Uzbekistan Becomes First Central Asian Country to Join UNESCO Diploma Recognition Convention

Uzbekistan has joined UNESCO’s Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications, committing to mutually recognize diplomas obtained in other participating countries.

In early November, Uzbekistan ratified the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education, becoming the first Central Asian country to do so, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.

The Agency for Assessment of Knowledge and Qualifications clarified that this move will determine whether diplomas issued by higher education institutions in countries such as Russia, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan can be recognized in Uzbekistan without undergoing the nostrification process.

Under national legislation, Uzbekistan may directly recognize foreign diplomas, without exams or additional verification, if this is stipulated by international agreements.

The Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications is the first international instrument of its kind created under UNESCO. It requires participating countries to recognize verified qualifications obtained in other states that have joined the Convention.

At the same time, each country recognizes diplomas according to its own national regulations, and recognition may be refused only if there are substantial differences between education systems.

Currently, 38 countries are parties to the Global Convention, while around 10 more are in the process of joining.

List of Convention member states:

Europe:

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:

Cuba, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Uruguay

Africa:

South Africa, Tunisia, Cabo Verde, Djibouti, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal

Asia:

Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Yemen, Palestine

Australia and Oceania:

Australia, New Zealand

Uzbekistan will become a full participant in the Convention three months after submitting the formal confirmation document.

“Mutual recognition mechanisms for qualifications (diplomas) apply only between countries that are parties to the Convention,” the agency noted.