Reforms in the social sphere - the way to build a New Uzbekistan

The large-scale reforms observed in Uzbekistan today are taking place within the framework of the implementation of the Development Strategy of the New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026, which is a comprehensive action plan to modernize the economy, improve social security, improve the quality of education and healthcare, as well as protect the cultural and spiritual heritage of the nation. 

Uzbekistan's success in implementing social reforms has already received international recognition. However, it should be understood that the path was not easy. The State had to face a number of serious challenges related to both internal factors and global trends. That is why the analysis of the changes carried out, their results and prospects is especially important for understanding how the republic is building its new future today and how it will continue to do it tomorrow. 
It is impossible to overestimate the importance and importance of the Strategy "Uzbekistan - 2030", within which the country's leadership has identified key priorities for reforms in the social sphere, striving to ensure a high quality of life for citizens and sustainable development. 
So, one of the main priorities of transformation is education. The purpose of the reforms is to modernize and adapt the educational system to modern world standards. Curriculum renewal programs (training courses) and teacher training are being actively implemented at all levels, modern educational technologies are being introduced and the infrastructure of relevant institutions is being improved. Special attention is paid to the accessibility and quality of higher education, which is aimed at training highly qualified specialists who are able to compete in the international labor market. 
Healthcare is also undergoing significant reforms. The Government is committed to ensuring universal access to quality medical services. This includes the modernization of medical institutions, the integration of advanced innovative technologies, training of medical personnel according to international standards and the expansion of disease prevention programs. The development of the health insurance system, aimed at reducing the financial burden on citizens, also plays an important role in this direction. 
Reforms in the field of social protection are aimed at creating an effective social security system that will protect the most vulnerable segments of the population. This includes improving the system of social benefits, expanding social support programs (including for the elderly, people with disabilities and low-income families), as well as developing measures to promote employment and vocational retraining. 
Uzbekistan is actively working to preserve, study and popularize cultural and spiritual heritage. Changes in this area are aimed at supporting cinema, literature, music, theater, traditional forms of creativity and much more. Large-scale events are held, new museums and libraries are opened, programs supporting creative people and folk art masters receive decent funding.
The adoption of the Strategy "Uzbekistan - 2030" marked the beginning of a new era in the history of the country - the era of great social transformations and innovations. However, the key to success is not only the development of extensive strategic plans, but also their practical implementation. 
Therefore, we will focus on the concrete steps taken by Uzbekistan to implement ambitious plans, as well as consider the results achieved and success stories. After all, since the adoption of the strategy, the Government of Uzbekistan has been actively working on its implementation. Various programs and initiatives have been launched aimed at the above-described areas: modernization of education, reform of the healthcare system, strengthening of social protection and preservation of cultural heritage. 
In the educational sphere, the key measures were the introduction of modern educational standards, updating curricula and investing in the infrastructure of educational institutions. In healthcare, the focus in recent years has been on the modernization of clinics, staff training and the introduction of new technologies to provide quality medical services. As part of strengthening social protection, social support mechanisms have been improved, programs have been introduced to support vulnerable segments of the population, and strategies have been developed to promote employment and reduce poverty. 
The practical implementation of the strategy has already borne fruit, which is confirmed by a number of successful initiatives. For example, the program of modernization of education in the regions has significantly increased the level of literacy and accessibility of knowledge. And the introduction of telemedicine provided residents of remote areas with access to medical consultations of highly qualified experts. 
However, despite the successes achieved, Uzbekistan still faces serious challenges that may hinder further progress, and therefore require an immediate response in the form of further efforts and innovations. The continued implementation of the strategy will require constant monitoring, evaluation and adaptation of plans in accordance with changing conditions and the needs of society. 
Understanding these barriers and developing strategies to overcome them are critically important for ensuring sustainable socio-economic development of the country. For example, one of the main problems is the still observed limitations of the possibility of improving the quality of educational and medical services, expanding access to them. In addition, although significant progress has been made in infrastructure modernization, there is still a gap in the quality and availability of these services in many regions. 
The personnel issue is also a serious challenge, including in the health sector, where a shortage of qualified specialists (especially in rural areas) leads to inequality in access to quality medical care. In the educational sphere, the lack of trained teachers and teachers, as well as outdated educational equipment continue to affect the quality of knowledge acquisition. To overcome these problems, Uzbekistan is already developing and implementing a number of strategies. 
The importance of innovation and digitalization of services is also recognized as a critical factor for improving efficiency and accessibility. In this context, the Government is actively exploring the opportunities provided by digital transformation, introducing new technologies in the management of social services. However, in order to successfully overcome the existing problems, it is necessary to continue efforts to expand international cooperation, attract investment, as well as encourage scientific research and innovation in the social sphere. 
Only through the joint efforts of all sectors of society will the country be able to overcome current challenges and move forward to a prosperous and sustainable future. 
The process of socio-economic reforms in Uzbekistan, launched as part of the implementation of the Strategy "Uzbekistan - 2030", is multifaceted and multifaceted. It covers a wide range of areas of society and is aimed at achieving sustainable development, prosperity and well-being of all citizens of the country. 
Summing up the main achievements and identified problems, as well as considering the prospects and directions of further reforms, I would like to emphasize that Uzbekistan has made significant progress in implementing an ambitious strategy for the next seven years. 

Sardor Zhakbarov. 
Leading researcher at the Institute of Legislation and Legal Policy under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.