Mr. Bakhodir Yusupov, khokim of Namangan region and Mr. Jaco Cilliers, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Uzbekistan participated in the official opening ceremony of OSS and LGIC of Namangan regional khokimiyat.

These initiatives were realized as a result of successful partnership between the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and in close cooperation of khokimiyats of Djizak and Namangan regions - within the framework of implementing “Local Governance Support Project: Participation and Partnership” (LGSP).

In the beginning of 2011 within the framework of implementing the LGSP in Djizak and Namangan regions the separate Joint Action Plans were developed and signed between the respective khokimiyats of aforementioned regions and LGSP. Among others, the Action Plans envisaged cooperation in establishlent of one OSS in khokimiyats of Djizak and Namangan cities, as well as six Local Government Information Centers in both pilot regions (three in each region).

It is widely known that the OSS concept is being used as relatively new and effective approach in provision of public services. It envisages concentrating provision of a wide range of public and social services for the population in one place, moving towards more client-oriented system and wide usage of modern ICT tools in service provision. This in its turn allows citizens to receive quality and timely public services without visiting various agencies, located remotely from each other. Also, it enables different government agencies to facilitate interactively their relations with service consumers, thus decreasing the administrative and operational costs and leaving more room to concentrate on their core functions on decision making.

Same time, it is important that the OSS is structured taking into account the citizens’ needs, equal accessibility as well as technological and bureaucratic capacities of the individual public administration cultures. Because of this there are many variations on the model in different countries. For example, in Uzbekistan, in support of UNDP the first One-Stop-Shop pilot model was developed and launched in Sergeli district of Tashkent City in April 2010. This OSS was designed to test and develop a unique conceptual approach of integrating the OSS system to provide public services on a “one window” concept designed for Uzbekistan. The pilot was successful, as the government of Uzbekistan suggested (as per Resolution #08-8-14 dated 16.02.2011) ministries, other governmental bodies and local public organizations to scale-up the Sergeli OSS experience in all regions of the country by the end of 2011.

UNDP continued to support this initative through implementation of LGSP, one of the activity directions of which is to help khokimiyats of Djizak and Namangan cities to establish OSS. In particular, the LGSP has prepared Concept Note on OSS taking into account lessons learned from Sergeli district OSS as well as best international experience, procured modern IT equipment, provided support in drafting internal document management procedures and legal framework, and provided connection of OSS with relevant government agencies. On the other hand, the Namangan city khokimiyat, as a partner of the initiative became a key actor in allocating office premises, renovation of facility, providing necessary furniture and phone lines. Also, in close cooperation with UNDP Uzbekistan, UNICEF Representative Office in Uzbekistan is providing support to One-Stop-Shops in Djizak city and Namangan city relating to enhancement of the system for admission of children to pre-school institutions, establishment of Child Well-being Information Centre as well as creation of safe Child Playground Areas inside OSS premises.

It should be noted that, unlike Sergeli OSS, the Namangan OSS was created as independent organization with a long-term view to make it sustainable, it was modeled to be one step closer to introducing wider usage of E-Government in public administration system, with citizen-centric front-office and a more efficient back-office operations connected to the different government agencies and services. This work was preceded by Functional Review and Capacity Assessment of local public services conducted by a team of international and national consultants. It is believed that, the updated approach is not only more convenient for the citizens, but also a more efficient system for the civil servants working in the local government agencies.

Another initiative that was succesfully realized in partnership of Namangan khokimiyats and LGSP is - strengthening local governments’ technical and functional capacities to improve the transparent communication system through which citizens receive public information. This was identified as one of the key priorities in the President’s Concept of further deepening democratic reforms and forming civil society, during the joint meeting of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of Oliy Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Uzbekistan on 12th November 2010. In particular, three LGIC at khokimiyats of Namangan region – regional khokimiyat, Namangan city khokimiyat and khokimiyat of Yangikurgan district were established.

The baseline for this LGSP activity was the result of a survey carried out in 2010, which showed that there was a high citizen demand for quality, disaggregated information from government institutions in a timely and comprehensive manner. In this regards, LGICs are expected to ensure the existence of proper two-way communication between government, the media and citizens. They impact positively on progress, sustaibable improvement in society and efficient exchange of ideas and delivering public services. Thus, increasing the reputation of local khokimiyats, strengthening the trust and support of local society.

The initiative became possible thanks to joint efforts of all parties involved in development partnership. For example, hokimiyats provided renovated work space facilities, furniture and phone connection lines, and created additional staff positions. In turn, LGSP project with support of additional funds in the total amount of US$200,000 from UNDP Democratic Governance Thematic Trust Fund (DGTTF) has assisted in development of draft legal framework based on comprehensive Concept Note on Information Centers in khokimiyats; provided capacity building trainings for Local Government Information Centers’ employees after having procured necessary IT and media equipment. The lessons learned from this LGSP pilot project could be used to create a sustainable institutional mechanism LGICs in other regions of the country in future.

During the opening ceremony Mr. Jaco CIlliers noted “Of course, these One-Stop-Shop and Local Government Information Centers will require further joint coordinated efforts of all concerned parties, stakeholders and development partners in order to become more sustainable, resilient and citizen-centric organizations providing better, accessible and equal services for all people. UNDP Uzbekistan is therefore ready to continue the cooperation with khokimiyats of the Namangan region to attain this goal through active involvement of LGSP project.”

The official opening ceremony of Djizak OSS and three LGICs at khokimiyats of Djizak region – regional khokimiyat, Djizak city khokimiyat and khokimiyat of Zaamin district will take place on 15 December 2011.