On September 17, the 3rd International Poverty Reduction Forum “Road to Prosperity” began its work in the city of Namangan. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

The Head of State noted that against the backdrop of geopolitical, economic, and social instability in the world, as well as the consequences of climate change, the pace of global economic growth has slowed, which in turn has led to an increase in the number of low-income people. These realities present new, urgent challenges for states, international organizations, and the global community as a whole.

During such a difficult period, the fight against poverty in Uzbekistan has been elevated to the level of state policy. All efforts are aimed at ensuring that every individual – especially youth and women – can fully realize their potential. The renewed Constitution stipulates that pensions, benefits, and social assistance cannot be lower than the minimum consumer spending level.

Thanks to consistent reforms, 7.5 million people have been lifted out of poverty, and in 2024, the poverty rate was reduced to 8.9 percent. The goal has been set to lower this figure to 6 percent by the end of the year. A key factor was the doubling of the economy. By the end of the year, per capita income is expected to reach $3,500.

Based on the piloting of new initiatives and the study of advanced international practices, the New Uzbekistan model for poverty reduction has been developed. Targeted social registries have been introduced, and during the pandemic, a total of $8 billion was allocated for free medicines and social benefits. This made it possible to prevent 5.2 million citizens from falling into the “poverty trap” and to avert an economic recession.

A system of work at the mahalla – the grassroots level – has been implemented. Individual work is carried out with each family, and the necessary resources are provided to increase incomes. Every year, $2.5-3 billion is allocated toward improving mahallas, enhancing people’s living conditions, and developing entrepreneurial infrastructure.

To increase rural incomes, 235,000 hectares of land previously allocated for cotton and grain have been reduced, and citizens were granted plots of 30-50 acres. This has become a crucial step in increasing the incomes of 800,000 people.

“Thanks to such large-scale efforts, Uzbekistan is striving to fulfill ahead of schedule its commitment to halve poverty by 2030. Moreover, today we are ready to set an even higher benchmark: by 2030, according to international criteria, Uzbekistan has every opportunity to eradicate absolute poverty – and we will certainly achieve this”, the President emphasized.

The “Road to Prosperity” program, consisting of seven priorities, is being implemented.

First. Not just employment at any cost, but the creation of sustainable sources of income. In 2024, through the attraction of $35 billion in investments, more than 9,000 new enterprises were launched and about 300,000 high-income jobs were created. The state creates conditions for business, while entrepreneurs, assuming social responsibility, help low-income citizens obtain permanent employment and income. This year alone, more than 270,000 members of low-income families secured permanent employment.

Second. Quality education is the main “driver” of reducing poverty in the long term. Children from low-income families will be fully covered by preschool education; 80 percent of their expenses for learning foreign languages and acquiring a profession will be reimbursed. Over the past five years, more than 800,000 people have been trained in modern professions and employed in high-income positions. International vocational training centers are being established, issuing certificates recognized abroad.

Third. Expanding women’s participation in public life. Female students are provided with interest-free loans for education, and opportunities for free master’s studies are being created. Today, 53 percent of all students are women; this year alone, 1.7 million women have found employment. In 2024, $1.5 billion was allocated to support women’s entrepreneurship; in 2025, another 2 million women are expected to be provided with permanent income. Under the “Daughters of the Digital Generation” program, 50,000 young women will be trained in IT, fintech, and artificial intelligence.

Fourth. Healthcare as the foundation for unlocking human potential. Doctors are assigned to low-income families, and comprehensive annual medical examinations are carried out. The scope of guaranteed medical care will be expanded, and such families’ medical expenses will be reduced by half through free medicines and guaranteed care packages.

Fifth. Targeted social protection. The system has been completely restructured: the National Agency for Social Protection was established, and Inson centers were opened in all cities and districts, providing more than 100 types of social services on a one-stop-shop basis. Social workers are employed in every mahalla. In 2024, 2.7 million citizens received services and assistance. The introduction of new forms of day care for those in need has enabled 50,000 non-disabled family members to return to work.

To improve the quality and coverage of social services, a $100 million project has been launched in cooperation with the World Bank. Separate programs are being implemented to provide children with disabilities access to school and vocational education.

Sixth. Infrastructure as the key to reducing multidimensional poverty. In 1,000 mahallas with complex conditions, home to about 3.5 million people, large-scale projects are underway. In 2025, an additional $400 million will be allocated to improve infrastructure in mahallas, create jobs, and support entrepreneurship: 32 districts and 328 “difficult” mahallas have been selected, for which separate development programs will be adopted. At the same time, projects worth $1.3 billion are being implemented in 810 mahallas to improve water supply, sewage, roads, and the construction of schools and kindergartens. For those in need and low-income families, $200 million in annual mortgage subsidies is provided.

Seventh. More than 70 percent of government spending is directed toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the same time, globally, achieving the SDGs requires more than $4 trillion annually for developing countries. Under these conditions, there is a need for a “new financial architecture for poverty reduction” – with an objective assessment of risks, the attraction of resources, and the enhancement of their efficiency.

In this regard, a conference will be held in Khiva in 2026, with participation from international financial institutions, donor organizations, and partner countries.

The forum was attended by the President of the Islamic Development Bank, Muhammad Al Jasser, Vice-President of the Asian Development Bank, Yingming Yang, Senior Vice President of JICA, Sachiko Imoto, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, Kaha Imnadze, the Director for Poverty Global Department at the World Bank, Luis Felipe López-Calva, as well as around 200 international experts.

The sessions focused on innovative approaches to key topics, including aligning measures with market demand, opportunities in Islamic finance, business inclusivity, and investment in human capital.

The forum will conclude its work on September 18.

UzA