Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Central Asian Civil Society Forum, on the theme "The Importance of Civil Society Institutions in Democratic Development: the Experience of Uzbekistan and Central Asian Countries", was held in Samarkand on 17 September.
The event was reported by the Parliamentary Commission for the Management of the Public Fund for the Support of Civil Society Institutions under the Oliy Majlis.
About 150 people took part in the event, including senators and deputies of the parliaments of Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries, representatives of state bodies and civil society institutions, international organisations, experts, analysts and the media.
Alisher Agzamkhodjayev, chairman of the Parliamentary Commission, delivered an opening address at the forum. According to him, in current conditions civil society institutions act as an important partner of the state in identifying the needs of the population, bringing them to the attention of decision-makers and implementing the relevant decisions.
Participants noted that peace and prosperity in Central Asia depend not only on interstate agreements but also on interaction between peoples, civil society institutions and the implementation of joint initiatives. In this connection, the need to transform national experience into regional results was emphasised.
Separate attention was given to strengthening dialogue between the state and civil society, ensuring open and sustainable financing of social projects, improving public oversight and expanding citizen participation using digital tools.
The forum discussed people's governance and social partnership, human interests and wellbeing, youth and women's activity, digital transformation, environmental initiatives, joint projects and the exchange of experience. The work was organised around three parallel events and nine sessions.
Participants also reviewed the experience of Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries and discussed best approaches and the possibilities of applying them in practice.
In particular, the role of interaction among civil society institutions in strengthening regional trust, good-neighbourliness and cooperation was noted.
Following the forum, joint recommendations and a resolution are planned to be adopted, aimed at supporting civil society institutions, developing interaction with state bodies and further strengthening regional ties.
