Uzbekistan recently became one of the first countries in Central Asia to request a full public governance review from the OECD, reflecting a strong commitment to modernizing its governance structures. Presented in Tashkent on November 7, 2024, the OECD report provides a thorough analysis of Uzbekistan’s current public administration and outlines strategies to enhance efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity. Supported by GIZ on behalf of the German government, the review aims to bring Uzbekistan’s public sector in line with international standards.
The review focuses on pivotal areas for reform, emphasizing strategic planning, policy coordination, and governance mechanisms. Key priorities include advancing gender equality, modernizing public service, improving regulatory quality, and reducing administrative burdens.
High-level officials from key ministries and agencies, such as 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, attended the event among others. Development partners, including the German Embassy, European Union, as well as representatives from the private sector, OECD member state embassies, and international organizations, also joined.
Manfred Huterer, German Ambassador to Uzbekistan who spoke with the opening word, emphasized: “The Uzbekistan public governance review is a joint effort made by the governmentof Uzbekistan and the OECD, supported by GIZ and the German government. The German government has contributed financially to this report. I think that the report and the fact that the Uzbek government has been engaging in this endeavor really demonstrates the will to establish a governance system based on principles of accountability and transparency. One of the most important aspects is inter-agency coordination which extends to areas such as including women in decision-making and gender mainstreaming. I believe the time has come to implement these recommendations. Effective coordination across agencies is a challenge for all governments, and it requires clear guiding principles. I assure you that the German government remains committed to supporting the reforms undertaken by the Uzbek government’’.
The report underscores the importance of robust inter-ministerial coordination, strategic management, and decentralization. A primary recommendation involves strengthening strategic planning efforts to align with Uzbekistan’s 2030 vision and ensuring all regional and sectoral strategies are harmonized. Additionally, enhancing the Agency for Strategic Reforms’ role in coordination is critical to achieving unified reform efforts.
The report also proposes measures to embed gender equality into governance frameworks, improve anti-corruption measures through enhanced conflict-of-interest management, and modernize public service with a merit-based approach.Additionally, the asset declaration system should be expanded with stricter verification mechanisms and automated systems to identify potential problems. To foster data-driven decision-making, the creation of standardized databases and expanded stakeholder engagement in regulatory processes are also recommended.
"The first part of the report outlines the current situation, characteristics of the public administration system, and its shortcomings. The second part addresses what should be done to overcome these shortcomings and improve the effectiveness of the public administration system," noted Abdulla Abdukodirov, First Deputy Director of the Agency for Strategic Reforms under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. "All of this is being implemented within the framework of the "Uzbekistan-2030" strategy. The main focus is on enhancing the efficiency of administrative governance. The first stage of administrative reform has been completed, and the second stage will continue. Various directions for further development of administrative reforms are discussed in the presentation. Together with European partners, we are exploring the most effective approaches and methods. A clear data management system is essential. This system will never be effective if government bodies do not engage in dialogue with the public and adjust their actions based on the information received. This is a pressing issue. Next year, following the mandate from the head of state, a law on the national information management system will be developed. The implementation of this law should contribute to obtaining objective information necessary for further development."
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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