{"id":54051,"date":"2025-12-02T15:28:03","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T15:28:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dailybigdigit.com\/?p=54051"},"modified":"2025-12-02T15:28:03","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T15:28:03","slug":"uzbekistans-civil-society-week-a-new-chapter-in-state-society-partnership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dailybigdigit.com\/?p=54051","title":{"rendered":"Uzbekistan\u2019s Civil Society Week: A New Chapter in State\u2013Society Partnership"},"content":{"rendered":"

As some states debate how to reinvigorate democratic participation and rebuild public trust, Uzbekistan’s Civil Society Week<\/strong> exemplifies a shift towards more inclusive governance through open dialogues, public hearings, and policy discussions that reflect the scale of reforms now reshaping citizen-state relations in Central Asia’s most populous country.<\/p>\n

\"\"At the centre of these developments stands the Uzbekistan-2030 Strategy, a comprehensive modernisation agenda described by local experts as a ‘national platform built with citizens and for citizens,’ signalling a move towards more participatory policymaking.<\/em><\/p>\n

A Break with the Past<\/strong><\/p>\n

For decades, civil society in the region was seen as peripheral \u2014 formally recognised, but with limited influence. Uzbekistan’s recent trajectory signals a strong commitment to meaningful change, inspiring confidence among policymakers and civil society that reforms are genuine and impactful. Since 2016, the government has embarked on a reform agenda that places transparency, accountability, and civic participation at its core. The idea is simple: a modern state must not only provide public services but also listen, explain, and remain accountable to its citizens \u2014 a principle repeatedly affirmed <\/strong>by officials and experts during the week\u2019s events.<\/p>\n

From Consultation to Co-Creation<\/strong><\/p>\n

What makes Uzbekistan’s current reform cycle notable is not only the scope of legislative and institutional changes but also the active role of the Development Strategy Centre<\/strong>, which has become a key driver of participatory policymaking and civic engagement.<\/p>\n

During Civil Society Week, the DSC convened a major roundtable titled \u201cThe Role of NGOs in Implementing the Uzbekistan-2030 Strategy\u201d<\/em>, bringing together ministries, civil society organisations (CSOs), international organisations, and the media. The message delivered by DSC Executive Director Eldor Tulyakov was clear:<\/p>\n

Reforms cannot succeed without civil society; NGOs are the bridge between state and society<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This is more than rhetoric. In the last year alone, the Centre organised 65 public hearings and consultations<\/strong>, travelled to key regions to assess how reforms are implemented on the ground, and submitted multiple analytical reports directly to the Presidential Administration<\/strong> based on citizens\u2019 feedback. Such measures are gradually institutionalising civic participation.<\/p>\n

Legislative Changes That Matter<\/strong><\/p>\n

European observers often focus on whether civic engagement is symbolic or genuine. In Uzbekistan\u2019s case, several reforms point to structural, not decorative, change:<\/p>\n