What has changed in Uzbekistan in 5 years: the results of 5-year reforms of the Action Strategy have been announced

On October 5, 2021, an international conference "Uzbekistan: Rapid Reforms in Five Years" was held in Tashkent. Members of the government, heads of ministries and departments spoke at the event, assessments and opinions of representatives of civil society, domestic and international experts were heard.

Key results of reforms in each area of ​​the Action Strategy 2017-2021:

Direction "Improvement of state and social construction"
In Uzbekistan, 110 ineffective interdepartmental bodies were abolished, 10 new ministries and departments were created, 6 state functions were transferred to the private sector.
Since 2017, public reception offices and virtual reception offices of the President have been operating in Uzbekistan, which provide direct contact with the population, prompt response and elimination of problems on the ground. For 2017 to 2020 10.1 million calls went through them.
For 4 years, the number of services provided according to the “Single Window” principle has increased 10 times (from 16 to 157).

Direction "Ensuring the rule of law and further reforming the judicial and legal system"
In 2018, administrative courts were created to appeal against illegal actions (inaction) of state bodies. For 2019-2020 they considered 31.3 thousand applications and satisfied almost 70% (21.2 thousand), including 2.6 thousand decisions of khokims were declared illegal.
The emergence of the institution of business ombudsmen has strengthened the protection of entrepreneurs. For 2017-2020 The business ombudsmen received 13.4 thousand applications, as a result of which:
● 930 responsible persons were brought to disciplinary, 1513 - to administrative responsibility,
● 1034 illegal decisions of state and regulatory bodies were canceled,
● 95.1 billion soums were recovered in favor of business entities through the courts.
As a result of the reforms carried out, Uzbekistan was admitted for the first time as an equal member of the UN Human Rights Council.

Direction "Development and liberalization of the economy"
For 2017-2020 the republic's foreign trade turnover grew 1.4 times, the inflation rate decreased from 18.8% to 11.1%, gold and foreign exchange reserves increased from $ 26.4 billion to $ 34.9 billion.
Deductions to state funds and insurance contributions were canceled, and the types of tax audits were reduced from 13 to 4.
In 2017, it became possible to withdraw money from ATMs. In 2020, holders of plastic cards withdrew 62.2 trillion soums through ATMs.

Direction "Development of the social sphere"
The average monthly salary increased from 1.3 million soums in 2016 to 2.6 million soums in 2020. The total per capita income for the same period increased from 5.8 million soums to 11.7 million soums.
As a result of reforms in the public education system in 2017-2020. 328 new schools have appeared and 11-year compulsory schooling has been restored.
More than 80 new universities were created, about 20 branches of foreign universities were opened, and 10 private universities began their activity for the first time.
The practice of involving teachers and medical workers in forced labor has been eradicated. Since 2019, pensions have been paid to working pensioners at a 100% percentage.
Low-income families are exempted from paying for kindergartens, schoolchildren from low-income families are provided with seasonal clothing. Citizens included in the Temir Daftar (Iron Notebook), Ayollar Daftari (Women's Notebook) and Yoshlar Daftari (Youth Notebook) lists receive state support in the form of vocational training, employment and financial assistance.

Direction "Ensuring security, interethnic harmony and religious tolerance, the implementation of a balanced, mutually beneficial and constructive foreign policy"
For the first time, Uzbekistan has been excluded from the list of countries "of particular concern" on religious issues, friendly and mutually beneficial ties with neighbors have been strengthened, issues of borders and the use of water and energy resources have been resolved.
Now in Uzbekistan there is a visa-free regime for citizens of 86 states (in 2016 it was valid for 9 countries), the republic has climbed several positions in international ratings.
The defense potential was strengthened: the share of contract servicemen increased to 68% (37% in 2016), the level of equipment of the army with modern weapons increased 5 times.