Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  On 7 November 2024, a significant high-level event took place in Tashkent, where the final report of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) on the Public Governance Review (PGR) of Uzbekistan was presented. This review was conducted at the request of the Government of Uzbekistan and financially supported by GIZ (German Enterprise for International Cooperation) on behalf of the German Government.

The aim of the review was to thoroughly examine Uzbekistan’s public administration system, assess its effectiveness, and provide recommendations for improvement. The report discusses key reform areas aimed at improving coordination, strategic planning, and policy implementation, as well as strengthening governance mechanisms and tools. Particular attention is given to gender equality, public service reform, regulatory quality, and reducing administrative burdens.

The event was attended by high-ranking officials and leading experts responsible for developing and implementing public administration reforms in Uzbekistan. This included representatives from relevant ministries such as the Agency for Strategic Reforms, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Digital Technologies, the Agency for Public Service Development (ARGOS), the Anti-Corruption Agency, and the Institute of Legislation and Legal Policy under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, among others. There were also representatives from the private sector, OECD member state embassies, and development partners, including the German Embassy and GIZ, as well as other international organisations.

The OECD assessed the effectiveness of Uzbekistan’s public institutions, particularly the role of executive bodies (ministries and departments) in managing reform processes. The final report outlines recommendations to improve coordination between different levels of government and establish a strategic management system.

One of the key aspects of the report was the proposal to further strengthen strategic planning, which should help coordinate economic policy more effectively, continue public service reform, and reduce corruption levels. The OECD emphasised the need to enhance the role of decentralisation in governance and to implement a regulatory impact assessment (RIA) system to improve transparency and accountability in the public sector.

In recent years, Uzbekistan has made significant progress in modernising public administration, particularly in areas such as improving regulatory quality, strengthening the rule of law, and enhancing inclusivity in the public sector. However, despite these achievements, there are still challenges that need attention. These include clarifying the roles and responsibilities of government bodies, improving coordination between ministries, and ensuring more effective public administration reforms.

To address these challenges, several key recommendations were proposed:

 1. Public Administration Efficiency and Modernisation. Uzbekistan continues to develop its public administration system, but there are still issues related to clarifying the mandates of government bodies and improving coordination between ministries. To improve these processes, it is recommended to establish a ministerial-level committee to foster closer collaboration and simplify decision-making. Regular consultations and information exchanges between ministries will help avoid duplication of efforts and increase synergies in reform implementation.

 2. Strategic Planning and Coordination. For sustainable socio-economic progress, Uzbekistan needs to strengthen its strategic planning. At the heart of this is the ‘Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy’, which serves as a guiding framework for all long-term reforms. It is recommended to make this strategy the central document upon which all sectoral and regional strategies should be based. Ensuring alignment will help eliminate fragmentation and achieve unity in efforts. This requires improved coordination between the Agency for Strategic Reforms (ASR), the Cabinet of Ministers, and the President’s Administration. In the future, ASR should receive more political support and resources to fully execute its role in strategic planning.

 3. Gender Equality and Integration into Strategic Planning. Uzbekistan has made significant strides in gender equality, especially with the adoption of the ‘Gender Strategy 2030’. However, challenges remain in integrating gender issues into various government policies and programs. To ensure systematic integration of gender equality into public governance, it is recommended to strengthen the alignment of various gender strategies and expand the mandate of the State Committee for Family and Women’s Affairs to coordinate this work at all levels.

 4. Anti-Corruption Reforms: Managing Conflicts of Interest and Asset Declaration System. Uzbekistan has actively worked on anti-corruption reforms, and the recent adoption of legislation on managing conflicts of interest is an important step in this direction. However, reforms are still in the early stages and can be improved. It is important to enhance the legal framework for managing conflicts of interest, clarify key concepts, and ensure access to training and alternative reporting channels for civil servants. Additionally, the asset declaration system should be expanded with stricter verification mechanisms and automated systems to identify potential problems.

 5. Regulatory Quality and Data-Driven Decision Making. In recent years, Uzbekistan has implemented regulatory quality principles, particularly through legislative reforms like Resolution of the President-5025, which aims to improve the system of regulatory impact assessment. However, for its further improvement, these principles need to be incorporated into everyday practice. The creation of standardised databases that support data-driven decision-making is recommended. Strengthening the analytical capacity of government bodies and increasing stakeholder engagement in regulatory development will be essential for this process.

 6. Modernisation of Public Service: Creating a Meritocracy System. Uzbekistan continues to reform its public service, aiming to create an effective, modern system based on merit, such as abilities, knowledge, and achievements. It is important that these reforms not only optimise recruitment procedures but also establish the right context for professional growth of civil servants. Strengthening the role of the Agency for Public Service Development (ARGOS) in these processes will help to enhance the personnel management system and promote meritocracy. Practical guidelines for integrating competencies into recruitment, training, and performance evaluation processes are recommended.

 Next Steps for Supporting the Implementation of Recommendations

The event also marked the launch of the second phase of the project, which focuses on supporting and progressively implementing the recommendations of the Public Governance Review through specialised capacity-building activities for public institutions. Key areas of the second phase will include developing roadmaps, training and preparing civil servants, and introducing effective tools for policy assessment and coordination in areas such as strategic planning, decentralisation, and regulatory impact assessment.

The presentation of the report and the launch of the second phase of the project are important steps in the implementation of ambitious reforms aimed at improving public administration in Uzbekistan. These efforts will contribute to creating a more transparent, efficient, and citizen-centered governance system, which in turn will support sustainable socio-economic development in the country.