In December 2025, UNDP and the Ministry of Economy and Finance organized a three-day practical training to strengthen national experts’ skills in programme-based budgeting, integrating SDGs into public finance management.
Programme-based budgeting (PBB) puts results at the centre of public spending, linking policy priorities with budget allocations to deliver measurable outcomes and better value for money. In Uzbekistan, PBB is a key reform tool for strengthening public finance management and promoting strategic, sustainable budgeting.
“Programme-based budgeting is an important tool for achieving strategic objectives and ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and transparently. The training is an important step toward building the capacity needed for these public finance reforms,” noted Aynur Bakaybayeva, Head of the Gender and Green Budgeting Methodology Division at the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
Expanding Practical Skills
To build practical PBB skills among national experts, and following the results of the recently conducted Training of Trainers (ToT) for specialists from the Ministry of Economy and Finance and pilot ministries, UNDP and the Ministry of Economy and Finance organized a three-day practical training seminar from 10 to 12 December 2025.
The current phase aimed to strengthen the capacity of experts from ministries through hands-on exercises. Participants from strategic planning, budgeting, and internal audit departments collaborated across ministries, enhancing interagency cooperation and sharing experiences.
The training covered key areas of programme-based budgeting, including:
- Budget programme design and results chains
- SMART indicators and performance measurement
- Cross-sectoral cooperation
- Gender-responsive and green budgeting
- Digital monitoring tools and visual dashboards
Learning and Hands-On Experience
As a result, participants enhanced their practical skills in PBB, including evaluating budget programmes, using SMART indicators, and applying digital monitoring tools, while reinforcing the links between strategic planning, budgeting, and internal audit.
Rustam Muhamedjanov, UNDP National Consultant on Programme Budgeting, emphasized the importance of monitoring: “Monitoring budget programmes is important to make sure public funds are used properly, efficiently, and on time. It helps identify problems early, such as delays, risks of not achieving goals, or management challenges. Monitoring results also help improve programmes, redistribute resources when needed, and support better decision-making. Overall, monitoring increases the effectiveness of budget spending and improves transparency and accountability in public institutions.”
Context
The training was delivered as part of the Public Finance for Development in Uzbekistan project, supported by the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic and UNDP in Europe and Central Asia. Programme-based budgeting in Uzbekistan is a key instrument for aligning resources with national strategic priorities, promoting transparency, and ensuring that public funds contribute to sustainable and inclusive development.