The 9th Meeting of the International Multidimensional Poverty Peer Network (MPPN) has kicked off in Tashkent. Uzbekistan is holding this major event for the first time, and it takes place annually in different countries worldwide.
The forum was organized by the Center for Economic Research and Reform (CERR) and Mahallabay Work and Entrepreneurship Development Agency with the support of the UNDP in Uzbekistan and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).
At the event, which included leading politicians, economists, and experts from 63 countries and more than 30 international organizations, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Economic Development Ravshan Gulamov read out Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s address to the meeting participants.
The address focuses on improving people’s living conditions and increasing the volume and quality of education and medical services in New Uzbekistan, which are the primary areas of ongoing reforms. Investments in the development of kindergartens, schools, hospitals, and mahalla infrastructure in the amount of 31.5 trillion UZS serve as a strong indicator of this commitment.
During the three-day forum, participants can exchange experiences and international practices from different countries in poverty reduction.
The systemic measures successfully implemented in Uzbekistan to combat poverty, in particular the Mahallabay program, aimed at educating citizens in modern professions, creating jobs, supporting entrepreneurship, providing micro-loans to family businesses, expanding the scope of social services to the poor, aroused the participants’ interest.
Currently, a special concept based on the multidimensional poverty index measurement project is being implemented in Uzbekistan with the support of the UN Development Programme. The event is an important step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and reaffirming commitment to international standards to combat poverty.
The forum continues.
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Guzal Sattorova, photos by Oybek Pardayev, UzA