Muloqot.gov.uz

On the second day of the Tashkent International Investment Forum 2025, a panel session was held on the topic “Resolution of International Disputes in Uzbekistan: The Tashkent International Commercial Court.”

During the event, it was noted that the Tashkent International Commercial Court (TICC) is being established with the aim of providing international investors with access to international judicial proceedings based on the principles and practice of common law.

The session, moderated by international law expert Marie-Anne Birken, also explained the structure of the TICC and its role in establishing, together with the Tashkent International Arbitration Center, an international center for the settlement of investment disputes in the region.

Speakers at the event included:

· Herta Doebler-Gmelin, member of the Global Neighbors Advisory Board, former German Minister of Justice

· Nasser Mohsin Al-Adba, founder and director of Omani & Partners

· John Zaidi, general manager of ACWA Power in Uzbekistan

· Diana Baizakova, Director of the Tashkent International Arbitration Center

· Islambek Rustambekov, Rector of Tashkent Law University

· Jamshid Urunov, Deputy Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights and Legitimate Interests of Entrepreneurs under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Nasser Mohsin Al-Adba, founder and director of Omani & Partners, emphasized the importance of international commercial courts in attracting foreign investment to the country.

"What is unique about international commercial courts? First, they are not affiliated with the government, which means there is no direct influence on judges and their activities. Secondly, they create an opportunity for foreign judges to participate in the judicial process," Mr. Al-Adba noted.

Diana Baizakova, Director of the Tashkent International Arbitration Center, explained the differences between the activities of the International Arbitration Center and the International Commercial Court, as well as the principles of their functioning.

“The creation of the TICC provides investors with a choice. The existence of arbitration, an economic court, and now a special International Commercial Court means that Uzbekistan is creating full-fledged conditions for investors,” said Diana Baizakova.

Islambek Rustambekov, rector of Tashkent Law University, then took the floor and emphasized that the TICC will introduce new practices based on international standards and experience to Uzbekistan, which will serve as a legitimate laboratory of innovation for the traditional system.

"Such international experience and the arrival of foreign lawyers in Uzbekistan require the training of a new generation of lawyers. This creates an opportunity to change the existing legal education system. We are working on joint programs with universities in the UK and the US. In the future, there will be a great demand for a new generation of lawyers with experience in common law, and we must be prepared for this," said Islambek Rustambekov.

John Zeidi, general manager of ACWA Power in Uzbekistan, the largest foreign investor in the country's energy sector, says:

"Uzbekistan is the second largest investment destination for ACWA Power outside Saudi Arabia. Therefore, it is important for us to monitor what is happening in the country in terms of reforms. Investors prefer countries where the rule of law is not just a term, but a reality. In Uzbekistan, it can be said that the rule of law has already turned from a term into reality."

This panel session was an important step towards further improving the international dispute resolution system in Uzbekistan. It discussed the creation of the TICC and its new approaches based on common law principles.

It was noted that the activities of the TICC in cooperation with the Tashkent International Arbitration Center will contribute to the formation of a reliable and modern dispute resolution center for investors in the region. The session once again confirmed Uzbekistan's commitment to legal reforms and its readiness to be open to international investors.