USAID LEGAL REFORM PROGRAM FY2023 FIRST QUARTERLY REPORT: OCTOBER 1, 2022 – DECEMBER 31, 2022

The program's activities are focused on supporting the efforts of the Government of Uzbekistan (GOU) to strengthen its economy and raise the level of development of the country. The GOU has been working to improve the business environment through legal, economic, and educational reforms. Recent measures have included reducing tax, customs, and administrative burdens, simplifying procedures for export-import transactions, and improving the money circulation system and the banking sector. The government has also expressed awareness of administrative hurdles and corruption, and has taken steps to address these issues, including better separation of powers and measures to protect property and transactions. During the reporting period, the government issued several policy documents that impact LRP's work. These include a resolution on the organization of the State Fund for Support of Family and Women, measures to organize Centers for Ensuring Employment and Improving the Health of Women, and a presidential decree establishing a new system of training of qualified personnel in the field of investigation of crime. Additionally, the government introduced additions and amendments to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Guarantees of Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men," which defines the procedure for conducting a gender audit and introduces a definition of an integrated gender approach. The LRP has made significant progress in achieving its objectives, including supporting rule of law development in Uzbekistan, developing the legal profession, and improving the legal operating environment for civil society and NGOs. The program has implemented locally led grants, supported commercial law activities, and provided training to judges, prosecutors, and other legal professionals. The program's activities have been focused on the following objectives: * Supporting rule of law development in Uzbekistan, including the development of a new system of training of qualified personnel in the field of investigation of crime. * Developing the legal profession, including the establishment of a new system of training of qualified personnel in the field of investigation of crime and the introduction of a definition of an integrated gender approach. * Improving the legal operating environment for civil society and NGOs, including the introduction of a new system of training of qualified personnel in the field of investigation of crime and the establishment of a specialized higher education and research institution. The LRP has also made significant progress in implementing its activities, including the establishment of a new system of training of qualified personnel in the field of investigation of crime and the introduction of a definition of an integrated gender approach. The program has also provided training to judges, prosecutors, and other legal professionals, and has supported the development of a new system of training of qualified personnel in the field of investigation of crime.