“Opportunities and resources exist, but responsibility is lacking.” President on Officials’ Work
Uzbekistan
On January 23, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a video conference to discuss Uzbekistan’s 2026 priorities in reducing poverty and ensuring employment. The goals for this year are to provide jobs for 1 million people and reduce poverty and unemployment to 4.5%.
In 2025, the economy grew by 7.7%, and GDP exceeded $147 billion. Foreign investment reached $43 billion, exports $33.8 billion, while inflation fell from 9.8% to 7.3%. The president emphasized that sustainable economic growth creates opportunities for improving infrastructure, which directly affects employment and income.
Poverty and unemployment declined significantly: 366,000 families rose above the poverty line, poverty dropped from 8.9% to 5.8%, and unemployment from 5.5% to 4.8%. These results reflect reforms and growing trust between the state and the population.
In 2026, special attention will be given to the development of mahallas. “If unemployed and poor families remain in a mahalla, it means reforms have not reached them. No minister, governor, or banker can shift responsibility to the ‘mahalla septet.’ Opportunities and resources exist, but responsibility and personal accountability are lacking,” the president said.
He noted that governors and the “mahalla septet” lack methodological support and practical experience, citing successful local initiatives: livestock farming in Arnasay, banana cultivation in Shurchin, pomegranate cultivation in Kuva, and beekeeping in Bostanlyk. These practices can be scaled but are not yet applied efficiently.
Responsible officials have been tasked with studying high-poverty and high-unemployment mahallas within a month and preparing methodological guidelines to implement best practices. Governors will be responsible for creating jobs, increasing income, and addressing social issues. The president stressed that all ministry and governorate activities will be linked to mahallas, and decisions will consider the real changes at the local level.
Poverty and unemployment declined significantly: 366,000 families rose above the poverty line, poverty dropped from 8.9% to 5.8%, and unemployment from 5.5% to 4.8%. These results reflect reforms and growing trust between the state and the population.
In 2026, special attention will be given to the development of mahallas. “If unemployed and poor families remain in a mahalla, it means reforms have not reached them. No minister, governor, or banker can shift responsibility to the ‘mahalla septet.’ Opportunities and resources exist, but responsibility and personal accountability are lacking,” the president said.
He noted that governors and the “mahalla septet” lack methodological support and practical experience, citing successful local initiatives: livestock farming in Arnasay, banana cultivation in Shurchin, pomegranate cultivation in Kuva, and beekeeping in Bostanlyk. These practices can be scaled but are not yet applied efficiently.
Responsible officials have been tasked with studying high-poverty and high-unemployment mahallas within a month and preparing methodological guidelines to implement best practices. Governors will be responsible for creating jobs, increasing income, and addressing social issues. The president stressed that all ministry and governorate activities will be linked to mahallas, and decisions will consider the real changes at the local level.
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