Uzbekistan and the World Bank Discuss Expanding Cooperation in Education and Social Infrastructure

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 29 January, a meeting was held between Yves Chanceme, Senior Education Specialist at the World Bank, and Otabek Fazilkarimov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The talks were also attended by Tigran Shmis, Senior Education Specialist at the World Bank, Education Specialist Viktoriya Babakhadjaeva, and other relevant representatives of both sides.

During the meeting, the participants held an in-depth exchange of views on the implementation of socio-economic reforms in Uzbekistan and the country’s priority areas for further development.

Particular attention was paid to prospects for expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in the social sector, as well as to deepening engagement in the design and implementation of education infrastructure projects under the results-based Program-for-Results (PforR) framework.

One of the key priorities identified was the construction of a new generation of educational institutions that meet modern requirements and international standards.

In this context, discussions covered the attraction of financing in the amount of US$55 million for the construction of modern schools, including US$5 million in grant funding, as well as the implementation of a preschool education construction project with a total cost of US$70 million.

The parties also considered ways to enhance the effectiveness of these initiatives through better alignment, integration, and optimization.

Special attention was given to the development of projects based on the PforR mechanism, the introduction of new financing approaches, and the formulation of clear, measurable, and results-oriented key performance indicators at both the financing and repayment stages.

In addition, the meeting addressed prospects for constructing education and social infrastructure facilities using modern and green technologies, developing energy-efficient buildings, ensuring the rational use of resources, and applying advanced international best practices.

The importance of establishing sustainable and effective financing mechanisms for the successful implementation of projects, as well as improving project preparation and subsequent monitoring processes, was emphasized.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides expressed their readiness to further strengthen cooperation in support of Uzbekistan’s socio-economic development, to develop joint projects in specific areas, and to continue systematic and constructive dialogue.