Uzbekistan has taken a step toward reforming its social protection system through improved planning and budgeting mechanisms. A two-day workshop held on July 22–23 in Tashkent brought together experts from the National Agency for Social Protection (NASP), the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MoEF), and UNICEF Uzbekistan to deepen the application of Results-Based Management (RBM) and Programme-Based Budgeting (PBB) in the social protection sector.

The initiative is part of Uzbekistan’s broader Public Financial Management (PFM) Reform Strategy, aimed at institutionalizing results-based governance and increasing transparency and efficiency in public spending. These reforms are directly linked to the goals of the National Social Protection Strategy and the Uzbekistan 2030 Development Agenda, which emphasize inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.
“Effective planning and budgeting are the backbone of a strong social protection system,” said Sirojiddin Abdullayev, Deputy Director of NASP. “By embedding results-based management in our work, we ensure that every sum spent makes a difference in people’s lives—especially children, women, persons with disabilities, and low-income families.”
During the workshop, technical staff from NASP and MoEF participated in hands-on exercises to design and cost social protection programmes focused on key groups: people with disabilities, children, the elderly, and women in vulnerable situations. The sessions covered problem and stakeholder analysis, logical frameworks, objective setting, and costing—all tailored to real-world priorities.
UNICEF Uzbekistan, a long-time partner in supporting child and family welfare in the country, emphasized the strategic importance of the event. “This workshop is not just a training,” said Geoffrey Ijumba, Acting UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan. “It’s a milestone toward a more transparent, efficient, and accountable social protection system. It enables national partners to translate strategic goals into financial plans and real impact for vulnerable communities.”
The workshop aligns with key national policy directives, including Presidential Decree No. PQ-455 (25 December 2024), which calls for phased implementation of programme-based budgeting, and Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 4 (5 January 2024), which provides the regulatory framework for its rollout.
“This collaboration marks a concrete step towards embedding program-based budgeting into our financial management system,” noted Sherkhon Saydutdinov, Head of the Department for Assessing the Effectiveness of Budget Expenditures. “MoEF is committed to ensuring that public funds are used effectively to deliver real results for those most in need.”
The next phase will focus on institutionalizing the use of RBM and PBB in social protection planning and budgeting at all levels. Over time, these tools are expected to improve the impact and efficiency of social spending, ensuring resources are directed to where they are needed most and aligned with national development priorities.
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