We previously reported that Uzbekistan has ratified the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education. Following this announcement, questions have emerged regarding the Convention’s significance and whether diplomas issued by higher education institutions in Russia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan will now be recognized in Uzbekistan without undergoing the nostrification procedure.

📍 In the Republic of Uzbekistan, the recognition of foreign educational qualifications is carried out in accordance with the Law “On Education” and the Regulation on the Procedure for Recognizing Documents on Education Obtained Abroad, approved by Resolution No. 620 of the Cabinet of Ministers dated 24 July 2019. This Regulation sets out the categories of foreign educational documents that may be directly recognized in Uzbekistan.

In particular, the tenth paragraph of Clause 7 of the Regulation states that foreign educational documents may be recognized directly (without special examinations) in cases provided for by the international treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

📌 The Global Convention is the first globally significant treaty developed under the auspices of UNESCO on the recognition of higher education qualifications. Article 4 of the Convention obliges each State Party to recognize qualifications obtained and documented in other States Parties.

📌 The recognition process is carried out in accordance with each country's national legislation, and States Parties must ensure fair recognition of higher education qualifications obtained in other member states. Recognition may be refused only when substantial differences between education systems (standards) exist.

📊 Currently, 38 countries are parties to the Global Convention, and around 10 additional countries are in the process of acceding.

⚡️ States Parties to the Global Convention:

✅ Europe (20 states): France, United Kingdom, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Hungary, Andorra, Armenia, Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Holy See, San Marino, Luxembourg.

✅ Americas (4 states): Cuba, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Uruguay.

✅ Africa (7 states): South Africa, Tunisia, Cabo Verde, Djibouti, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal.

✅ Asia (5 states): Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Yemen, Palestine.

✅ Australia & Oceania (2 states): Australia, New Zealand.

📰 According to Article 18 of the Convention, a state becomes a full member three months after submitting its instrument of accession to the UNESCO Secretariat. Thus, Uzbekistan will become a full State Party three months after submitting the instrument confirming the ratification of the Convention to UNESCO.

🇺🇿 It should be noted that Uzbekistan will be the first country in Central Asia to accede to the Global Convention.

📍 Based on the above, it must be emphasized that recognition mechanisms under the Global Convention apply only among its States Parties. Diplomas from countries that are not members of the Convention are recognized according to national procedures established in the legislation of each state.