OSCE Project Co-Ordinator in Uzbekistan organizes discussion on strengthening of national Parliament, role of political parties, reforming state and public governance
As part of its ongoing series to discuss Uzbekistan’s State Programme for the year 2020, the OSCE Project Co-Ordinator in Uzbekistan on 23 July 2020 co-organized a third online discussion, this time focused on strengthening the national Parliament, increasing the role of political parties, and reforming state and public governance.
The event brought together more than 65 participants, including senior officials from the Senate and Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis (parliament) of the Republic of Uzbekistan. They reported on the progress in implementing the State Programme for the first half of 2020.
Representatives from NGOs and foreign experts also attended, and the meeting explored the way ahead for the work of the state and public sector in Uzbekistan. All of the parties expressed their interest in further enhancing their co-operation in this area.
Marcin Walecki, the Head of the Democratization Department at the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), pointed out that Uzbekistan is one of the few countries seeing positive developments in the rule of law and human rights, with speedy implementation of reforms. With the country currently facing the threat of COVID-19, there was a focus on creating an E-Parliament. Walecki noted ODIHR’s willingness to contribute to this process.
The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, Ambassador John MacGregor, said: “We have entered into a large-scale co-operation with both Chambers of Oliy Majlis – Legislative Chamber and Senate. In addition, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan is ready and willing to continue co-operation with the Central Election Comission. I also expressed my willingness to further support the Constitutional Court in their reforms related to justice and the rule of law.”
The event was co-hosted with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for Central Asia, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Development Strategy Centre. The meeting allowed for sharing best practices as well as expertise from German representatives on Germany’s parliamentary system.