At present, especially in times of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan is paying specific attention to improving social protection of the most vulnerable groups of the population, as well as strengthening social and economic reforms in the country. One of the important steps taken in this direction is the launch of the UN Joint Programme on accelerating Agenda 2030 in Uzbekistan through inclusive transformation of the social protection system. The Programme is implemented by three UN Agencies such as UNICEF, ILO and UNDP.

On July 2, an online introductory meeting was held on the implementation of the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) norms in disability assessment. The online meeting was attended by the representatives of organizations of people with disabilities and international organizations such as UNICEF, ILO, UNDP and OSCE. Discussions included activities aimed at transforming the social protection system in Uzbekistan. Representatives of the Joint Programme introduced the goals, objectives, main activities and expected results of the Component 3 of the UN Joint Programme, implemented by UNDP.

The Joint Programme representatives noted the importance of involving all interested groups, especially in times of the current pandemic crisis, drew the participants' attention to the importance of piloting and testing ICF provisions, the capacity building of organizations of people with disabilities, and improving the transformation of the national social protection system for people with disabilities, and developing proposals for improving the system of social service delivery.

Moreover, information was presented on the implementation of the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) provisions in the social protection system, assisting the government in ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and improving mechanisms for the provision of social services.

By the end of the meeting, the following steps were identified as next activities of the component: close cooperation with organizations of people with disabilities to work together on the development of proposals for the ratification of the CRPD and the implementation of ICF norms and principles; constant exchange of information; discussion and analysis of previous reports and results of various projects on disability issues in order to avoid duplication of activities of the Joint Programme.