On December 17 of this year, the faculty members of the Department of International Law and Public Law Disciplines of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy — Z. Israilova, Sh. Khamdamova, and D. Soliyev — organized a practical roundtable discussion entitled “Gender Equality and Social Inclusion: A Local-Level SDG Approach” and “SDGs and Social Justice: The Role of Local Policy”. The event was attended by the chairperson of the mahalla citizens’ assembly, an assistant to the khokim, a social worker, a youth leader, a mahalla inspector, a women’s rights activist, as well as respected community representatives and students.

The event was held with the aim of promoting the effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations at the local level in the Republic of Uzbekistan, strengthening cooperation between the state and society, and providing legal support for reforms prioritizing human interests.

During the roundtable, participants representing local government bodies, mahalla institutions, educational institutions, civil society organizations, and the expert community engaged in a comprehensive discussion of issues related to gender equality, social inclusion, social justice, and education. Particular emphasis was placed on women’s and youth participation in decision-making processes, ensuring equal opportunities for persons with disabilities, supporting socially vulnerable population groups, and improving the quality of social services.

In the course of the discussions, participants focused on practical mechanisms for aligning local policies and territorial development programs with SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Special attention was also given to gender-responsive and socially just local budget planning, targeted and transparent allocation of resources, improving systems for handling citizens’ appeals, and the application of SDGs within ongoing education reforms.

As a result of the roundtable, the importance of introducing a monitoring and evaluation system for the implementation of SDGs at the local level, as well as identifying concrete practical approaches to the development of the education system, was emphasized. The event served as an important platform for practical dialogue supporting reforms aimed at sustainable development, social responsibility, and the protection of human dignity within the local governance framework.