Ilhom Nematov has served as Uzbekistan’s ambassador to the United States since February 2010.
Born on May 1, 1952, Nematov graduated from Fergana Polytechnic Institute in 1973. He holds a PhD in economics.
From 1973 to 1978, he was the head of production in construction organizations for the Namangan region. He continued to hold senior positions in construction for the next 11 years, while also serving in executive and party organizations.
Beginning in 1989, he attended the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, and graduated in 1992.
For the next five years, Nematov held different diplomatic assignments while serving abroad.
He was a senior consultant in the office of the Uzbekistan president (1996-1997), before becoming ambassador to
India.
From 1999 to 2000, he was an adviser to the minister of foreign affairs, followed by his roles as first deputy minister of foreign affairs and deputy minister of foreign affairs from 2000-2008. He was national coordinator of the Central Asian Cooperation Organization (CACO) and also represented Uzbekistan at meetings of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Prior to taking over as ambassador to the U.S., Nematov was Uzbekstan’s ambassador to
Russia.
Nematov is married and has four children. He speaks English and German.