75% of corruption crimes in Uzbekistan occur at the local level, particularly in areas such as infrastructure access, licensing, preferential loans, recruitment, and professional development. This announcement was made by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on March 5. In response, the government is introducing new measures to enhance oversight and improve public service delivery.
Enhancing local-level oversight
To address corruption risks, the Anti-Corruption Agency will conduct quarterly visits to high-risk regions. These inspections will assess factors contributing to corruption and propose digital solutions to reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies.
Each minister and regional governor must establish a system that evaluates public services based on citizen feedback. This initiative aims to identify underperforming officials and improve service delivery across various sectors.
Additionally, the government will launch an AI-powered online platform to streamline access to essential services. Citizens will be able to receive instant responses to inquiries related to utilities, subsidies, pensions, and financial assistance without visiting government offices.
Monitoring and regulatory reforms
The government is also reviewing the role of 14 inspectorates responsible for regulatory oversight. Concerns have been raised over corruption within these agencies. The Cabinet of Ministers has been instructed to assess the performance of inspectorate heads, identify corruption risks, and implement corrective measures within two weeks.
Each month, one inspectorate will undergo a critical review, with accountability measures enforced as necessary.
