On March 25, the Development Strategy Centre hosted an event to honor a group of citizens who actively participated in the draft New Uzbekistan Development Strategy for 2022-2026.

Over the past five years, dialogue with the people, discussion of reforms and initiatives with the general public and experts in the field, the formation of active civil control has become a priority of public policy within the Action Strategy.

Upon that the effectiveness of the reforms implemented in each sector and the accountability of ministries and agencies to citizens has increased, a system of working with citizens regularly has been established.

Importantly, this policy of openness, active civil society institutions and civil control is also a key criterion in the ongoing reforms. In particular, the draft Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026, aimed at developing the country for the next five years, was widely discussed from December 30, 2021 to January 15, 2022, based on the accumulated experience and traditions.

To further increase the activity of all our compatriots, civil society institutions and government agencies, the Development Strategy Centre prepared special videos, infographics and slides, and performed active advocacy work through state and non-state television and radio channels, print and electronic publications and social networks. Conferences, meetings and roundtable discussions were organized with the participation of government officials, experts, scientists, professors, representatives of various fields, local and international experts.

As a result, during the discussions, more than 17,000 proposals and initiatives were expressed through electronic platforms alone. In particular, many of our compatriots and employees of ministries, agencies and organizations sent more than 1,000 proposals via e-mail and phone calls.

It should be noted that the participation of the population of the country in the development and adoption of the Development Strategy has significantly increased compared to the Action Strategy. This made the document more popular. Most importantly, the system of public relations, which began five years ago as part of the Action Strategy, has been consistently pursued. This is because in the process of implementing the tasks set out in the Action Strategy, direct communication of government agencies with the population has been established. 

In this regard, it is noteworthy that the participation of public control in the implementation of each stage of the Development Strategy is being strengthened. It should be emphasized that a wide range of opportunities is being created for such control. Most importantly, the process of achieving each goal will be constantly monitored by the population.

The Centre for Development Strategy has sent letters of thanks to more than 2,000 citizens to inform them about the possibility and status of implementation of their proposals on the draft Development Strategy and the future of these proposals.

The event at the Development Strategy Centre was attended by deputies from local councils, employees of governmental and non-governmental organizations, representatives of the media and a group of active citizens.

Eldor Tulyakov, Executive Director of the Development Strategy Centre, acknowledged that the document is a popular document based on the views and proposals of the people. He informed, that all the suggestions made by experts and specialists, including those not included in this year's State Program, will be distributed to the relevant ministries and agencies for use in the development of programs and strategies of national importance, especially in the development of regional development programs and strategies.

Following the event, a group of citizens who actively participated in the draft Development Strategy were awarded certificates of appreciation and souvenirs.

Z.Jonibekov, UzA