The Republic of Moldova continues the process of spending review in public sector, by expanding this exercise for the social protection sector. The working group responsible for this exercise met on 28 June 2023, in a first meeting. The initiative is supported by UNDP Moldova and the Slovak Ministry of Finance.

During the exercise, the public spending for social protection sector will be examined and reviewed. Subsequently, measures to save the allocated budgetary resources are to be proposed, in order to achieve the medium-term budgetary-fiscal objectives.

"We are interested in the systematic control of public spending and identifying potential areas where we can save on low-priority, inefficient or ineffective spending, so that we can use the savings in implementing the necessary reforms. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection will benefit from support from Slovak experts in the process of spending review, which at a later stage will be institutionalized and periodically implemented by all public authorities," said Ion Gumene, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Finance.

The exercise of rationalization of expenditures in the social protection sector will be completed by the end of 2023. Based on the results obtained, a roadmap will be developed for the implementation of the identified recommendations.

Public spending review is an effective tool to support the Government in efficient planning and allocation of financial resources for national development priorities and for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNDP support for increasing the efficiency of public finance management in Moldova is provided as part of a regional initiative launched with the support of the Slovak Government.