Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A delegation from the Agency for Strategic Reforms and the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, led by Director of the Agency for Strategic Reforms Bakhodir Rakhmatov, is currently on a working visit to Austria.

The visit, organized at the invitation of the International Advisory Council (IAC), is aimed at studying international best practices in regional development, territorial governance, and sustainable growth.

The purpose of the trip is to familiarize the delegation with global approaches to unlocking the potential of territories by taking into account their unique characteristics, reducing regional imbalances, building systems of interregional cooperation, and formulating clear targets for sustainable development.

On the first day of the visit, the delegation held a series of important meetings. The first meeting took place with the Chairman of the International Advisory Council, former Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer. During the discussions, the Austrian administrative structure was presented, areas of cooperation for 2025 were reviewed, and agreements were reached on continued support for key reforms in Uzbekistan, particularly in agriculture, demographics, and the implementation of innovations.

The delegation then visited Austria’s Ministry of Finance, where they met with ministry advisor Florentin Kerschbaumer. The discussions focused on the distribution of powers between federal and regional authorities and financial decentralization mechanisms aimed at efficient and equitable resource allocation. The Austrian side shared its experience in building a balanced system that combines regional autonomy with centralized coordination.

At the Vienna City Hall, the delegation met with Thomas Born, head of the department for municipal affairs. The focus was on the city’s experience in urban management, social policy, and ensuring sustainable development. Austrian colleagues emphasized the rejection of privatization of essential public services, the prioritization of social justice, and the implementation of long-term urban planning tools.

The final meeting of the first day was a visit to the administrative center of Lower Austria, the city of St. Pölten, where talks were held with regional Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner and Head of the Department for Ecology and Energy Peter Obrecht. The regional representatives gave a detailed presentation of their waste management system, ecological initiatives, and comprehensive approach to natural resource management.

The delegation’s visit continues. Next are trips to the Czech Republic and Poland, where further exchanges of experience in territorial development are scheduled. Based on the outcomes of the visit, proposals will be prepared to strengthen the role of local authorities (hokimiyats) in strategic planning, improve resource distribution mechanisms, address infrastructure challenges, and implement modern approaches to regional policy.