Author: master

---

On September 23 in the framework of the events of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York City, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks with Secretary-General of the Organization António Guterres.

Issues of further expanding cooperation with the UN in the context of implementing national tasks to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals were discussed.

At the beginning of the conversation, the Head of our state sincerely congratulated António Guterres on the anniversary session of the UN, firmly supporting his initiatives on reforming the Organization’s system in line with modern realities.

The unprecedentedly high level of partnership between Uzbekistan and the UN was noted with satisfaction. More than 160 programs and projects are being successfully implemented. In October, the signing of a new five-year Cooperation program is expected.

In recent years, at the initiative of the Uzbek side, 13 UN General Assembly resolutions have been adopted. Uzbekistan has been elected a member of such reputable bodies as ECOSOC, the Human Rights Committee and the Statistical Commission.

At Uzbekistan’s initiative, tomorrow a high-level forum on combating children cancer and other catastrophic diseases will be held at the UN Headquarters. Active preparations are underway for the 43rd UNESCO General Conference in the city of Samarkand.

António Guterres highly praised the speech of the President of Uzbekistan at the anniversary General Assembly, especially highlighting the importance of his initiatives on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, shaping the New Central Asia, promoting global cooperation in digital technologies and artificial intelligence, in the field of youth, enlightened Islam and others.

During the conversation, an exchange of views also took place on pressing international and regional issues.

As a result of the meeting, an agreement was reached on developing full-scale partnership in priority areas, designing new programs and cooperation projects.

---

On September 20, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in the city of New York on a working visit to participate in the events of the 80th anniversary session of the United Nations General Assembly.

At the John F. Kennedy International Airport, the Head of our state was met by the Special Envoy of the US President for global partnerships Paolo Zampolli, chairman of the American-Uzbek chamber of commerce Carolyn Lamm and other officials. 

As reported earlier, the President of Uzbekistan will deliver a speech at the plenary session of the 80th General Assembly, as well as hold talks with the leaders of foreign states, heads of international organizations and financial structures. 

Separate meetings are planned with the heads of major American corporations and participation in the work of a “roundtable” with the representatives of leading US companies.

---

On September 20, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev departed on a working visit to New York City to participate in the events of the 80th anniversary session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Head of our state will deliver a speech on the first day of the general debate of the plenary session of the General Assembly and hold talks with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the heads of a number of foreign states and governments.

On the sidelines of the summit, meetings with the heads of authoritative international financial institutions and events with the participation of leading American companies and investment structures are also planned.

---

On September 20-24, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will pay a working visit to the city of New York to attend the events of the 80th jubilee session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Head of our state will deliver a keynote address on the first day of organizing the general debate of the UN General Assembly plenary session.

It’s noteworthy that during the current jubilee session of the UNGA topical issues of ensuring global security and stability, achieving Sustainable Development Goals, reforming the system of the UN and international financial architecture, combatting the consequences of climate change and other modern challenges, will be reviewed.

On the sidelines of the summit, the Leader of Uzbekistan will hold talks with the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, heads of foreign states and governments, leading international financial institutions. 

In the framework of the business program in the United States, it’s planned to hold meetings and events with participation of the leading American companies and financial-investment structures. It’s planned to sign a package of new agreements and contracts.

---

On September 19, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev got acquainted with a report on the measures on further improving the healthcare system in the country.

Today, special attention is paid to the introduction of a new model of primary healthcare delivery, based on international experience and aimed at bringing medical services closer to the population. On this basis, multidisciplinary central clinics, family doctor practices, family polyclinics and mahalla medical points are being developed according to a unified approach.

As a result, the share of family doctors in the healthcare system is expected to reach 70 percent. Through digitalization and the reduction of paper-based documentation, the workload of medical staff is expected to decrease by nearly one-third, and citizen satisfaction with primary care services should rise to over 85 percent. At the same time, a new system of financial incentives for healthcare workers is being introduced, directly tied to their professional performance.

The President emphasized the importance of fundamentally improving specialized care. The country operates dozens of scientific and practical medical centers that are being equipped with modern technology and receiving significant budget funding.

Nevertheless, public complaints remain regarding the quality of services and long waiting times. It was noted that specialized centers are slow in adopting international treatment standards, their methodological support for primary healthcare remains weak.

In this regard, it’s proposed to revise the activities of all specialized republican clinics and attract to their management professional managers. A successful example is a Republican center for oncology and radiology, where Turkish specialists are already working. 

In parallel, the revision and renewal of clinical protocols continues: to date 400 have been revised, by the end of the year this indicator will double. A tariff methodology on over three thousand medical services is being developed under Asian Development Bank support.

The Head of State instructed to explore the possibility of engaging foreign professional managers in five more centers or transferring them to the management of reputable international clinics. It was emphasized that the expected outcomes should include the development of diagnostic and treatment standards based on international experience, creation of national clinical protocols, introduction of new technologies, drafting of a long-term development strategy for the centers, recruitment of highly qualified specialists, as well as the establishment of a transparent and fair system for delivering quality healthcare to the population.

The meeting also discussed measures to protect children’s health.

It was noted that worldwide there is an urgent issue of breastfeeding infants with maternal milk, and the use of breast milk substitutes is increasing.

To achieve by 2030 the World Health Organization’s recommended target of 70 percent exclusive breastfeeding for children up to six months, a national program to support breastfeeding will be adopted in our country.

Within the framework of the program, the WHO and UNICEF initiatives “Baby-Friendly Hospital” and “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding” will be implemented. Training will be organized for healthcare workers on breastfeeding practices, along with awareness-raising activities for pregnant and nursing mothers.

It was proposed to introduce legislative amendments restricting the advertising of breast milk substitutes, as well as to improve the requirements and standards related to the production, import and export, transportation, storage, sale and delivery of baby food products.

Approving the proposals presented, the President gave a number of instructions aimed at bringing healthcare closer to the people, improving its quality and accessibility, reducing mortality from non-communicable diseases and strengthening the health of the younger generation.

---

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited a new enterprise of “Iftixor kiyim sanoat” cluster in Turakurgan district. 

Today Namangan is Uzbekistan’s leader in textile sector. The share of this sphere is a third of the region’s industrial output and half of its exports. About 2,5 thousand textile enterprises are working in the region, manufacturing products under almost 250 brands and ensuring high income for over 100 thousand people. 

The free economic zone “Namangan” was spread to Turakurgan district in order to expand the industrial potential. Among almost twenty projects being implemented here is the new enterprise of “Iftixor kiyim sanoat” cluster. 

During the meeting held on August 13 the Head of State separately noted the importance of textile enterprises’ cooperation with the leading world brands. “Iftixor kiyim sanoat” successfully implemented this mechanism: here products are sewn by the orders of Bugatti, Pierre Cardin, Roy Robson, Baldessarini, Lavard, Jake’s, Engbers, Cinque, Walbusch and other known brands. Today the clothes produced in Namangan fill the shelves of European stores. 

Additionally the enterprise produces upholstery fabrics for Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Rolls-Royce cars. This is the only enterprise with such profile in the region. Overall cooperation has been established with almost twenty foreign brands.

The total cost of the new project is $198 million, the funds were directed at developing industrial capacities and attracting advanced technologies. Modern campuses were built, a specialized laboratory was created. Energy-efficient equipment from Germany, Italy, Türkiye and Poland increased the productivity, and the laboratory became a key element in ensuring control quality and strengthening the trust of leading brands.

Starting out as a small sewing workshop, “Iftixor kiyim sanoat” has grown into a large cluster, covering everything from cotton cultivation to the export of finished products. Strict quality standards have brought its products to the international market. 

The President toured the production process and spoke with employees. Once it operating at full capacity, the enterprise will produce $100 million worth of products annually, create 2 thousand new jobs, provide stable tax revenues to the budget. Cooperation with international brands guarantees a stable market, significant foreign exchange earnings, and new jobs.

Foreign participants of the international forum “From poverty to prosperity” held in Namangan also visited the plant. They were presented with an exhibition of ready-made clothing for domestic and foreign brands, as well as products from the food, leather, construction, pharmaceutical and other industries.

The guests were shown the conditions created for business in Uzbekistan, as well as the wide range and high quality of domestic industrial products. All this left a deep impression on them.

In conclusion, the Head of State was informed about plans to implement 252 major projects in Namangan region with foreign investment in urban development, textiles, building materials, electrical engineering, tourism, agriculture and the chemical industry. The President instructed to create all necessary conditions for investors and entrepreneurs, accelerate projects, create more jobs, and increase the population’s income.

This concluded Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s trip to Namangan region.

---

In the framework of events of the international forum “From poverty to prosperity” held in the city of Namangan, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the vice president of the Asian Development Bank Yingming Yang.

In the beginning of the meeting vice president Yingming Yang passed to the Head of our State greetings and sincere wishes of the ADB head Masato Kanda and congratulated with the successful organization of the forum.

Practical aspects of strengthening cooperation with this leading international financial institution in the framework of implementing a strategy of irreversible reforms in New Uzbekistan, were reviewed.

The high level of cooperation reached in the past years was noted with special satisfaction. Currently the project portfolio is $14 billion in such areas as green energy, transport, digital transformation, education and others.  

The leader of our country advocated preparation of a new Program of full-scale strategic partnership with the ADB, including new projects in the sphere of infrastructure development, public-private partnership, business, social sector and capital market. 

Special attention was paid to the promotion of projects for poverty reduction, critical minerals processing, budget support, creation of a joint investment platform. 

Additionally measures for preparation and organization next year of the Annual meeting of the bank’s board of governors in Uzbekistan were discussed. 

---

On September 17, in the city of Namangan President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the global director for the World Bank’s poverty and equity global practice Luis Felipe Lopez-Calva. 

In the beginning of the conversation the distinguished guest passed to the Head of our State greetings and sincere wishes of the president of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga, as well as congratulated with the successful organization of the international forum “From poverty to prosperity”.

Issues of further expanding strategic cooperation with the World Bank, primarily in poverty reduction – the first Sustainable Development Goal, were reviewed. 

The highest level of practical cooperation reached with this global financial institute was noted with deep satisfaction. 

The Country program is being successfully implemented. Uzbekistan is one of the leading partners of the bank in the macroregion. The project portfolio has exceeded $14 billion.

Methodology of determining the poverty level has been developed under World Bank’s active support. Currently diagnostics of the indicators of poverty and equity is being jointly conducted in Uzbekistan.

It was proposed to prepare a joint project in the framework of implementation of “From poverty to prosperity” program, with inclusion of practical measures on creating jobs for women and youth, modernizing social infrastructure of cities and villages, developing tourism.

Special attention was paid to the promotion of private sector projects, development of medium-term development programs, organization of population census and other priority areas.

---

On September 17, in the framework of the International forum “From Poverty to Prosperity” program in Namangan, a meeting was held between the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the president of the Islamic Development Bank Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser.

In the beginning of the meeting, the head of this authoritative international financial organization sincerely congratulated with the successful organization of the forum and reaffirmed IsDB’s readiness to comprehensively support the objectives on further poverty reduction in Uzbekistan. 

Issues of further developing full-scale cooperation with the Bank’s group in order to facilitate the implementation of irreversible reforms’ strategy in our country, were discussed.

The dynamic partnership development with the IsDB over the past years has been noted with special satisfaction. The joint project portfolio exceeded $5 billion and today covers such priority spheres as transport, infrastructure, housing, energy, healthcare and education. With this, over 40 percent of investments are in the private sector. 

The Head of our state advocated the adoption of a Long-term strategic partnership program with the IsDB, providing for doubling the project portfolio, increasing the volume of financing for infrastructure projects, social sphere and private sector.

Particular attention has been paid to the promotion of concrete projects in the sphere of utilizing the potential of private business, developing modern medical centers in the country’s regions, modernizing highways, restoring and cementing irrigation canals, and other areas.

---

On September 17, the III International forum “From poverty to prosperity” started its work in the city of Namangan. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part and gave an address at the opening ceremony. 

The Head of State mentioned that amid the geopolitical, economic and social instability in the world, as well as due to the consequences of global change, the pace of global economic growth has slowed down, which in turn led to an increased number of low-income persons. These realities set new and relevant tasks before the governments, international organizations and the whole international society. 

During this difficult period the fight against poverty has been lifted to the ranks of state policy in Uzbekistan. All efforts are aimed at fulfilling the potential of every person, primarily youth and women. The renewed Constitution states that the volume of pensions, allowances and social help cannot be less than the minimum consumer expenditure. 

Thanks to the consistent reforms 7,5 million people have been lifted out of poverty, and its level has been decreased to 8,9 percent in 2024. The objective is to reduce this indicator to 6 percent by the end of the year. 

The twofold growth of the economy played a significant role; per capita income is expected to reach $3,500 by the end of the year.

Based on the testing of new initiatives and the study of advanced global practices, a model for reducing poverty in New Uzbekistan has been developed. Targeted social registers have been introduced, and a total of $8 billion has been allocated for free medicines and social payments during the pandemic. This has prevented 5,2 million citizens from falling into the “poverty trap” and averted economic recession.

A system of work at the mahalla level, at the grassroots level, has been introduced. Individual work is carried out with each family, and the necessary resources are allocated to increase their income. Every year, $2,5-3 billion is allocated to improve mahallas and people’s lives, and develop business infrastructure.

To increase the income of rural residents, the area under cotton and grain cultivation has been reduced by 235 thousand hectares, and citizens have been allocated plots of 30-50 acres. This has been an important step towards increasing the income of 800 thousand people.

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

A program “From poverty to prosperity” is being implemented, consisting of seven priorities. 

First, it is not just about employment at any cost, but about creating sustainable sources of income. In 2024, by attracting $35 billion in investment, over 9 thousand new businesses were opened and around 300 thousand high-paying jobs were created. The state creates conditions for business, and entrepreneurs, assuming social responsibility, help the poor to find permanent jobs and income. This year alone, more than 270 thousand members of low-income families have found permanent jobs.

Second, quality education is the main driver of poverty reduction 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 obtaining a profession will be compensated. Over the past five years, more than 800 thousand people have been trained in modern professions and employed in high-paying jobs. International vocational training centers are being created, issuing certificates that are 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 degree programs 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 will be allocated to support women’s entrepreneurship; in 2025, it is planned to provide a steady income for another 2 million women. As part of the “Daughters of the digital generation” program, 50 thousand girls will receive training in IT, fintech and artificial intelligence.

Fourth. Health care as the basis for unlocking human potential. Doctors are assigned to low-income families, and comprehensive annual examinations are conducted. The scope of guaranteed medical care will be expanded, and the cost of medical services for such families will be halved through free medicines and guaranteed care packages.

Fifth. Targeted social protection. The system has been completely reformatted: a National agency for social protection has been created, “Inson” centers have been opened in all cities and districts, providing over 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. New forms of day care for those in need have enabled 50 thousand employable family members to return to work.

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

Sixth. Infrastructure as the key to reducing multidimensional poverty. Large-scale projects are underway in 1 thousand mahallas with difficult conditions, where about 3,5 million people reside. 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, and separate development programs will be adopted for them. At the same time, projects worth $1,3 billion are being implemented in 810 mahallas for water supply, sewerage, roads and the construction of schools and kindergartens. For those in need and low-income families, $200 million in mortgage subsidies are provided annually.

Seventh. More than 70 percent of government spending is directed toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. At the same time, developing countries need more than $4 trillion annually to achieve the SDGs globally. In these circumstances, there is a need for a “new financial architecture for poverty reduction” — with objective risk assessment, resource mobilization and increased efficiency.

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

The forum was attended by president of the Islamic Development Bank Muhammad Al-Jasser, vice president of the Asian Development Bank Yingming Yang, first vice president of JICA Sachiko Imoto, UN special representative for Central Asia Kaha Imnadze, global director for poverty reduction at the World Bank Luis Felipe Lopez-Calva and about 200 international experts.

The sessions discussed innovative approaches to topics such as aligning measures with market demand, the potential of Islamic finance, business inclusiveness, and investment in human capital.

The forum will conclude on September 18.