#Singapore #Uzbekistan #Humans Mobile #ICSID

ICSID Tribunal Creates Path for Humans Mobile's Claims Against Uzbekistan

Humans Mobile Ltd, a subsidiary of the international holding company Humans Group based in Singapore, recently confirmed that its investment protection claims against the Republic of Uzbekistan have been formally registered with the World Bank's International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The case, designated as ICSID Case No. ARB/25/24, is set to be heard before a fully-constituted tribunal, which was officially established on January 7, 2026.

Background of the Dispute

The presence of Humans Mobile in Uzbekistan has been significant, given it represents a part of a broader digital service ecosystem in the region. The company alleges that the government has systematically undermined their operations through various means, including actions by several state authorities and state-owned entities, notably the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan and JSC Uzbektelecom.

Specifically, Humans Mobile claims that it has endured violations based on a bilateral investment agreement established on July 15, 2003, between Uzbekistan and Singapore, aimed at promoting and protecting investments. The allegations are serious, with the company asserting that these violations, orchestrated in coordination with the judiciary and executives of the state, amount to a structured assault on their business sovereignty.

Tribunal Makeup and Representation

The recently formed tribunal features prominent legal figures, including Sir Daniel Bethlehem KCMG KC, appointed as President of the tribunal. Sir Daniel brings extensive knowledge as a professor of public international law and arbitration specialist. On behalf of Humans Mobile, Ms. Anne Hoffmann, a German national and an expert in international law, has been designated. Uzbekistan's representation comes through Prof. Jorge E. Viñuales, a distinguished academic with dual nationality in Argentina and Switzerland.

Humans Mobile is backed by the international disputes firm led by Peter Kim, while Uzbekistan has engaged the services of Curtis Mallet-Prevost Colt & Mosle in Washington, D.C. This coalition of legal talents indicates the high stakes involved in this case, as both parties prepare to navigate the intricate waters of international investment law.

Financial Implications

The company claims to have faced substantial losses during its operations in Uzbekistan. The damages in question allegedly may accumulate to hundreds of millions of US dollars, a figure that highlights the gravity of the situation. Humans Mobile seeks not only financial reparations but also a restoration of the rule of law, asserting that the actions of Uzbekistan's state machinery have severely disrupted its business landscape.

About Humans Group

Humans Group operates a digital ecosystem that includes various services across several countries, including Uzbekistan, Singapore, Poland, Germany, and the USA. The group’s flagship product, Humans.uz, functions as a super app, merging multiple services ranging from fintech solutions (Humans Pay) to grocery delivery (Humans Yaxshi) and mobile communications (Humans Mobile). In the United States, Humans.net is available as a unique platform for employee recruitment.

As the case unfolds, the international business community will remain attentive to the tribunal's progress. This dispute not only reflects the pivotal role of investment agreements in protecting multinational corporations but also underlines the potential risks attached to operating in emerging markets like Uzbekistan.