In the latest E-Government Survey 2022, a biennial ranking released by the UN, Uzbekistan has moved up 18 positions to 69th. The provision of online services in Uzbekistan has improved significantly, UN analysts noted back in 2020.
At the same time, infrastructure has been developing at a moderate pace. This shows the visible results of the policy of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and other important persons in the country.
How the e-government of Uzbekistan was created
The digitalization of Uzbekistan began about ten years ago. In 2012, the republic’s government approved the “Comprehensive program for developing the national information and communication system.” The implementation of the document was designed from 2013 to 2020.
In July 2013, the country launched the Unified Portal of interactive public services. In 2016, a unified OneID system became available to citizens of Uzbekistan on the my.gov.uz portal. It allows the identification of users, opening access to a wide range of services of state bodies and commercial enterprises. Now, about 20% of the population is registered in OneID.
In 2017, the government of Uzbekistan approved the Strategy of activity on five priority directions of the country’s development in 2017-2021. The Strategy provides for improving the e-government system, enhancing the quality of public services, and developing communication infrastructure.
In 2019, an IT park appeared in Uzbekistan. Its main tasks are education, support, and development of startups, participation in developing specialized legislation, and creating its infrastructure.
Educational centers have been established in various country cities, and an IT town with business centers, offices, and residential premises is under construction. In the two years since the opening of the IT Park, by the end of 2021, the volume of IT industry exports has increased 50 times and reached $46 million.
The future of the industry
In November 2019, the One Million Uzbek Coders program was launched in Uzbekistan. This is an analog of the One Million Arab Coders program (operating in the UAE since 2017).
The program is implemented with the support of the Ministry of IT Development and Communications of Uzbekistan in partnership with the Dubai Future Foundation. Its participants are trained in Data Analysis, Android Programming, Full-Stack Development, and Frontend Development.
The Digital Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy was approved in 2020. The implementation of the document is aimed at the digitalization of regions and industries. Each direction has its roadmap. The Strategy provides for the conversion of all state payments into electronic form, as well as the introduction of more than 400 information systems and electronic services.
In conclusion, the rapid digitalization of public services in Uzbekistan over the past decade demonstrates the country’s commitment to leveraging technology for the benefit of its citizens.
With initiatives such as the One Million Uzbek Coders program and the Digital Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy, the nation is not only looking to create a more accessible and efficient e-government system but also fostering a digitally skilled workforce capable of leading the country into a technological future.
The progress exhibited in the UN’s E-Government Survey is a testament to these efforts. The journey of digital transformation is continual, and with continued investment in infrastructure, training, and innovation, Uzbekistan is well-positioned to climb the ranks in the years to come.