Uzbekistan, World Bank Deepen Cooperation to Tackle Poverty

On September 17 in Namangan, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with Luis Felipe López-Calva, Director of the Poverty Global Department at the World Bank.

López-Calva conveyed greetings and best wishes from Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, and congratulated Mirziyoyev on the successful organization of the international forum “Road to Prosperity,” The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.

During the talks, the sides discussed further expanding strategic partnership, particularly in the fight against poverty - the first of the Sustainable Development Goals.

It was noted that the joint project portfolio has already exceeded $14 billion, with Uzbekistan among the Bank’s leading partners in the region. With World Bank support, Uzbekistan has introduced a methodology for measuring poverty, while diagnostic work on poverty and equality indicators is ongoing.

The meeting also discussed preparing a project under the “From Poverty to Prosperity” program, aimed at creating jobs for women and youth, developing tourism, and modernizing social infrastructure in both urban and rural areas.

Special attention was given to promoting private sector initiatives, designing medium-term development programs, and preparing for the upcoming population census.