Uzbekistan has rapidly transformed to a leading emerging PPP market. However, significant challenges lie ahead as a $14bn pipeline of transactions are being targeted for delivery over 2022-2026. The aim of this panel is to provide an overview of the key features of the PPP framework that have helped to drive the transformation process and the areas for improvement that will be required going forward. It will focus on analyzing the trajectory of the PPP program and will provide different perspectives on the progress achieved so far and the prospects as well as challenges ahead. This panel consists of government officials, international advisors, and representatives of the International Finance Institutions.

The aim of this panel is to highlight the successes and challenges of awarded PPP projects in the energy sector of Uzbekistan. Realising the benefits of attracting private sector finance, expertise skills and efficiencies to public sector projects the Government of Uzbekistan (GOU) embarked in a well-designed PPP programme. The PPP Development Agency of Uzbekistan (PPPDA) was established in December 2018 and a PPP law was enacted in May 2019 and amended in January 2021. With the support of ADB, EBRD and IFC the focus of PPP investments has centred in the energy generation sector with the award of 17 projects by the Government of Uzbekistan, to generate 8.5 GW of electricity where 2.9 GW of this capacity renewable sources such as wind and solar, where the last awarded tender for the first competitively tendered wind power project `100 MW Koraozak Wind Power Plant` won by ACWA Power was completed with the newly amended PPP Law proving the ability of the Uzbek PPP legislation to implement bankable projects going forward.

Urbanization is seen as a key driver of economic opportunity in Uzbekistan, and over 50% of the country's population now resides in urban centers. This requires greater investment and operation of basic utilities such as water, wastewater, solid waste, and district heating. Moreover, the global climate crisis places greater emphasis on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in the design and operation of utilities, accelerating the need to engage private sector technology.

This panel includes some of the pioneers of utilities PPPs in Uzbekistan from both the public and private sector in a variety of urban sectors, and will discuss effective models for private sector participation in utilities ranging from operations and maintenance, affermages, and DBFOM concessions, with a view towards leveraging private sector innovation and investment while balancing the need for affordability of basic services in the Uzbekistan context.

One of the main priorities of the Government of Uzbekistan is to ensure improved social welfare for all citizens by providing access to high-quality healthcare and education services operating efficiently with the aid of modern resources and methodologies. The first healthcare PPP project focused on development and operation of Haemodialysis facilities to cater for over 1000 patients was implemented in 2021 and new projects in the social sphere are continuing with radiotherapy centres, multifunctional hospitals, 100 schools, 100 kindergartens and 100 dormitories.

This session of the Roundtable brings together deputy ministers of healthcare and public education to discuss their strategic visions for investments and how PPP can be a solution to improve the social infrastructure of Uzbekistan with valuable contributions from international investors and advisors sharing their experiences in line with the Government's vision and priorities.

With a 447,400 m2 land area, Uzbekistan is a vast country with a strategic location in Central Asia connecting East to West and North to South. To harness Uzbekistan's strategic advantages and improve its access to the global markets a modern transportation infrastructure plays a paramount catalyst role in the Government's future growth plans for the most populous nation in the region.

The panel will focus mainly on airport and toll-road PPPs where senior officials of the Ministry of Transport and public agencies in charge of public transport infrastructure will share their investment strategies/views on PPPs and senior representatives of international investors/advisors will share their experiences for successful implementation of such landmark transport projects under PPP framework.

The Government of Uzbekistan launched a comprehensive reform programme in 2017 to transform the country and set it on a new trajectory of growth and development. A key component of the reform programme was to apply public-private partnerships to unlock the potential of the private sector in keys part of the economy and to attract private sector financing and expertise in the delivery of key public services.

Historical underinvestment in vital areas of social and economic infrastructures has led to gaps in public service provision with many infrastructure assets also in poor condition and in urgent need of modernisation. A 2019 IMF report estimated that Uzbekistan needs to invest an additional $6bn per year to meet its 2030 SDG targets. A number now that will have grown even further to take into account the extra $4bn needed for Covid 19 measures.

The government has targeted the delivery of $14bn dollars of PPP projects as part of its financing strategy to meet the 2030 SDG commitments, However, success depends on whether the scale of financing required for the rapidly increasing PPP pipeline can be realised at reasonable costs, The aim of this panel is to bring finance experts from government, private sector and development financial institutions to discuss how the latest financing innovations can help to leverage the funds required to meet the increasing demand for private financing to deliver Uzbekistan's PPP programme.