Uzbekistan reduces poverty rate from 35 percent to 6.6 percent – Mirziyoyev

On November 4, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated in the Second World Summit on Social Development held in Doha.

The forum was attended by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock, President of the UN Economic and Social Council Lok Bahadur Thapa, heads of state and government, as well as representatives of international and regional organizations.

At the beginning of his speech, President Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude to the organizers for the high-level preparation of the summit, noting that holding such an important global platform for social development in Doha carries great symbolic significance. He also congratulated the people of Qatar on their achievements, emphasizing the country’s emergence as a center of social inclusiveness and rapid development in recent years.

Below are key excerpts from President Mirziyoyev’s address:

“Excellencies,

I sincerely thank the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani, for organizing this global summit at a high level and for his warm hospitality. I also extend special gratitude to UN Secretary-General António Guterres for his significant personal contribution to the organization of this event.

Holding this summit, a crucial platform for global social development, in Doha has profound symbolic significance. In recent years, Qatar has become a global center for social inclusiveness and rapid development. I sincerely congratulate the people of Qatar on these remarkable achievements.

It is noteworthy that today, both the international community and national governments are jointly working to ensure social well-being and improve living standards. Uzbekistan fully supports all international cooperation formats and initiatives aimed at sustainable development.

In New Uzbekistan, we are building a society guided by the principle of ‘Respect for Human Dignity,’ where social justice is ensured, and the most vulnerable citizens are effectively protected. This firm position is enshrined in our new Constitution, which declares Uzbekistan’s status as a social state.

Previously fragmented social protection programs have been unified under a single structure – the National Agency for Social Protection. Our new social protection model covers society from the neighborhood level to every household and family.

In recent years, we have reduced the poverty rate from 35 percent to 6.6 percent. We will continue these reforms moving forward.

Distinguished participants,

Given the current complex global economic and social processes, I would like to propose the following measures:

First, it is essential to elevate international cooperation in the fight against poverty to a new level. According to UN data, 1.1 billion people worldwide currently live in poverty. It is time to create a new financial architecture for poverty reduction, mobilizing resources for social programs in developing countries. We propose establishing a Global Social Justice Fund to provide practical support for reducing social inequality and poverty.

Second, addressing employment effectively requires introducing new, modern mechanisms. According to the International Labour Organization, the global unemployment rate reached 5 percent in 2024. Rapid technological advances and the rise of artificial intelligence are causing the loss of millions of jobs worldwide. In this context, governments and businesses must play an active role in supporting employees as social partners. We propose developing a global initiative on social responsibility and decent work.

Third, expanding educational opportunities for all is a key solution to social challenges. The annual economic loss due to illiteracy is estimated at $1.4 trillion, making it harder for young people to integrate into social life and the labor market, while exacerbating inequality. We fully support the decisions of the first meeting of the Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty Reduction and propose hosting one of its future summits in Uzbekistan, with education as a primary agenda item.

Fourth, the need for systematic protection of labor migrants and their families is increasing. Currently, over 300 million migrants work abroad, and many face violations of their rights. We propose holding an international forum in Uzbekistan next year with the UN and migration organizations to adopt a global program for social and legal protection of migrants and their families.

Fifth, we are all witnessing the social impact of climate change. Extreme weather, desertification, and biodiversity loss disproportionately affect vulnerable groups such as farmers, seasonal workers, and populations in ecologically challenging regions. Implementing integrated measures to combat climate change alongside employment programs is a priority. In this regard, we plan to launch a new model of socio-economic development in the Aral Sea region, declared by a UN resolution as a territory for ecological innovation and technology, and share this experience with the global community.

Esteemed delegation leaders,

The decisions we adopt today will provide confidence and hope to millions, contributing significantly to global stability and prosperity. Our primary duty in international development is to renew social consensus and create a decent standard of living for every individual. In this regard, we fully support the Doha Political Declaration and are ready to implement its principles in practice. Undoubtedly, this historic declaration will strengthen joint efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

In conclusion, I wish you all success and the summit productive outcomes. Thank you for your attention.”

It is worth noting that on the same day, November 4, President Mirziyoyev also met with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha as part of his working visit.