Uzbekistan plans to eradicate absolute poverty by 2030

Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke at the opening of the international forum “From Poverty to Prosperity” in Namangan, attended by more than 30 influential organizations and about 200 international experts, the presidential press service reports.

The Head of State held bilateral meetings with the President of the Islamic Development Bank, Muhammad al-Jasser, Vice President of the Asian Development Bank, Inmin Yang, and Global Director of the World Bank, Luiz Felipe Lopez-Kalva, Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Sachiko Imoto, and UN Special Representative for Central Asia, Kahe Imnadze.

The President noted that humanity is going through an extremely acute and complex period, the consequences of which cannot be predicted in advance. Geopolitical, economic, and social instability continues to intensify in the world. Due to climate change, water scarcity, and pandemics, the planet is facing severe and complex trials.

Since 2015, the global economic growth rate has averaged 3% and has slowed down compared to the previous decade. As a result, if five years ago there were 650 million people living in poverty in the world, today their number has exceeded 800 million.

This situation poses new and urgent tasks for all states, international organizations, and the world community, requiring prompt decision-making, — the president said.

According to the president, over the past period, Uzbekistan’s economy has doubled, and by the end of the year, per capita income will reach $3,500. A “Model of New Uzbekistan” has been created to reduce poverty: during the pandemic, 800 thousand families received free medicines, 255 thousand families received food, and 1.2 million families received social benefits.

As a result, 5.2 million people were protected from falling into the “poverty trap” while simultaneously preventing economic recession. The Head of State noted that the “neighborhood work” system, covering all segments of society, has fully justified itself.

By 2030, according to international standards, Uzbekistan has every opportunity to completely eradicate absolute poverty, — he said.

Read also: President announces key measures for Namangan’s development The reforms touched upon investment, export, infrastructure, tourism, and the social sphere.