The first Tashkent International Investment Forum is being held in the capital. Within its framework, a “round table” was held on the topic “The Economics of Poverty”. The event was moderated by the Executive Director of SmartGov consulting Aziz Umarova.
Speakers – Deputy Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade Olimkhon Rustamov, Director of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms Obid Khakimov, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan Matilda Dimovska, Director for Western Balkans/Middle East/Asia, French Development Agency Philippe Orliange.
The coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated that in a crisis, those who live below the poverty line have the hardest time. Despite international efforts to reduce the financial gap between different segments of the population, poverty is significant. That is why the eradication of poverty in all its forms remains one of the most serious problems facing humanity.
Director of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms Obid Khakimov noted in his speech that in Uzbekistan until 2016, issues related to poverty were not raised. The issue was first openly raised by the president in 2020. Specific goals were identified for its solution. In the condition of the pandemic, the issue of eradicating poverty has become even more urgent. He also stressed that Uzbekistan is taking decisive steps to eradicate social inequality. In particular, one of the first and most important steps in this direction was the establishment of the Ministry of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction. Emphasis is placed on the importance of a comprehensive solution to this problem, including issues of education, the environment, gender equality, and entrepreneurship development.
In particular, in accordance with the resolution of the UN General Assembly adopted at the UN Summit on Sustainable Development in September 2015, as well as to organize systematic work on the consistent implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN Global Agenda until 2030, the Cabinet of Ministers on October 20, 2018, approved 16 National Sustainable Development Goals and 127 related targets for the period up to 2030. The first of these is the reduction of social vulnerability. In 2020, the share of the population living below the national poverty line fell from 17.7 percent in 2010 to 11.5 percent in 2020, according to official statistics.
As you can see, the problem persists. On this basis, within the framework of the “round table”, such issues as social protection and social security were discussed: rethinking the role of the welfare state in protecting the poor and most vulnerable segments of society, spending, and policies that target vulnerable segments of the population, the sustainability of public administration institutions, which is critical to building the resilience of national institutions to future external shocks.
UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan Matilda Dimovska noted that the main message of the UN Sustainable Development Goals is to leave no one behind. That is why in matters of eradicating poverty, it is necessary first of all to pay attention to human capital. Today it is not enough just to bring a person out of a state of need. Social protection should be aimed at empowerment, not just support. This approach will help you move forward.
“We are very pleased to see that Uzbekistan is building a competent policy in this direction and puts human values above all else,” she said.
Director for Western Balkans/Middle East/Asia, French Development Agency Philippe Orliange in his speech noted that the work to eradicate poverty must be considered in the context of the fact that the pandemic is not over yet, as well as in the context of climate change. After all, as a rule, these phenomena most affect the vulnerable segments of the population. He noted that we should not wait for the next crisis, but we need to work now. It is emphasized that the pandemic has revealed the need for multiple reforms, including in the tax area for an even distribution of income. Uzbekistan is very competently and purposefully moving in this direction. If we focus on the slogan of the SDGs – no one will be left behind, then it is necessary to make decisions based on these issues.