President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the Second World Summit on Social Development held in Doha, where he highlighted Uzbekistan’s social reforms and proposed initiatives to strengthen global social justice and sustainable development.
Opening his speech, President Mirziyoyev thanked the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for the warm hospitality and praised UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for his efforts in hosting the summit.
“It is of great symbolic significance that this important summit on global social development is being held in Doha,” he said, highlighting Qatar’s achievements in social inclusivity and rapid development.
The president outlined Uzbekistan’s recent social reforms, noting that the country had reduced its poverty rate from 35% to 6.6%. “In New Uzbekistan, the principle of ‘human dignity’ is paramount, social justice is ensured, and the most vulnerable in our society are effectively protected,” he said.
He also highlighted the consolidation of social protection programs under the National Agency for Social Protection, which now covers every household at the grassroots level, the mahalla.
Addressing global challenges, President Mirziyoyev proposed several initiatives to enhance international social development. He called for the establishment of a Global Social Justice Fund to attract resources to social programs in developing countries and reduce poverty worldwide.
He also emphasized the need for a Global Initiative for Social Responsibility and Decent Work to address employment challenges arising from technological advancement and AI-driven job displacement.
Education was highlighted as a key solution to social problems. Citing experts, he noted that the annual economic loss due to illiteracy amounts to $1.4 trillion, creating barriers for young people to integrate into society and the labor market. He supported the decisions of the first meeting of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty and proposed hosting a future summit in Uzbekistan focused on education.
President Mirziyoyev stressed the importance of protecting labor migrants and their families, proposing an International Forum on Migrant Protection in Uzbekistan next year, in cooperation with international labor and migration organizations.
He also addressed the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations, noting that extreme weather, desertification, and biodiversity loss affect farmers, seasonal workers, and residents of ecologically challenging regions. He outlined plans for climate-sensitive socio-economic development in the Aral Sea region, which has been declared a zone of environmental innovation and technology by the United Nations.
“Decisions made today will inspire confidence and hope in millions of people worldwide,” he stated, reaffirming Uzbekistan’s commitment to the Doha Political Declaration and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The summit brought together United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the UN General Assembly Annelena Berbock, President of the UN Economic and Social Council Lok Bahadur Thapa, as well as heads of state and government and representatives of international and regional organizations.
