Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - On 3 September, as part of the program of the 46th Annual Meeting of the IDB Board of Governors, a round table was held to discuss current trends in the global and regional economy, the impact of COVID-19 on the economies of the IDB member countries, and the Bank’s activities on their support in overcoming the problems associated with the pandemic, as well as the IDB strategy for the near future.

During the event, an exchange of views took place on the challenges and difficulties of an economic and social nature that the IDB member countries faced in the past year. These include rising levels of poverty and growing inequality both within individual countries and at the intercountry and interregional levels.

The round table became a platform for the formation of a common understanding of the key factors that determine the pace of further sustainable development in the post-like period, and mechanisms for solving the problems facing the governments of the IDB member countries.

The Bank’s management announced that the IDB will continue to consistently work to provide practical support to member countries in overcoming the consequences of the pandemic by investing in strengthening the health system and developing socio-economic infrastructure. Particular emphasis will be placed on ensuring access to antioxidant vaccines and mass vaccination of the population.

Particular attention will be paid to mechanisms to ensure the resilience of the economies of the Bank’s member countries to possible socio-economic risks by eliminating social inequality, ensuring food security and creating employment opportunities for women and youth.

At the same time, the IDB will retain its role as a key catalyst for investment, trade, economic and regional cooperation, as well as a link for the economies of the Bank’s member countries.

Speaking at the round table, the participants put forward a number of proposals for further mobilizing the Bank’s resources to ensure sustainable development, social support for the population, reduce poverty, stimulate the development of small and medium-sized businesses and restore economic activity in the IDB member countries, which will form the basis for developing a strategy for further the Bank’s activities in the near future and effective solutions to the tasks set.