By 2030, Uzbekistan Could Completely Eliminate Absolute Poverty — President

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — President Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke at the opening of the International Forum “From Poverty to Prosperity” in Namangan, attended by over 30 prominent organizations and approximately 200 international experts.

The head of state warmly welcomed the participants of the forum, held in Uzbekistan for the third time and devoted to poverty reduction. He expressed gratitude to those present, including Muhammad Al-Jassir, President of the Islamic Development Bank; In Min Yang, Vice President of the Asian Development Bank; Sachiko Imoto, Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency; Kahe Imnadze, UN Special Representative for Central Asia; and Luis Felipe Lopez-Calve, Global Director for Poverty Reduction at the World Bank, as well as all other guests.

President Mirziyoyev noted that humanity is facing an extremely complex and unpredictable period. Geopolitical, economic, and social instability is intensifying worldwide, and serious challenges are arising from climate change, water scarcity, and pandemics.

Since 2015, global economic growth has averaged 3%, lower than in the previous decade. As a result, while around 650 million people lived in poverty five years ago, today their number exceeds 800 million.

“This situation poses new and urgent challenges for all states, international organizations, and the global community, requiring prompt action to address them,” the President emphasized.

Over the past eight years, Uzbekistan has implemented large-scale measures aimed at protecting human rights, ensuring decent employment, increasing incomes, and improving living conditions. Efforts have focused on creating opportunities and expanding possibilities for every individual, especially youth and women, to fully realize their potential.

During the most difficult periods, the fight against poverty was elevated to the level of state policy and transformed into a nationwide movement.

The President noted that at that time, the country lacked clear criteria and methodology for assessing poverty levels. In collaboration with the World Bank and UN institutions, national poverty measurement standards were developed based on international best practices.

The updated Constitution strictly establishes that pensions, benefits, and social assistance cannot be below the minimum subsistence level.

As a result of consistent reforms, 7.5 million people have been lifted out of poverty, and the poverty rate in 2024 fell to 8.9%. By the end of the year, it is expected to reach 6%. A key factor in achieving this outcome was Uzbekistan’s doubling of its economy over the period, along with a projected per capita income of US$3,500 by year-end.

The President noted that, based on the review of new initiatives and global best practices, the “New Uzbekistan” model for poverty reduction was created.

As a crucial transitional tool, targeted social registries covering all needy families were introduced. For example, during the pandemic, 800,000 families received free medicines, 255,000 families received food packages, and 1.2 million families received social benefits.

As a result, 5.2 million people were protected from falling into the “poverty trap,” and the negative effects of the economic downturn were mitigated.

President Mirziyoyev emphasized that the implemented “mahalla-based” system, reaching the most vulnerable segments of society, has proven highly effective. Individual plans are developed for each family and household, and sufficient resources are allocated to increase incomes. Annual investments of US$2.5–3 billion are directed to improving mahallas, enhancing living conditions, and developing entrepreneurial infrastructure.

To raise rural incomes, cotton and grain cultivation areas were reduced by 235,000 hectares, and a new system for allocating 30–50 sotok plots to citizens was introduced. These measures significantly increased incomes for 800,000 people. With the support of leading entrepreneurs, a system for cultivating high-value crops on private plots with guaranteed purchase has been established.

“In short, a business environment reaches every mahalla, and prosperity reaches every family, which people can feel in their daily lives. Thanks to these extensive efforts, Uzbekistan is striving to fulfill ahead of schedule its commitment to halve poverty by 2030. By 2030, according to international standards, we have every opportunity to completely eliminate absolute poverty in the country,” the President stressed.

Currently, the country is implementing the “From Poverty to Prosperity” program, encompassing seven priority areas. The focus is not merely on employment for the low-income population, but on creating conditions for increasing stable jobs so that people have a reliable source of income.

Thanks to a favorable business environment, over the past eight years, 700,000 entrepreneurs have been able to run sustainable businesses.

“It is important to note that the state creates conditions for business, while entrepreneurs take on social responsibility, helping vulnerable populations gain employment and income. Through such effective cooperation, more than 270,000 members of low-income families have secured permanent jobs this year alone,” the President emphasized.

Uzbekistan actively collaborates with international organizations and leading financial institutions to reduce poverty and increase household incomes. In this context, projects worth US$5 billion, implemented jointly with the Islamic Development Bank, aimed at improving living conditions in rural areas, constructing roads, and expanding healthcare and education, are particularly significant.

Quality education remains a key driver of human capital development and long-term poverty reduction. As an example, preschool enrollment increased from 27% to 78%, enabling one million women to access learning opportunities, acquire skills, and earn an income.

These measures will continue, with all necessary conditions being created to ensure full access to preschool education for children from low-income families. For such families, up to 80% of expenses for foreign language study and professional skills training for their children will be covered, enabling approximately 100,000 children from low-income families to benefit.

To ensure that at least one member of every low-income family attains higher education, the provision of concessional educational loans and government grants is being expanded.

Based on international standards, International Training Centers are being established, whose graduates will receive certificates recognized abroad.

In Uzbekistan, the issue of transforming women into active participants in society has also been elevated to the level of state policy.

Concessional loans for university education and a system of free master’s degree programs have been introduced for women. Today, women constitute 53% of students, and in the current year alone, 1.7 million women have secured employment.

These measures will continue: under the “Digital Generation of Girls” program, 50,000 girls will be trained in information and financial technologies as well as artificial intelligence.

“We consistently focus on ensuring that women find their place in all spheres of society. Starting next year, to create equal opportunities for women in the labor market, we will significantly expand coverage under the social insurance system, providing protection against falling into poverty,” the President emphasized, inviting everyone to the Asia Business Women’s Forum, which will be held next year in Namangan.

The President noted that without protecting human health, it is impossible to fully realize one’s potential.

In this area, doctors have been assigned to 140,000 low-income families, conducting comprehensive annual medical examinations. The number of guaranteed medical services has now increased, while expenses for low-income families have been halved. Free medicines and a package of guaranteed medical services are also provided.

Targeted work with populations in need of social protection remains a key component of the fight against poverty. This system has undergone a fundamental reform: powers that were previously distributed among six state bodies have been consolidated under the National Social Protection Agency. In a short period, over 100 “Inson” centers offering one-stop social services were established in every district and city. Social workers actively engage with residents in each mahalla.

Given that people with disabilities face a high risk of poverty, new approaches for supporting and integrating them into society on an inclusive basis have been developed. Decent working conditions have been created: this year, 150,000 people with disabilities were employed, receiving essential medical devices, wheelchairs, and prostheses free of charge.

Improving regional infrastructure and creating comfortable living conditions for the population is a critical step in reducing multidimensional poverty.

In this regard, infrastructure modernization is being carried out in 1,000 mahallas with challenging living conditions, home to nearly 3.5 million people. As a result, in just this year, water supply systems were installed in 470,000 household plots, and electricity supply was improved in 790,000 homes.

Next year, an additional US$400 million will be allocated to improve mahalla infrastructure, create jobs, and support entrepreneurship. Thirty-two districts and 328 challenging mahallas will be selected for the development of targeted programs.

Furthermore, in 810 mahallas, projects totaling US$1.3 billion will be implemented for the construction of water pipelines, sewerage systems, roads, schools, and kindergartens. Annually, US$200 million in subsidies will be provided to low-income families to facilitate access to mortgage systems.

The President called on international financial institutions to take poverty reduction requirements into account when financing infrastructure projects in developing countries.