The year 2024 was a truly pivotal milestone for the .UZ domain zone, marked by significant achievements in the implementation of new technologies, active participation in international initiatives, and strengthening Uzbekistan's position in the global domain industry.

1. Successful Implementation of Innovative Technologies

In 2024, the .UZ Domain Administration actively introduced cutting-edge technologies to improve the functionality of the national domain zone:

• AI Assistant for Domain Name Registration: Launched in August, the AI Assistant automated the process of searching and registering domain names. In the first month, 50 domains were registered with AI prompting, and over the entire period, more than 500 domains, which demonstrated the high efficiency of this technology. The AI Assistant not only simplified the process for users but also provided alternative domain name suggestions when the desired names were unavailable.
• Blockchain Platform Token.uz: Presented at numerous international events, this platform became a key tool for ensuring transparency and reliability of data. One of its main features is its use in conducting domain name auctions, where information about auction results is stored on the blockchain, guaranteeing data immutability and process transparency.
• Continuation of the NFT Certificate Project for Domains:
  As part of this project, every domain name owner in the .UZ zone can obtain a unique digital certificate based on blockchain technology. NFT certificates enhance security and confirm domain ownership, creating an additional level of trust within the system.
• DNSSEC Automation: automation has simplified the DNSSEC support process, improved the security of domains in the .UZ zone, and increased the number of domains signed with DNSSEC technology.
• Launch of Domain Name Auctions: In collaboration with UzRTSB, the domain auction service domain.uzex.uz (auction.cctld.uz) was launched to auction off expired domain names. Blockchain technologies ensure transparency in the auction process, while artificial intelligence assists in selecting premium domains. A portion of the proceeds from these auctions is allocated to charitable projects.
  The first domain sold at auction was sx.uz, purchased for 1,150,000 UZS.

2. Active Participation in International Initiatives

In 2024, the .UZ Domain Administration significantly increased its involvement on the international stage:

• Membership in APTLD and Participation in APTLD85 Conference: Uzbekistan continued to strengthen its position in the Asia-Pacific region by participating in APTLD conferences. At the APTLD85 conference in India, topics such as DNSSEC automation, the advantages of RDAP over Whois, digital transformation, and the use of blockchain technologies for domain mirroring via browser extensions were discussed. This participation not only allowed Uzbekistan to exchange experiences with leading countries but also opened new prospects for adopting advanced solutions in domain zone management.
• Collaboration with ICANN: In October 2024, the .UZ Domain Administration held an important meeting with an ICANN representative. Key discussion topics included improving domain infrastructure, Uzbekistan's potential membership in the CCNSO (Country Code Names Supporting Organization), and the possible placement of an L-ROOT root server in Uzbekistan. This event is highly significant, as L-ROOT is a vital part of the global DNS infrastructure, and its presence in the country would enhance internet reliability in the region.
• Participation in International Conferences TLDCON 2024 (Belarus) and ArmIGF (Armenia): At these conferences, representatives of the .UZ Domain Administration presented innovative projects such as the use of NFTs for domain registration and AI for domain name validation. These initiatives garnered interest from the international community and highlighted Uzbekistan's significant role in developing new solutions for domain zone management.
• ICANN81 Annual General Meeting (Istanbul, Turkey): The .UZ Domain Administration participated in the ICANN81 Annual General Meeting in Istanbul, presenting a report on the development of the .UZ domain zone and the implementation of blockchain- and AI-based services to enhance service quality and combat cybersquatting. Additionally, an official meeting was held with the ccNSO Council Chair Alejandra Reynoso and her deputies to discuss future cooperation prospects.
• Devcon (Thailand): In 2024, UZINFOCOM participated for the first time in the international Devcon conference in Bangkok. Negotiations were held on the application of blockchain technologies in domain management and the creation of secure digital infrastructure. Participation in Devcon opened new opportunities for utilizing blockchain in the .UZ domain zone.

3. Collaboration

• Signing a Memorandum with the Uzbek Republican Commodity Exchange: As part of the 29th anniversary of the .UZ domain zone, a memorandum of cooperation was signed with the Uzbek Republican Commodity Exchange, launching online auctions for expired domain names.
• Workshops and Training: A key part of the .UZ Domain Administration's efforts involved educating and raising awareness among registrars. As part of the "Month Without Counterfeit" program, a seminar on trademark protection in domain names was held, addressing issues of cybersquatting and intellectual property rights regulation.
• Hackathons and Participation in Technology Forums:
  Employees of the .UZ Domain Administration participated as jury members in various technological hackathons and forums, such as the Open Data Challenge and others, reinforcing the domain zone's reputation as an active participant in digital innovation.

4. Building Trust and Transparency Through Blockchain

The implementation of blockchain technologies became a key component of the .UZ domain zone's development strategy in 2024. The use of the Token.uz blockchain platform for storing domain auction data and issuing NFT certificates enhanced the transparency and reliability of the system. This not only helps combat cybersquatting but also makes the domain ownership process more secure.

5. Launch of a Telegram Channel

As part of the year's achievements, the .UZ Domain Administration highlights the launch of its new official Telegram channel, t.me/cctld, which has become a key communication platform for showcasing all aspects of the .UZ domain zone's operations.

• Significance of the Username @cctld: The chosen username emphasizes the international status and categorization of the .UZ domain zone as a ccTLD (country code Top-Level Domain), making the channel both recognizable and professional.

The channel t.me/cctld serves as a new platform for engaging with domain owners, IT professionals, and all those interested in advancing digital technologies. 

2024 Statistics

• Domain Growth: A 5% increase in domains was recorded in 2024.
• Total Number of Domains: The total number of domain names in the .UZ zone reached 134,100.
• NFT Certificates: A total of 636 NFT certificates were issued in 2024.
• Domains Secured with DNSSEC: 75 domain names were signed using DNSSEC technology in 2024.
• AI-Assisted Registrations: more than 500 domains were registered through the AI Assistant.
• AI Assistant Queries: The AI Assistant processed more than 75,000 queries.
• AI-Recommended Domains: A total of 390,000 domains were recommended by the AI Assistant.

Conclusion

The year 2024 was truly pivotal for the .UZ domain zone. The integration of AI and blockchain technologies, process automation, active participation in international conferences, and collaboration with global organizations such as ICANN, IANA, APTLD, RIPE NCC, and others highlight the .UZ domain's ambition to lead in digital progress. These initiatives not only strengthened Uzbekistan's position in the global domain industry but also laid the foundation for continued growth and development in the years ahead.

"The year 2024 marked an important milestone on our journey of digital transformation. We aim not only to strengthen our national domain zone but also to position Uzbekistan at the forefront of the international internet industry. Our achievements validate the direction we have taken, and we are ready for new challenges and successes in 2025," noted a representative of the .UZ Domain Administration.

For Reference

The .UZ Domain Administration is actively working on decentralizing and improving the quality of services for domain name registration and support. It also undertakes extensive efforts to promote the creation and development of informational resources within the national segment of the Internet.

The registration, administration, and use of domain names in the .UZ domain are governed by the "Regulations on the Registration and Use of Domain Names in the .UZ Domain," registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan under No. 1830. This document establishes the rules for registering and using domain names in the .UZ domain and regulates the interactions of parties directly involved with domain names in .UZ. It ensures reliable protection against unlawful actions and effective regulation of the .UZ domain.

The primary focus of the .UZ Domain Administration is the technical maintenance of the DNS servers for the .UZ domain, located in various networks of providers, including abroad, to ensure high-quality resolution for .UZ domain names. It also maintains services for convenient monitoring of domain registration periods, fosters a competitive environment in the market, and improves the quality of domain registration services. Additionally, it collaborates with international organizations such as ICANN, IANA, APTLD, RIPE NCC, and others on policies and activities related to domain names within the global community.

The .UZ Domain Administration sincerely thanks all partners and stakeholders for their invaluable contributions to the development of the national Internet segment and warmly congratulates everyone on the upcoming New Year 2025! Wishing you a successful and fruitful year filled with new achievements and shared victories!