Session III - Christian Frutiger - Agreement on the Return of Assets to Uzbekistan - Monitoring and Accountability

Aug 22, 2026

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Agreement on the return of assets to Uzbekistan outlines a restitution model grounded in dialogue between the state of origin and the restituting state. It specifies how returned assets should benefit the people of the state of origin while preventing re-entry into cycles of corruption. The framework prioritizes sustainable-development channels, such as World Bank and United Nations mechanisms, and establishes monitoring to ensure implementation. It also emphasizes civil society’s long-term accountability and defines operating cornerstones through a UN multi-partner trust fund.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Restitution agreement principles

Dialogue between states and benefit to the origin population

Sustainability channels and anti-corruption safeguards

Monitoring and civil society accountability

Case background and legal basis

Criminal proceedings and penalties

Memorandum and signature agreement

Cornerstones of implementation

UN multi-partner trust fund and governance inclusion

Transparent, accountable use aligned to SDGs

Mechanism for potentate asset recovery

Corruption acts and disguising of origin

Freezing funds and confiscation procedure

Negotiation and repatriation of funds

Agreement on the return of assets to Uzbekistan Christian Frutiger Ambassador, Assistant Director General Expert Group Meeting on Asset Return, 28/29 Nov 2022 of Swiss practice restituting agreements 1. Restitution based on a dialogue between state of origin and restituting state 2. Assets returned benefit the people of the state of origin 3. Existing channels for sustainable developments are prioritized (World Bank, United Nations) 4. Efforts are made to ensure that assets do not flow back into the vicious cycle of corruption 5. A monitoring mechanism is established to follow up on the implementation of the agreement 6. Civil society ensures long-term accountability of the implementation of the restitution agreement Agreement on the return of assets to Uzbekistan • Several ongoing criminal proceedings since 2012 in connection with Ms. Gulnara Karimova • Final penalty order of USD 131 in 2019 • Memorandum of Understanding 2020 • Signature Agreement on 16 August 2022 Cornerstones of agreement • Implemented through a new United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund “Uzbekistan Vision 2030 Fund” leveraging the UN Cooperation Framework. This ensures • confiscated assets will be used for the benefit of the people of Uzbekistan, and makes a substantial contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Uzbekistan • confiscated assets will be used in a transparent and accountable manner using the UN implementation architecture • the representation of Uzbekistan and Switzerland in the Fund’s strategic governing bodies • a meaningful inclusion of civil society Recovery of potentate assets Acts of corruption A potentate is a ruler who abuses his/her high public function to enrich himself. Disguising of origin With the aim of hiding his illegally obtained assets, the potentate moves the money abroad (using cover companies, straw men) . Freezing of funds If the authorities become aware that the funds may have been stolen, the funds will be frozen in Switzerland. Prevent potentate from withdrawing before origin is clarified. Procedure establishing unlawfulness – confiscation Authorities of countries are working closely together. If a judge finds that funds have been stolen, a confiscation order is issued, on the basis of which the funds can be returned. Negotiation of agreement Switzerland and country of origin agree on how the funds are to be repatriated and subsequently used and conclude a binding agreement. Repatriation of funds Jointly defined projects can be implemented in cooperation with international organizations. A monitoring system defined in the agreement ensures that funds are used as intended.

FAQs

What principles guide restitution under the agreement on asset return to Uzbekistan?

Restitution is built on dialogue between the state of origin and the restituting state, with the returned assets intended to benefit the people of the origin state. The agreement prioritizes existing sustainable-development channels and includes safeguards to prevent assets flowing back into corruption cycles.

How does the agreement ensure transparency and long-term accountability?

It establishes a monitoring mechanism to follow up implementation and includes meaningful inclusion of civil society to ensure long-term accountability of the restitution agreement.

Through what mechanism will confiscated assets be used in Uzbekistan?

Implementation is structured through a new UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund, “Uzbekistan Vision 2030 Fund,” leveraging the UN Cooperation Framework. This uses UN implementation architecture to support transparent and accountable use aligned with sustainable development goals.

Aug 22, 2026

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