International Roundtable “Combating Child Poverty as a Condition for Child Well-Being: Lessons from Uzbekistan”

The event aimed to discuss and validate the findings of a comprehensive study on child poverty, as well as to exchange international experience in protecting the rights and well-being of children.

The roundtable brought together around 30 experts, including representatives of national government bodies, local authorities, international development partners and research institutions.

In her opening remarks, UNICEF Representative to Uzbekistan Regina Maria Castillo highlighted Uzbekistan’s decisive reforms in combating child poverty. She emphasized the country’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and the importance of ensuring equal access for all children to education, healthcare, nutrition and basic living conditions. According to international assessments, the long-term consequences of early-age poverty affect children’s health, learning outcomes and future opportunities, and therefore require comprehensive and systemic support measures.

Deputy Director of CERR Khurshed Asadov, addressing participants, noted that under the initiative of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the fight against poverty has become a nationwide movement and is defined as a daily priority for leaders at all levels.

In this context, reducing child poverty is one of the key priorities of Uzbekistan’s national human capital development strategy. The expert noted that over the past three years, the child poverty rate in Uzbekistan has fallen from 21% to 11% as of the end of 2024.

During the roundtable, the results of the joint CERR–UNICEF study based on the 2024 Household Budget Survey were presented.

The analysis is based on the World Bank’s monetary approach and UNICEF’s multidimensional methodology, allowing for an assessment of children’s actual living conditions, including access to education, healthcare, nutrition, infrastructure and essential services. This combined approach provides a comprehensive understanding of child well-being and helps identify vulnerable groups in need of targeted support.
The roundtable also featured national and regional assessments of child poverty, including a report by UNICEF Regional Advisor for Europe and Central Asia Pamela Dale.

Based on the findings presented, further work is planned to improve targeted support for vulnerable families, develop social protection instruments, ensure more equitable access to social benefits and reduce poverty levels across society.

The validated conclusions and recommendations will be incorporated into the development of future measures and priority-setting in line with Uzbekistan’s Sustainable Development Goals and its international commitments to eliminate poverty in all its forms.

In conclusion, both sides expressed their readiness to expand cooperation in monitoring the socio-economic situation of children, strengthen the analytical base, and jointly develop recommendations aimed at ensuring the well-being of every child.

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