In Uzbekistan, 2026 has been declared the Year of Mahalla Development and Social Prosperity. This decision reflects the country’s strategic priority of strengthening local self-governance, engaging citizens in socio-economic processes, and improving the quality of life.

International experts highly appreciate these initiatives, noting the uniqueness and effectiveness of the mahalla system, which combines traditional values with modern approaches to local governance.

The Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Uzbekistan, Akiko Fujii, noted that Uzbekistan is undergoing consistent, large-scale transformations across the socio-economic, political, international, and regional spheres. She congratulated the President of the country and the entire people on the fact that these reforms are being implemented not only dynamically, but also fairly, creating a sustainable foundation for social development.

She emphasized that the reduction of the poverty rate to 5.8 percent since 2021 is an impressive achievement that deserves international recognition and can serve as an example for other countries. According to her, the mahalla system is of particular interest as a unique model that combines tradition with modern approaches to community governance.

The declaration of 2026 as the Year of Mahalla Development and Social Prosperity, she added, reflects the country’s strategic vision to strengthen local self-governance, engage citizens, and improve the quality of life.

Aziza Alimova, UzA