10-07-202656
On 21 April 2026, a roundtable discussion on the theme "The Role of the Mahalla in the Social Life of New Uzbekistan" was held at the Vocational and Technical College of Zangiota District, Tashkent Region. The event was organized jointly by the Tashkent Regional Branch of the Centre for Sustainable Development and the Zangiota District Administration.
The event brought together the chairperson and members of the district Nuroniy Foundation, chairpersons of citizens' self-governance bodies [mahalla (community-level self-governance body)], teachers and students of the college — totalling more than 150 participants. The roundtable featured wide-ranging discussion of the mahalla's role in public life, its significance for social development, and its contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The event focused primarily on SDG 4 — Quality Education — and SDG 8 — Decent Work and Economic Growth.
Branch Director A. Tulaganov, who addressed the roundtable, shared his views on pathways toward achieving the SDGs and key global trends in this domain. He noted that digitalisation processes in the education sector are advancing rapidly. According to UNESCO data, online learning platforms and distance education opportunities are expanding globally, broadening access to knowledge for millions of people.
He also addressed transformations in the labour market, noting that according to World Bank analyses, digital skills, innovative thinking, and professional adaptability are becoming the principal demands of the modern economy. It was emphasised that local-level support for the population, the development of entrepreneurship, and the promotion of employment constitute effective instruments for poverty reduction.
Centre expert Sh. Azizov also delivered a presentation, underscoring that the personal contribution of each individual is of fundamental importance to the achievement of the SDGs. He noted that addressing global environmental challenges occurs not only at the level of states, but also through the day-to-day conduct of every person.
Enriching his remarks with data on global environmental trends, Sh. Azizov pointed out that, according to available analyses, climate change is driving rising temperatures, growing water scarcity, and an increasing frequency of natural disasters worldwide. He further noted that air pollution is among the factors posing a serious threat to public health.
He observed that every individual can contribute to addressing such global challenges: planting trees, conserving water and energy, adhering to a healthy lifestyle, and protecting the natural environment — seemingly simple everyday actions — can yield significant results. In this sense, initiatives implemented at the mahalla level constitute a vital component of global sustainable development processes.
The practical segment of the event also merited particular attention. Under the framework of the national project "Yashil Makon" ("Green Space"), a large-scale tree-planting campaign was conducted on the college grounds. More than 100 participants took an active part, planting 100 saplings of apple, cherry, plum, and pear trees. Through this initiative, participants made a practical contribution not only to environmental protection, but also to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
In conclusion, the event served to harmonise global trends with local reforms, enhance the social engagement of the population, and strengthen a sense of responsibility among young people. For the mahalla is, indeed, the most essential link in the chain of sustainable development.
Tashkent Regional Branch of the Sustainable Development Center