An international roundtable discussion titled "From Poverty to Prosperity" took place on October 21 at the Renaissance Hall complex in Tashkent, as part of the International Cooperation Initiatives Week. Organized by the Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Employment, the event brought together foreign partners, experts from international and regional organizations, and representatives from civil society institutions to discuss ongoing efforts and future strategies for poverty reduction.
Since 2020, combating poverty has been a top priority in Uzbekistan's national policy. The government has developed a unique method for measuring poverty, informed by the “Multidimensional Poverty Index” and international best practices. Notable initiatives include the introduction of a Minimum Consumption Expenditure metric to assess poverty levels more accurately.
The establishment of the “Assistant to the Hokim” (Governor) in local communities in 2022 marked a significant step forward. This program tailors individual assistance programs for impoverished families, resulting in 48mn people gaining access to permanent and seasonal employment opportunities. In addition, 260,000 hectares of land have been allocated to 813,000 individuals for agricultural purposes.
Among the 210,000 microprojects initiated by Hokim assistants, 134,700 have been successfully implemented, generating 464,000 new jobs. This comprehensive approach has led to a dramatic decrease in poverty levels, from 23% of the population living below the poverty line in 2020 to 11% by 2024, with a goal of further reduction by 2030. Over this period, 35 million people have experienced an improvement in their income levels.
The roundtable also highlighted the successful adaptation of China's poverty reduction strategies, focusing on essential needs such as food and clothing, along with guarantees for access to quality education, healthcare, and housing. Under the "20,000 Entrepreneurs — 500,000 Skilled Specialists" program, tax and customs incentives have been offered to businesses employing low-income individuals, resulting in the training and employment of 460,000 people.
Looking ahead, the Uzbek government plans to implement innovative approaches to identify and address poverty. A new system for identifying multidimensional poverty will be introduced in 2025, which will incorporate factors such as education and healthcare alongside income.
Key initiatives include:
- The allocation of UZS 32 trillion ($2.5bn) for infrastructure development in 1,000 neighborhoods under the "From Poverty to Prosperity" program.
- The distribution of an additional 50,000 hectares of land to 100,000 low-income families, with model projects for high-income agricultural products.
- The creation of a catalog detailing the 100 most effective microprojects, with 1,000 agricultural processing and small production initiatives planned for 2025 and 2,000 for 2026.
- Support for higher education within low-income families, particularly for women, through interest-free loans and financial grants.
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