Central Asian experts discuss using data to improve the effectiveness of public policies
24/05/2022 10:25
Central Asian experts discuss using data to improve the effectiveness of public policies
24/05/2022 10:25
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The World Bank, together with the Ministry of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction, the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations, and the Ministry of Finance of Uzbekistan, are holding a two-day high-level international conference on the topic: "Good governance for economic development in Central Asia".
The event was organized with the financial assistance of the UK Department of Foreign, Commonwealth and International Development.
Experts from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan take part in its work. Conference participants will study international and regional experience in using evidence for the development and implementation of public policy measures in various areas.
The conference will officially launch the new Effective Governance for Economic Development (EGED) program in the countries of Central Asia. The program is implemented by the World Bank and the international non-governmental organization ACTED with the financial assistance of the UK government. Its goal is to increase the efficiency and transparency of economic policy in the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The program provides assistance to the governments of these countries in obtaining high-quality data, using them to develop public policies and economic reforms, improve interagency coordination and interaction with citizens.
“The UK launched the EGED program with partner governments of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to support evidence-based public policy development. We believe that the use of statistics and scientific evidence is essential to the effectiveness of this process,” said Mr. Mirza Jahani, Development Director for Central Asia, UK Department of Foreign, Commonwealth and International Development. “We are pleased that this conference was able to bring together partners from governments and civil society across the region. Participants will be able to share experiences and discuss next steps, including in light of the scaling of the EGED program as a result of the adoption of the new UK International Development Strategy. This document pays special attention to the issues of institutional leadership in state bodies”.
In Uzbekistan, the EGED program will assist in reforming the labor market, developing and implementing effective employment policies and measures for the efficient use of natural resources for the transition to a green economy, as well as in the restructuring of state-owned enterprises. Assistance will also be provided in the use of data for reforming the urban development and public procurement sectors, in developing measures to reduce the shadow economy in the country.
More than 150 participants from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan take part in the Tashkent conference. Among them are experts in evidence-based public policy development and reform, representatives of governments, civil society, think tanks, academia and international organizations.
“Since 2016, we have seen an increase in the quality of data and its widespread use in the development of public policies in Uzbekistan. Thanks to the principles of openness and transparency, which the government of the country adheres to, the potential in the field of statistics is noticeably improving every year. During the conference, we would like to share our experience in this area and study the experience of our Central Asian colleagues,” said Jamshid Kuchkarov, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction of Uzbekistan, in his welcoming speech.
Conference participants will analyze how relevant data and research can be a powerful transformative policy driver that can improve governance and reorient it towards achieving equitable and inclusive economic growth in Central Asia.
Issues of capacity development in the field of data production will be considered, including with the involvement of national statistical authorities and systems that analyze the state of labor markets. Conference participants will study international and regional experience in the production, analysis and use of data for the development of public policy measures in various areas, their subsequent implementation using data, as well as interaction with civil society during these processes.
During the conference, experts will demonstrate how modern analytical methods and tools can significantly empower the authorities in the process of developing public policy measures in various areas.
In particular, Mr. Nozim Khusanov, Minister of Employment and Labor Relations of Uzbekistan, will present to the audience the experience of the country related to the analysis and use of data in the development of state employment policy, as well as the launch of the first national database of vacancies and a unified national labor system.
“This year, the World Bank and the countries of Central Asia are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their bilateral partnership. All this time, one of the main areas of our cooperation has been improving the well-being of people living in the region,” said Ms. Tatyana Proskuryakova, World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia. “We provide financial and analytical assistance to the authorities in order to develop capacity in the field of data use. This is a necessary condition for the development and implementation of public policy measures focused on the needs and interests of citizens. The World Bank will continue to work with national partners to achieve further progress in this direction, including through the implementation of the EGED program.”
It is planned that a joint declaration will be adopted following the results of the conference. The draft paper calls on participants to reaffirm their commitment to:
- use the necessary data to ensure inclusive growth, reduce poverty, prioritize the well-being of those in need and ensure that all members of society have equal access to opportunities to improve living standards;
- to stimulate cooperation among the countries of Central Asia with the aim of wide application of data for a transparent and effective process of political decision-making;
- contribute to the improvement of the quality of data and their subsequent integration into the process of developing public policy measures in various areas;
- to promote the openness of government data and their accessibility to the public;
- encourage the use of public data by the public, involve them in the process of developing evidence-based public policies and raise their awareness in this area in the countries of Central Asia.
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