Under the guidance of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan is embarking on a comprehensive overhaul of its social protection system, aimed at fostering inclusivity, empowerment, and support for vulnerable segments of society. During the conference held on February 20, key initiatives and strategies for bolstering social protection were deliberated upon, presidential press service reported.
Central to these discussions was the imperative to revitalize the existing framework and ensure its alignment with contemporary needs and global best practices. The groundwork for these reforms was laid with the adoption of a decree on June 1, 2023, which aimed at enhancing the quality of social services and extending comprehensive assistance to the populace. This pivotal decree also heralded the establishment of the National Social Protection Agency under the auspices of the President, signaling a concerted institutional commitment to advancing social welfare objectives.
An exhaustive analysis, drawing on insights from over ten countries and expert consultations, underscored the imperative of modernizing Uzbekistan's social protection apparatus. Over the past three decades, the system had largely stagnated, primarily focusing on the indiscriminate disbursement of public funds. Consequently, a culture of dependency had taken root, hindering efforts to promote self-reliance and socio-economic mobility among beneficiaries.
The strategic imperatives identified during the conference encompassed a spectrum of interventions, ranging from bolstering social services at the grassroots level to enhancing transparency and precision in identifying beneficiaries. Special emphasis was placed on empowering mahalla-level structures to deliver tailored support and streamline assistance delivery mechanisms.
The introduction of a unified questionnaire mechanism will facilitate a holistic understanding of beneficiaries' circumstances, enabling mahalla (neighborhood) representatives to craft bespoke support plans. Moreover, stringent monitoring mechanisms will ensure the efficacy and impact of interventions, with a keen focus on fostering socio-economic integration and upward mobility.
Integral to the reform blueprint is the transition towards a contractual framework for delivering social services at the mahalla level. This paradigm shift seeks to engender a sense of mutual accountability and responsibility among service providers and recipients, fostering a culture of reciprocity and self-reliance. Acknowledging the plight of persons with disabilities, Uzbekistan pledged to redouble efforts to enhance their inclusion and empowerment. Initiatives encompassed legislative reforms, infrastructural enhancements, and targeted support measures to facilitate their socio-economic integration and well-being.
Earlier Daryo reported that Japan plans to allocate more than $246 mn to Uzbekistan to enhance economic and social development initiatives. The agreement was formalized through the signing ceremony conducted by Ilkhom Norkulov, Uzbekistan's First Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance, and Bito Yoshchibumi, the director of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) office in Uzbekistan.
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