Uzbekistan has implemented large-scale measures to reform its public administration and public service system. The outcomes of these reforms will be presented at the UN Public Service Forum, which will take place in Samarkand this June.

Alisher Eranov, Head of the Consolidated Information and Analytical Department for Human Resources Policy at the Public Service Development Agency under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, shared his views on the significance of this event.

– Holding the forum in Uzbekistan is a practical reflection of the strong partnership the UN has been developing with the country in public service.

The event is expected to be attended by senior government officials, representatives of international and regional organizations, civil society, academic circles, companies, and innovation leaders from various countries worldwide.

The Forum is an excellent opportunity for introducing innovations in public administration and fostering close cooperation and experience-sharing between countries. Why was Uzbekistan chosen as the venue for this event?

As is well known, targeted reforms play a significant role in the sustainable development of any state. In recent years, under the leadership of the President of our country, and to build a New Uzbekistan, such reforms have been carried out across all sectors.

A key item on the agenda has been organizing the public service based on modern standards and its adaptation to current demands. The public service transformation is founded on the principle that “It is not the people who should serve the government, but the government should serve the people”.

At the initiative of the Head of our State, a new form of relations has been established: “state – society,” “leader – citizen”. The aim is to bring leaders closer to the people and make decisions in the population’s interests, based on a thorough study of problems in places.

In Uzbekistan, the philosophy of public administration has transformed. The efforts to introduce modern human resource management approaches began with institutional changes.

On October 3, 2019, the Public Service Development Agency under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan was established. It became the key body responsible for developing and implementing a unified state policy in managing and developing human resources within government bodies and organizations.

The agency was tasked with various objectives, including forming a professional public service, introducing innovative human resources management methods, and improving quantitative and qualitative characteristics.

The Law “On Public Civil Service”, adopted on August 8, 2022, provided a legal solution to many issues in the sector.

In human resources management, approximately 160 regulatory legal acts have been adopted, systems for evaluating the performance of civil servants and filling vacant positions through open competition have been introduced, and a system for preparing a reserve of candidates for leadership positions has been established.

In addition, the “Mahalla of Seven” was created – a new organizational structure to strengthen interaction between the state and society. The activities of this structure focus on the early identification of problems within mahallas, enhancing preventive work, and effectively organizing dialogue with the population.

To streamline the public service in Uzbekistan, the number of executive authorities, including senior management positions, has been reduced by 30 percent, around 30 types of licenses and permits have been abolished, and more than 150 public services have been simplified.

Furthermore, the requirement for government agencies to request over 110 types of documents has been eliminated. The number of users of the Unified Identification Information System “Electronic Government” has reached nearly 12 million people, providing access to more than 750 information resources of government bodies.

The system records 225,000 daily visits. Through the Unified Portal of Interactive Public Services, nearly 750 types of services are provided online.

As of January 1, 2023, the number of independently operating executive bodies in the country was reduced from 61 to 28, including a reduction in the number of ministries from 25 to 21. It is important to note that Uzbekistan continues steadily advancing reforms in this sector.

In short, hosting the UN Public Service Forum in Uzbekistan’s ancient city of Samarkand will mark a significant step for the country on the path to modernizing its public service system, advancing digital transformation, and strengthening cooperation with the international community.

Norgul Abduraimova, UzA