Tech Diplomacy Forum Supervisory Board
Dr. Gulnoza Ismailova
Executive Director, El-Yurt Umidi Foundation | Former Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation, University of World Economy and Diplomacy
Dr. Gulnoza Ismailova is a distinguished legal scholar, public policy expert, and champion of democratic governance who has dedicated her career to advancing education, constitutional reform, and international cooperation in Central Asia. Currently serving as Executive Director of the El-Yurt Umidi Foundation since May 2025, she leads Uzbekistan’s premier organization for developing promising young talent through international scholarship and exchange programs.
Dr. Ismailova’s remarkable academic journey includes advanced degrees from premier institutions in Uzbekistan, culminating in a Doctor of Sciences (Habilitation) in Law from the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Her multidisciplinary background encompasses law, economics, and international relations, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of the complex challenges facing emerging democracies in the digital age.
From 2019 to 2025, Dr. Ismailova served as Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, where she spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives in European studies and international cooperation. As Head of the Tashkent Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence for European Studies (2020-2023), she established the first major think tank dedicated to EU-Central Asia relations in Uzbekistan, fostering critical dialogue on regional integration and democratic development.
Her commitment to democratic institutions is exemplified by her service as a Member of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan (2019-2024), where she played a crucial role in modernizing electoral processes and promoting women’s political participation. Most significantly, she served as a member of Uzbekistan’s Constitutional Reform Commission (2022-2023), contributing to the historic constitutional amendments that have strengthened democratic governance and human rights protections.
Dr. Ismailova’s international recognition includes being named a recipient of the European International Women’s Leadership Awards 2021, acknowledging her outstanding contributions to democratic development and women’s empowerment in Central Asia. Her scholarly excellence was further recognized through her selection as a Fulbright Scholar at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University (2023-2024), where she conducted research on “Capacity building of the system for training and retraining of diplomats: current challenges and modernization strategy: U.S. model for Central Asia”.
As a prolific author and thought leader, Dr. Ismailova has published extensively on constitutional law, public administration, and European integration. Her recent publications in Modern Diplomacy and ConstitutionNet provide valuable insights into Uzbekistan’s democratic transformation and its implications for regional stability and development.
Her current role as Executive Director of the El-Yurt Umidi Foundation positions her at the forefront of youth development and international educational cooperation. The Foundation, established under the President of Uzbekistan, provides scholarships and support for promising young Uzbek citizens to study at leading universities worldwide, directly contributing to the country’s human capital development and international engagement.
Dr. Ismailova’s expertise in digital governance, constitutional reform, and international cooperation makes her an invaluable voice in tech diplomacy discussions, particularly regarding the intersection of democratic institutions, digital transformation, and regional integration in Central Asia and beyond.