Khokimiyat of Tashkent and UNDP discuss the results of partnership in the field of digital development and innovation

Posted on March 13, 2020 by Design in Design Innovation | 0 Comments

04/03/2020 15:30

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 4 March 2020, a press briefing was held on the results of cooperation between the Tashkent khokimiyat and the United Nations Development Program in Uzbekistan in the field of digital development and innovation. The event was held in the format of presentations for representatives of the media and the Public Council at the khokimiyat of Tashkent.

Opening the meeting, First Deputy khokim Davron Khidoyatov thanked the UNDP mission for helping to develop infrastructure transformations. The cooperation of the khokimiyat and UNDP began in May 2019 and is focused on innovative development.

“We are confident that cooperation with UNDP will help in the implementation of the 2020 plans, which are larger than in 2019,” Khidoyatov noted.

Doina Munteanu, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Uzbekistan, also noted the importance of joint efforts to introduce digital technologies, but at the same time, he said, it should be remembered that the “smart city” should also be convenient for citizens.

In 2019, assistance was provided in the development of the concept of digital transformation of the city of Tashkent – “Digital Tashkent”. The document aims to increase the efficiency of urban governance and radically improve the quality of life for residents and guests of the capital using digital and innovative technologies. During the work on the concept, an inventory of all regulatory legal acts governing the provision of public services by the khokimiyat was carried out. This task was implemented with financial support from the British Embassy in Uzbekistan.

Another result was the introduction of the Tableau business intelligence system in the khokimiyat for a phased transition to digital data-based management. Currently, the system is used to analyze and visualize transport, customs and socio-economic data, which will help to more efficiently use available resources and increase the efficiency of the khokimiyat and its services.

Nodira Muhammadkulova, coordinator of innovative research at the UNDP project, spoke about an experiment with SUE “Makhsustrans” on the application of the push theory in solving the problem of garbage sorting. As part of the experiment, colored containers were introduced in the pilot makhalla of Yakkasaray district of the capital and a special schedule for the removal of municipal solid waste was established. The final results of the experiment have yet to be evaluated, but today it can be argued that it allowed to increase the proportion of waste suitable for processing, which will positively affect the ecology and economy of the city.

Temur Akhmedov, a UNDP consultant and member of the public council at the city’s khokimiyat, spoke about the Green Schools project. It is based on a behavioral program using methods from the “push theory” that shows students how to save resources. Moreover, using knowledge gained in a physics lesson. The first experience showed that the inclusion of students can save up to 25% of resources compared to control data.

In addition, such joint initiatives as the digital transformation of social housing services, the launch and half-year results of the Meningo Ovozim portal for voting by citizens on topical, socially significant issues were discussed. The project manager of the hokimiyat Timur Miyassarov demonstrated the capabilities of the portal mo.tashkent.uz, which allows you to choose the most relevant, according to the citizens, areas of application of efforts.

UNDP, for its part, has supported the Government of Uzbekistan in its efforts to develop ICTs and e-government since 2002, combining practical knowledge in the field of local development with international best practices.

Following the results of the presentations, a discussion was held of the results presented and the prospects for further cooperation. During the discussion, Feruza Rashidova, director of the Academic Lyceum No. 2 at the Uzbek State University of World Languages and a member of the public council at the khokimiyat, suggested that the UNDP mission also pay attention to lifelong learning and the possibility of involving lyceum students as volunteers. The meeting participants also expressed the wish for a comprehensive solution to the problem of solid waste processing so that the UNDP initiative does not remain local, to which the responsible staff noted that this issue is in the active phase of solution.