The European Union (EU), the Migration Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan and International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) have launched the first Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) in Uzbekistan in the framework of EU-funded project “PROTECT: Improving Migration Management and Migrant Protection in selected Silk Routes and Central Asian Countries”. The main purpose of the MRC is to expand access to services for potential migrants across the region on safe and legal migration and raise awareness on the risks of irregular migration and threats of human trafficking. This is the third MRC established in the Central Asia region.

The establishment of the Tashkent Migrant Resource Centre marks an important milestone in Uzbekistan’s migration governance efforts. According to EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan, H.E. Toivo Klaar, centres like this play a vital role in providing people with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about migration. He emphasized the EU’s ongoing commitment to supporting safe, regular, and well-managed migration in line with the Global Gateway priorities.

Sedef Dearing, Deputy Director General and Head of Migration Dialogues and Cooperation at ICMPD, highlighted that this new centre strengthens cooperation with Uzbekistan and will serve as a practical resource for those planning to migrate or return. By offering timely, rights-based guidance, the centre will ensure migrants are better equipped to make safe and informed choices.

The Tashkent centre is part of the EU-funded PROTECT project (2023–2026), building on the success of earlier MRCs launched in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, and Osh, Kyrgyzstan. Since their opening, these centres have reached tens of thousands of people through in-person counselling and millions more via social media campaigns. Developed in partnership with the Migration Agency of Uzbekistan, the MRC will provide a range of services for citizens, including:

• Awareness sessions on legal migration channels and employment opportunities abroad
• Information campaigns on the dangers of irregular migration, human trafficking, and exploitation
• Pre-departure counselling for those leaving and reintegration support for returnees

Read more about the opening and work of the MRC in Tashkent here.

Discover more information about ICMPD's MRCs here.