From Reforms to Global Dialogue: Uzbekistan Presents a New Model of Social Protection at the Second World Summit for Social Development

From Reforms to Global Dialogue: Uzbekistan Presents a New Model of Social Protection at the Second World Summit for Social Development

Uzbekistan is rapidly emerging as a pioneer in social protection — demonstrating how systemic reforms, political will, and human-centered policies can transform the lives of millions in just a few years. In a world searching for new solutions to old inequalities, Uzbekistan stands out with tangible progress backed by innovation and international cooperation.

Over the past two years, the country has reduced poverty from 35% to 6.6%, cut unemployment in half, and expanded access to social, educational, and economic services for vulnerable groups — from children and women to people with disabilities and the elderly. These reforms are not merely administrative; they are deeply human, aligned with the principles of inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunity.

These efforts are part of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s broader vision to transform Uzbekistan into a social state, where every policy aims to protect human dignity and expand equal opportunities. The reform is not only administrative — it is deeply human-centered, designed to reach the most vulnerable through integrated and accessible solutions.

Transforming the Social Protection Landscape

Uzbekistan’s new model reflects the principle of “leaving no one behind.” Over the past two years, the country has implemented a series of deep and interlinked reforms:

• Poverty reduction: Inclusive economic growth reduced poverty from 35% to 6.6%, while unemployment fell from 10% to 5.5%.
• Economic inclusion: The “From Poverty to Prosperity” program provides seven opportunities — jobs, education, healthcare, housing, community development, and dialogue with the state.
• Digital governance: An electronic registry of families in need now connects citizens to 120 types of social benefits, while a social card system ensures transparency and convenience for pension and benefit recipients.

Protecting Children and Families

Uzbekistan has become the first country in Central Asia to join the Global Alliance to End Violence Against Children. The new Law on the Protection of Children from All Forms of Violence (2024) officially recognizes physical, sexual, and psychological violence, neglect, exploitation, and bullying as crimes.

To ensure children grow up in a family environment, the government established 255 family-type children’s homes, while large residential institutions have been eliminated. Over 30,000 young people without parental care received social support, and 3,200 were provided with housing.
Special quotas and grants now enable 2,700 orphaned youth to enter universities and 2,000 to join public service positions.

To ensure every child grows up in a family-based environment, children previously living in large residential institutions have been eliminated and children have been transitioned to family-type homes. As a result, only in the last two years, 255 family-style care settings now operate across the country. Over 30,000 young people without parental care have received social support, including 3,200 who were provided with housing.

Additionally, special quotas and grants have enabled 2,700 orphaned youth to enroll in universities and 2,000 to start careers in public service.

Expanding Access to Quality Education

Education reforms have dramatically reshaped early learning and inclusion.

• 1.5 million new kindergarten places created, raising preschool coverage from 27% (2017) to 78% (2024) — a record in the region.
• Over 96% of children now attend preparatory programs, with a goal of reaching 100% by 2026.
• Mobile preschools in buses serve children in remote areas.
• The number of preschools rose from 5,200 in 2017 to 38,000 in 2024.
• Enrollment of children with disabilities in schools increased from 60% to 82%, and inclusive classrooms expanded tenfold — from 200 to 1,973 schools.

The number of students with disabilities in higher education doubled, and Uzbekistan’s youth are excelling globally — Uzbek students now win 195 medals annually at international Olympiads, up from just 15 in 2017.

Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality

Uzbekistan is rapidly advancing in gender equality and political inclusion.

• The share of women in parliament grew from 16.4% to 34%, and in government bodies from 30% to 41%.
• The country rose 48 places in the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law Index, ranking 91st globally.
• In 2023, Uzbekistan criminalized domestic violence, becoming the first country in Central Asia to do so.
• Female enrollment in higher education has surpassed 50%, and Uzbekistan now ranks 38th globally in women’s parliamentary representation — up 92 positions in five years.

Inclusive Health, Sports, and Human Development

Healthcare funding has increased sixfold, with a twelvefold rise in support for mothers and children. Child mortality decreased fivefold since 1995, and life expectancy rose to 75 years.
Uzbekistan joined the WHO Global Initiative to Combat Childhood Cancer, and 100% of newborns are now covered by screening programs.

Sports are a national priority: Uzbekistan ranked 13th globally at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, while the national football team qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Adaptive sports participation among people with disabilities tripled within one year.

Environmental and Green Growth

Uzbekistan’s commitment to sustainability is evident in the “Yashil Makon” (Green Space) program — planting 200 million trees annually.
In the Aral Sea region, forest cover has already expanded to 35%, transforming one of the world’s worst ecological crises into a model of resilience.

The Engine of Change: National Agency for Social Protection

Behind this transformation stands the National Agency for Social Protection (NASP) — a single institution that unified the work of six ministries into one cohesive service system. NASP now delivers more than 100 social services through its 208 “Inson” (Human) Centers across the country, ensuring access for all categories in need — from children to people with disabilities and survivors of domestic violence.

What makes the model unique is not only its scale, but its case management approach, where every family receives personalized support. It reflects the mission to make Uzbekistan a true “social state,” where protection and dignity form the foundation of public policy.

“Our mission is clear: to build a system where no one is left behind,” says Usman Sharifhadjaev, Deputy Director of NASP. “This is not only about providing services, but about unlocking people’s potential.”

Sharing the Experience with the World

These achievements — and the reform model behind them — were presented to the global community during Uzbekistan’s participation at the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar.

Through its national exhibition, titled “The Country of Open Doors,” Uzbekistan showcased how innovative and inclusive solutions are reshaping its social landscape. Alongside this, the country hosted a high-level side event titled “Last-Mile First: Innovations and Human-Centered Service Delivery” — bringing together experts from Qatar, Türkiye, Belgium, Morocco, UNICEF, UNDP, and the World Bank to discuss how social services can reach the most vulnerable populations more effectively.

Article: Dilfuza Ruzmetova, Press-secretary of NASP