A World Bank delegation led by Anne Bjerde, Vice President for Europe and Central Asia, visited Uzbekistan.
The visit included a meeting with the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, during which joint projects and programs were discussed, as well as prospects for further expansion of cooperation.
In addition, the World Bank delegation held a number of meetings with heads of relevant ministries and agencies, in the course of which the current and additional directions of the strategic partnership were discussed in detail, based on the ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan.
These areas include the modernization of education, health care, urban and rural infrastructure, sanitation, irrigation and drainage, and energy infrastructure, as well as a multifaceted agenda of cooperation in the development and implementation of economic and structural transformations.
The World Bank’s Partnership Program with Uzbekistan for 2022-2026 identifies the key areas of cooperation:
- reducing the role of the State in the economy and developing the private sector by improving the business environment and attracting investment;
- development of human capital through the Bank’s assistance in modernization of the education, health and social protection systems of the population;
- improving the well-being of citizens and preserving natural resources through the implementation of green economic growth principles.
One of the key tools to support ongoing reforms, in line with the objectives of the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan until 2026, is the “Country Platform” – a mechanism aimed at organizing coordinated interaction with international donors and development partners of international donors and development partners in elaboration and implementation of programs and projects The country’s socio-economic development.
a mechanism aimed at organizing coordinated interaction with international donors and development partners in the formulation and implementation of programs and projects in The country’s socio-economic development.
The «Country Platform» is coordinated by the Agency for Strategic Reforms under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with the assistance of the World Bank acting as secretariat in 2023.
During the first meeting of the «Country Platform» in January 2023, the parties agreed on the creation of 12 working groups consisting of relevant ministries and departments, as well as donors and development partners in the following areas: energy and mining; transport; health; education and skills development; urban development; water resources, water and sanitation; agriculture and food; public enterprises and banks; PPPs; public finance; Green development; rule of law and governance; simplification of procedures for the preparation and implementation of IFI-funded projects.
Press service of Strategic Reforms Agency