NAMANGAN, September 18. /Dunyo IA/. In an exclusive interview with Dunyo IA correspondent, Luis Felipe López-Calva, Global Director of the World Bank, emphasized the importance of the ongoing 3rd International Forum on Poverty Reduction, titled "From Poverty to Prosperity", being held in Namangan:

– This forum is of international significance. It not only provides an opportunity to learn from Uzbekistan’s experience in poverty reduction and share it with other countries, but also serves as a platform for discussing emerging challenges. At the heart of the discussions is the global agenda of 'From Poverty to Prosperity’ – identifying effective strategies for reducing multidimensional poverty and fostering sustainable development opportunities.

Uzbekistan has already established itself as a global leader in the fight against poverty. Its achievements can and should serve as a model for other countries. At the core of this success lies a strong commitment to the principles of inclusive growth, active engagement of the private sector, and the promotion of entrepreneurship – particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises. Significant emphasis has been placed on investments in education, expanding opportunities for women and youth, and creating jobs tailored to these key social groups. Another crucial area of progress has been the strengthening and modernization of the social protection system, which has seen notable improvements in recent years and is expected to continue evolving. The combination of these efforts is producing tangible and positive outcomes – results that are clearly visible today.

The key task for the future is to further deepen these reforms. It is essential to continue investing in human capital – in education, in women, and in youth. Efforts must also focus on addressing regional disparities by supporting lagging areas, developing infrastructure, attracting investment, and strengthening connectivity. Equally important is the continued modernization of the social protection system. At the same time, it is fundamentally important that the private sector plays a leading role in this process. It is business that must become the driving force of transformation – ensuring sustainable growth and long-term stability.