BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 14. Central Asian
states plan the creation of a regional platform to coordinate the
development of local self-government, Trend reports via the Kyrgyz Development Policy
Institute.
The issue was raised at the first “Local Self-Governance in
Central Asia” forum, which brought together representatives of
government bodies, municipal associations, international
organizations, think tanks and experts from across the region. The
event was organized by Uzbekistan’s Mahallas Association and the
Development Policy Institute of Kyrgyzstan, with support from
UK-funded and Swiss-backed development programs.
A key outcome of the forum was a proposal to establish a Council
of Local Self-Government and Local Development in Central Asia. The
council is envisioned as a permanent regional platform uniting
government agencies, local authorities, municipal associations and
communities from all 5 Central Asian countries.
According to participants, the platform would focus on
coordinating data exchange, piloting joint initiatives, improving
investment decision-making at the local level and strengthening
citizen participation in governance.
Discussions also emphasized the need to harmonize approaches to
local economic development, improve the regional investment
climate, expand the use of digital governance tools and econometric
models, and encourage cross-border cooperation between
municipalities.
