In the Special 301 Report published by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) for 2024, Uzbekistan was taken off the Watch List due to its consistent advancements on long-standing matters concerning the enforcement and protection of intellectual property. For instance, Uzbekistan amended the Customs Code in February 2024 to include the ex officio power to halt and confiscate imports and exports of counterfeit goods.

As part of the U.S.-Central Asia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, Uzbekistan continues to support and participate in the Intellectual Property Working Group, demonstrating its continued high-level governmental commitment to IP.

There have been reports that the Russian-Ukrainian war is the reason why Ukraine’s removal from the Watch List was postponed.

By means of bilateral collaboration through Trade and Investment Frameworks (TIFAs) and other methods, the USTR persists in interacting with trading partners to tackle issues related to trademark protection and enforcement. Agreements with Armenia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Paraguay, Peru, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam are a few instances of this collaboration.

- Excel V. Dyquiangco