In recent years, comprehensive measures have been taken in Uzbekistan to move the field of statistics to a new level and radically reform it, improve the quality of official statistics and confidence in them through the widespread introduction of advanced technologies into the system.
In particular, the adoption of the Law «On Official Statistics» and the National strategy for the development of statistics field made it possible to more effectively carry out systemic reforms in this area. Also, the State committee on statistics was transformed into the Statistics Agency under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
At the same time, within the framework of administrative reforms, the need arose to organize the activities of statistical bodies on the basis of updated requirements and strengthen their independence, further improve the reliability and quality of statistical data through the widespread use of international quality models and digital technologies in this area.
Based on this, the Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated March 4, 2024 No. RP-114 «On measures to organize the activities of the Statistics Agency under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan» was adopted. The Resolution pays great attention to the issues of improving the legal and organizational frameworks and infrastructure of the national statistical system, expanding opportunities for the use of digital technologies and further strengthening the international cooperation.
In particular, by the decision of the President, the priorities of the activities of the Statistics Agency were determined, its organizational structure and position were approved. Also, a «Road Map» was adopted to deepen reforms in the field of official statistics and transform the activities of the system, as well as target indicators of the Statistics Agency, which should be achieved in 2024-2025.
In addition, in order to strengthen assistance to the effective organization of the national statistical system, the updated composition of the Statistical Council under the Statistics Agency was approved and its powers were expanded.
In accordance with the resolution, in order to introduce the basic principles of quality assurance of official statistics of the United Nations into the national statistical system:
statistical data will be formed based on the international GSBPM model;
each producer of official statistics will develop a policy for the quality and dissemination of official statistics;
a global assessment of the national statistical system will be organized with the broad involvement of international experts.
In order to introduce an outsourcing system in the field of statistics, consulting companies, higher educational institutions and scientific-research institutes will be involved in the process of conducting statistical observations.
Integration processes in the system will be radically improved. In particular, the integration of the Integrated Information System «Statistics» with the data of information systems of 6 ministries and public agencies, as well as with the Inter-agency Information Platform of the «Electronic Government» system will be established.
In addition, in order to determine and increase the level of user satisfaction with statistical data, the Statistics Agency will develop the «Index of Confidence in Official Statistical Data» methodology, and annually, starting from 2025, surveys will be conducted among users with the publication of their results.
At the same time, together with the relevant ministries and public agencies will annually generate and publish indicators of minimum consumer expenditures of the population and the poverty level.
Also, the Presidential Resolution further strengthened the powers, responsibilities and accountability of the Statistics Agency.
In particular, it has been established that the Agency implements state policy in the field of official statistics, reports directly to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and is accountable to him, and also annually reports to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the implementation of statistical works.
In accordance with the procedure determined by this Resolution:
the Agency exercises its powers independently of all state bodies and organizations;
any interference in the legitimate activities of statistical bodies, including the processes of conducting statistical observations, preparation and publication of statistical data is not allowed;
statistical information generated by the Agency is published as official statistical information.
In its turn, the system of advanced training of personnel will be radically improved, retraining of system personnel and training of responsible employees of ministries and public agencies will be organized, cooperation will be established with foreign partners, including the Statistical Training Institute and the Institute of Statistical Research of the Republic of Korea.
Thus, these reforms will allow to create an effective management system that meets modern requirements in the field of statistics in the conditions of New Uzbekistan, and the transparency of all ongoing activities will further increase the confidence of the international community to statistics of Uzbekistan.