Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 14 August, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on measures to improve the system for poverty reduction and social protection.

Every country, during its development, goes through a stage of combating poverty. In 2020, Uzbekistan acknowledged that a certain segment of the population was living in poverty and initiated measures to support them. Financial and organizational measures were adopted, and a system was implemented. This yielded results, improving the living conditions of more than 3 million people who had been in a difficult situation for many years. The poverty rate decreased from 17% to 11%.

The goal is to reduce the poverty rate from 11% to 7% within the next three years. However, with the current system, it is challenging to further increase effectiveness. There is a lack of clear criteria for defining poverty, a comprehensive approach to lifting families out of poverty, and a systematic distribution of resources.

At a meeting held on 12 July 2024 in Ferghana region, the head of state emphasized the need for new approaches in this area, stating that from now on, poverty reduction and social protection will be implemented within a unified system.

The presentation reviewed proposals for comprehensive work in these two areas.

In particular, based on analysis, criteria for defining poverty and a targeted list will be formed, which will include individuals from the Unified Social Protection Register and families at high risk of falling into poverty. This status will be confirmed by a council and community activists through a voting process. All social services and assistance aimed at lifting people out of poverty will be provided through the "Inson" centers.

To study the factors of poverty, a unified questionnaire will be developed in the areas of social protection and employment across eight directions. Based on this, families will be assessed and classified into three categories. Individual approaches and assistance will be applied to each family.

Similarly, a list of communities with high poverty levels will be formed. The National Agency for Social Protection and the khokimiyats will annually select 50 such communities and work to transform them into areas free from poverty and unemployment.

Currently, khokims’ assistants are tasked with over 20 responsibilities, causing poverty reduction to become a secondary priority. Moving forward, the work of khokims’ assistants will be restructured, with a primary focus on poverty reduction and employment.

Each year, 14 trillion soums are allocated for poverty reduction. However, these funds are distributed through 40 different financial instruments and about 10 agencies, without a unified approach. As a result, this system will be reformed. The distribution of funds will be managed by the agency and khokimiyats at the regional, district, and community levels, based on the number of low-income families. Priority will be given to lifting families out of poverty.

Monitoring of the implementation of poverty reduction programs will be organized in three stages: at the community-district level, the regional level, and the national level. Public oversight in this area will be strengthened.

Instead of the current practice of reserving jobs, it is planned to introduce tax incentives for entrepreneurs who hire people in need. Job vacancies will be fully digitized. An online platform will be created to connect employers with remote workers and freelancers. In the "Ishga Marhamat" monocenters, training will be organized for low-income citizens in modern professions within the service sector.

"Based on the experience gained in recent years and the needs of the people, we must elevate poverty reduction to a new level. We need to support the desires and capabilities of those in need, engaging them in social life. Overall, any social assistance should ultimately be linked to employment," said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Instructions were given to the responsible officials to ensure targeted and transparent social assistance, increase employment, and develop small businesses.