal activity in Uzbekistan. Cybercrime in the country has increased by nearly 17 times over the past four years, with young people aged 14 to 30 being the primary victims. 

In 2023, online fraud and theft made up 76.3% of all reported cyber incidents.

Reported victims grew from 20,000 in 2022 to over 30,000 in 2023, while financial losses jumped from UZS 94bn ($8.5mn) to UZS 300bn ($25mn). 

General crime statistics reflect this trend, with 37% of offenders in 2022 aged between 13 and 30. 

These figures stress the urgent need to protect vulnerable groups—especially youth, people with disabilities and NEETs (not in education, employment or training)—as the country's digitalisation accelerates. 

“Cybercrime disproportionately affects young people,” Oliver Stolpe, UNODC regional representative for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan said. “A global survey of over 40,000 parents and children across 24 countries found that 72% of children have already experienced at least one type of cyber threat. In Uzbekistan, cases of online fraud, illegal gambling, and harassment among 14 to 30-year-olds rose from 20,000 in 2022 to 30,000 in 2023.”

Stolpe also highlighted disturbing trends related to drug procurement through cyberspace. 

“A poll conducted in Central Asia this year suggested that more than 50% of young people surveyed had bought or would consider buying illicit drugs online. The image of a street dealer is becoming obsolete; everything has moved into cyberspace.”

UNDP’s resident representative in Uzbekistan, Akiko Fujii, warned of the broader societal risks of unchecked digital threats. 

“Cybercrime and digital violence can undermine fundamental human rights, hinder educational and professional development, and negatively impact mental and emotional health,” she said. “Addressing these threats is therefore integral to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and building a more just and equitable society for all.”

The programme will address several key areas: 

• Improving digital literacy among youth, 
• training government institutions to prosecute cybercrime effectively, 
• launching public awareness campaigns, and 
• integrating human security principles into national cybercrime prevention policies.

It also places a sharp focus on gender-based violence in the digital realm. According to UNDP, the 2023 Global Gender Social Norms Survey revealed that nearly 90% of people globally hold at least one bias based on gender. 

In Uzbekistan, over 98% of the population reported at least one such bias. 

Through a dual-track approach — improving policymaking and law enforcement, and empowering youth for digital resilience — the programme aims to close data gaps, introduce modern tools to counter online threats, and support localised initiatives.

The Cybersecurity Centre under Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Pre-School and School Education, civil society organisations and educational institutions are among the key implementing partners.

“This is a timely initiative,” Akiko added. “We are living in such an unpredictable moment in human history. Actually, the rapid growth in digital technology is giving all of us—and particularly the young generation—many opportunities for growth. But at the same time, it is creating an unpredictable environment where there are also many threats. Digital violence is one such threat.”