On 19 May, the next session of our Frontier Talks seminar series, featuring a presentation by Zarnigor Naimdjonova, PhD student at IAIS under the academic supervision of Professor Azamat Seitov, will delve into one of the most pressing and multifaceted dimensions of the country’s contemporary international engagement.
In recent years, Uzbekistan has demonstrated a growing awareness of the strategic significance of migration — particularly labor migration — not only as a domestic social and economic phenomenon, but also as an increasingly central pillar of its foreign policy. With millions of Uzbek citizens residing and working abroad, the government has sought to develop more proactive and institutionally robust approaches to protecting the rights and welfare of its migrant population. This has entailed forging bilateral agreements, expanding consular services, and intensifying cooperation with international organizations.
Drawing on the preliminary findings of her doctoral research, Ms. Naimdjonova will examine how Uzbekistan’s migration policy has evolved in tandem with its broader diplomatic transformation, particularly in the post-2016 reform era. The presentation will highlight how migration issues are becoming integrated into Uzbekistan’s foreign policy agenda through a complex interplay of political, economic, legal, and humanitarian considerations. Attention will be given to the mechanisms through which the Uzbek government communicates with host countries, leverages soft power, and strengthens regional frameworks to ensure the dignity, legal protection, and socio-economic inclusion of its diaspora abroad.
The seminar will also offer a critical reflection on the challenges facing Uzbekistan’s migration diplomacy, including geopolitical tensions, policy inconsistencies across host countries, and the need for institutional innovation to respond to evolving labor markets and demographic trends.
We warmly invite all interested scholars, students, policymakers, and practitioners to attend and contribute to the discussion.
Date and time: 19 May, 11 am
Venue: IAIS Meetings Area
