Uzbekistan: from the sustainable development of the economy to the growth of the welfare of the population

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to eradicate poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all people. They cover the social, environmental and economic aspects of society and the State. 
The 17 SDGs until 2030 are the global problems of humanity formulated by the United Nations and ways to solve them. The Goals were approved by all UN Member states, including Uzbekistan, in September 2015 at the 70th anniversary UN Summit "Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development". Thus, since 2015, the world community has begun to form a new Agenda in the field of sustainable development, which includes 17 goals and 169 tasks. Their achievement will be measured using more than 200 indicators. 
Uzbekistan has supported and actively joined in the implementation of the SDGs. On October 20, 2018, the Government of the Republic adopted a resolution "On measures to implement National goals and objectives in the field of sustainable development for the period up to 2030". The document establishes 16 National Sustainable Development Goals and 127 related tasks, and also provides for the preparation of regular national reports on the implementation of the SDGs in Uzbekistan, the gradual integration of Sustainable Development Goals into state development programs and the budget of Uzbekistan. The national SDGs provide for a set of specific goals and objectives in economic, social and environmental areas. 
The reforms carried out in our country on the basis of the principle "In the name of human honor and dignity" are aimed at ensuring human rights and freedoms and the formation of an active civil society. These reforms fully meet the SDGs. Uzbekistan's commitment to sustainable development was once again noted by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in February 2021 at the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council. Then the head of our state stressed that the achievement of the SDGs until 2030 will be carried out in Uzbekistan in accordance with the UN proclaimed principle of "Leaving no one behind". Thus, the consistent implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals is one of the important priorities of the state policy of the New Uzbekistan. 
Today, having passed half of this way, it should be noted that Uzbekistan has achieved success in promoting its transformation program towards sustainable development. It is also noteworthy that the large-scale reforms carried out in the country are fully consistent with the goals and objectives in the field of sustainable development. And the main principle of the SDGs "No one should be left without attention" is the main priority of the welfare state. This means that all changes in financial structures - both public and private - must first of all meet the needs of the people and be aimed at solving problems in accordance with National Sustainable Development Goals. 
According to available data, in 2021-2023, more than 72 percent of State Budget expenditures are allocated to achieving the SDGs. In turn, in 2022, about 25 percent of all State budget expenditures were directed to ensuring universal and equitable quality education and promoting access to lifelong learning, which is the highest share of funding. Also, 12 percent of all expenditures last year were allocated to ensuring a healthy lifestyle and improving the well-being of people of all ages (SDG 3), and 12.9 percent - to reduce the level of poverty of the population (SDG 1). 
According to the report of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 186.696 trillion soums were allocated for the implementation of the SDGs in 2023, which is 72.5 percent of the share of total expenditures. Of these, 24.9 percent of State budget expenditures (64.1 trillion soums) are planned to be directed to providing comprehensive and high-quality education and assistance in access to lifelong learning, which account for the largest share of funding. And 12.9 percent (33.2 trillion soums) of State Budget expenditures - to reduce the level of poverty of the population, 12.2 percent (31.4 trillion soums) - to ensure a healthy lifestyle for people of all ages. 
It should also be noted that as a result of the ongoing reforms in the field of achieving the SDGs by the end of 2022, Uzbekistan rose by eight points compared to the indicators of 2021 and took 69th place among 166 countries with an indicator of 71.1 points. The republic is in the eighth position among the CIS countries. 
Today the key priorities are:
ensuring the growth of the welfare of the population through the sustainable development of the country's economy; 
significant reduction in the level of poverty; 
significant increase in GDP per capita; 
creation of education, medical and social protection systems that meet international standards;
provision of favorable environmental conditions for the population; 
significant reduction in youth unemployment; 
formation of a fair modern state. 

It is noteworthy that the Parliament of Uzbekistan is a key link in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. In January 2020, the President of the country, speaking at the first meeting of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, noted the need for the upper chamber to monitor the achievement of indicators approved by the UN in pursuance of the Sustainable Development Goals. In this regard, in February 2020, by a joint resolution of the Chambers of the Oliy Majlis, a Parliamentary commission was formed to monitor the implementation of National goals and objectives in the field of sustainable development of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the period up to 2030. 
The strategy "Uzbekistan - 2030", approved by Presidential Decree of September 11, 2023, also provides for the implementation of National goals and objectives in the field of sustainable development, covers five areas and 100 goals, preserving all those tasks on which the most active work has been carried out in recent years. 
For more effective implementation of the planned plans and programs, it is necessary to develop mechanisms for further harmonious interaction of Parliament, government and civil society institutions in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Emma Aslonova, 
Deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis 
Of the Republic of Uzbekistan.