The course of implementation of state programs on improving the living conditions in urban and rural areas discussed in Tashkent

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- An international conference ‘Obod Qishloq’ and ‘Obod Makhalla’ Programmes: First Progress and Prospects’ has taken place in the capital. The objective was to timely and widely inform the public and the international community about the course of implementation of the ‘Obod Qishloq’ and ‘Obod Makhalla’ programmes, future plans, and discuss the challenges that need to be addressed.

The conference was organized by the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Nationwide Movement Yuksalish, the Development Strategy Center in collaboration with the World Bank Office, the UNDP Office, the embassies of Switzerland and the US in Uzbekistan.

The event brought together over 250 people, including representatives of regional administrations and the city of Tashkent, as well as the Republic of Karakalpakstan, ministries and departments, local authorities, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions and international organizations, the expert community, foreign and local media.

The conference participants were introduced to the agenda that was implemented by the government and local authorities in the framework of the state programmes ‘Obod Qishloq’ and ‘Obod Makhalla’. They discussed the ways to improve the living conditions of citizens in rural and urban areas of the country, international expertise in this field, the ways to draw funds from international financial institutions for the projects on socio-economic development in rural areas, the role of local authorities, citizens and international organizations in implementing projects under the state programmes.

The participants also heard the reports on the strategy of regional economic development, raising living standards and improving the social infrastructure in the framework of the ‘Obod Qishloq’ programme. They considered proposals for the development of cooperation between the authorities, representatives of business circles and the population in order to address the current socio-economic problems in the regions.

Representatives of local authorities, international organizations and experts put forward their recommendations for the further implementation of the ‘Obod Qishloq’ and ‘Obod Makhalla’ programmes, as well as possible solutions of the socio-economic problems that challenge the regions of Uzbekistan nowadays.

The Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan of March 29, 2018 No. DP-5386 approved the ‘Obod Qishloq’ programme, and the Resolution of the President of March 29, 2014 No. PR-3630 defined measures for its implementation in 2018.

Within the framework of the ‘Obod Qishloq’ and ‘Obod Makhalla’ programmes, in 2018, construction and landscaping works were implemented in 416 villages of 159 districts of the country.

In those villages, 142,000 individual and over a thousand multi-storey buildings, 3,000 kilometers of roads, 2,500 kilometers of electricity networks, 2,000 kilometers of water pipelines were repaired and restored, 2,400 markets and other infrastructure facilities were built. 388 secondary schools, 313 pre-school educational institutions, 168 medical institutions, 38 mahallas and 55 other social facilities were built and repaired.

The ‘Obod Qishloq’ programme was financed from the State Budget, state-owned enterprises and foreign investments they had drawn - (80%). The remaining 20% was invested from business funds and bank loans.

On June 4, 2018, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited Hirmontepa and Tirsakobod makhallas of the Chilanzar district, giving instructions on the development of the ‘Obod Makhalla’ programme. As a follow-up in 2018, the experimental improvement of makhalla territories was initiated in 11 districts of the capital and in 30 cities throughout the country.

The ‘Obod Makhalla’ programme was approved with an eye to the positive experience in this field, and the wishes of citizens. In accordance with it, at least two makhallas were renovated in each city in 2018, and by 2022, it is planned to landscape three or more makhallas annually. It is scheduled to build and repair water pipelines, electricity networks, gas pipes and sewage systems, and reduce the seasonal water level.

Above all, it is planned to repair 5,607 kilometers of internal roads, 369 social facilities, create 969 market infrastructure facilities and consumer service points. For these purposes, local administrations have established ‘Obod Makhalla’ funds.

The large-scale initiatives within the framework of the ‘Obod Qishloq’ and ‘Obod Makhalla’ programmes should be brought to the general public and the international community.