High-level conferences in Uzbekistan supported by the OSCE on State priorities for 2021

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan co-hosted two events, on 2 and 5 February 2021, to discuss the December 2020 address of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on the effectiveness and the results of the 2017-2021 National Action Strategy, as well as the next steps in terms of State development and reforms in the sphere of democratization. The event was co-organized by the Development Strategy Centre, the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan (the Parliament), the National Human Rights Centre, the UNDP's Rule of Law Partnership in Uzbekistan project, the Supreme Court, the United States Agency for International Development, the Chamber of Advocates, the United Nations Country Team in Uzbekistan and the World Bank.

On 2 February, participants discussed the role of Parliament in reform implementation, the rule of law reforms in the judiciary, the efforts in increasing the efficiency of the public administration system, the state of reforms to ensure human rights and fundamental freedoms and the role of the civil society in the reforms.

The event on 5 February focused on current and future priorities necessary to improve the system of State and society building and to ensure the rule of law and reform of the judicial system. The event also revolved around the priorities for economic development and liberalization, for the development of the social sphere, and for ensuring security, interethnic harmony, religious tolerance and a mutually beneficial and practical foreign policy.

John MacGregor, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, opening the event, said: “All of us have carefully listened to President Mirziyoyev’s speech on 29 December 2020. The speech noted our achievements. It also reminded us of what still needs to be done. As with every speech of the president, it was a call for action. The speech was about the need for leaders to take action. We are those leaders.  We must take action. A new 2021 State Programme waits for action. The OSCE PCUz will work harder than ever to give every possible support to the Action Strategy and State Programme priorities. I have championed the reforms because of the reforms’ close connection with OSCE commitments”.

Over 210 participants attended the events, including high-level representation from Ministries, public agencies, think tanks, the international community, civil society organizations and experts.