President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan met with World Bank Global Director Luis Felipe López-Calva on September 17 in Namangan, as reported by UzA.uz.
At the outset of the meeting, López-Calva conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, and congratulated Uzbekistan on the successful hosting of the international forum “From Poverty to Prosperity.”
Discussions centered on expanding strategic cooperation, particularly in advancing the UN’s first Sustainable Development Goal — eradicating poverty. Both sides acknowledged the exceptionally high level of practical collaboration, with Uzbekistan now standing as one of the World Bank’s leading regional partners. The current project portfolio exceeds $14 billion.
With the Bank’s active support, Uzbekistan has developed a national methodology for measuring poverty. A joint diagnostic assessment of poverty and inequality indicators is currently underway.
President Mirziyoyev proposed launching a new joint initiative under the “From Poverty to Well-being” program, focusing on three key pillars:
- Creating employment opportunities for women and youth;
- Modernizing social infrastructure in urban and rural areas;
- Boosting domestic and international tourism.
Other priorities for future collaboration include promoting private sector-led projects, developing medium-term national development programs, conducting a national census, and implementing other strategic reforms aimed at inclusive and sustainable growth.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
Sept. 17, 2025