From 27–30 April 2026, Dushanbe, Tajikistan hosted the First National Scientific and Practical Conference on Development Management with a focus on monitoring and evaluation (M&E). The event brought together representatives of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, including government officials, local authorities, experts, and development partners.
The conference aimed to strengthen the use of monitoring and evaluation as a management tool and to link strategic planning with budgeting and digitalization at the local level. Discussions focused on improving data quality, strengthening institutional capacities, and introducing digital solutions for development management.
During the final panel session on 29 April, Nadezhda Dobretsova, Chair of the Board of the Development Policy Institute, emphasized the importance of integrated governance approaches: “Digital tools are not a replacement for management work, but a way to make it transparent and verifiable. In Central Asia, the key challenges remain the lack of reliable data, the gap between planning and budgeting, and limited human capacity. That is why it is important to build a unified management cycle where data, indicators, and resources are interconnected”.
She also highlighted practical examples from across the region:
- Uzbekistan’s “Digital Mahalla” system for community-level data management;
- Kazakhstan’s regional standards system linking quality-of-life indicators with budget planning;
- Kyrgyzstan’s AIS “Sanarip Aimak” digital platform integrating planning, forecasting, and territorial development monitoring.
Special attention was given to Tajikistan’s transition from activity-based planning to results-oriented local development management. Participants noted the importance of measurable indicators, stronger analytical capacity, and improved coordination between local and district authorities. The cases were developed within the framework of the EGED Programme supported by the UK Government and implemented in cooperation with the Development Policy Institute.
Participants underlined the growing role of evidence-based governance and digitalization in public administration: “Monitoring and evaluation are becoming an integral part of effective public administration and enable data-driven decision-making. The digitalization of management processes is key to improving transparency and the quality of public services”.
Experts emphasized that the exchange of experience among Central Asian countries helps identify practical solutions and accelerates the implementation of modern approaches at the local level.
The conference concluded with agreements to further strengthen digital tools, expand the use of data in decision-making, and promote integrated approaches to development management across Central Asia.
