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ALIN Legislative News                      

 From Tashkent State University of Law

UZBEKISTAN: Recent Legal Developments and Major Reforms (2023-2025)

1.     “Uzbekistan — 2030” Strategy[1]

Following the nationwide referendum on 30 April 2023, Uzbekistan adopted a new edition of its Constitution, strengthening the constitutional foundations of the “New Uzbekistan.” The subsequent presidential election, conducted under the renewed constitutional framework, demonstrated broad public support for the ongoing reforms and the country’s chosen development path. Today, Uzbekistan aims to further institutionalize and deepen large-scale reforms, strengthen democratic governance, and advance socio-economic transformation in line with the aspirations of its people for a free, prosperous, and strong nation.

The “Uzbekistan — 2030” Strategy, developed on the basis of public consultations and previous reform experience, sets out key national development goals, including:

1.    Achieving sustainable economic growth and joining the ranks of upper-middle-income countries.

2.   Modernizing education, healthcare, and social protection systems to fully meet public needs and international standards.

3.   Improving environmental sustainability and ensuring favorable living conditions.

4.   Building an effective, transparent, and citizen-oriented public administration system.

5.   Guaranteeing national sovereignty, security, and long-term stability.

The strategy underscores Uzbekistan’s long-term commitment to inclusive development, human capital growth, and institutional reforms as key drivers of national progress.

2.    Uzbekistan to support poverty reduction with overhaul of welfare system[2]

Uzbekistan has achieved sustained economic growth, reducing the national poverty rate from 23 percent in 2019 to 11 percent in 2023, with a target of reaching 6 percent by the end of 2025. In accordance with the Presidential Decree, the country has entered a new phase of poverty reduction policy aimed at expanding access to productive employment, promoting youth education in innovation and digital technologies, improving access to medical and social services, and strengthening local infrastructure. As a national priority, Uzbekistan plans to lift 500,000 people out of poverty in 2024 and an additional 1 million in 2025. Guided by accumulated national experience and best international practices, the government has launched the “From Poverty to Prosperity” program, designed to empower citizens to take responsibility for their future and realize their full potential.

3.    Efficient Governance as the Cornerstone of New Uzbekistan’s Modernization[3]

Uzbekistan has launched a new phase of administrative reforms aimed at strengthening the institutional foundations of the “New Uzbekistan” and creating an efficient, accountable public administration system. Recent reforms have streamlined government structures by reducing non-core functions, introducing digital governance tools, and optimizing administrative bodies by approximately 15 percent, including the elimination of 40 deputy-level positions across 26 state institutions. Bureaucratic barriers were eased through the abolition of nearly 30 types of licenses and permits, simplification of more than 70 public services, and removal of requirements for over 60 types of official documents. The “e-government” system has expanded rapidly, serving over 4 million users and providing access to more than 350 online public services and 130 inter-agency information systems. To enhance accountability, decision-making efficiency, and executive responsibility, a new governance model was established under which, beginning January 2023, heads of executive bodies that are members of the Cabinet of Ministers report directly to the Prime Minister, independent of the Cabinet’s internal hierarchy.

4.   The public administration system is undergoing comprehensive digital transformation[4].

Uzbekistan has intensified its administrative reforms by prioritizing effective digital governance as a core pillar of the “New Uzbekistan” transformation agenda. Under the Presidential Decree on enhancing state administration in the field of digital technologies, key strategic directions for digital transformation, institutional restructuring of the Ministry of Digital Technologies, and a comprehensive sector-wide digitalization roadmap were approved. The reforms aim to expand digital public services through a single national e-services portal, introduce “three-step” service simplification, establish “Digital Service Points” across service centers, and integrate electronic payments and media services. Major administrative bodies are transitioning to a fully paperless electronic document flow by 2024, supported by unified national digital identifiers and data registries. The decree further mandates digitalization of government-owned enterprises’ production and service processes, incentivizes qualified ICT specialists in public institutions, and transfers certain telecommunications-related planning functions to the private sector, reflecting Uzbekistan’s commitment to building a modern, efficient, and citizen-centered digital state.

5.     A comprehensive reform of the anti-corruption system has been implemented[5].

Uzbekistan has strengthened its anti-corruption framework through a comprehensive Presidential Decree aimed at advancing institutional reforms, enhancing accountability, and mobilizing public oversight. The decree mandates full implementation of national anti-corruption priorities, personal responsibility of government officials, and annual regional “roadmaps” to prevent both systemic and everyday corruption. The role of Parliament is being expanded through mandatory anti-corruption plans for ministerial nominees, annual reviews of high-budget ministries, and development of cyber-integrity legislation. Key measures include intensified community-level crime prevention, restructuring local governance responsibilities, strict liability for inflated state procurement prices, application of international anti-corruption standards in major investment projects, and broader integration of the “Transparent Construction” digital system. Additional provisions introduce paperless governance, public evaluation of government services, incentive mechanisms for compliance, and deployment of AI-based public information tools, reflecting Uzbekistan’s strategic commitment to transparency, civic engagement, and zero-tolerance toward corruption.

Written by the Department of Administrative and finanacial Law, Tashkent State University of Law, under the guidance of Prof. Sardorbek Yusupov, Head of Department and Professor of Administrative and finanacial Law.

Prepared for the 21st ALIN General Meeting and International Conference, November 27-29, 2025, National University of Laos.

Sources include official government publications, international organizations’ reports, and legal databases available at: https://lex.uz/en/