Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 27 August , Tashkent hosted the opening of the 9th Meeting of the Multidimensional Poverty Peer Network (MPPN).

The event brings together global leaders, policymakers, economists, and experts from 63 countries and over 20 international organizations to discuss key issues in the fight against poverty.

During the three-day forum, participants will exchange experiences and international practices in poverty alleviation.

A Platform for Dialogue and Exchange

The international forum is organized by the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) and the Agency for Mahalla Work and Entrepreneurship Development, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Uzbekistan and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).

Uzbekistan’s selection as the host country reflects the international community’s recognition of its reforms aimed at a deeper understanding and measurement of multidimensional poverty for more effective interventions, also opening new opportunities for knowledge exchange.

Presidential Message and Reforms in Uzbekistan

Ravshan Guliamov, Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan on Economic Development, read President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s message to the participants of the 9th MPPN Meeting. The message emphasized that improving the living conditions of every citizen and increasing the volume and quality of education and healthcare services in the "New Uzbekistan" are central to current reforms. Investments in improving kindergartens, schools, hospitals, and mahalla infrastructure, amounting to 31.5 trillion Uzbek som, are a strong indicator of this commitment.

The President highlighted the importance of enhancing social protection, especially for low-income families. The establishment of the National Agency for Social Protection and "Inson" centers has reached over 2.3 million families, four times more than in 2017. Over the past three years, the lives of 3 million people have improved, and the poverty rate has decreased from 17% to 11%.

The message concluded with a hopeful note that the expert dialogue during this forum will be fruitful and that the practical proposals and recommendations developed will mark a new step in reducing global poverty.

Insights from Global Experts

The forum’s participants received words of encouragement from Mansurbek Olloyorov, Director of the National Agency for Social Protection; Bekhzod Musaev, Minister of Employment and Poverty Reduction of Uzbekistan; Sabina Alkire, Professor of Economics and Director of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative; Sabine Machl, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan; Akiko Fujii, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan; and Gonzalo Hernández Licona, Director of MPPN.

In his welcome address, Obid Khakimov, Director of CERR, emphasized the importance of combating multidimensional poverty in Uzbekistan and other developing countries.

"Today, we have a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences on such an important topic as multidimensional poverty. We are here to work together on solutions that can change the lives of millions of people worldwide," said Khakimov.

Global Experience and Knowledge Sharing

The forum saw presentations by Ali Haidar Ahmed, Minister of Housing, Land Resources, and Urban Development of the Maldives; Liu Jiuwen, Director General of the International Poverty Reduction Center in China (IPRCC); Ricardo Landero, Vice Minister of Social Development of Panama; R.H.V.A. Kumarasiri, Director General of the Department of National Planning of Sri Lanka; and Arif Suleman, Chief Economist of the Islamic Development Bank Group.

Participants shared experiences and results aimed at improving global poverty reduction strategies. Each presentation enriched the dialogue and provided new tools for work. Critical topics such as the use of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) for national programs, innovations in poverty measurement, and the need for regional cooperation were discussed, deepening understanding and strengthening the community’s connections in pursuit of improving people’s lives.

A Practical Look at Uzbekistan’s Experience

On the third day of the forum, a practical visit to Samarkand is planned, where participants will study Uzbekistan’s experience, including the "mahallabay" system actively working at the community level.

Background: A Global Commitment to Poverty Eradication

Poverty eradication is a top priority of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The first goal is the complete elimination of poverty in all its forms by 2030. Identifying the causes of poverty, assessing their impact, and implementing measures to address them in each country is crucial in this process.

To better assess poverty in each country based on its characteristics, the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) was developed in 2010 by OPHI and UNDP. The MPI uses indicators of health, education, and living standards to assess the prevalence and intensity of poverty experienced by the population.

Replacing the Population Poverty Index, the MPI has been used in over 100 developing countries and is published alongside the Human Development Index (HDI) in the Human Development Report.

In 2013, the Multidimensional Poverty Peer Network (MPPN) was established to unite efforts and share experiences in poverty reduction. The network, which includes 63 countries and over 30 international organizations, assists policymakers in assessing multidimensional poverty to develop more effective poverty reduction measures.

Annual MPPN meetings have been held in Berlin (2014), Cartagena (2015), Acapulco (2016), Beijing (2017), Johannesburg (2018), Mahe (2019), and Santiago, Chile (2021). This year, the meeting is being held in Uzbekistan.